EE
The BIGGEST readership of ANY Roscommon newspaper! Readership is now 80,000 people every week!
FR
A very Happy St. Patrick’s Weekend Parades return!
www.roscommonpeople.ie ABBEY STREET, ROSCOMMON
Towns and villages across the county are gearing up for what promises to be a busy St. Patrick’s Day following two years of Covid-19 restrictions. Parades will be held in Arigna (on Friday) and in Ballaghaderreen, Ballintubber, Boyle, Cloonfad, Cootehall, Elphin, Glenamaddy and Lecarrow on St. Patrick’s Day. See page 26.
advertising@roscommonpeople.ie news@roscommonpeople.ie sport@roscommonpeople.ie
Tel. (090) 66 34633
18 March 2022
The Local Paper
VOLUME: 775
“Lá Fhéile Pádraig shona daoibh!”
TOMMIE KELLY ELECTRICAL
iles and athrooms
Athleague, Roscommon – 090 6663385 ROSCOMMON TOWN – 090 6634465
Golf Links Road, Roscommon (090) 66 37620
SALE NOW ON
Broadband €35 per month
Frances’
Lawnfeed, Weed & Moss Killer
Finishing Touches
New range of Readymade Curtains to suit every budget
Treats 750 m2 15kg Bag
Contact Frances on 087 6500931 Open 9.30 - 6.00 pm
The Square, Roscommon
Wards
Depot: 090 663 46 45 Jason 087 188 8114 • Joe 087 188 8115
Kevin Ireland 087 221 6127 • Matt Devane 087 188 2288 or online at www.sweeneyoil.ie Fuel Cards
Lubricants
Never run out of oil again with our
NEW Oil Monitor!
Finn Electrical Goff Street, Roscommon
Tel. 090 66 25573 Large selection of Shark Upright Vacuum Cleaners now in stock
CIRCULAR ROAD, ROSCOMMON TOWN TEL. 090 6626172
Daffodil Day organisers in Roscommon are appealing for daffodils ahead of the welcome return of the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day, which will be held on Friday, 25th of March (see page 8). Pictured at last Friday’s Daffodil Day Coffee Morning in JJ Harlow’s Bar, Roscommon were Mary McDermott, Angela Carney and Nuala Costello. Pic: Mick McCormack
For the best value on home heating oil and Agri fuels
Commercial
€25.95
Please ring the Constituency Office in advance to make an appointment, tel: 090 66 28479 or email michael.fitzmaurice @oireachtas.ie
Michael Fitzmaurice TD
Mob.: 086
1914565 Michael.Fitzmaurice@Oireachtas.ie
Learn to drive with
For a cleaner, healthier home. We professionally clean; l Carpet l Upholstery l Area rugs l Leather l Tile & Grout
Contact Desi:
085 8082707
CASEY’S Email: Info@mgfelect.com WhatsApp 086 409 3805
Happy Saint Patrick’s Day For all your electrical wiring accessories and lighting supplies
PARTS & SERVICE
J Keane & Sons
Hynes Pharmacy
PERSONAL INJURY
LanesboroSt, St.,Roscommon Roscommon Lansboro T: 090 66 26316 vwjk.ie
Castle Street, Roscommon.
Tel. (090) 66 34147
Contact
Byrne Carolan Cunningham LLP Solicitors
All Personal Injury Matters: Motor Accidents, Workplace Accidents, Garda Compensation Claims, Medical Accidents
Contact
Byrne Carolan Cunningham LLP Solicitors
ROSCOMMON
Now Delivering McGUINNESS Contact 090 66 38000
087 2295551
Aroma Eau Extraordinaire
PERSONAL INJURY
Henry Street, Roscommon.
Tel: 090 6625644
Roscommon Driving School
New
Pharmacy
Main Street, Roscommon T. 090 66 26193 F. 090 66 28789
All Personal Injury Matters: Motor Accidents, Workplace Accidents, Garda Compensation Claims, Medical Accidents
090 647 8433 • www.bccsolicitors.ie 090 647 8433 www.bccsolicitors.ie
* In contentious business, a solicitor may not calculate fees or other charges as a *In contentious a solicitor may not calculate fees or other percentage or proportion of any awardbusiness, or settlement charges as a percentage or proportion of any award or settlement
02
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
NewsPeople With over 30 years’ experience, Aengus Oates Financial Services provides expert financial advice and bespoke financial solutions to our highly valued clients
Aengus Oates Financial Services Plan your future today
Tel. (090) 6627878. Mobile (086) 2573358
info@oates.ie • www.oatesfinancialservices.ie
For a confidential chat, ring Aengus on (086) 2573358
e l p o e WATCHING P With WithPAUL PAULHEALY HEALY
A Supersub Boyo? Give me a break! Is a devious plan being…hatch-ed? SATURDAY
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
090 647 8433
www.bccsolicitors.ie Working from Home and Tax Relief
Due to the significant increase in fuel prices my employer has agreed to allow me work from home on a part-time basis. I will now work from home 3 days a week and travel to Dublin twice a week. Do I qualify for some tax relief because I work from home 3 days a week or does this apply to full-time work from home only? It looks like hybrid working will be part of our future for some time to come. If you work from home for substantial periods of time either on a fulltime or part-time basis then you may be able to claim tax relief against the cost of some home expenses such as electricity, heat and broadbands. In order to qualify for tax relief, you must work from home for substantial periods of time on a full-time or part-time basis. You are not entitled to claim tax relief if you bring work home from the office outside of normal working hours, for example in the evenings or at weekends. Your employer is not legally obliged to make a contribution to you in respect of additional electricity, heating or broadband costs incurred. However, if they choose to do so you may receive up to €3.20 per day from your employer without having to paying any tax, PRSI or USC on it. If your employer pays more than €3.20 per day to cover these expenses, you pay tax, PRSI and USC as normal on the amount above €3.20.
Hey my friend, are you looking forward to the big game? Can’t wait! Ah, Derry…they’ve given so much to the GAA… Really? I suppose… Derry…such a charismatic GAA CYCLING ACCIDENT county… Really? Sorry, was lostin in my thoughts there… If you wereIinvolved a cycling so yeah, can’t wait either! accident contact Eh…yeah! By the way, any news on those Byrne Carolan marathon contract talks? Cunningham Solicitors Huh? With the Editor! About the future of our column! Oh…THOSE talks? Yes, THOSE TALKS! Those very protracted negotiations! About our new contract. They’ve been going on for months! You’ve been dining with him, golfing too…you even talked about going to Cheltenham! Calm down! We had constructive talks last week… CONSTRUCTIVE TALKS! Will you get us improved terms? Absolutely! But… BUT WHAT? He wants innovations! A novelty factor! Eh…new… NEW WHAT? New ideas? Well, a new columnist actually! WHAT??? Oh, he mentioned introducing a celebrity columnist…a kind of ‘Supersub Boyo’… but just once a month! AT WHOSE EXPENSE? Well, I AM the chief negotiator… SURELY YOU’RE NOT DROPPING ME?? Eh…hardly (changes subject)…
Endangered Species The barstool boyos
Huh? This idea of a guest or supersub boyo muscling in on our page from time to time… you wouldn’t, would you? Well obviously I’m loyal to you… Great! It’s just…the Editor…he’s obsessed with there being more colour and controversy on this page! Yeah, but like you say, you’re loyal to me… Absolutely! Mind you, there will be times when we’re on holidays…busy… Huh? I mean, parachuting in a big name every now and again…how bad would it be? But you’ll defend our position…what we have we hold? I mean, it’s crazy! Ah yeah, sure you know the Editor, full of ideas, but never sees them all through… (They pause to watch 18 replays of Shane Lowry’s hole-in-one)
(They pause to savour Ireland’s win over England in the rugby, turning down the sound when Eddie O’Sullivan gets into his rant) SUNDAY Sorry I’m late! Huh! When the game ended, you said you had some business to do, and we’d meet at 5 pm…you’re half an hour late! Sorry! Anyways, what a finish to the game! More like…eh…rugby! A bit chaotic alright…but sure we did well to get a point in the end… Not bad! Great heart from the Rossies! Roll on Offaly…and Galway! A pint? Yeah, a pint…of course a pint, but I’m not happy!
So… So where were you earlier? What business had you to attend to? Well, being honest, I had a quick pint in The Hatch… Okay, no prob! Good buzz there? Oh yeah! I was chatting to lots of people…interesting the people you meet after games…colourful people, controversial people, er…Derry people… Anyways, an interesting day at the Hyde. By the way, I see on Twitter that Joe Brolly was at the Hyde. In fact, he’s just tweeted that he’s been in the Hatch for the last hour… Really? Sorry, I’ve to make a call…. Yeah, Joe Brolly’s in the Hatch. He… HEY! HEY! COME BACK HERE!
What we liked… Shane Lowry’s hole-in-one at the famously intimidating watersurrounded 17th hole at the Players’ Championship at TPC Sawgrass in Florida.
If your employer does not pay you an allowance for your expenses, you may claim for tax relief at the end of the year from Revenue. Your tax refund will be based on the number of days you worked from home and your electricity, heating and broadband costs. Revenue currently applies a tax relief rate for the cost of running a home office at 10% of the total cost. Therefore, you may apply 10% of the cost of your electricity, heating and broadband costs against your taxes. Keeping copies of utility bills will be important to substantiate your claim.
What we didn’t like… Ongoing price rises, with Taoiseach Micheál Martin warning consumers that we are heading towards a “war economy” with prices of goods to rise further, and shortages also a distinct possibility.
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…
Byrne Carolan Cunningham SOLICITORS
Telephone Central Line 090 6478433 info@bccsolicitors.ie www.bccsolicitors.ie
PIC OF THE WEEK: Limbering up ahead of the Connacht Junior Cup Quarter-Final between Creggs and Buccaneers last Sunday. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell
The war in Ukraine; Fuel prices; Shane Lowry’s hole-in-one; Ronaldo’s hat-trick; Roscommon and Derry in fiery draw; St Patrick’s Day celebrations…
03
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
Garden Centre, Florist and Capolatte Cafe
NOW OPEN
One of the best Garden Centres in the West
Gift and Flower ideas for Mother’s Day
Call to see the fantastic range in Milands!
Hugh range of bedding plants, vegetable plants, hanging baskets and window boxes. Outdoor cushions, solar lights and outdoor pots.
Opening Hours Mon – Sat: 9am – 6pm Sunday: 12pm – 5pm
Follow our videos on facebook for lots of ideas
04
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
Crisis in Ukraine: Roscommon stories and response
Glenamaddy fundraiser in aid of Ukraine
Former school in Newbridge revamped for Ukrainian refugees
A Kiddies’ Disco in aid of the people of Ukraine will take place at Glenamaddy Community Centre this Friday (March 18th) from 3 pm to 6 pm. Entry costs €3 per child and €5 per family and there will also be a raffle on the day. Please support.
Lions’ Ukrainian Appeal raises over €7k
The Roscommon Lions Club raised over €7,000 for its Ukrainian Appeal following a number of bucket collections across Roscommon town last weekend. Volunteers held collections in Roscommon town on Friday and Saturday and outside Dr. Hyde Park ahead of the National Football League Division Two match between Roscommon and Derry on Sunday. A statement from the Roscommon Lions Club read: “Our appeal in aid of the people of Ukraine was very successful and raised over €7,000. The club would like to thank members and volunteers who helped with the collection. We are very grateful for the generosity shown by the local community and visitors to Roscommon including the very gracious Derry supporters last Sunday”. The Roscommon Lions Club AGM takes place at The Quad in Roscommon town next Thursday (March 24th) at 8 pm. All are welcome.
Mid-Roscommon Vintage Club has confirmed that there was a “massive response” to its humanitarian appeal for the Ukrainian people which took place on Saturday last at Kilbride Community Centre.
‘Massive’ response to vintage club’s Ukraine appeal Mid-Roscommon Vintage Club has confirmed that there was a “massive response” to its humanitarian appeal for the Ukrainian people which took place on Saturday last at Kilbride Community Centre. Members of the public donated a wide range of goods including clothes, food, beverages, toiletries, baby goods, and bottled water. By 5 pm last Saturday, a mountain of boxes had built up in the sort-
ing room and when everything was sealed and labelled they were loaded into James Brennan’s van for transport to Roscommon town. From Roscommon, the goods will be transported to Eastern Europe next week by Joe Fallon of PJ Fallon Transport. A statement from Mid-Roscommon Vintage Club read: “We would like to thank all involved in the project; the volunteer workers who gave
of their time at the centre, all the people who donated the goods and the people who are involved in the transport. “We also thank the Kilbride Community Centre Committee for the use of their facility as a depot. We hope that our token contribution will help in some small way to relieve the suffering of the unfortunate civilians caught up in this barbaric war”.
Local communities came together recently to transform a disused school building in Newbridge into a hub to receive Ukrainian refugees. The people of Newbridge and Ballygar joined forces to prepare the building which had been closed for the past eleven years, reinstalling heating and electrical systems and a new kitchen. It is hoped the building can now be used to provide temporary accommodation to those fleeing the conflict in Ukraine. The village has already welcomed two families from Ukraine and a number of properties have been offered locally in order to house more refugees. Local Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice took to Facebook this week to pay tribute to the efforts of those involved. “Today I saw what community really is. A school that is closed 11 years in Newbridge, County Galway…on Friday evening the community got together with Sean Gavin and it’s wired, heating working and fully cleaned and painted in just two days,” the post read. “A community of women and men and children gave up their time to get the building ready for giving a home to people fleeing the war. “I hope we never change as it’s incredible the work rural communities like Newbridge/Ballygar do…I don’t need to say any more only well done Sean Gavin, Fr. Louis and every man, woman and child that took part from all areas”.
Husqvarna Automower® Roadshow is coming to Come and speak to an expert as to why Automower® is the solution for you.
Sightseeing Cruises & Angling Trips
Free refreshments Entry into a raffle for €200 off install and an Automower® model toy to all those who attend.
RM Tool Hire
6, Roscommon West Business Park, Circular Rd, Ballypheasan, Roscommon
Hosted at: Abbey Hotel, Roscommon Tuesday 22nd March 2022 Reception: 7.00pm Starting at: 7.30pm
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
05
Roscommon. Tel.: 090 66 26664 | M.: 087 6339548 | www.connaughtonfuels.ie
We specialise in the rapid delivery of GAS and all solid fuels No minimum order - no delivery charge Order on-line or phone Roscommon: 087 6339548 or 090 6626664 Athlone: 087 0621644 Wood Shavings 3 for €22 Quality Gas, Coal, Kindling, etc.
Tonne Bags of Shavings are also in stock
SPECIAL OFFERS ON WOOD PELLETS
ATHLONE AREA Your order is never Ballinasloe area too small for our fast Galway area & free delivery service Roscommon area FREE DELIVERY ALWAYS INCLUDING FROM OUR NEW ATHLONE DEPOT l l l l
... helping to keep you and your family safe, warm and cosy all year round ...
TELEPHONE: 090 66 26664 MOBILE: 087 6339548
06
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
PAUL HEALY’S WEEK A column by Roscommon People editor
Thursday Of course I don’t actually watch Eastenders, but well… you know the defence: It tends to be…er…on in the background. So, having seen tonight’s blockbuster – and with maybe the odd eye on the unfolding storyline in recent months – here’s a few questions: Why is it that every time there’s a murder in Walford, the murderer is tracked down in front of all the locals… in Albert Square? Why are none of them at work/on holidays, not to mention at home…watching Coronation Street? How come the culprit is always caught just as it looks like they might be about to commit another murder? Isn’t it odd that they aren’t just arrested quietly at their house on a wet morning? Tonight, serial killer Gray Atkins finally got his comeuppance, though no thanks to the police. (Another question: Why
were the police running around in circles, oblivious to Gray appearing from the shadows to climb on to a bridge overlooking a train track?). And why, when Whitney saw him on that bridge, did the one person who has long believed that Gray is a serial killer actually decide to climb the bridge to challenge him? Then, when Gray was eventually bundled into a police car – in full view of the locals – isn’t it strange that the three or four people he’s been tormenting lately were all lined up side by side, staring him down? Anyways, I’m glad he was caught. And it should be said that the long-running storyline addressed very serious issues. A final thought…in case anyone thinks the poor residents of Walford should have raised the recent murder spree with some helpful nearby legal expert, it falls on me to remind you that the now behind-bars Mr.
Gray was the (very dapper) local…lawyer. Anyways, like I say, I don’t watch it…
Saturday As we’re going to the cinema this evening, I record RTE’s coverage of Kerry v Mayo. After a stuttering start under previous management some years ago, Roscommon’s cinema (now Omniplex) has recovered well. It’s a fantastic asset to the town. We’re there to see ‘The Batman’, a three-hour superhero epic starring Robert Pattinson and Zoë Kravitz. For lots of reasons – including the ambience, the overall viewing experience, the sense of escapism – I don’t think I’ll ever regret a night in the cinema, but this movie was a hard watch at times. In ‘The Batman’, our hero takes on a serial killer (The Griddler) during a particularly chaotic and terrifying time in Gotham City. Pattinson is very good
paul@roscommonpeople.ie as an unusually moody and menacing Batman, though I wish the character had even a touch of charm/likeability. Kravitz is superb as Catwoman. As indicated in press previews, Colin Farrell is unrecognisable as ‘The Penguin’. He is excellent too. The movie is superbly and atmospherically shot, with Gotham City dark, dreary, scary and forever rain-soaked. But, at almost three hours – every minute dark, tense and brooding – it’s a tough watch. This take on Batman is original and unsentimental, but very dark and grim. Some people will love it, some will want their three hours back, others (like me) will enjoy it with caveats. Back home by 10.40 pm, I caught up on that recording of Kerry v Mayo. As in Gotham City, there was tension in Tralee. As in Gotham City, Tralee was rain-soaked. As in Gotham City, Tralee needed a superhero to repel those who would dare to upset the status
quo for the locals. Naturally, David Clifford swooped in from the shadows and saved the day.
Sunday While Eddie ‘I’m not drinking the Kool-Aid on this one’ O’Sullivan was probably not too far off the mark yesterday with his pretty scathing analysis of Ireland’s win over England in Twickenham, the no-nonsense verdict was delivered with a dourness and negativity that would stop The Grinch/George Lee in their tracks. By coincidence, I’ve come across a section of Eddie’s childhood diary, in which he offered this analysis of Santa Claus’s annual visits (exclusive extract): “Santa? He’s a joke. I’m certainly not drinking the Kool-Aid on this one. Guy only appears once a year, makes a big song and dance about it, has the media in his pocket. Almost certainly operating a slave labour policy with
those poor elves. Makes a hames of the chimney, leaves a mess in the kitchen. Fair enough, he drops off a few toys, but I reckon it’s more about him trying to feel good about himself than some heroic generosity of spirit. Spoofer. I’m not having it!”
Tuesday/ Wednesday Due to how St. Patrick’s Day is falling this year, we’re finishing this week’s paper a day earlier than usual. We go to press Tuesday night, as opposed to Wednesday night. So if you are reading this on Wednesday night or Thursday, you will understand why we missed out on any big news that broke earlier on Wednesday. Obviously if Lord Lucan cantered up Main Street, Roscommon on Shergar on Wednesday morning – while claiming to know where Fungie the Dolphin is – there will be regular updates on our social channels.
One night in Ukraine, one night in Moscow… Wednesday/Thursday The woman just wanted another uncomplicated night in bed, safe, shielded…resting, waiting, trying to push thoughts of the ‘war’ from her mind. She had been brimming with nervous excitement for several months. Now, after recent tumultuous events, she didn’t know what to think, how to balance her excitement with the new uncertainty of life. Meanwhile, in a palace in Moscow, Putin settled down for a few hours’ sleep, surrounded by luxury, calmness and security. The Ukrainian woman tried not to think about the invasion. Instead, she thought of her partner,
and mainly of the baby, and the promise of their shared future. She prayed that the madness ‘out there’ would end soon. She was grateful for the care of the nurses, the comfort of the hospital bed, the serenity of the maternity ward, the latter quietness punctuated by the endearing cries of the newlyborn. As she drifted into sleep, she was whispering words of love to the baby in her womb. Meanwhile, in his (unnecessarily massive and gaudy) bed, Putin didn’t twist or turn…dictators don’t. Instead, he checked online coverage of the ‘special military operation’, took one more call from a key advisor, and then slept the calm sleep of a man who feels in control.
She remembers a sudden devastating explosion of noise, a series of flashes, then loud, unbearably anguished screaming. Objects spun through the air, dust crushed the light. She heard more screams from a woman nearby, only for that screaming to eventually fade to a whimper, then stop altogether with grim suddenness. Then, silence. Then, darkness. She doesn’t know that she ended up lying in agony on a patch of ground, heavily pregnant, her clothes torn and blood-splattered, fragments of glass in her hair, cuts and bruises everywhere. She doesn’t know that other women in the ward had the same experience,
that one of them would later die, along with her baby. After a great night’s sleep, Putin made some early-morning calls in his study. Back at the maternity and children’s hospital in Mariupol – scene of the Russian attack – they initially reported three deaths (including a child), with many more injured, and others trapped under the wreckage. Putin enjoyed his breakfast. The woman looked down on her blood-stained clothes and waited for the emergency services to move her from the bitterly cold ground, hopefully to another hospital, one that had not been burnt out, and where the beds
weren’t now charred symbols of man’s inhumanity to man. Putin took a call from one of his senior generals, to discuss strategy. Putin smiled when they discussed the media frenzy in the West. The conversation turned to shelling cities, to tactics, to advances. Lying in the rubble, freezing and terrified, she could see shadows, friendly shadows, and what appeared to be an ambulance siren. Still startled, confused, in pain, the woman said a prayer. Then, raising one hand to caress her ‘bump’, she whispered words of love to the baby she was carrying…and hoped for the best.
07
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
NewsPeople
Trial of former school principal continues The trial of a former Roscommon Community College principal, charged with theft and false accounting relating to the school canteen, was ongoing at Roscommon Circuit Court, sitting at Sligo, as the Roscommon People went to press on Tuesday. Frank Chambers of Carna-
cregg, Moylough, Co. Galway has pleaded not guilty to all 34 charges and Judge Francis Comerford has directed the jury to find him not guilty on seven charges relating to false accounting. This week, the court heard from five former and two current teachers at the school, who
GROOMING
told the court that if they needed money to pay for sports referees or art supplies, they would go to Mr. Chambers’ office and he would provide the cash from a safe. The trial continues in front of Judge Francis Comerford at Roscommon Circuit Court, sitting in Sligo.
NUTRITION
PET STORE
ON • M M O • RO SC
D N A GR NING
OPKEEND OFFER WEEK
All smiles at the Roscommon v Derry match last Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
Lions Club pledges to help 35 refugees Roscommon Lions Club has pledged its support to the Irish Red Cross to offer assistance to up to 35 Ukrainian refugees and has commenced a search for possible accommodation centres within the county. The news comes following the club’s successful fundraiser last weekend which raised over €7,000 for the cause. Speaking to the Roscommon People this week, Lions Club member, Ciaran Mullooly, said the group is currently investigating the availability of three potential accommodation centres. “The idea is that extended family units arriving into the county will be able to stay together when they come here,” he explained. “We have discovered that there are already substantial Ukrainian and Polish connections here in Roscommon and we are hoping to liaise with the Red Cross and work with these families with a view to keeping new arrivals close to existing family members. “It would be terrible if there are families coming
in, who have connections locally, who then had to be housed elsewhere in the country”. The Lions Club has been busy in recent days identifying potential centres of accommodation and its survey of local sites is thought to be at an advanced stage. Mr. Mullooly says the local group has pledged to provide rent and bill payments as well as bedding and other essentials. “We will have our AGM on Thursday of next week (24th) and by then we will be able to provide an update from both Roscommon County Council and the Red Cross,” he said. “Cllr. Kathleen Shanagher is a member of the Lions Club and she has been in direct contact with Roscommon County Council Chief Executive Eugene Cummins about the current situation. We also hope to have an update on three centres of interest. “We are inviting everyone to our meeting at The Quad in Roscommon town on Thursday, March 24th (8 pm), and particularly those who have an interest in providing accommodation for those people arriving from Ukraine,” Mr. Mullooly added.
Visiting restrictions at two hospital wards
€5.5m in funding for CBS
Visiting restrictions have been imposed on two wards at Roscommon University Hospital following an outbreak of Covid-19. Due to the outbreak, access for visitors to St. Coman’s Ward and St. Teresa’s Ward is currently limited to compassionate grounds only while visitors to St. Bridget’s Ward is strictly by appointment only. Visits must be pre-arranged in advance by contacting the relevant ward: St. Bridget’s (090-6632214/15); St. Teresa’s Ward (090-6632253/30); St. Coman’s Ward (0906632223/25).
CBS Roscommon has been granted almost €5.5m in funding as part of the Department of Education’s Additional Accommodation Scheme, which will see the development of specialist classrooms at the Roscommon town school. The funding will see the provision of new science laboratories, a graphics room, music room, engineering room, technology room, and home economics room. Welcoming the announcement recently, Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy said it was “fantastic news” for the school community.
< DAN DOONER
20% OFF
*
EVERYTHING
ST. PATRICK’S WEEKEND
FROM
TO
17th 20th Mar. Mar.
ROSCOMMON STORE Unit 1 Centre Point Retail Park, Circular Road, Roscommon Town, Co. Roscommon Phone: 090 6643029 Email: roscommon@petmania.ie
* Terms: Not valid in conjunction with any other offer or discount or on Grooming Services. Available from 17th of March to 20th of March 2022 in-store only at Petmania Westport, Sligo and Roscommon only.
GROOMING
NUTRITION
PET STORE
www.petmania.ie
Roscommon Herald
08
Home,Interiors,DIY
4C (CMYK)
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
NewsPeople newsbriefs GoFundMe appeal for Seed of Light Food Donation Centre A fundraiser has been set up to support the Seed of Light Food Donation Centre in Roscommon. The centre has been operating in the town for the past seven years but demand has significantly increased over the last two years. The premises the centre operates from no longer provides the space and conditions required to continue to provide the community’s needs. Funds raised will go towards remedial works being undertaken to bring their new premises up to basic standards. To support this worthy cause, please visit ‘Support Our Food Bank in Roscommon’ at www.gofundme.com.
Darkness Into Light Ballaghaderreen 2022 The Darkness Into Light committee are delighted to announce that the annual walk will return to Ballaghaderreen for 2022. After two years without this gathering the committee is hoping the walk, which takes place on Saturday, May 7th, will be a huge success. Online registration is now open and early bird reduced rates for DIL are available until Thursday, March 31st. Sign up today to ensure you get your iconic t-shirt in time for the event – plus be in with a chance of winning one year’s free electricity from sponsors Electric Ireland for you and a friend. Entry fees are adult €21; children €5; Family – two adults and five children €52; OAP, Students, and Jobseekers €16. There will be pre-registration days held early in April. Full details are available at www. darknessintolight.ie.492213. Thank you for your continued support.
Clothing collection fundraiser The Ballaghaderreen Community Park clothes collection continues until the end of March to raise funds for the ongoing costs of the facility. Clothes can be left at the Community Park clubhouse from Monday to Friday from 9 am to 12.30 pm. Clean reusable clothes, hats, scarves, shoes, belts, curtains etc. will be accepted. No duvets or pillows please. Contact Brid on 085-8492213.
Pictured at last Friday’s Daffodil Day Coffee Morning in JJ Harlow’s Bar, Roscommon were Niamh Kelly, Mary Kelly, Gertie McDermott, Pauline Healy and Marie Keane. Pic: Mick McCormack
Appeal for fresh daffodils ahead of Daffodil Day
Thank you for your order. Please note: The image above notSociety to scale isbefor fodils information The Irishis Cancer Daffodil and Day will at the Daffodilpurposes Day depot in theonly. Harrison back on the streets on Friday, 25th of March after an absence of two years. As in previous years, the local voluntary organisers of Daffodil Day in Roscommon Town are appealing to the public to donate daffodils. Boyle, fresh Co. Roscommon Volunteers will be available to receive daf-
This advert is copyright of Roscommon Herald Ltd.
Centre, Unit 5 (painted yellow) on Thursday, 24th of March from 11 am to 6 pm. Volunteers and students will be on the streets and at local supermarkets/shops selling fresh daffodils, silk daffodils, Daffodil Day pins and other Daffodil Day items in support of this annual fundraiser.
Roscommon Herald Limited, Bridge Street, Vat Reg no.: 4671235J Company Reg no.: 88576 Tel: +353 (0)71 96 62004 Fax: +353 (0)71 96 62926 Email: ads@roscommonherald.com
Talk on ‘Big Houses along Suck Valley Way’ A talk entitled ‘An Examination of the Big Houses along the Suck Valley Way’ will take place at 7.30 pm on Friday, March 25th, at Donamon Castle by author Paul Connnolly. The presentation will examine some of the ‘big houses’ that were/are located in close proximity to the modern-day Suck Valley Way walking trail. The houses that will be examined in detail are Castlecoote House, Clonalis House, Mount Talbot House, Castle Kelly, Rookwood House and Donamon Castle. Other houses examined in less detail include Cloonca House and Thornfield House. The event will be presented by Paul Connolly, author of the well-received book, ‘The Landed Estates of County Roscommon’. Admission is €10, and booking is essential. All proceeds go to the Suck Valley Way Co-operative. Contact Anthony Waldron on 086 7866774.
09
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
NewsPeople
Room Rental Excellent rental potential in the heart of Roscommon Town
Modern, spacious meeting rooms with very competitive rate, while supporting a community-based Youth Project
The scene of last Friday’s crash on the R293 between Ballaghaderreen and Gorteen.
Two die in road collision near Ballaghaderreen The two people killed in a single-vehicle road collision outside Ballaghaderreen in the early hours of Friday morning last have been named. 27-year-old Daniel Dolphin from Derroon, Ballymote was pronounced dead at the scene on the R293 between Ballaghaderreen and Gorteen, at Edmonstown. Mother of one, 35-year-old Liga Smolaka, a former Sligo IT student originally from Latvia, had been removed from the scene but was later pronounced dead at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar.
A third person, a man in his 20s, was taken to Mayo University Hospital and his injuries were said to be non-life threatening. Mr. Dolphin was laid to rest in St. Columba’s Cemetery following funeral Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ballymote on Tuesday. A committal service for Liga Smolaka will take place at Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan this Thursday at 1 pm. Friends of Ms. Smolaka have set up a GoFundMe page to help cover her funeral costs and to assist her teenage daughter.
Phone: 090 66 24078
The page ‘Support for Liga’s daughter Viktorija’ has already raised over €8,000. Gardaí are appealing for any witnesses to the collision to come forward. Any road users who may have camera footage (including dash-cam) and were travelling on the R293 at the time of the collision are asked to make this footage available to Gardaí. Anyone with information is asked to contact Castlerea Garda Station on 094-9621630, the Garda Confidential Line on 1800-666111, or any Garda Station.
Meeting Room with access to kitchette and toilet facilities, WiFi and building is fully accessible Ideal for courses/grinds, etc. – large groups All bookings must have Public Liability Insurance
For more information, call 090 66 27751 or email martina.mee@foroige.ie
Great ideas and great value in our Giftware & Homeware sections Guinness Cans
Delicious Irish Ham Fillets 1.4Kg A Tasty €6!
12-Pack
€19.88
Inspired Irish Angus Striploin
Carlsberg Cans 12-Pack €20.36
Twin-pack
Only €8
Santa Rita Wine Range Only €8
Half Legs Irish Lamb Only €10.99
3 for €2
Mix and Match; Pineapple, Bag Galas, Nets Kiwis, Carrots, York Cabbage, Punnet Mushroom
Happy St. Patrick’s Weekend (offers valid Thursday 17th to Wednesday 23rd March)
Jameson Whiskey 700ml
€23
10
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
The
D News page
G
One of Ireland’s leading violinists to perform at The Dock on March 26th One of Ireland’s leading violin players has created a performance inspired by Lough Key Forest Park and the surrounding countryside where she spent time during a post-lockdown arts residency in The Dock, Carrickon-Shannon. Larissa O’Grady, a member of Ireland’s leading contemporary music group, Crash Ensemble, who has performed as a soloist and chamber musician across three continents and frequently performs with Ireland’s RTÉ orchestras in principal positions will present a concert of works for solo violin on Saturday, March 26th at 7 pm. Her Resonate Artists residency in The Dock during 2021 was organised in partnership with Music Network and the inspiration to create new work came from the period when she like everyone else found herself locked
down at her home in Dublin. “As lockdown continued, I became more aware of my own natural habitat and landscape and began taking field recordings of bird sounds in my local area and in popular forest parks around Dublin and county Wicklow to archive those sounds that I had been enjoying and become more intensely aware of,” she explains. “Exploring my relationship with the natural world and biodiversity is something that I had committed to allow myself time for and engaging with nature through my art practice was how I wanted to spend time exploring that. “While researching, developing and presenting a nature-inspired mixed media sound and visual installation with violin as the central voice, I worked to create a unique concert of-
fering for the audience – a solo violin programme with mixed-media which also inspires a new cohort of nature lovers to engage with nature on a local level at Lough Key Forest Park”. When she arrived in Carrick-onShannon to begin her residency, she set off almost immediately for the beautiful location of Lough Key Forest Park to record a film that will be presented as part of her solo violin performance in The Dock. The exciting programme Larissa has created will include works by David Lang, Linda Buckley and Michael Gordon as well as the world premiere of a new work by composer Sam Perkin entitled ‘Larissa’. Tickets for the concert are on sale now on The Dock website at www. thedock.ie and via The Dock box office on 071-9650828.
Larissa O’Grady pictured at Lough Key Park in Boyle. Larissa will perform at The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon on March 26th.
RTÉ Folk Award winner set for Roscommon Arts Centre Singer/Songwriter Emma Langford makes her Roscommon Arts Centre debut on Wednesday, April 13th at 8 pm and this is a gig that music lovers will not want to miss! Langford was awarded the RTÉ Folk Award for Best Emerging Artist in 2018, and in 2020 and 2021 was shortlisted for Best Folk Singer. She received the Music Network Resonate residency, and Arts Council Agility Award last year to support her continuing musical exploration of women in Irish history. Emma has written and independently released two highly acclaimed albums, Quiet Giant (2017) and Sowing Acorns (2020), laying
the groundwork for a bright, busy future. Never one to shy from a challenge, she made the ultimately rewarding choice to release her latest album at the height of a pandemic – Sowing Acorns landed in September 2020, receiving huge international praise. She then quietly climbed up the charts across iTunes and Irish radio with her epic folk ballad Birdsong; collaborated with the RTÉ Concert Orchestra; was selected to perform at the prestigious Ireland Music Week international showcase; and joined the hugely successful Irish Women In Harmony. 2022 sees her back on the road, as well as collabo-
rating with award-winning Irish conductor and composer Eimear Noone on work surrounding the legendary Gráinne Mhaol, Pirate Queen; and continuing her Arts Council supported research around Irish women in myth and history. Noted for a vocal timbre which dances playfully among the nuances of ‘folk’; Emma Langford’s voice is at once defiant and ethereal; her lyrics insightful, yet loaded with wit and whimsy. Comparisons are often drawn, in style and sound, to artists such as Joni Mitchell, Norah Jones and Janis Ian. The Irish Times described her debut album Quiet Giant as ‘music
that weaves a spell as you listen to it… An enduring piece of work’ and Phil Coulter has described Emma as “A breath of fresh air”. Langford has hit her stride and shows no signs of slowing down, with her album Sowing Acorns receiving huge international praise, and glowing reviews from Irish radio and print media alike. Emma Langford’s light has been shining for a long time, and the world is taking notice. Roscommon Arts Centre are delighted to welcome her to their stage. Tickets for Emma Langford are €15 and are on sale now from box office on 090-6625824 and from roscommonartscentre.ie
‘Gatehouse’ release new music videos Roscommon-based traditional and folk band Gatehouse have recently released two new videos, ‘The Gypsies’, and ‘Paddy From Aghera’. The new music videos feature footage from scenic areas in Kilteevan and Knockcroghery, including The Cloonlarge Loop, Portrunny Bay and
Lecarrow Harbour. Filming was also carried out in the redeveloped Kilteevan Community Centre and Paddy Finn’s pub. As well as promoting the band, the videos will promote the beautiful heartlands of Co. Roscommon. “We were really thrilled to make
Roscommon-based traditional and folk band Gatehouse have recently released two new videos, ‘The Gypsies’, and ‘Paddy From Aghera’.
the videos in our local area, and to let viewers from all over the world see the lovely scenery that exists here in Roscommon,” said band member John Wynne. Gatehouse would like to thank County Arts Officer Rhona McGrath and Roscommon County Council for supporting the project. It was also supported by the Department Of Tourism Culture Arts Gaeltacht Sports and Media under The Local Live Performance Programming Scheme. Band members have also expressed their gratitude to Kilteevan Community Development group and to Paddy Finns. The videos are available to watch on YouTube, and on the band’s website; www.gatehousetrad.ie. Gatehouse’s upcoming local performances include a concert at The Glens Centre in Manorhamilton, on Saturday, March 26th, and a performance at Roscommon Chamber Festival, on Saturday, June 4th.
Miriam’s Masters! Rachel Hastings from Ballyforan takes a selfie of herself and her sister Miriam at the recent Graduation at DCU. Miriam received a 1st class Honours Degree in her Masters of Education in Teaching and Learning.
11
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
NewsPeople Glenamaddy 59th Annual Theatre Festival 2022 (Under the auspices of the Amateur Drama Council of Ireland)
Friday March 25th – Saturday April 2nd 2022 Town Hall Theatre, Glenamaddy Adjudicator – Irene O’Meara Friday March 25th
Pictured at the recent launch of the Glenamaddy Theatre Festival were (back row, left to right): Tracey Comer-Burke (PRO), Margaret McMahon Keaveny (Treasurer), Martina Keaveny (Assistant Treasurer), Fr. Paddy Mooney, Patricia Walsh (Secretary), Ann Davis (Assistant Secretary). Front row (l-r): Coman Keaveny (Festival Director and Amateur Drama Council of Ireland Chairman), Patricia Keady (President) and Peter Keaveney (Chairman). Absent from photo: David Burke (Vice-Chairman).
Glenamaddy Theatre Festival returns Glenamaddy Theatre Festival is returning after a three-year absence, and the excitement in the community ahead of its return is electric. The festival, which is widely regarded as one of the best on the island of Ireland, will showcase some great Irish amateur drama, with groups from the four provinces competing for the coveted awards. A wonderful line-up of plays, spanning the spectrum of genre and emotions from comedy to drama, will be on the stage of the Town Hall Theatre for the eight nights of the festival. The 59th Annual Glenamaddy Theatre Festival opens on Friday, March 25th, concluding on Saturday, April 2nd. No performance will take place on Wednesday, March 30th. The festival was launched recently by retired parish priest Fr. Paddy Mooney, who has a long association with amateur drama. From Friday, March 25th, groups from across
the country will take to the stage at Glenamaddy Town Hall Theatre. The opening night will feature Corofin Dramatic Society, with their production of ‘Betrayal’ by Harold Pinter. The festival will have groups performing great plays such as ‘The Communication Cord’, ‘All My Sons’, ‘One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest’, ‘Eurdyice’, and ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’ to name but a few. The adjudicator this year is Irene O’Meara, who is making her second visit to Glenamaddy. This is certainly a festival not to missed. Doors open each night at 7.30 pm, with curtain up at 8 pm. Admission is €12 and season tickets are €80. For more information on all the performances or to book/buy a season ticket, please contact 0862045896 from 11 am to 4 pm daily. *You can like/follow us on our Facebook and Instagram (search Glenamaddy Theatre Festival), or check out our website at glenamaddydrama.com.
Saturday March 26th
Corofin Dramatic Society, Co. Clare (Open)
Lislea Dramatic Players, Co. Armagh (Confined)
“Betrayal”
“One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest”
Sunday March 27th
Monday March 28th
“All My Sons”
“Sive”
Tuesday March 29th
Wednesday March 30th
by Harold Pinter
Ballyshannon Drama Society, Co. Donegal (Open) by Arthur Miller
Phoenix Players Tubbercurry, Co. Sligo (Confined)
by Dale Wasserman
Cluann Machua Kiltimagh, Co. Mayo (Confined)
by John B. Keane
No Performance
“The Communication Cord”
by Brian Friel
Thursday March 31st
Friday April 1st
“The Cripple of Inishmaan”
“Eurydice”
Saturday April 2th
Curtain: 8.00 pm Doors Open: 7.30 pm Admission: €12 Season Tickets: €80
Glenamaddy Players (Confined) by Martin McDonagh
Palace Players, Co. Cork (Open)
“Chapatti”
by Christian O’Reilly
Dalkey Players, Co. Dublin (Open) by Sarah Ruhl
Booking Office: Tel: 086 2045896 11.00 am - 4 pm (Daily from Wednesday March 2nd) Website: www.glenamaddydrama.ie Find us on Facebook: Glenamaddy Theatre Festival Find us on Instagram: Glenamaddy Theatre Festival
THIS WEEK...On The Political Beat The rising cost of living dominates the Political Beat this week as local public representatives discuss extra fuel allowances, the Government’s package for hauliers, rising coal prices, and European Commission measures on tackling electricity prices…
Murphy welcomes extra fuel allowance
Fianna Fáil Senator Eugene Murphy has this week welcomed a payment of €125 to over 370,000 people in extra fuel allowance supports. “The Government has introduced a €500 million package to help the many people under serious financial hardship because of fuel and electricity costs, and this €125 top-up for fuel allowance coupled with a €200 electricity subsidy should give some relief to many members of the public,” he said. Senator Murphy went on to strongly defend Government efforts to assist those under financial pressure following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. “It is untrue for anyone to say the Government is not doing its best to help people under pressure,” he said, adding that “it would be better to halt Carbon Tax increases for now” so as not to add further pressure on consumers.
Deputy Fitzmaurice added that there were many privately-owned HGVs which would fall outside the scheme and called on the Government to revisit the measures.
Kerrane calls for action on rising coal prices
Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane says the Government must act urgently to address rising coal costs to alleviate financial pressure on families. “Coal costs are spiralling out of control and the Government must act to ensure necessary supports are put in place to protect people,” she said. Deputy Kerrane said Sinn Féin proposals include a discretionary fund of €15 million and would see a further 50,000 households have access to fuel allowance supports. “It is clear that there is an urgent need for this and that it must include people struggling to afford to purchase coal. This will be vital in ensuring people aren’t plunged into debt and left at the mercy of moneylenders as they struggle to meet these sky-high costs,” she added. She urged the Government to do everything possible to ensure families get a much-needed break from the rising costs of living.
Government ‘wide of the mark’ with haulier supports – Fitz
Independent TD Michael Fitzmaurice has accused the Government of being “wide of the mark” with its emergency package aimed at relieving pressure on hauliers. A total of €18 million has been allocated to the
MacManus calls for Commission measures on electricity prices
Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane
scheme, which was announced last week, with €100 per week for every HGV listed on an operator’s licence. Deputy Fitzmaurice said: “While the eligible hauliers will of course welcome the weekly payment, the increases witnessed in recent weeks far outweigh the €100, considering the distances these vehicles travel on a weekly basis and the amount of fuel it takes to keep them on the road. “Over a period of eight weeks, payments will amount to €800 for a single truck. The budget of €18 million covers just over 22,000 HGVs. But when you look at the number of HGVs taxed in Ireland, the figure stands at almost double that, as per a consultation document on the future of the haulage industry published by Government last year”.
Sinn Féin MEP for the Midlands and Northwest, Chris MacManus, has this week urged the Government to use European Commission measures when it comes to tackling the rising cost of electricity. Speaking in Brussels following a recent announcement on measures, the MEP said: “The European Commission’s REPOWER EU communication sets guidelines for member states to set fixed retail prices for electricity, and to collect a windfall tax on excess profits of electricity suppliers”. MEP MacManus said that this was a “welcome clarification” and the Government should investigate the options for temporarily fixing retail prices here. He added that a temporary redistribution of windfall profits would lift the burden of rising energy prices on consumers and small businesses. “As energy prices spiral out of control, it is clear that small steps and half-hearted responses are not enough,” MEP MacManus said. “We are facing a crisis and we have a clear set of tools available to address it. It is time for urgent and far-reaching action”.
12
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
NewsPeople
FRANK
FRANK BRANDON’S
BRANDON
unique take on life ...
After beating England in their own back yard, could Ireland take the title? Our man Frank on beating England at Twickenham, the development of local footpaths, a super Saturday for Cristiano, and celebrating the first post-pandemic St. Patrick’s Day… Saturday saw the biggest rugby match of the year (as it is every year) with Ireland taking on England. And if ever a match was hard to sum up, this one certainly was. A bonus-point win, a record defeat for England against Ireland on their home ground in Twickenham, and yet everyone knows that Ireland had a huge amount of problems and
were hardly deserving of such an emphatic victory. At the same time, it was just as sweet as any win. It reminded me of 2004, also in Twickenham, when the Irish spoiled the World Cup winners’ homecoming party. On the way out to the stadium on a very packed train, it was very obvious to the few of us wearing green jerseys that the Irish team were only there as cannon fodder for the World champions, and the very bullish English supporters were nearly apologising for the terrible defeat we were about to suffer. As it happened, Ireland won 19-13, and hard as they tried, the party atmosphere just didn’t happen. The balloon was well and truly burst, and I can still remember the massive sense of deflation around the ground – especially on the train journey back to the city, when, miraculously, there now seemed to be more Irish jerseys than English ones! Irish victories in Twickenham are as rare as
hens’ teeth, so despite the circumstances, I am sure all the Irish that were lucky enough to be there enjoyed it just as much as we did eighteen years ago. As a young lad reluctantly taking up rugby many years ago, one of the biggest lessons we learned was to tackle low (not claiming that I ever did it). In the meantime, things have changed, and a lot of tackles are aimed at the upper body. However, with the increased awareness of head injuries, players have to be more careful. The English supporters were incensed at the red card dished out to Charlie Ewels in the first minute, but having delivered a dangerous flying headbutt to James Ryan’s head, he had to go. If he didn’t, it would’ve made nonsense of the claim that players’ welfare has become a huge issue. While England lost him so early, it also has to be remembered that we lost James Ryan, and
A super Saturday of sport!
On the wrong path with local development? It’s a beautiful Saturday morning – very much better than the weather forecast would have us believe – and I am heading to lovely Athleague, the reigning Pride of Place champion village. However, this time I am not going to admire the scenery. Believe it or not, I am going to have a look at a footpath! For a week or so now, a regular reader of this column has expressed his bewilderment at the development that is taking place on the Creggs Road, all the way from the village, over
the bridge, and out past the hurling pitch. In fairness to him, he has a point, because the finished article will certainly have a big impact on the width of the public road – a road that is very busy due to the proximity of Aurivo/ Homeland, Kepak, and the hurling pitch, and a stretch that has a huge number of lorries, tractors and trailers, and jeeps and trailers. He also made the point that the new footpath – up to twelve feet in width – will take away a lot of the parking area on the
roadside opposite the pitch, where lots of supporters park their cars in relative peace on big match days. The other thing he says is that he has never seen that many pedestrians walking out that way, and even if there were, there is a perfectly operable path on the other side of the road. In a nutshell, his question really is – why was this work undertaken at all? There can be no doubt that this is a very expensive operation, and from my observations on Saturday morning, I would have to agree. Though I admit
as of today, no one yet knows how long he will be out for. Bearing in mind that Ewels weighs in at 17 stone of pure muscle and bone, it’s fair to say that a headbutt from him delivered at speed is a pretty frightening proposition. While he almost certainly didn’t mean to harm Ryan, players must be more careful with the way they tackle. Anyway, no matter how much the English claim they were hard done by and how much they dish out all the stuff about how they restored pride in the jersey, the hard fact is they lost by 17 points in front of their home crowd. However, I also accept that they are very good rugby players. I for one think they are well capable of travelling to Paris next week and spoiling the Grand Slam party for the cock-ahoop French. If they do, and we can find a win against the unpredictable Scots, we could well end up as Six Nations champions! Wouldn’t that be nice?
I’m no engineer, my reader would seem to have a valid point. For whatever reason, there seems to be a policy out there nowadays to take away as much parking space on town and village streets as possible. Everywhere we go, streets seem to be getting narrower as footpaths encroach on the spaces that were there. I for one (actually two) think it’s not a great development. Anyway, that was my trip to Athleague. All my reader wants is know is “Why?”
I happened to witness one of the best fights I have ever seen last Saturday when Belfast boxer Michael Conlon and Nottingham native Leigh Wood took part in an amazing world title bout. Having been in charge all the way, Conlon was caught with a knock-out punch in the very last round, a punch that drove him clean out of the ring, landing in a heap in the front row of the crowd. After huge concern for his wellbeing, the good news came that he seems to be fine. In fact, in typical Conlan form, he is
looking for a rematch! Like him or hate him (because he does split opinion), Conlan is box office, and took part in a fight that Carl Frampton says was the best he’d ever seen. Of course earlier in the evening of what was a great sports day for all of us Manchester United supporters, the greatest goalscorer of all time, Ronaldo, hit an amazing hattrick to give us a vital win over Spurs. So, as I headed for bed on Saturday night, I could hardly have been in better form!
Finally for this week… As we look forward to a normal Paddy’s Day, one of the things that brightened my mood this week was the reappearance of ads in last week’s Roscommon People for musical entertainment in some of our local pubs. Like our editor Paul, I too have yet to make my comeback on the pub scene. However, I expect to rectify that situation fairly soon. In the meantime, I would encourage anyone who feels it’s okay to do so to get out the dancing shoes (if you can still find them), get yourself out for a night of music and dancing, and support both the music pubs and the musicians, who have not had a payday for almost two years. Enjoy Paddy’s Day – but not too much! ‘Till next week, bye for now
13
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
Tormeys
SOLICITORS LLP
Pictured at the Scholarship Presentation is Tormeys Solicitors Managing Partner, Tony Henry with two new solicitors, David Keane and Maeve Grealy.
Castle Street, Athlone, N37 D960 Tel. 090 6493456 Email: info@tormeys.ie Website: www.tormeys.ie
Pictured at the Scholarship Presentation is winner, Emma McDermott, Athlone Community College, Eileen Donohue (Principal), Patrick Flynn (son of Scholarship founder, Barra Flynn), and Senior Partners of Tormeys Solicitors, Brian Murphy, Declan O’Flaherty and Tony Henry.
Tormeys Solicitors LLP announce expansion and results of Scholarship Awards Two new solicitors join our team Leading Midlands law firm Tormeys Solicitors LLP is delighted to announce the appointment of two newlyqualified solicitors to their ever-growing team in response to continued growth at the company. Tormeys Solicitors currently employ 30 staff at its Athlone office in Castle Street, including nine solicitors. It has grown to be one of the largest and most respected law firms in the Midlands, and has been providing expert legal services for almost a century, specialising in all areas of law including personal injury, medical negligence, property law, family law, corporate law and environmental law. Maeve Grealy, a previous recipient of the Barra Flynn memorial scholarship, has joined the practice as an Associate Solicitor. Maeve is a graduate of NUI Galway and qualified as a solicitor in January 2022. Maeve will be focusing on expanding the property law and family law departments within the firm. David Keane, a native of Athlone, also graduated from NUI Galway with a Bachelor of Civil Law Degree. David has joined the firm as an Associate
Pictured at the Scholarship Presentation is 2nd place winner, Emmanuelle Besler, Patrick Flynn (son of Scholarship founder, Barra Flynn), and Tormeys Solicitors David Keane and Maeve Grealy.
Solicitor, having qualified in December 2021. David will focus on the areas of general litigation and corporate law. “These two appointments come at an exciting time for Tormeys Solicitors as we continue to expand our workforce and practice areas. Both Maeve and David bring with them knowledge in different ever-growing areas in our practice which will complement our existing team and ensure that Tormeys Solicitors continue to thrive and provide expert legal advice to the people of the Midlands and indeed further afield,” Tony Henry, Managing Partner said.
Barra Flynn Memorial Scholarship Tormeys Solicitors LLP provides an annual Scholarship to
Leaving Certificate students from the Athlone, Moate, Ferbane, Ballymahon, Roscommon, Ballinasloe and Tullamore school areas. This fund is awarded to students that attain the highest Leaving Certificate points and who have chosen to pursue a legal course at a third-level institution in 2021. This is the 29th presentation of the scholarship, and whilst there are now a number of scholarships presented by corporate bodies within the Athlone area, Tormeys Solicitors was the first to embrace this incentive to encourage young adults to study law. The scholarship fund in total is valued at over €2,500 with €1,200 for 1st place, €600 for 2nd place and €300 for 3rd place. It is
Pictured at the Scholarship Presentation is 3rd place winner, Ebunoluwa Jamgbadi, Patrick Flynn (son of Scholarship founder, Barra Flynn), David Keane and Maeve Grealy, Tormeys Solicitors.
payable for one year to students attending a faculty of law in any university or Institute of Technology, in the Republic of Ireland. To recognise the school’s contribution, Tormeys donate the sum of €500 to the winning school. In 2000, to commemorate the Millennium, Tormeys introduced the presentation of a perpetual trophy to the school with the highest cumulative points for law students within that year. The winner of the 2021 school prize is Athlone Community College. The 1st place student winner this year is Emma McDermott of Glasson, Athlone, daughter of Patrick and Lucille McDermott and past pupil of Athlone Community College. Emma is now studying Law at Trinity College. 2nd place winner is
Emmanuelle Besler, daughter of Valerie Besler and past pupil of Our Lady’s Bower, Athlone. Emmanuelle is now studying Law and Politics in UCD. 3rd place winner is Ebunoluwa Jamgbadi, daughter of Abimbola and Kayode Jamgbadi and past pupil of Our Lady’s Bower. Ebunoluwa is now studying Economics, Politics and Law at DCU. • Tormeys Solicitors would like to thank all the applicants who participated in the scholarship and wish them all the best in their future careers. • Tormeys Solicitors would like to thank its clients for their loyal and continued support and we look forward to many years of continued success.
14
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
NewsPeople
Miriam’s
MUSINGS
Words of wit and wisdom with MIRIAM KERINS
Motorists will not take kindly to being ripped off! When a disaster (such as Russia’s assault on Ukraine) occurs, essential items become scarce. In a bid to offset a supply crisis, any good government will immediately put in place a series of emergency intervention strategies. As an example, in order to counteract what will obviously become a food security issue, farmers are now being urged to plant barley, grains and wheat. However, as the topic on everyone’s lips is not food but fuel, I thought I’d address what I view as the opportunistic and despicable practise of price-gouging which is allegedly taking place right across the country. It has been widely reported that quite literally within hours of the Government’s announcement to cut 15 cent a litre on diesel and 20 cent a litre on petrol, certain forecourts allegedly began fleecing motorists by callously cashing in on the fuel crisis. For the sake of balance, I must stress that even as a slew of images taken by
irate drivers through rain-splattered car windows were being posted across social media, suppliers were denying they’d increased the price of their petrol and diesel after the Dáil had voted to cut the excise duty. Yeah right! On a personal level, I noticed that a garage I’ve often frequented had not only hiked their fuel prices, but the price on their LED display board (disgracefully high though it was), didn’t match the price on their pump, which was set considerably higher! I’ve got no idea (or proof) of what this forecourt owner’s intentions may have been, therefore I can only assume they hoped to lure drivers in by their elevated prices on the display (which were slightly lower than their nearby competitor’s), hoping they wouldn’t notice the ‘actual’ price at the pump! Again, this is just my theory, but as I believe this particular forecourt’s actions to be reprehensible, I didn’t
purchase my diesel. I’ll be boycotting them in the future, not even dropping in to grab a bottle of water or a newspaper! While I do know that forecourts have no legal obligation to pass on the Government’s cut in excise duty to drivers, it’s my opinion that those who refuse are taking advantage.
Lá fhéile Pádraig shona daoibh! Pardon the pun, but I’m delighted the ‘green’ light has been given for the return of our country’s national day of celebrations, St Patrick’s Day! I’ve got no doubt that the festival, which has been cancelled for the past two years due to Covidinfused restrictions, will contain a whole rake of locally grown creative and talented participants, all eager to get out and perform for us. Not only is the return of this important event in our nation’s social calendar essential for our overall positive wellbeing – okay, I won’t lie, it’s the perfect excuse to drown the shamrock – it also sends a clear signal to the rest of Ireland that
Roscommon is open for business! The past two years, and the horrific events unfolding in Ukraine, have literally drained the enthusiasm out of each and every one of us, and while I’ll continue to wear my mask in crowded indoor spaces and in supermarkets etc., the festival’s return means we’re hopefully winning the war on Covid. However, as we are not yet in the clear, because this awful virus still lurks quietly away in the background, it is with the best of intentions that, even as I wish readers a Lá fhéile Pádraig shona daoibh mór, I’d also like to remind you all to be careful and stay safe and well.
Drivers like me (with long memories) will not take kindly to being ripped off! If these fuel prices continue to shoot up, many motorists, myself included, will be forced off the road. People are at breaking point, and with the ever-increasing cost of living, the cost of heating our homes and the cost of running our cars, motor-
ists, who may not be able to return to the workplace, may be forced to give up their jobs. If this happens and cars are taken off the road on a weekly basis, the fallout will be so substantial, it will have a very serious and negative impact on the nation’s economy. It’s time for the Government to do more than just roll out the (in my opinion) completely divorced-fromreality Transport Minister Eamon Ryan and his ridiculous ‘solution’, which was to ‘make what’s in the tank go further’. As I clearly don’t have Eamon’s smarts (joking), I have to admit that when faced with what are my seriously dwindling financial resources versus the rising cost of living and the alleged fuel pricegouging, never did I once consider making what I have go further. Doh! How did I ever get through life? Fair play to you Eamon, nobody could accuse you of being a few litres short of a full tank!
Abandoning defenceless new-born puppies is unforgivable Despite having bullets, missiles and bombs raining down on their heads, the brave souls fleeing Ukraine still refused to leave their beloved pets behind. God bless their kind, caring, compassionate hearts. Being someone who not only adores and cherishes my dogs, viewing them as family members (because they are), I was delighted, albeit while also distressed, to see images and video footage of Ukrainian people clutching their fur babies close to their chests, with some even carrying them in shopping bags. I mention this on foot of an article
I read this morning that Dogs Trust, a rehoming charity in Dublin, have revealed that a member of the public had discovered a box containing a litter of four/five day old crossbreed puppies dumped in their garden in Finglas. I don’t know about you readers, but it makes me sick to my very stomach to know that some callous, uncaring, cretinous human could casually abandon helpless new-borns in this country when in contrast, the people of Ukraine, fleeing for their lives under the most horrendous circumstances, manage to save theirs.
15
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
NewsPeople
Sinead Beattie (left), sister of Sile, presents a cheque for €31,068.10 to the Irish Cancer Society for cancer research. The cheque was accepted on the Society’s behalf by Geraldine Murray, retired Director of Nursing, University Hospital Galway.
Pictured at the Sile Beattie Remembrance Walk in aid Irish Cancer Society Research.
Sile Beattie Remembrance Walk raises over €31,000 for cancer research The recent Sile Beattie Remembrance Walk raised a remarkable €31,068.10 for the Irish Cancer Society. The late Sile Beattie was an extremely popular young woman and this phenomenal fundraising response is a great tribute to Sile and her family. On the lead-up to Sunday, 20th of February – the day of the Walk – people starting dropping in donations to Ned’s Bar in Knockcroghery. People wanted to donate in some way in Sile’s memory. Because of such an outpouring of generosity and support from the surrounding community and Roscommon Town, it became apparent than an auction and raffle would be held on the night of the Walk. This was never the intention of the organisers and both the auction and raffle only transpired because of the great generosity of so many people who wanted to be associated with the Walk, itself a fundraiser for cancer research in Ireland. The day of the Walk (February 20th) was very cold and blustery, making the turnout of over 400 people all the more remarkable. Registration was taken by Sile’s sister Sinead, and some of her closest friends…Niamh, Eilish, Sarah, Fiona, and Tara. (This event was organised by Sile’s family and closest friends). An astonishing €9,492.10 was taken in (during registration) at Knockcroghery Community Centre which was very kindly opened for use by Patsy McSharry. George Ward kindly sponsored free water for all runners and walkers. There was the choice of a 6Km or a 9Km route. On the starting point there was a picture of Sile on her first day in national school and for every km sign that people reached, there was a sign with a
Family’s thanks
The family are so grateful and thankful to Anouska and Richard Lohan of Ned’s Bar for hosting the event and for refreshments. Thanks also to Tanya who worked so hard on the night. We are so grateful for all you did in organising a last-minute auction and raffle which added so much to the overall total raised. The Beattie family and Sile’s partner Tom are lost for words as they reflect on an event that in reality they obviously wish they never had to host. The love for Sile shown on the day and prior to the event has helped in some way to ease their pain. They are beyond being thankful to each and every person that helped in any way. That generosity and support will in turn help another family or families who will benefit from cancer research.
Donations for the auction
Sile’s godson James pictured at the 2km mark.
picture of Sile at different stages of her life, from First Holy Communion to her Graduation Day, to her walks for Darkness into Light which her family participated in yearly in memory of Sile’s sister Georgina, who passed away in 2001. The pictures included Sile’s last birthday celebration (her 30th birthday) followed by her very last picture – taken in October 2019 – at a wedding Sile and her partner Tom attended a month before Sile’s cancer returned. The finishing point was Ned’s Bar, where Sile loved to socialise. All signs were kindly sponsored by XLNT Signs (our thanks to Siobhan Kilroe, like Sile, from Knockcroghery). Stewarding was provided by Sile’s family, friends, and neighbours. Without this huge voluntary input the event could not have been the success that it was. Refreshments were served
Sile’s sister, Sinéad and Sile’s partner, Tom, pictured at the start of the walk.
in the bar, with sandwiches, scones and buns all made and donated by family and the Beattie family’s wonderful neighbours. McNeill’s foodstore in Roscommon kindly donated sandwiches and Dolan’s Frozen Foods in Lanesboro very kindly donated delicious food too. A raffle held in Ned’s Bar raised an additional €680. Our thanks to sponsors of prizes: The Red Parrot; Murray’s Bar, Knockcroghery; Mai’s Kitchen; Ned’s Bar; Down the Hatch; The Clay Pipe; Coffey’s Bar, Lecarrow; Rattigan’s Bar; Eileen Edwards; Charlie O’Brien/ RosMed Pharmacy; Kevin McPhillips; Sandra Dolan, Claypipe Centre; Mee’s Bar; Pa Quigley and Paul O’Connor. The auction on the night was very kindly conducted by Matthew Donnellan, from The Brewery, Roscommon. It raised a further €4,595. (See auction sponsors in separate panel).
Music was provided by Ollie Finneran. Seamus O’Neill, on behalf of Sile’s partner Tom and the Beattie family, very bravely said a few words to thank most sincerely everyone who came out in support of Sile’s Remembrance Day (and night). He thanked everyone for all the generous donations for the auction and raffle. Seamus explained that in light of the rare form of cancer Sile had been diagnosed with, all proceeds were going into research. The final total raised for the Irish Cancer Research was an astounding €31,068.10. This came from: €9,492.10 in registration on the day; €680 on the raffle; €4,595 on the auction; €1,950 in donations outside of registration; €14,351 from the online JustGiving account. A cheque for €31,068.10 was thus presented to the Irish Cancer Society (for research).
• €50 voucher sponsored by Gannon Furniture • €50 voucher sponsored by Johnny Igoe of Abbey Meats • €100 meal voucher sponsored by Grealy family of Abbey Hotel • €50 Hairport voucher sponsored by Stacey Doyle • €50 voucher sponsored by Luke and Pat of Mee’s XL • €100 voucher sponsored by Matthew Donnellan of The Brewery • Ewe lamb (€200) sponsored by Padraig and Rose Coyle • €50 Happy Scissors voucher sponsored by Sylvia Kilcline • Power washing to value of €100 sponsored by Paul Connaughton • Ward’s Hardware Topline €100 voucher sponsored by Ward family • €100 voucher sponsored by Coffey’s, Lecarrow • A1 Auto trailer lights worth €150 sponsored by A1 Auto Tuam €100 voucher sponsored by Amarillo Stores XL, Tuam €100 voucher sponsored by Hannon family of Hannon’s Hotel • Ewe lamb (€200) sponsored by Aidan and Olivia Connaughton • Crash repairs €150 voucher sponsored by Anthony Brehony • P Kelly decorative stone (€100) sponsored by P Kelly • €100 voucher for Darcy Twelve restaurant, Clifden, sponsored by Shane and Mary Regan • Surround sound stereo system (€170) sponsored by Edward Fallon • €50 wreath sponsored by Martina
Tully, Sal and Tina Designs • €40 fuel voucher sponsored by O’Roarke’s Spar, Creggs • €100 tyre voucher sponsored by Roscommon Tyre Centre • Tonne bag of timber sponsored by PJ Kelly • Brandy hamper sponsored by Dolan Frozen Foods • Bottle of elie saab perfume sponsored by Charlie O’Brien/RosMed • €100 voucher sponsored by Eddie Naughton and Naughton Farm Machinery • €100 voucher for Hodson Bay Hotel sponsored by Shane Egan • Dulux Weathershield paint to value of €250 sponsored by Roscommon Painting Services • €100 voucher sponsored by David Beattie of Beattie Electrical • €50 voucher sponsored by Gleeson’s Townhouse, Roscommon • Hamper sponsored by St Dominics GAA • Ned’s Bar voucher (€100) sponsored by Forde Motors, Headford • €100 voucher sponsored by Lynch Flooring • Ewe lamb (€200) sponsored by Bernard Corcoran • €200 Hedge cutting voucher sponsored by John and Harry Murray • €200 power washing voucher sponsored by Padraig O’Connor *Further donations were received from A1 Autos in Tuam (€500), Leonard Group (€500), Dermot Hughes Cars, Roscommon (€500), Charles Madden, Longford (€250) and Noel Beattie (€200).
16
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
CIARAN MULLOOLY On The Back Benches
The generosity of people in response to Ukrainian crisis has been uplifting It was a cold, wet and fairly windy Friday morning outside Roscommon Post Office, but those chilly weather conditions still did not stop the old man with the cap and the stick from halting to chat as he walked out of the building after collecting his pension. He proceeded to give a very sober analysis of events in Ukraine to this writer and a friend who was there with me on a humanitarian mission. “I’m nearly 90 years of age and I never thought I would ever see the day again when men and women and children would be killed again like this on the streets of a city in Europe” he said. “It’s just unbelievable to think that we have this whole situation happening all over again – a madman threatening the world – and we can’t do anything about it. I am sick looking at it”. The gentleman who uttered those words didn’t stay for long on the street but the powerful sentiment he delivered certainly stayed with me for the rest of the day and has been stuck in my mind ever since. Here was a gentleman old enough to remember the devastating events of the Second World War and passionate enough to not only speak out about the Russian invasion of Ukraine over seventy years later, but to then put his hand in his pocket and place a ten euro note into the collection bucket I was holding outside the post office.
Rising to the challenge
I don’t know whether it’s the fact that I am no longer involved in reporting the news at national level on a daily basis, or the fact that we all live so many thousands of miles away from the events in Ukraine, but like so many other people, I feel entirely helpless and hopeless about the wicked war that is happening every day now in Ukraine and the brutal manner in which the Russian regime is slowly but surely brushing the Ukrainian people aside, murdering and injuring men, women and children and giving the two fingers to the rest of the world. So last week, when a friend of mine in the Lions International movement suggested we play a part at local level in our Lions club in supporting the thousands and thousands of refugees coming this way, I was immediately interested in helping out. Our Lions club in Roscommon has a proud tradition of stepping into the breach to not only help the poor and the vulnerable locally, but around the world too. We have also risen to the challenge in putting basic recreational facilities in place for the young people of our own town and county in the superb Quad youth centre we developed on the Circular Road ten years ago. So I knew when I put a message up on the club WhatsApp group last week that our loyal members would respond in any way they could. Lions clubs were once just the remit of older men – a sort
Pictured on left Ciaran Mullooly, John Tobin and Gerry Finn and on right Eamonn Gleeson and Dermot Cox.
of a club for business folk – but the profile of the movement nationally has now changed. We in the Roscommon club come from all walks of life and have already had our first female President, so it’s now a club that enjoys a more general appeal and is open to all.
First-hand accounts
By Tuesday evening of last week, we had a plan in place to see how we could try and make a real difference. We gathered in Gleeson’s Townhouse for a meeting with two ladies who have been directly impacted by the invasion of Ukraine. Both women live here in Roscommon and had already given
us first-hand accounts of family members deeply scarred by the violence and the bomb attacks on their relatives’ homes. One lady – based in the south of the county – had already spoken of the fact that her parents were both over 75 years of age and were effectively trapped in their homes in a city near the Russian border. She told us they felt too old to flee the city and would now stay. In the end she was too distressed to speak at the meeting but the second lady who did attend told the harrowing story of how her brotherin-law had been impacted and the mother of the house forced to flee to Poland with young children…at only a couple of hours’ notice. When I came home on that Tuesday night I asked my own two young sons how they would feel if they had been told at that very moment they had to get a small bag with some clothes and get out of the house with their mother for a long uncertain journey to another country – leaving their Dad and their precious playstations and other luxuries behind them. In fairness – no more than all the other kids watching a war unfold on TV for the very first time – they have been absolutely shocked by the violence and pledged they would also help with our bucket collection – organised by the Lions club for last weekend in a bid to raise some funds to aid the fleeing people of Ukraine.
Working with Red Cross
Teresa Kelly helping with the Roscommon Lions Club collection for Ukraine last Sunday.
So many people throughout County Roscommon and around Ireland have already done so much to help the people in this war. Last week I saw huge efforts coming together with supplies and other key requirements in Castlerea, Strokestown, Fourmilehouse and loads of other places, but the Lions club in Roscommon took a slightly different tack and focussed their plan of action on the whole area of accommodation and how they could help when the first group of refugees actually arrive here in the
In association with: LOUGH REE ACCESS FOR ALL
county – which they inevitably will – next week or the week after. Our club hopes to use the funds raised to help arrange accommodation for the refugees. We know it will not be easy. We are well aware that there is a shortage of rental accommodation for the local community and the international visitors who have already come here. However, we feel there are one or two larger centres not presently in use and we are going to work hand-in-hand with the Red Cross to see if we can help reopen those doors for the Ukrainian community. We have already registered one major centre with the Red Cross and they are following up to see if it is suitable. There has been a huge response from the Irish people already and almost 14,500 pledges of accommodation to Ukrainian refugees, the Irish Red Cross has said. When the Red Cross previously sought pledges for accommodation for refugees from Syria, there were 1,000 offers – so they are taken aback by the response this time. About 20 per cent of accommodation pledges are located in Dublin, with 12 per cent in Cork, and the rest spread widely around the country. As we speak, the refugees are currently arriving into emergency accommodation such as hotels or reception centres. Then, when the pledges have been organised, the Irish Red Cross will match them with a family. At that point hopefully some of the centres the Lions club is looking at in County Roscommon will prove suitable and we will use every bob collected in last weekend’s street bucket collection to ensure there is a roof over their head and a warm place to stay – with proper access to education, food and supplies. *If you would like to assist the Roscommon Lions Club on this project or on any other project call Ciaran at 087 2433201 or email: roscommonlionsclub@gmail.com The club AGM takes place on Thursday week, March 24th at 8 pm in the Quad Centre, Circular Road, Roscommon and all are welcome.
17
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
NewsPeople
Pictured at the recent Roscommon County Enterprise Awards 2022 were (left to right): Louise Ward (Head of Enterprise, Local Enterprise Office Roscommon), Ruth Larkin (Lark Bridal), Stephen Fagan (Studio Meala), Rita Oates (Rita Oates Artist), and Eugene Cummins (Chief Executive, Roscommon County Council).
Studio Meala wins County Enterprise Award An animation studio from Boyle is this year’s winner of the County Roscommon Enterprise Award for 2022, Local Enterprise Office Roscommon has announced. Studio Meala took the top prize of €3,000 and will now represent Local Enterprise Office Roscommon at the 22nd National Enterprise Awards at the Mansion House in Dublin on June 2nd. Studio Meala is an award-winning animation studio, based in Boyle, which was launched in 2019 by Stephen Fagan, Jerry Twomey and Sean Cunningham. Since then, Studio Meala has grown rapidly to provide animation production services for many leading international studios, broadcasters and streaming platforms as well as having a number of its own animation series in development. Other winners at the County Roscommon Enterprise Awards, which were held at the Abbey Hotel, Roscommon during Local Enterprise Week, included Special Merit Awards for Innovation and Resilience to: Rita Oates, an artist based in Roscommon town who designs her own brand of greeting cards. fine art prints and scarves, and Lark Bridal, who as well as designing their own range of Bridesmaid and partywear, also distribute the world’s leading bridalwear brands to a global market from their base in Monksland, Co. Roscommon. Studio Meala will now be competing against 30 other finalists from every local authority area for a share of the €35,000 winners’ prize fund as national judging gets underway in May. Categories this year include ‘Best Export Business’, ‘Best Start-Up’ and ‘Innovation’, in addition to eight regional awards. There are also two new National Enterprise Awards this year with a ‘One to Watch’ award and a ‘Sustainability/Green’ award. Companies from Roscommon have enjoyed success in the National Enterprise Awards in the past, with Lidan Designs from Roscommon town clinching the National Enterprise Future Focus Award in 2021.
Pictured at the recent Roscommon County Enterprise Awards for 2022 were (back row, left to right): Niall Heaney, Eilis Mullooly, Enda Cannon, Louise Ward, and Jeremy Cullen (all Local Enterprise Office). Front row (l-r): Ruth Larkin (Lark Bridal), Stephen Fagan (Studio Meala), and Rita Oates (Rita Oates Artist).
The Roscommon County Enterprise Awards took place as part of a very successful Local Enterprise Week programme of events. There were over 220 physical and virtual events taking place across the country, run by the 31 Local Enterprise Offices from March 7th to 11th. Speaking during Local Enterprise Week Louise Ward, Head of Enterprise at Local Enterprise Office Roscommon, said: “Celebrating local businesses that are
highly effective and successful is particularly relevant this year with all the challenges of the pandemic and the uncertain business environment”. Speaking at the awards ceremony, Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council, Eugene Cummins, said: “I am delighted that, despite operating in a difficult business environment for the last two years, the level of entrepreneurship in Roscommon has never
been higher. The businesses honoured at the County Enterprise Awards epitomise the qualities of innovation, resilience, creativity and ambition that are necessary to create employment and wealth for our communities across the county”. Local Enterprise Week is organised every year by the Local Enterprise Offices and supported by Enterprise Ireland, local authorities and the Government.
18
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
Happy Mother’s Day
Sunday 27th March 2022
Standing in solidarity with Ukrainian mothers this Mother’s Day < MIRIAM KERINS
The sheer power of a mother’s love can never, ever be underestimated. That’s why as a mother, I’d like to dedicate this Mother’s Day to all those remarkable Ukrainian matriarchs who inspire us with not just their dignity, but with their unbelievable strength and courage in the face of extreme adversity, distress and insurmountable hardship. I want to tell these women who packed bags with a change of clothes, snacks and bottles of water, these women who readied pet carriers and every other practical item they needed in preparation for the nightmare they thought they’d never face, that the mothers of Roscommon stand with them. I want to honour them and tell them we can only imagine the shock and horror they felt as they placed emergency bracelets displaying names, mobile numbers and blood groups onto the wrists of their precious children, before hugging
them goodbye and sending them off alone to join a convoy of other refugees. For weeks we’ve seen the heartbreaking images of thousands of these Ukrainian mothers, who in the midst of the pounding missiles and the advancing tanks, bid farewell to their husbands, partners, sons, fathers and brothers – knowing they may never again kiss their lips or see their faces. The courage of these women is quite simply as astonishing as it is inspirational. Despite being traumatised, terrified and surrounded by gunfire, these mothers somehow managed to make what was a frantic and horrifying journey with their babies nestled in their arms and toddlers clutched to their sides, out of their war-torn homeland of Ukraine and into the terrifying unknown. We’ve seen the sheer scale of this war and its devastating effects clearly etched on every single tear-stained face of these beautiful, strong, inde-
pendent goddesses who didn’t even flinch when giving up everything and everyone they held dear in a bid to get their little ones to a safe zone. We’ve seen them weep with relief as they, along with an unending stream of their fellow country men and women, collapsed into the arms of aid workers and volunteers, waiting to help them at the Polish border. We’ve witnessed how these protectors have sacrificed not just their dreams, but their very lives, all in a powerful effort to save their precious children. We’ve acknowledged how despite facing overwhelming obstacles, these angels have somehow managed to hide their own emotions, stifle their own grief, and instead, at all times, managed to remain remarkably strong – a rock between their children and the ravages of a demonic Putin and his lethal forces. We’ve sobbed upon seeing the nightmarish images of the heavily pregnant, helpless young
Ukrainian woman being stretchered through the rubble following a Russian army airstrike on a maternity and children’s hospital last week. We saw how, cradling her bloodied lower abdomen, this beautiful brave soul desperately tried to hold her unborn infant safe within the confines of her womb despite her hip
and pelvis being crushed. We can only imagine the anguish she went through, as she hoped against hope that somehow, by cushioning her injured stomach, come-what-may, she’d manage to save her innocent little infant’s life. Later, we cried gutwrenching tears when he heard how this mother and her newborn angel
had sadly passed away, slaughtered by a merciless madman. Ever since this war escalated on February 24th, over 2.2 million – most of them women, children and the elderly (now facing into a new and scary future) – have fled Ukraine. This has become ‘Europe’s fastest growing refugee crisis since World
War Two’. This week and every week, the mothers and the grandmothers of County Roscommon stand with these souls. We show them our admiration and offer them our solidarity, and as they wait to reunite with their husbands, partners, sons, brothers and fathers, we pledge to do all that we can to look after them.
BALLYGAR Happy Mother’s Day PHARMACY Plants & Gifts
Ballygar. Tel. 090 6624267. Email: ballygarpharmacy@gmail.com
Beautiful selection of gifts for Mother's Day instore
for Mum
Tipperary Crystal candles, diffusers, mugs, etc.
Treat Treat your
Mum your Mum
at Ardcarne Ardcarne Garden CaféCafé Garden at
Special Offer Yankee Wow Set RRP €70
BOYLE Boyle
NOW €35
whilst stocks last Cholesterol and Blood Pressure Checking Service available instore CONTACT PHARMACY FOR APPOINTMENT
Catherine Healy M.P.S.I. at the healthy heart of the community
QUALI T
VICE Y • VA L U E • CHOICE • AD
Ardcarne Garden Centre At two great locations:
We’re here to help www.ardcarne.ie
Ardcarne, Boyle, Co. Roscommon. Tel: 071 966 7091 Lanesboro Road, Roscommon Town Tel: 090 662 7700 Open Monday to Saturday 9-6pm Sundays and Bank Holidays 12-6pm
19
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
Happy Mother’s Day
Sunday 27th March 2022
We have a full 6-day delivery service available Circular Road, Roscommon town
TEL.: 085 862 7226
Email: theflowerfairyroscommon@gmail.com The Flower Fairy is situated on Circular Road, opposite Caseys garage, Roscommon town
Stocking a wide variety of fresh flowers and dried flowers weekly, open Monday to Sunday 9-6pm
Meet Ciara ...
Ciara Lawless, (22 years of age), is a floral designer and musician, who has grown up in the flower industry. Working alongside her mum, (Clare’s Flowers), she developed the skills and a blooming passion for flower art . Ciara explains: “my fun favourite thing to do has always been to take something like a container – a totally unexpected item – and turn it into a unique flower display. From a young age I loved the natural environment and using raw natural materials – which I feel a lot of which has been forgotten in modern industry. With large scale business, we loose the personal touch and care that
“A beautiful element which I’ve really welcomed is that we have Transition Year work experience students that come in and get to participate in learning about nature, floristry skills and team bonding in a working environment . It’s been a great joy to encourage their creativity and passion for the arts, while also setting an example that you are never too young or old to set up your own enterprise!” – Ciara Lawless
comes from small organicallygrown businesses! Our ethos operates by providing a service with a smile and creations made with love. When designing the store it was really important that it felt like something quirky. It was important to me that it combined all elements of the earth and the sea to reflect a bright uplifting atmosphere in which people would feel relaxed and welcome. This was achieved with the help from individuals who have alternate careers in order to bring something totally refreshing to an everyday retail experience. We are delighted to stock Irish and local hand crafted items in our store.
Ciara Lawless
Celebrating Mother’s Day 27th March ‘22 We are currently taking orders.
Stocking a selection of floral bouquets, arrangements & plants! Specialising in creating unique arrangements for all occasions – including weddings, funerals, celebrations and all special occasions The Flower Fairy encourages the use of natural biodegradable materials during packaging as we are very passionate about the environment
Barista Cozy Coffee Dock located instore
outdoor seating coming this Summer ‘22 Stocking McCabe’s organic coffee and chocolate with a range of speciality coffees and treats to choose from
Kids Weekly Classes
starting this April
These will include crafting, flower and and plant knowledge the raising awareness of natural environment For more information re, please contact the sto 8 telephone 085 862 722 dia or check out social me
20
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
Happy Mother’s Day
Sunday 27th March 2022
Mother’s Day traditions across the world
The 5 most popular flowers given on Mother’s Day…
< KAYLA DIBBLE
4. Chrysanthemums
Countries all over the world celebrate mothers in different ways and on different days…
Mexico Mother’s Day, known as ‘Dia de Las Madres’, is celebrated by children joining mariachi bands and serenading their mothers outside their homes, in restaurants and at parties by playing their favourite songs.
France 1. Tulips
2. Lilies
3. Roses
5. Carnations
In France, children are helped to memorise poems by their teachers, to recite to their mothers on Mother’s Day. Poems such as ‘I Wish You..’ by Pierre Gamarra are recited to express their love and appreciation for their mothers.
Australia In Australia, people wear both coloured and white carnations on Mother’s Day as a sign of respect to their mothers. Wearing a coloured carnation symbolises that the person’s mother is still alive whilst a white carnation is worn to honour a deceased mother.
India Each October, Hindus in India honour the Goddess of Mothers ‘Durga’ during a 10-day festival called ‘Durga Puja’. This celebration is considered both a religious ceremony and a time for family reunions. Families spend weeks preparing food, gathering gifts, and decorating their homes for the festival.
Ethiopia The ‘Antrosht’ Festival is a festival of mothers that takes place just after the country’s rainy season in autumn. It is celebrated by families, gathering to prepare and eat a dinner similar to Christmas Day dinner. Boys in the family supply the meat and the girls supply the spices, vegetables and dairy which the mother of the family then uses to cook up a traditional Ethiopian meal.
Poland Children in Poland decorate a sheet of paper with flowers and personal notes in school, known as ‘Laurki’, whilst their fathers purchase flowers and cakes to accompany the Laurki. The Polish also hold a family dinner where the mother is the one being served.
t f i g y a D s ’ r e h t o The ideal M
21
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
Happy Mother’s Day
Sunday 27th March 2022 Shirley Spellman
Lanesboro St., Roscommon Tel: 090 66 30444 www.futureflowers.ie
Order early for Mother’s Day to avoid disappointment
Find us on facebook
Martina’s of Ballygar
Ballygar, Co. Galway. Tel.: (090) 66 24561 / (087) 2251369
Shout out to Mary, Maureen and Bridget: It’s official – Irish Mammies really do know best! Mother’s Day is just around the corner, and to coincide with the day, My Nametags (mynametags.ie/) conducted a survey to discover more about our Irish Mammies! It revealed the most traditional Irish mammy names are Mary (with a resounding 73 per cent), Maureen (12 per cent), Bridget (8 per cent), and Anne (6 per cent). Mrs. Brown will be disappointed to see that Agnes only received 1 per cent of votes! Mammies across Ireland will also be delighted to know that according to the survey, Mammy really does know best, with 86 per
cent of respondents revealing that they think that Mam is always right and knows best. The survey also examined what we call our Irish mammies. The most popular option was ‘Mam’ with 59 per cent of respondents, followed by ‘Mum’ with 20 per cent. It was also a relief to see that no one surveyed addressed their Mam by their Christian name. The special Mother’s Day survey also looked at what we address our grandmothers, with 37 per cent of those surveyed saying ‘Nana’, closely followed by ‘Granny’ with 34 per cent.
The survey also asked about what pet names Irish Mams use for their children. It would appear that these are not as popular as one would have thought, with 58 per cent of the respondents declaring that their Mam always only calls them and their siblings by their Christian name! Some terms of endearment did feature however, with 24 per cent stating that Mam called them ‘love’, while ‘pet’, ‘darling’ and ‘sweetheart’ accounted for 9 per cent. Speaking about the survey findings, Lars B Andersen (founder and managing director of My
Nametags) commented: “At My Nametags, we know how important Mum is and we were delighted to carry out this survey to find out more about Irish Mums. “I’m sure it will come as no real surprise to mothers across the country that the survey revealed that Mum really does know best, especially when it comes to giving advice to her children and grandchildren. All the team at My Nametags would like to wish every Mum in Ireland a very Happy Mother’s Day!”
Giftware: Galway Crystal, Beleek, Ainsley • Handbags, Scarves & Ladies Fashions • Jewellery • Large selection of Irish-made Candles
For your ideal Mother’s Day Gift
“A mother is always the beginning. She is how things begin.”
—Unknown
How Mother’s Day originated… < KAYLA DIBBLE
Mother’s Day, also known as ‘Mothering Sunday’, is celebrated every year in Ireland on the fourth Sunday in the Lenten season. The origin of this day dates back to the Medieval times where children from poor families who had been sent to work as servants to the rich were given the day off to visit their ‘Mother Church’ and to give thanks to the Virgin Mary. After visiting the church, they would then go home to their mothers and present them with a small posy of flowers that they had picked on the way home as a sign of appreciation. This tradition has since died out in Ireland and nowadays, Mother’s Day is celebrated in a more commercialised way with people presenting their mothers with flowers, cards and often with lavish gifts to express their love and gratitude. Businesses offer special Mother’s Day deals such as afternoon teas and lunches as an opportunity for people to (deservedly) ‘spoil’ their mothers! This day of celebrating mothers has come a long way since the Medieval times, and it is often observed that to some extent we may have lost the original intent behind the day with people focusing more on the gifts and often the monetary value of said gifts rather than simply spending time with their mother. The most important thing to do is to tell your mother you love her!
Castlerea, Co. Roscommon T.: (094) 962 0200 E.: tullyshotel@gmail.com
Treat Mum to dinner this Mother’s Day
Gift Vouchers available too!
22
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
NewsPeople It’s been a GOOD week for…
TAKE A BREAK
The Irish rugby team, with a record-breaking win over England at Twickenham, a bonus-point triumph which keeps our hopes of winning the Six Nations tournament alive Writer-Director Kenneth Branagh and all associated with ‘Belfast’, after the movie won the Outstanding British Film award at the British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) Film Awards in London on Sunday night Ace in the pack Shane Lowry, with the Offaly golfer hitting a superb hole-in-one at the particularly iconic 17th at the Players Championship in Florida
Roscommon band CCG in farewell show
Cristiano Ronaldo, who scored a fabulous hat-trick to almost single-handedly (well, not quite) give Manchester United victory over Spurs, the former winning 3-2, their dynamic and seemingly ageless superstar netting all three…a brilliant, lofted shot, a close-range finish, and a powerful header
It’s been a BAD week for…
Snooker player Robert Milkins
period a year ago – and with worse to come
Weary consumers, as the cost of living crisis escalates, with prices up an average of 5.6% last month compared to the same
The non-performing Cork footballers, who are in danger of being relegated to Division 3 in the Allianz Football League… and also facing the growing possibility of being irrelevant in the championship
Snooker player Robert Milkins, who is facing disciplinary proceedings after a boozy and chaotic appearance at the opening ceremony of the inaugural Nirvana Turkish Masters in Antalya (he has since apologised)
Roscommon band CCG will play a farewell gig in Bear An Raille at 10 pm on March 26th, along with some special guests. The band – consisting of Ciarán Ó Cuinneagáin (guitar/vocals), Conor Harkin (guitar/vocals) and Gary O’Reilly (cajon/vocals), all hailing from Roscommon town – has been a regular fixture on the music scene for almost ten years. With one of the trio soon to relocate to Spain, the band unfortunately had no option but to wind things up. Ciarán, Conor and Gary would like to thank all of the venues and punters for their support over the last ten years and are looking forward to a big send off with a little help from some special guests on the night.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY!
Famous birthdays ... this week
‘Thumbs up’ for the Rossies at the Roscommon v Derry match last Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
Hozier (Irish musician and singer-songwriter, turns 32 on Thursday)
Grimes (Canadian musician, turns 34 on Thursday)
Young supporters at the Roscommon v Derry match last Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
Queen Latifah (American rapper and actress, will be 52 on Friday)
Keeping watch…and keeping the score…at the Roscommon v Derry match last Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
Bruce Willis (American actor, turns 67 on Saturday)
THE THINGS PEOPLE SAY… “St Patrick’s Day is an enchanted time – a day to begin transforming winter’s dreams into summer’s magic” -Adrienne Cook
Paddy Joe Burke supporting his beloved Rossies at the Roscommon v Derry match last Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
Supporters at the Roscommon v Derry match last Sunday. Pic: Mick McCormack
23
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
NewsPeople Gospel Reflection Sunday, 20 March In the Church, we are made children of the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob – the God who makes known His name and His ways to Moses in today’s First Reading. Mindful of His covenant with Abraham (see Exodus 2:24), God came down to rescue His people from the slave drivers of Egypt. Faithful to that same covenant (see Luke 1:54–55, 72–73), He sent Jesus to redeem all lives from destruction, as today’s Psalm tells us. Paul says in today’s Epistle that God’s saving deeds in the Exodus were written down for the Church, intended as a prelude and foreshadowing of our own Baptism by water, our liberation from sin, our feeding with spiritual food and drink. Yet the events of the Exodus were also given as a “warning” – that being children of Abraham is no guarantee that we will reach the promised land of our salvation. At any moment, Jesus warns in today’s Gospel, we could perish, not as God’s punishment for being “greater sinners” but because, like the Israelites in the wilderness, we stumble into evil desires, fall into grumbling, forget all His benefits. Jesus calls us today to “repentance” – not a one-time change of heart, but an ongoing, daily transformation of our lives. We’re called to live the life we sing about in today’s Psalm, blessing His holy name, giving thanks for His kindness and mercy. The fig tree in His parable is a familiar Old Testament symbol for Israel (see Jeremiah 8:3; 24:1–10). As the fig tree is given one last season to produce fruit before it is cut down, so too Jesus is giving Israel one final opportunity to bear good fruits as evidence of its repentance (see Luke 3:8). Lent should be for us like the season of reprieve given to the fig tree, a grace period in which we let “the gardener,” Christ, cultivate our hearts, uprooting what chokes the divine life in us, strengthening us to bear fruits that will last into eternity. -Scott Hahn Ph.D., www. salvationhistory.com (courtesy of Sacred Heart Church)
WEDDING FAIR AT ABBEY HOTEL, ROSCOMMON
Pictured at the Abbey Hotel’s recent wedding fair was attendee Brenda Grealis. Pic: Forget Me Not Photography
Carl (restaurant manager), Lisa Butler (wedding co-ordinator), and Adrian Grealy pictured at the recent wedding fair at the Abbey Hotel. Pic: Forget Me Not Photography
Bliss Beauty Clinic, Castlerea, pictured at the recent wedding fair in the Abbey Hotel. Pic: Forget Me Not Photography
Pictured at the Abbey Hotel’s recent wedding fair is Laura from Corkii’s Cakes, Strokestown. Pic: Forget Me Not Photography
Pictured is Katie Collier (bride-to-be) receiving a spot prize from Geraldine Grealy (marketing manager, Abbey Hotel) at the recent wedding fair at the Abbey Hotel. Pic: Forget Me Not Photography
Jacinta Byrnes, Ballinasloe, pictured at the recent wedding fair at the Abbey Hotel. Pic: Forget Me Not Photography
Pictured at the Abbey Hotel’s recent wedding fair is Sophia McGrath (head receptionist, Abbey Hotel), Anya Grealy (Abbey Hotel) and Geraldine Grealy (PR and marketing manager, Abbey Hotel). Pic: Forget Me Not Photography
Pictured at the Abbey Hotel’s recent wedding fair is Sandra Cunningham from Sandra’s Occasions, Castlerea. Pic: Forget Me Not Photography
Candilicious pictured at the Abbey Hotel’s recent wedding fair. Pic: Forget Me Not Photography
Let us abandon consumerism and self-worship… and honour the inheritance of Patrick’s teaching < JEREMIAH HOPE
Saint Patrick’s Day is upon us, with parades and celebrations worldwide after a two-year break. Patrick is credited with bringing Christianity to Ireland in 432ad. Having been kidnapped from his home in Wales by Irish slave traders, he spent seven years looking after pigs on Slemish mountain in Co. Antrim before he escaped back to Wales to his home. Some time later he decided to return to Ireland as a Christian missionary. He travelled over much of the country and succeeded in converting the Irish from paganism to Christianity. In the course of his travels he crossed the Shannon from Leitrim and estab-
lished a church in Kilmore in north Roscommon, before going on to the royal site of Rathcroghan. Tradition has it that he baptised Eithne and Fidelma, daughters of the high king of of Erin at Ogulla well outside the present village of Tulsk. These two princesses had come to the well with their handmaidens and the two druids who were fostering them. On meeting Patrick and his entourage there they enquired as to the nature of the Christian god. Patrick replied thus: “Our God is the God of all men; the God of the heavens and of the earth, of the sea and of the rivers; the God of the sun and of the moon; the God of the lofty hills and of the deep valleys; a God who is over the heavens, in the heavens, under the heavens; Who
hath for His dwelling-place heaven and earth and sea, and all things that are therein. He breathes in all things, gives life to all things, rules all things, sustains all things. “He kindles the light of the sun, and the moon-light he keeps by night. He made the fountains in the dry land, and the dry islands in the sea; and the stars He has set to aid the greater lights. He has a Son alike and co-eternal with himself. Neither is the Son younger than the Father, nor is the Father older than the Son, and the Holy Spirit breathes in them both; nor are the Father, the Son and the Holy Ghost divided”. These two young women were very impressed with Patrick’s preaching and were baptised at the well. Patrick also converted the two druids who were
fostering the princesses. Patrick continued his work throughout the country and on Croagh Patrick he fasted and prayed for forty days and nights that the Irish people would never lose the faith he had brought them. Less than a century later St Coman established his monastery and gave his name to our county and its county town. The Irish people have kept the faith through the centuries and were instrumental in keeping it alive after the dark ages in Europe. So, as we celebrate the feast day of Ireland’s patron saint, we should remember why we do so and renew our knowledge of Patrick’s mission. He brought us the good news of Jesus Christ. Our pagan forebears embraced this gospel. Our ancestors kept the faith
through “dungeon, fire and sword”. Despite scandals and corruption in the institutional church the Good News of Christ is still a vision for peace and harmonious living. Our present economy is based on consumerism and waste. We destroy the earth which sustains us and foul the nest which is our home. There is no end to human desire and the strong and able grow richer and richer at the expense of their fellow man and the earth itself. Shopping malls have become our temples and ‘retail therapy’ our consolation. This will never satisfy the deep human longing for the divine. Let us abandon the idols of consumerism and self-worship and once again be a light in an increasingly dark world by honouring the inheritance of Patrick’s teaching.
24
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
NewsPeople
Welcome return of a ‘normal’ St Patrick’s Day prompts a look back on last two years Let’s talk about ... THE RETURN OF PADDY’S DAY
(A student’s perspective)
Alannah Ita Healy Two years have come and gone since Covid first reared its head in Ireland, and in that time, the nation (and indeed the world) has gone through an incredible amount of change and turmoil. Even two years on, then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s address to the country on March 12th 2020 (in which he announced Ireland’s first lockdown) remains a vivid memory – in my head at least. Of course, the concept we had then of how Covid was going to play out hasn’t stood the test of time, but it really was one of the first times that the gravity of the pandemic began to settle in. The first lockdown coincided with St Patrick’s Day, and the cancellation of 2020’s festivities and celebrations was an early indicator of the many sacrifices, big and small, that would be made over the course of the pandemic. From sacrificing social activities to health workers risking their own health in order to treat others, much of our response to Covid came from making sacrifices here and there in the name of the greater good. Now however, as we begin to
round the corner and emerge from the pandemic, the country is eagerly awaiting its first ‘proper’ Paddy’s day in three years. After such a whirlwind two years, the St Patrick’s Day excitement comes about not just from the promise of pints and parades (though this is very welcomed in fairness), but also because it marks our first chance to celebrate a national holiday since we began emerging from the pandemic. It’s the first time in a long while that celebrations can happen across the country, relatively unencumbered by restrictions, which is so exciting for a country still reeling from the effects of the pandemic. After all, along with the prolonged social isolation and fear that the pandemic brought with it, even in its wake we continue to grapple with the social and economic fallout it caused. Even now as we look back from our new, relatively Covid-safe position, we can already see this fallout at play. The pandemic’s effects on our livelihoods, education, relationships, experiences and lives themselves are many, and
amidst this fallout, the country is also dealing with a housing crisis, soaring energy costs, fuel prices, and an ever-increasing cost of living. There is a distinct sense of gloom across the country, and for good reason. But after having had to put up with all these economic and social obstacles and being exhausted for it, an event like St Patrick’s Day offers us a chance to celebrate our national identity and to look back on the past two years and (hopefully) see the progress we’ve made since then. It might seem trivial to place so much value on a celebration like St Patrick’s Day, especially at a time of such global unrest and national discontent – and of course these issues take precedence. However, it feels like we have been in need of something on the scale of St Patrick’s Day celebrations for a long time, as it finally gives us a chance to escape the stream of upsetting news for a moment, something we’ve had precious few opportunities to do while under restrictions. St Patrick’s Day was the first major national holiday we sacrificed due to Covid, and fittingly, it’s the first one we’re celebrating since restrictions were lifted. Perhaps it’s wishful thinking, but hopefully it does do something to improve the country’s morale, despite the many issues at the forefront of people’s minds. Either way, however you celebrate Paddy’s this year, here’s hoping you have a good one! Lá Fhéile Pádraig sona duit!
Staying safe while celebrating St Patrick’s celebrations are back, and with festivities taking place all over the country and so many people likely to be out and about, it’s important to keep yourself safe. Even though the vast majority of restrictions have been lifted for a while now, Covid is not gone. Though many people are getting quite a low dose of the virus, Covid remains a prevalent threat, with the number of people in hospital with coronavirus topping 1,000 this week. We are continuing to trend away from restrictions, mask-wearing, and the like, but use your own judgement while celebrating Paddy’s this year and try your best to stay safe. Additionally, events like St Patrick’s Day, which see huge swarms of people going on
Who’s saying what on Tweet Street ... Paul Healy’s take on top tweets!
no less of an Irish leader given our history but it should be applauded none the less.
Paul Howard @AkaPaulHoward
Lynn Boylan @LNBDublin
-Outbreak of political graciousness reported, as Labour opposition TD compliments Fianna Fáil’s main man (An Taoiseach)
Was out this morning. Forgot to put the bin out. Came back. Saw the bin lorry driving towards the house. Overtook him. Got the bin out ten seconds before it arrived. Now I’m walking around the house punching the air.
Love how Joe Duffy can pivot from a week of signing us up for Nato to *but people love their slice pan* when it’s suggested we should eat brown bread to help with wheat shortages -Joe can pivot, that’s it! Jonny Marshall @jonnymarshall22 Petition to get all the police sacked in Walford #EastEnders -In fairness, there have been a lot of murders in Walford, so Jonny may be on to something…(see Paul Healy’s Week, page 6) Aodhán Ó Ríordáin @AodhanORiordain There’s a time for politics & a time to echo the sentiments of an Irish leader on the international stage speaking with compassion & decency. We should expect
Patsy McGarryIT @PatsyMcGarryIT We’ve been blessed with truly great Presidents - Mary, Mary, Michael D...#LateLateShow
-We can all identify with this, given that there are few things as terrifying as that feeling you get when you think you might have missed the bins’ deadline…
-Rossie Patsy joins in with the plaudits for the Ukraine-supporting two Marys’ appearance on the LLS… Rachel O’Connor @racheloc Instead of #RoomToImprove could we have a programme that builds an extension from say 20k to 50k that us mere hardworking mortals could afford. 200k budget is insane -Is Dermot losing the dressing room? Surely not! Aodhán Ó Ríordáin
nights out, unfortunately also tend to make it more likely for spiking to occur. There was a surge in incidences of spiking when the nightlife made its return earlier this year, and in the time since, busy student nights like Rag Week have coincided with increases in cases of spiking. Of course caution should always be taken on a night out, but since the upcoming St Patrick’s celebrations are likely to draw huge crowds, even more caution is warranted when it comes to the danger of spiking. Don’t leave your drink unattended, use a drink cover if you have one, and notify someone you trust if you start feeling off. Make sure to keep yourself safe this St Patrick’s Day, and enjoy the celebrations!
newsbriefs Fundraisers in aid of Fr Pat’s Missionary work 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 cake sale and coffee morning will take place in Rahara following 10 am Mass this Sunday (March 20th). This will be followed by a cake sale and coffee morning at St. John’s Community Centre in Lecarrow at 12 noon on Sunday, April 10th. A fundraising walk will also take place on the same date from the community centre from 12 noon. On Easter Sunday night, an auction will be held in Coffey’s Bar in Lecarrow at 9.30 pm. Finally, a GoFundMe page will be set up for anyone who wishes to make a donation but cannot attend one of the fundraisers.
Locally owned ... in the heart of the community
25
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
Business
Success for Gleesons in Gold Medal Awards!
The Gold Medal Awards have just announced Gleesons Restaurant & Rooms as a finalist in the 2022 Awards in the Ireland’s Country House and Guest House Experience category. It’s a feather in the cap of the Roscommon town business run by the Gleeson family as they are in very elevated company indeed. Other finalists in their category include none other than Ballymaloe House and Castle Leslie Estate. The awards take a broad overview of each business with both service and food being very
important. Gleesons believe their support of local produce and particularly their organic lamb from the family farm was a strong factor in their success. The signature lamb stew dish developed by Mary Gleeson is still a clear favourite in the Manse Restaurant. Mary has demonstrated it across the globe at Fáilte Ireland events. Built in the 1870s as a Presbyterian manse or minister’s residence, the classic stone fronted building is beautifully proportioned and retains its original façade.
The Gleeson family are at the heart of the business and their core values permeate every aspect of it. It is currently managed by Cait Gleeson, daughter of founders Eamonn and Mary. Cait and all the staff at Gleesons are delighted to be shortlisted in the prestigious Gold Medal Awards and are looking forward to the finals. They are also looking forward to re-opening their award-winning outside dining area in front of Gleesons at Easter. Outdoor dining will be even better this year with the completion of the
new look pedestrianised Town Square directly outside. Run by Hotel and Catering Magazine, the Gold Medal Awards celebrate outstanding achievements in hospitality and are recognised as the leading independent awards for the Irish hospitality industry. Judging is carried out by independent industry experts. The awards will be presented at a black-tie gala dinner on 22nd March at a gala event in The Lyrath Estate Hotel, Kilkenny.
‘Global Ambassador for Roscommon’ joins Irish Heritage Trust Board The Irish Heritage Trust has announced the appointment of five directors to its board, including Jerry Padian, who describes himself as a ‘Global Ambassador for Roscommon’. Mr. Padian began his career in the IP industry in 1998 when he co-founded Realtime Data LLC, an inventor-owned research and development company. He describes himself as a “global ambassador for Roscommon” as his great-grand-
father hailed from just outside Strokestown. Building on the success of Realtime, Mr Padian co-founded Atlantic IP Services, which manages a number of companies with patented technologies in fields such as OLED displays and printing; touch controllers and sensors; NAND flash and cloud storage; power semiconductors; and wireless charging. Beyond his corporate endeavours, Mr. Padian is also an angel investor, focused on
digital technology companies in the United States and Ireland; a vocal advocate for strengthening the rights of patent owners and innovators around the world. Mr. Padian began his professional career as a lawyer at New York-based Weil, Gotshal & Manges LLC, before moving on to co-found his own law practice, Tashjian & Padian. He earned a BS in economics from Fordham University and a JD from Fordham Law School.
Jerry Padian
Sidero hosts lunch to celebrate International Women’s Day Sarah Keleghan, (Sidero) Athlone, Sharon Killian and Kate Betts, Dublin, pictured at the five-star InterContinental Dublin for a stylish International Women’s Day lunch hosted by Carmel Owens, CEO of cloud and digital transformation company, Sidero. Photography: Conor Healy/Picture It Photography
Skai Morkeliunaite, Monaghan, Carmel Owens (Sidero) Carlow, and Ashling Harrison from Dublin are pictured at the five-star InterContinental Dublin for a stylish International Women’s Day lunch hosted by Carmel Owens, CEO of cloud and digital transformation company, Sidero. Photography: Conor Healy/Picture It Photography
Guests from the worlds of business and technology recently gathered at the five-star InterContinental Dublin for a stylish International Women’s Day lunch hosted by Carmel Owens, CEO of Athlone’s cloud and digital transformation company, Sidero. The event was held in aid of the Oesophageal Cancer Fund. Monksland-based Sidero builds mission critical software for some of the most successful Irish and global companies. Over a delicious lunch, guests enjoyed lively Q&A discussions with inspiring female leaders. Led by Carmel Owens, those in attendance heard from Dorothy Creaven, Vice President, Managing Director and Site Lead at Rent the Runway. She spoke about forging a gender-equal world by celebrating women’s achievements, increasing visibility, and calling out inequality. Guests also heard from Dr. Nora Khaldi, founder and CEO of biotechnology company Nuritas, about her experiences as a female entrepreneur in the areas of mathematics and science. The final speaker on the day was author and journalist Emily Hourican, who spoke, among other things, about bridging the diversity gap in the workplace.
Dorothy Creaven and Dr. Nora Khaldi are pictured at the five-star InterContinental Dublin for a stylish International Women’s Day lunch hosted by Carmel Owens, CEO of cloud and digital transformation company, Sidero. Photography: Conor Healy/Picture It Photography
Aurivo certified to world-class standards The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) recently confirmed that Roscommon-based Aurivo Dairy Ingredients Ltd. has obtained certification to world-class business standards. Aurivo obtained the
certification through the EXEED energy efficiency programme, which is aimed at incentivising, rewarding and facilitating energy efficiency in businesses. The organisation now joins an elite group of almost 4,000 companies that have received
NSAI certification in areas such as Quality Management, Environmental Management, Occupational Health and Safety Management, and Energy Management. According to NSAI Chief Executive Geraldine Larkin, obtaining certification to
world-class business standards can help businesses in a variety of ways. “It is great to see the efforts that firms and organisations from around Ireland put into the certification process. I’d like to recognise the tremendous determination put
in, especially this year when many of our audits had to be completed remotely. “It’s heartening to see so many businesses devoted to achieving best practices. They continue to show that Irishbased businesses can compete on a global scale”.
Public consultation extended for Regional Water Resource Plan Irish Water has extended the statutory consultation period of the draft Regional Water Resource Plan Eastern and Midlands (RWRP-EM) and associated SEA Environmental Report and Natura Impact Statement (NIS). It is now inviting feedback on the plan and associated environmental documents, which was published for statutory consultation on Tuesday, December 14th, until Friday, March 25th. A statement from Irish Water read: “The RWRPEM is Irish Water’s plan to identify how we will provide a safe, sustainable, secure and reliable water supply to our customers for now and into the future whilst safeguarding the environment. “The RWRP-EM will set out how we will balance the supply and demand for drinking water over the short, medium and long term in the east and midlands. It is a 25-year strategy to ensure we have a safe, sustainable, secure and reliable drinking water supply for everyone. “This is an opportunity to feed into the process of how Irish Water identifies the issues and opportunities for the water supply in your area and how solutions are found, before they are applied to your Region. The draft RWRPEM and associated environmental reports can be viewed and downloaded at www.water.ie/rwrp/easternmidlands, or at your local authority’s planning office during office hours”.
26
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
Our guide to St. Patrick’s Festival 2022
Hamrock’s
Athleague, Co. Roscommon. Tel.: (090) 6663325 In the Bar
Thursday, 17th March: St. Patrick’s evening 6-9pm
Henry + The Usual Suspects
MOLLOY’S MAIN STREET, ROSCOMMON Tel.: 090 6626120 or 087 6546512. E. dnmolloymainstreet@eircom.net
Alcohol free G&T €5.95
for 4 cans
Single Malt Peated Irish Whiskey €54.95
Gold outstandingIWSC Award 98/100
St Patrick’s Day parades – and live music in bars – make welcome return!
once again host its popular parade from 1 pm. A large crowd is expected to turn out and there will be live music and other entertainment on the street as the parade makes its way from the local community centre. Finally, the long-awaited return of St. Patrick’s Day festivities will continue into Friday, March 18th as Arigna plays host to its own parade this year. Following two years of Covid-19 restrictions, communities across Roscommon will be back with a bang this St. Patrick’s Day!
< DAN DOONER
Towns and villages across the county are gearing up for what promises to be a busy St. Patrick’s Day following two years of Covid-19 restrictions. Lecarrow will see the revival of the village parade from 1 pm on St. Patrick’s Day including novelty and trade floats, a vintage display of cars, tractors and implements and the world premiere of ‘Paddy’s Mechanical Ass’! Later on, Cootehall will play host to the Ardcarne St. Patrick’s Day parade at 2 pm featuring wellknown grand marshals, Roscommon senior footballers Enda and Donie Smith. The organisers of the parade have confirmed the appearance of the Irvine Memorial Pipes and Drums Band and there will be a Dog Show at Cootehall Barracks starting at 1.15 pm with food and an ice cream van. There will also be prizes for the Best Float and other categories. Ballaghaderreen’s parade kicks off at 2.30 pm this Thursday from the Sligo Road. There’s €1,000 in
Timeline of local parades… prize-money up for grabs in the various categories and the theme for this year’s parade is ‘100 Years of Irish Independence’. A total of three parades will commence marching at 3 pm. The Ballintubber parade is celebrating its 10th anniversary and always attracts a large crowd while Elphin and Cloonfad will also be celebrat-
ing St. Patrick’s Day in style this year. The final parade on St. Patrick’s Day in Roscommon will start at 3.30 pm in Boyle. There will be face-painting with Lisa from 2 pm to start the celebrations as well as prizes for Best Floats in a number of categories on the day. Meanwhile, Glenamaddy will
St Patrick’s Day (Thursday, March 17th) 1 pm: Lecarrow 1 pm: Glenamaddy 2 pm: Cootehall 2.30 pm: Ballaghaderreen 3 pm: Ballintubber 3 pm: Cloonfad 3 pm: Elphin 3.30 pm: Boyle Friday, March 18th 3.30 pm: Arigna
Night of music and song in Clooneycolgan
HOLLYWOOD BAR & BAR HOLLYWOOD & VENUE OSCARS PARTY
A night of music and song will be held in Clooneycolgan Community Centre from 7 pm to 11 pm on St. Patrick’s Night. All are welcome to attend. Proceeds in aid of Clooneycolgan Community Centre.
CASTLE STREET. ROSCOMMON OSCARS PARTY VENUE CASTLE CASTLE STREET. STREET. ROSCOMMON ROSCOMMON
ST PATRICKS WEEKEND
ST PATRICKS WEEKEND ThursdayThursday 17th mar - dj daire live in-beer 17th March Thursday 17th mar - dj daire live in beer garden
DJgarden Daire live in Beer Garden 18tharnold Marchlive - acoustic friday 18thFriday mar - danny friday 18th mar - danny arnold live acoustic setset Arnold Live Acoustic Set Danny Saturday 19th March saturday liveininbeer beer saturday19th 19thmar mar-- dj dj robbie robbie live DJgarden Robbie live in Beer Garden garden
COCKTAILS~~LIVE LIVESPORT SPORT ~ BEER COCKTAILS BEERGARDEN GARDEN~~LIVE LIVEMUSIC MUSIC Congratulationsto toLarry, Larry,Bryan, Bryan,Kevin Kevin&and all the Rockfords team on Congratulations all the Rockfords team on their
Congratulations Larry,Bryan, Bryan, Kevin Kevin & team onon their Congratulations toto Larry, & all allthe theRockfords Rockfords team their best wishes for the future theiramazing amazing40th 40thyear yearin inbusiness business& and best wishes for the future amazing 40th year in business & best wishes for the future amazing 40th year in business & best wishes for the future Sinead Staunton, Cathy O’Rourke, Lisa Murray, Ronan Gleeson and Grainne Higgins out and about in Roscommon Town recently. Pic: Mick McCormack
27
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
Our guide to St. Patrick’s Festival 2022
Nathanial Quinn, Jordan Quinn and Kaylem Grant pictured at a St. Patrick’s Day fundraising quiz in An Bothar Rua, Elphin. Pic: Mick McCormack
Castle Street, Roscommon T; 086 4118914 Wednesday 16th March:
TOM MORAN
Rossa Brennan, Gavin Murray, Mary Brady, Aaron Brady and Frankie Cregg pictured at a St. Patrick’s Day fundraising quiz in An Bothar Rua, Elphin. Pic: Mick McCormack
Thursday 17th March: (St. Patrick’s Day)
OLLIE ROCKS Friday 18th March:
NO REFRETS
Shauna Traynor, Darren Tranor and Coman Oates pictured at a St. Patrick’s Day fundraising quiz in An Bothar Rua, Elphin. Pic: Mick McCormack
sic All mu g startin m 0p from 1
Saturday 19th March:
PUB FICTION
Mike & Rochelle and staff would like to thank everyone for their continued support, and wish you Leah Ryan, Debbie Ryan, Kelly Cox, Tracy McGrath and Angline McGrath pictured at a St. Patrick’s Day fundraising quiz in An Bothar Rua, Elphin. Pic: Mick McCormack
a very Happy St. Patrick’s Day
28
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
GOING OUT
To feature in this section, call 090-6634632 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie
Best Actor Confined, sponsored by Eurona Brisknet, was won by Francis Brennan as Tim, Phoenix Players. The award was presented by Domnick Connolly and accepted by Gerry Maye on behalf of Francis. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Best Actress Confined, sponsored by Timothy’s Londis Plus, Abbeytown, was won by Aideen McNamara as Aimee, Enniskillen Theatre Company. The award was presented by Annie Timothy and accepted on behalf of Aideen by Christian Carbin. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Best Supporting Actor Confined, sponsored by McGuinness Total Health Pharmacy, was won by Christian Carbin as Doc, Enniskillen Theatre Company. The award was presented to Christian by Brigeen Fitzmaurice. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Best Supporting Actress Confined, sponsored by the Comfy Café, Roscommon Town, was won by Anna Flaherty as Helen, Glenamaddy Players. The award was presented by Tom Costello and accepted on Anna’s behalf by Vernon Keaveny. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
The Adjudicator’s Award, sponsored by Roscommon Lions Club, was won by Mairead Connaughton and Padraig Darcy as Jane and Tim, Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group. The award was presented by Dermot Cox and accepted by Mairead Connaughton and Padraig Darcy. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Best Stage Setting, sponsored by Tony McCrann, Castle Street, was won by Donie O’Sullivan, Ballyduff Drama Group. The award was presented by Zoya McCrann and accepted by Mary Finn on behalf of the winners. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Best Technical Award, sponsored by FBD Insurance, was won by The Design Team, Dalkey Players. The award was presented by Johann Martin and accepted on behalf of Dalkey Players by Mairead Nally. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
The Pat Connaughton Memorial Award for ‘Magical Moment in Theatre’, sponsored by the Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group, was won by Nat Opening the Closet in Danny’s Room by Ballyduff Drama Players. The award was presented by Mary Fallon and accepted by Mary Finn. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
The Vincent Mahon Memorial Award & Scholarship, sponsored by the Mahon family, was won by Cian Boyle of Glenamaddy Players. The award was presented by Bridie, Ted and Eileen Mahon and accepted by Vernon Keaveny. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
29
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
GOING OUT
To feature in this section, call 090-6634632 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie
Successful Roscommon Drama Festival A very successful Roscommon Drama Festival drew to a close on Saturday night, March 12th. The chairperson of the festival, Mary Finn, noted: “It was one of our most successful festival to date, and it was tremendous to see the number of people attending nightly”. The audience were treated to some top class entertainment in both the confined and open
section, with capacity crowds on most nights. Mr. Geoff O’Keeffe, who was warmly praised in his role as adjudicator, announced the results at the awards ceremony. In the open section, first place went to Ballyduff Drama Group’s ‘Rabbit Hole’ by David LindseyAbaire, second went to Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama
Group’s ‘The Good Father’ by Christian O’Reilly, and third place went to Dalkey Players’ ‘Eurydice’ by Sarah Ruhl. In the confined section, first place went to Enniskillen Theatre Company’s ‘The Night Alive’ by Conor McPherson, second went to Glenamaddy Players’ ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’ by Martin McDonagh, and
third place went to Phoenix Players (Tubbercurry)’s ‘The Communication Cord’ by Brian Friel. The Vincent Mahon Memorial Award, which awards a scholarship to DLI Summer School, went to Glenamaddy Players’ Cian Boyle for his role as Billy in ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’. The Pat Connaughton Memorial Award for a ‘Magical Mo-
ment in Theatre’ went to Nat opening the closet in Danny’s Room during Ballyduff Drama Group’s performance of ‘Rabbit Hole’. The Adjudicator’s Award went to Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group’s Mairead Connaughton and Pádraig Darcy, who performed as Jane and Tim in ‘The Good Father’. The Best Technical Award went to
Best Supporting Actress Open, sponsored by Down the Hatch, Roscommon Town, was won by Sheila Henaghan as Nat, Ballyduff Drama Group. The award was presented by Larry Brennan and accepted by Mary Cox on behalf of Sheila. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Best Supporting Actor Open, sponsored by Mahon Sweeney Solicitors, Roscommon Town, was won by Dermot Byrne as Nasty Interesting Man and Lord of The Underworld, Dalkey Players. The award was presented by Marie Conroy and accepted on behalf of Dermot by Mairead Nally. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Best Actress Open, sponsored by Hugh Baxter, Cerena Consulting, was won by Grainne Barry as Becca, Ballyduff Drama Group. The award was presented by Paraic Brennan and accepted on behalf of Grainne by Mary Finn. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Best Actor Open, sponsored by Brigeen & Gerry Fitzmaurice, was won by Jack Stack as Howie, Ballyduff Drama Group. The award was presented by Brigeen Fitzmaurice and accepted on behalf of Jack by Mary Cox. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Best Director Confined, sponsored by Finn Electrical Expert, Roscommon Town, was won by Enniskillen Theatre Company. The award was presented by John Finn and accepted by Christian Carbin. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Best Director Open, sponsored by Casey’s Londis/Supermac’s, Roscommon Town, was won by Ger Canning, Ballyduff Drama Group. The award was presented by John Haughey and accepted on behalf of Ger by Mary Finn. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Main Award Confined, sponsored by Marie & Pat McCrann, was won by Enniskillen Theatre Company. The award was presented by Marie McCrann and accepted by Christian Carbin. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Main Award Open, sponsored by Canon Eugene McLoughlin PP, was won by Ballyduff Drama Group. The award was presented by Tom Costello and accepted by Mary Finn. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
The Perpetual Award, sponsored by RosMed Pharmacy, Roscommon Town, was won by Ballyduff Drama Group. The award was presented by Joe Sheedy and accepted on behalf of the winners by Mary Finn. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh
Dalkey Players’ design team for ‘Eurydice’. The award for Best Stage Setting went to Donie O’Sullivan for Ballyduff Drama Group’s ‘Rabbit Hole’. In the confined section, the award for Best Supporting Actress went to Anna Flaherty for her role as Helen in Glenamaddy Players’ ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’, and Best Supporting Actor went to Christian Carbin for his role as Doc in Enniskillen Theatre Company’s ‘The Night Alive’. The award for Best Actress in the confined section went to Aideen McNamara for her role as Aimee in Enniskillen Theatre Company’s ‘The Night Alive’, and the award for Best Actor went to Francis Brennan for his role as Tim in Phoenix Players Tubbercurry’s ‘The Communication Cord’. In the open section, the award for Best Supporting Actress went to Sheila Henaghan for her role as Nat in Ballyduff Drama Group’s ‘Rabbit Hole’, and Best Supporting Actor went to Dermot Byrne for his roles as Nasty Interesting Man and Lord of the Underworld in Dalkey Players’ ‘Eurydice’. The award for Best Actress in the open section went to Grainne Barry for her role as Becca in Ballyduff Drama Group’s ‘Rabbit Hole’, and Best Actor went to John Stack for his role as Howie in Ballyduff Drama Group’s ‘Rabbit Hole’. The award for Best Director in the confined section went to Ena Trimble for Enniskillen Theatre Company’s ‘The Night Alive’, and the award for Best Director in the open section went to Ger Canning for Ballyduff Drama Group’s ‘Rabbit Hole’. The Perpetual Award went to Ballyduff Drama Group’s ‘Rabbit Hole’. The committee wish to thank Mr Coman Keaveny (Chairman of the ADCI) who officially opened the festival, all the groups who took part, our excellent adjudicator Mr Geoff O’Keeffe – who brought such excellent insight and adjudication to the festival – our wonderful audience who supported us throughout, all our sponsors and advertisers, and the press and media. Special thanks to the Roscommon People, Roscommon Herald, RosFM and Shannonside, photographers Mary Lane, Mick McCormack and Michelle Hughes Walsh, Roscommon LEADER Partnership and Roscommon County Council for their generous financial support. Thanks also to the excellent staff of the Roscommon Arts Centre, who provided us with a platform to showcase our festival, and were always so helpful. Well done to all involved!
30
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
FarmingPeople Property Services Providers Licence No. 002249
TELEPHONE: 094 9620300 Email: info@castlerealivestockmart.com Web: www.castlerealivestockmart.com MONDAY, 21ST MARCH:
BULLOCK SALE RESUMES ON MONDAYS THURSDAY, 24TH MARCH:
SALE OF HEIFERS, COWS, CALVES, RUNNERS AND WEANLINGS MONDAY, 28TH MARCH:
BULLOCK SALE THURSDAY, 31ST MARCH:
SALE OF HEIFERS, COWS, CALVES, RUNNERS AND WEANLINGS For Enquiries Please Contact Mart Office Or Visit Our Website For Details.
Dead & Worn-Out Animals Contact
JOHN GREENE BALLINASLOE
Dead & Worn-Out Animals Contact
TOM ROGERS
TEL: (090) 96 88606 (090) 96 88830 (090) 96 87651
Strokestown, Co. Roscommon Tel. (071) 96 34783 and (071) 96 33344
Lowest price GUARANTEED
Your LOCAL Collector Guaranteed lowest price
Daily collection
Learn to drive with
ROSCOMMON DRIVING SCHOOL
Government must do more for farmers on fuel costs - IFA IFA President Tim Cullinan said the cut in excise of 2c per litre of green diesel will do very little to offset the rocketing price of fuel and will be seen as an insult by farmers given the importance of food security. “If the Government is serious about encouraging farmers to grow more grass and crops and produce more food, they should suspend all excise duty and carbon tax on agri diesel (Marked Gas Oil) for farmers and farm contractors,” he said. “If farmers are to sow more crops and grow more grass, it will require increased use of farm machinery in the coming days and weeks. The Government must do more immediately”. Mr. Cullinan said farm families are under huge pressure because of the savage increases in their costs. The Government has to get to grips with the issue and provide meaning-
ful support to farmers. At a meeting with the Minister for Agriculture Charlie McConalogue last week, Mr. Cullinan said IFA put forward measures
‘TAMS costings fully disconnected from reality’ – ICMSA The Chairperson of ICMSA’s Farm and Rural Affairs Committee, Denis Drennan, has said the TAMS costings are “fully disconnected from reality” and called for them to be revised in the wake of surging construction costs. “There must be a degree of progress on this issue because we’ve repeatedly pointed out that so far from closing the gap between actual costs and the increasingly fictional costings set out in TAMS, the gap appears to be wid-
ening,” he said. “Famers cannot wait until Tranche 26 opens in April, the current costings were developed in March 2021 and were questionable even then. But now in the spring of 2022, they in no way reflect the current costs of materials. “Some of our members have been quoted prices in excess of 40 per cent above the reference costings. We said before that the failure to update the costings was making TAMS irrelevant and we very much regret
087 2295551 Businesses: Reach your target market! 18,000 COPIES PRINTED WEEKLY
to support the growing of more grass for silage as well as more crops. “The key issue here is to tackle input costs particularly fuel, fertiliser and
ICMSA’s Farm and Rural Affairs Committee, Denis Drennan.
to point out that the gap is widening not closing”. Mr. Drennan said that ICMSA fully supports dairy farmers’ engagement with environmental issues but that TAMS must be fit for purpose. “It is not fit-for-purpose right now, and it has not been for some time. Only the Department can fix that, and they need to get to grips with a problem that is completely obvious and completely within their control,” he concluded.
feed. The lack of urgency at Government level is very worrying,” he said. “At our AGM in January, I called on the Minister to pull the sector together to
set up a task force on inputs. While the Minister has belatedly done this, he needs to come forward with concrete funded proposals”.
Castlerea MART WATCH This past week saw the largest sale to date this year at Castlerea Mart with increased numbers of stock presented for sale, and, despite global turbulence, a very lively trade for all classes of stock presented. The bullock ring saw prices peak at €2,180 with quality stores in strong demand while the heifer ring saw prices peak at €2,520 for a 765 kilo Charolais heifer or €3.29 a kilo. The dry cow trade saw prices peaking at €2.85 a kilo with a good clearance taking place, while the weanling rings noticed increased farmer activity especially for the quality lots as we enter the normal spring trade. Breeding stock reported a good clearance this week while the calf ring, with increased numbers of customers, witnessed an improved trade this week. Springers made from €1,020 to €2,020 and there were bigger numbers of calves for sale. Castlerea Mart also hosted a competition for Angus calves, which was organised by Abbey Community College, Boyle. Prize winners ranged in prices from €140 to €310. Sales continue at Castlerea Mart on Monday next (March 21st) with a bullock sale while on Thursday, 24th we have our weekly sale of heifers, cows, calves, runners and weanlings. All sales commence at 11 am. Sample prices for bullocks: Lm 480kgs €1500, Ch 485kgs €1440, Lm 450kgs €1400, Lm 535kgs €1630, Lm 535kgs €1540, Ch 573kgs €1770, Lm 560kgs €1680, Lm 630kgs €1920, AA 780kgs €2180, Ch 710kgs €2000, Ch 710kgs €1940. Heifers: Sim 400kgs €1290, Ch 380kgs €1160, Ch 375kgs €1140, Ch 485kgs €1420, Lm 470kgs €1390, Ch 445kgs €1270, Ch 765kgs €2520, Lm 635kgs €1860, Lm 550kgs €1660, Ch 590kgs €1660. Dry cows: Sax 495kgs €1190, Lm 780kgs €2230, Ch 855kgs €2190, BBx 700kgs €1900, Sim 850kgs €1970, BBx 715kgs €1740, AAx 480kgs €970, Fr 700kgs €1290. Weanling bulls: Lm 295kgs €960, Ch 265kgs €900, Lm 270kgs €890, AA 290kgs €780, Ch 370kgs €1190, Lm 405kgs €1230, Lm 485kgs €1400, Ch 355kgs €1140. Weanling heifers: Ch 295kgs €1110, Ch 295kgs €1100, Ch 285kgs €880, Lm 225kgs €700, Ch 410kgs €1240, Sim 415kgs €1080, Lm 325kgs €880.
31
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
FarmingPeople
Golden: Direct financial supports needed for farmers
IFA Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden.
IFA Livestock Chairman Brendan Golden said immediate direct financial supports must be provided to farmers to offset the increased costs for feed, fertiliser and fuel on suckler, cattle rearing and finishing farms. “These supports must be paid directly to farmers based on their level of production,” he said. Mr. Golden said it’s vital that cattle continue to be finished in line with our well-established production systems. “Any disruption to the beef trade will have devasting consequences for these farmers. There is a
real concern the trade of beef animals will be severely disrupted and in turn our supply chain for beef if there is a failure to put guarantees in place for farmers who are producing beef for this autumn and next spring,” he said. The IFA Livestock Chairman said availability of key inputs must be assessed immediately and restrictions on land use under schemes, nitrates requirements and other legal obligations must be removed to ensure farmers have all lands at their disposal to produce food. Mr. Golden accused policy makers at EU and
national level of failing European consumers and farmers. “The relentless pursuit of a cheap food policy; the erosion of supports for food production; and the trade-off of Irish and EU farmers in trade deals for the benefit of large corporations and industrialists has undermined Irish and EU food sovereignty,” he said. “EU and national policy must value the vital role of farmers in providing security of food for the citizens of the EU, food which is produced to the highest environmental and welfare standards in the world”.
‘Past contribution must qualify women for TAMS’ IFA Farm Family & Social Affairs Chair, Alice Doyle, said that if Minister McConalogue is committed to driving gender equality, it is vital that the past contribution of women farmers and the years they have farmed are calculated to qualify for TAMS. “I am very encouraged by the Minister comments with regards to the importance of gender balance to the long-term sustainable future of Irish farming,” she said. “The contribution of women to Irish agriculture is significant but often undervalued. It is vital that women farmers are actively encouraged to apply for TAMS and that any barriers to women being able to avail of the scheme are minimised”. The Farm Family and Social Affairs Chairperson said the increased rate of grant aid to 60 per cent for women aged 41-66 years was an important step. “We do not want to see women who have made a significant contribution to farming over many years being excluded from the scheme,” she added. “If the Minister is committed to driving gender equality, women’s farming experience must be recognised as a qualifying criterion under TAMS,” she concluded.
Roscommon MART WATCH Businesses: Reach your target market! Your local paper!
There was a very good entry of excellent quality cattle on offer at our sale on Friday last (March 11th). The bullock trade was on fire with lots fetching from an average of €2.80 per kilo up a high of €3.61 per kilo. Heifer numbers were small due to this week’s Special Sale. Prices ranged from an average of €2.51 per kilo up to €2.58 per kilo. There was a brisk trade for dry cows with lots averaging from €2.40 per kilo up to €2.70 per kilo. There was good activity on line with ringside bidding also very strong. This Friday (18th) will see a Special Bank Holiday Spring Sale of
Heifers as well as bullocks and dry cows. There will be a Mid-Spring Special Sale of Bullocks as well as heifers and dry cows on Friday, March 25th. Bookings accepted up to 5 pm on Monday next (March 21st). Sample prices for heifers: Char X 480kgs €1240, Lim X 475kgs €1220, 5 AAX 435kgs €1080, Lim X 395kgs €1000. Bullocks: Char X 810kgs €2400, Char X 655kgs €2350, Char X 685kgs €2320, Char X 760kgs €2300, Lim X 690kgs €2290, Char X 770kgs €2270, 4 Lim X 693kgs €2220, 2 Char X 640kgs €2170,
4 Lim X 688kgs €2070, 2 Char X 610kgs €2010, 4 Lim X 675kgs €1920, 2 Char X 592kgs €1800, Char 580kgs €1820, Lim X 595kgs €1830, 2 AAX 620kgs €1600, Char X 480kgs €1500, 4 Lim x 432kgs €1400, 3 Char X 486kgs €1390, Lim X 490kgs €1300. Dry cows: Char X 920kgs €2340, Lim X 840kgs €2270, Lim X 810kgs €2170, BBX 815kgs €2120, Lim X 735kgs €1980, AUX 745kgs €1900, AA 760kgs €1850, AAX 690kgs €1840, Lim X 745kgs €1800, Lim 710kgs €1710, HEX 680kgs €1680, SAX 650kgs €1600.
(Proudly serving farmers for over 62 years) Property Services Providers Licence No. 001373
Friday, March 18th at 11 a.m.
Bank Holiday Special Sale of Heifers Approx 50 pens on offer Also Bullocks & Dry Cows ----------------------
Friday, March 25th at 11 a.m.
Special Sale of Bullocks Also Heifers & Dry Cows Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. Monday, 21st March ----------------------
Tuesday, March 22nd at 4 p.m.
Mid Spring Special Sale of Weanlings Also Suckler Cows Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. Wednesday, March 16th ----------------------
Lambs & Cast Ewes Each Wednesday at 11 a.m. ----------------------
Sheep Scanning Service Each Wednesday - Strictly 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. ----------------------
Saturday, March 19th
Irish Simmental Premier Sale 55 bulls and 23 Heifers on offer Show 8am. Sale at 12 noon ----------------------
Saturday, April 9th at 12 Noon
Complete Dispersal Entire PBNR Milking Herd (Good EBI) Conducted by Taaffe Auctions For John and Caitriona Carley of Corristoona, Ballintubber, Co. Roscommon ----------------------
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 – 0872602909 – John 0863077091
ENQUIRIES 090 6626352
Email: roscommonmart@gmail.com Visit our website: www.roscommonmart.ie
Find us on facebook
32
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
33
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
PropertyPeople
PSRA Licence No. 004420
NEW TO THE MARKET PRIME ROADSIDE LANDS 6.5 ACRES APPROX HOLDING POTENTIAL LOCATED AT
BEALNAMULLA - beside Athlone, Co. Roscommon AMV: €100,000 The sale of these said lands offers a great opportunity for potential purchasers to acquire lands beside Athlone. Located on the Tuam Rd (R362) Bealnamulla, Co. Roscommon. Directly beside the Bealnamulla Soccer Pitch (Athlone Side) The Auctioneers now invite immediate viewings and offers to sell.
Cathal 086 1409158
Cormac 086 3519492
FINAL OFFERS INVITED 18.1 ACRES (APPROX) OF PRIME ROADSIDE LANDS LOCATED AT
STONEPARK - beside Roscommon Town AMV: €180,000
Prime Roadside Lands set out in one lot holding potential due location. The sale of these said lands must offer all farmers a great opportunity to acquire lands in this regarded farming area beside Roscommon Town. Legal: Kelly Kennedy Solicitors Dublin 2 (01) 676 4716 The Auctioneer now invites viewings and all offers to sell
NEW TO THE MARKET FORMER 2 BEDROOMED SEMI DETACHED RESIDENCE IN THE CENTRE OF
LOUGHGLYNN VILLAGE F45 X725 STANDING ON A SUPERIOR SITE AREA OF APPROX 0.76 OF AN ACRE
AMG: PRICE ON APPLICATION This former semi detached residence is need of complete restoration throughout standing on a site area of approx. 0.76 of an acre with detached shed set to side with majestic views over Lough Lynn. The auctioneers now invite immediate viewings and offers to sell.
WANTED WANTED WANTED DUE TO A NUMBER OF RECENT FARM SALES WE NOW REQUIRE AGRICULTURAL LANDS IN ALL AREAS FOR DISAPPOINTED UNDERBIDDERS. ALSO WE REQUIRE LANDS IN ALL AREAS FOR LONG OR SHORT TERM LETTING FOR DISAPPOINTED UNDERBIDDERS REPLIES IN STRICTEST CONFIDENCE
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
34
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
PropertyPeople
Superb four bedroomed detached on a large site Oates Auctioneers are offering for sale a superb four bedroomed detached residence on a large landscaped site situated on The Walk Road, Roscommon, F42 HP93. The property is ideally located within walking distance of all Roscommon town amenities. This residence is furnished to the highest specification with exceptional finish throughout and comprises entrance hallway, sitting room, living area, open plan kitchen dining room and large
utility with w.c. off. First floor: four large bedrooms with master ensuite and family bathroom. Outside there are large mature grounds with a wide variety of shrubs and plants, together with mature hedging and trees. Viewing strictly by prior appointment. Price Region: € 315,000. BER Rating: C3. For more information or to arrange a viewing, contact Oates Auctioneers on 0906627878 or email info@ oates.ie.
Connaughton Auctioneers to host plant and machinery auction this Saturday
Connaughton Auctioneers are holding a plant and machinery auction in association with the LSL Online Auction Platform this Saturday (March 19th) at 11 am in Glenamaddy Equestrian Centre, Co. Galway (F45 VP66). The auctioneers on the day will be Ivan Connaughton and Matthew Donnellan. Matthew has previously carried out our machinery auctions for Connaughton Auctioneers. The registration fee is free for any lot and all lots will be subject to advance approval by the auctioneer. Only plant, machinery, and builders items will be accepted for this auction. Anyone wishing to enter lots for the auction must register online via the LSL website, upload pictures, videos, and information of their items and a member of the sales team will make contact. Those wishing to bid at the auction will also have to register online via LSL and pay a holding
deposit of €250 for authorisation to bid on the day. Deposits will be returned within seven days after the auction. Auctioneer Ivan Connaughton said: “We are delighted to have joined forces with LSL Auctions (livestock-live.com) for plant and machinery auctions in 2022, with our first auction this Saturday, March 19th, in Glenamaddy. “From holding similar auctions previously, we are well aware of the amount of administration required. The LSL Online Auction platform has been working very successfully in other locations throughout Ireland over the past two years. The system makes the process easier for everyone. “For example, anyone selling or buying must register online. Sellers can upload pictures, videos and information for their items very easily online via their mobile phone. Buyers can
view any lot before the auction and bid online from anywhere in the world on the day of the auction. Buyers can also bid in person with a paddle board by registering on the day. “Any unsold lots can be entered into a timed auction after the auction. This will give buyers more time to bid on their chosen lots. The venue in Glenamaddy Equestrian Centre is very suitable, with ample indoor and outdoor space for auction lots and customer parking. “Our association with LSL will market this auction nationwide, as their platform is used for livestock marts and property auctions and they have had direct marketing to 1.24 million viewers (in the last twelve months) via their 25,000 social media followers and LSL News”. A link to the auction is on the website connaughtonauctioneers.ie and Connaughton Auctioneers’ social media pages. Items
Pictured is Ivan Connaughton of Connaughton Auctioneers.
entered into the auction can be dropped off to the venue this Thursday, March 17th, and Friday, March 18th, from 9 am to 6 pm each day. Lots can be viewed on Friday, March 18th, from 12 pm to 6 pm and on auction day from 8 am. The auction will commence at 11 am. Catering facilities will be in place on the day. Entry to the auction is free and everybody is welcome to attend. If you require any additional information, contact Connaughton Auctioneers on 090-6663700, email info@connaughtonauctioneers.ie or visit connaughtonauctioneers.ie.
RE/MAX Team Earley close sale at Hawthorne Drive, Roscommon This week, RE/MAX Team Earley are pleased to advise that they have closed the sale of a quality, five-bedroomed bungalow residence of approximately 1,375 square feet, standing on a mature
and spacious site area in a select residential district. The residence features quality living accommodation, as well as OFCH and uPVC windows and doors throughout. There is a solid
fuel stove with back boiler off to assist the central heating system, which is located in the kitchen/dining room. All mains services are connected and there is highspeed broadband available in the area. The property has an extensive and mature garden area, which extends to the front and rear of the residence and enclosed by hedging. There is block-built walling and a tarmacadam driveway to the front and side of the residence, and a spacious detached garage to the side. The property is situated in a peaceful cul-de-sac and
offers modern living facilities within walking distance of Roscommon town, Roscommon University Hospital, Hannon’s Hotel, and Dr. Hyde Park. The BER rating for this property is D1. 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.
PSRA Licence No: 003201
NEW TO THE MARKET
Farbreagues, Knockcroghery Roscommon, Co. Roscommon F42 V658 Charming 2 bedroom bungalow situated on a large landscaped site with majestic views over Lough Ree and the surrounding countryside. Situated in a quite country setting, 5 miles from Roscommon town and 20 minutes to Athlone town centre. This residence comprises entrance porch, kitchen/dining room, utility, sitting room, 2 large bedrooms and family bathroom. Outside, large modern stables/shed to rear with attractive dry stone walling, rustic chipped drive and laurel hedging. This is an exceptional property to come on the market in a select residential area for which the auctioneers invite viewings and offers.
Price Region: €210,000
BER Rating: F
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW TO THE MARKET
2 Newpark Village, Kiltoom, Co. Roscommon N37 KN56 Quality 4-bedroom family home situated only 10 minutes from Athlone town in the quiet country setting. Spacious and bright layout includes entrance hallway, 4 bedrooms (3 ensuites), sitting room, kitchen/dining room and utility. Located just off the main Athlone/ Roscommon Road in an exclusive intimate development, finished to a very high standard with no expense spared. Overall this is a superb property on a large private site in a sought after mature residential area for which the Auctioneer invites viewings and offers
Price Region: €275,000
BER: C2
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW TO THE MARKET
30 Lough Ree Park, Ballyleague Lanesboro, Co. Roscommon N39 VY39 Quality 4 bedroom semi detached property situated in this sought-after residential area within walking distance of all town amenities including two marinas on the River Shannon famed for its excellent fishing and boating. This property comprises entrance hallway, sitting room, kitchen/dining room, 4 bedrooms and family bathroom. The residence is located on a large site area adjacent to attractive green area.
Price Region: €115,000
BER: E1
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NEW TO THE MARKET
Main Street, Roosky Co. Roscommon N41 V9R3 Superb two storey residence located on a large private site within walking distance to all town amenities including shops, pubs, church schools etc. Finished to a high standard with large garage to side, this property comprises entrance hallway, sitting room, kitchen/dining room, 4 large bedrooms all with built in wardrobes and family bathroom. Overall, this is a much sought after mature residence in an unrivalled location for which the Auctioneers invite viewings and offers.
Price Region: €229,000
Church Street, Roscommon Town, CO. ROSCOMMON TEL: 090 6627878 FAX: 090 6627877 E-mail info@oates.ie Website: www.oates.ie
BER Rating: D1
The Manse, Northgate Street, Athlone, CO. WESTMEATH TEL: 090 6477500 FAX: 090 6477546 E-mail athlone@oates.ie Website: www.oates.ie
35
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 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
ACCOUNTS
McGOWAN ACCOUNTANCY SERVICES Catering for: • Individuals • Sole Traders, Partnerships • VAT, RCT, PAYE/PRSI, Financial Control, Completion of annual tax returns First consultation FREE, can meet clients outside office hours Provides training for start your own business and basic computers and accounting. Also training in Thesaurus accounting products
‘YOUR SUCCESS IS OUR BUSINESS’ Contact Nuala
090 66 25818 086 0352849 Email: mcgacco@gmail.com Web: www.mcgowanaccounting.com
CHIMNEY CLEANING
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.
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
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? Please call Glynis on
085 2514394
email: downeyglynis@yahoo.co.uk
web: www.psychotherapyglynisdowney.com
CONSTRUCTION
Stephen Casey
Construction l
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
COUNSELLING
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
DRIVING LESSONS
Paul McStay DSA/ADI (UK) RSA
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 Mobile:
086 8936012
NO JOB TOO BIG OR TOO SMALL
This driving School conforms for the new RSA regulations & legislation
• Sprayers tested on owners premises • Test report & D.A.F.M. stickers provided. • Small stock of parts available and can be fitted on sprayers
All sprayers tested in 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
FENCING/GATES
FRANCIS REGAN FENCING LTD l l
For all your fencing needs. GLAS Fencing Grant Fencing Post Rail l
Tel: 087 2172281
Des Kelly Fencing 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: Set of modern Electric Drums, complete and almost new. Tel: 087 9657933 or 090 6633084
GARDENING
JOE HEALY
Tree Services
• Hedge Cutting • Dangerous Tree Removal • Wood Chipping • Fully Insured
Phone:
087 2721193 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
• Certified Arborists • Tree Surgery • Dangerous Tree Removal • Wood Chipping • Leylandii hedges reduced and shaped Comprehensive Insurance Cover. I.S.A. member.
Tel: 086 6077307 or 086 8125165
www.parklawntreeservices.
GATELY GARDENING
Four Roads, Co. Roscommon • Landscaping • Timber Decking • Patios • General Maintenance Contact Liam on 086 8749550 or 090 66 27496
To have your advert seen by over 80,000 people every week advertise with us!
GARDENING
PLANNINGS
CORBETT
TREE CARE & LANDSCAPING
l General Maintenance Dangerous Tree Removal l Garden Hedges & Trees reduced and shaped l Wood Chipping l Fully Insured Contact Alan on
l
087 6558597
www.corbetttreecareandlandscaping.com HOLISTIC COUNSELLING
Design Consultation Planning Applications New Build, Extend, Renovate Bespoke Design Domestic, Commercial & Agricultural
086 3482387 info@moleskinarchitecture.com
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
facebook.com/moleskinarch ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, Darragh and Martina Hunt intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for single storey extension to rear of existing dwelling, refurbish existing dwelling, new waste water treatment system and percolation area, associated services and site development works at Cloonlumney, Ballaghaderreen, 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.
Locally owned ... in the heart of the community
36
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
Classifieds PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, Carroll Consultancy, are applying to Roscommon County Council on behalf of David Leydon for retention planning permission for alterations carried out to the development previously granted under Planning Refs. PD/20/359 - To Construct a four bay open Slatted Shed with an unroofed handling facility and Underground Slurry Storage Tank along with all Associated Site Works (alteration consists of closing one side the agricultural shed adding 48m2 to the original structure) at Carrownaglearagh, Elphin, Co. Roscommon.
The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submission 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 the application. Signed: Carroll Consultancy, Bridge Street, Swinford, Co. Mayo. Telephone: 094 9253742
ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Rose Ann Brogan intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to construct extension to side of existing dwelling to include bedroom and dressing area, living room, associated services and site development works at Laragh and Ross, Ballintober, 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.
To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie
PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I am applying to Roscommon County Council for full planning permission on behalf of Gemma Kelly and Aaron Akindahunsi to construct a dwellinghouse, garage, waste water treatment system and associated siteworks at Cuilleen, Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon.
Signed: Seamus Murray, Project Managers, Engineers & Surveyors. Ph: (087) 2222874 The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions or may refuse to grant permission.
ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Cáit Gleeson am applying to Roscommon County Council for Planning Permission for the construction of a car port accommodation to rear of premises and for the erection of solar panels on the roofs of the car port and of the existing premises at Gleeson’s Townhouse and Restaurant, Market Square, Roscommon. F42 WA22 The works are in relation to A Protected Structure.
Signed: Cait Gleeson 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 five 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.
PODIATRIST Podiatrist/Chiropodist
Sarah Fleming
CB.Sc (Hons) Podiatry MScPI at
Tullys
WANTED: Fallen trees for firewood. Ash, Beech, Birch and Whitethorn. We are safety certified and insured. Phone:
086 2437376
PODIATRIST
The Galway Podiatrist FOOT AND ANKLE CLINIC
Aoife Reilly BSc Pod, MChSI, SCPI (registered with VHI, AVIVA, LAYA & GloHealth)
HSE Trained and Approved l Home visits available For any of your foot issues call:
094 9620009
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:
For Bookings Contact:
College Road, For Bookings Contact: Mountbellew,
(087) 707 5803
(087) 707 5803 (Saturday & evening appointments available)
Co Galway H53 D7W8
(Saturday & evening appointments available) Treanrevagh, Mountbellew, Co. Galway H53 D7W8 Open under Goverment + HSE Guidelines
PODIATRIST
For all foot ailments
Corns, calluses, ingrown toenails, verruca, orthotics, diabetic assessments and treatment.
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 SIOBHAN ALSO RUNS A CLINIC FROM KNOCK
• 20 years experience
PODIATRIST/ CHIROPODIST Mark Kilgallon B.Sc Podiatry (Hons) M.Ch.S.I. Department of Health Approved
EVERY FRIDAY St. Joseph’s Resource Centre, Boyle For appointment
087 2982214
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
REFLEXOLOGY
REFLEXOLOGY 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
Email: m.kilgallon23@gmail.com
• House Visits • Insoles and Orthotics Prescribed • Chiropody Services
Locally owned ... in the heart of the community
TURF/FUEL/ FIREWOOD
TOP QUALITY TURF 10x6 Loads of Turf, saved in good weather and stored in dry shed, will deliver. Phone:
083 0684011
< 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
TURF AVAILABLE Bulk bags of Turf available Tel: Donal
086 2721812 (All areas)
Also loads of Peat bedding for livestock (delivered)
TUITION
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
Aluminium
Supplied & Fitted From
The company that can do all them small jobs
FROM
€190 094 9373445 087 9100477
www.oddjobsolutions.ie
MG Services • Tiling (Wall and Floor) • Timber Floors • Timber Fencing, Decking • Garden Maintenance • Power Washing AND ALL OTHER JOBS CONSIDERED
087 2478609
Plumbing & Maintenance
Contact Luke on
085 7359120 Day 1: Financial Maths Day 2: The Line & The Circle Tuesday 19th April & Wednesday 20th April Jacksons, The Square, Roscommon
DOMESTIC APPLIANCE REPAIRS: WASHING MACHINE, REPAIRS, DISHWASHER REPAIRS, OVEN AND TUMBLE DRYER REPAIRS Contact Paul on 086 0538977 087 4046478 071 9664207 www.appliance-repairs.ie
USEFUL SERVICES
PROFESSIONAL PAINTER AVAILABLE FOR ALL EXTERIOR AND INTERIOR PAINTING
Tried & Trusted Since 1993
Phone JOHN
083 8838022 PAINTER & DECORATOR Private & Commercial Power washing 25 years experience Free Estimates Given
Phone Alan on:
090 6661635 or Mobile:
087 2683079
Telephone:
• Bathroom planning and design to suit you • All aspects of plumbing and maintenance • Boiler Servicing • Heating Installation • Call for FREE QUOTATION
USEFUL SERVICES
Affordable Roofing and Gutter Repairs, we replace and install in Roscommon area.
LOFT LADDERS
Established since 2005
- Booking Deposit Required -
Phone: 091 416029 Liam or Mick 085 7619827
USEFUL SERVICES
Quality Small Job Services For Home or Business
ROOFING
085 1503353 086 8538404
Clinics also in Ballaghaderreen and Castlebar l
PODIATRIST
Working throughout current restrictions with full PPE equipment.
SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED DRAINS/SEWERS CLEANED
PROFESSIONAL PAINTING & DECORATING CONTRACTOR For all your decorating needs CONTACT JOHN
086 4679798 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
PERMIT NO: WCP - MO - 09 - 0267 - 01
COVERING ROSCOMMON AREA TELEPHONE MICHAEL HAVERTY: 086 8381227 or 086 1997815
Electrician Available Safe Electric Registered. Domestic and Industrial, All work considered. No Job too small. Phone Paul 086 2553153 or 090 666 3053 or Email p0862553153@ gmail.com.
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
37
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
Classifieds
To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie
FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES MONTH’S MIND MASS GALVIN (nee Smyth) PAULINE
CAMPBELL Ted and Frances Circular Road, Roscommon (Ted - 9th & Frances - 20th Anniversary)
BRIAN MURRAY MEMORIALS
KELLY Marcella (Cella) Cloonara, Derrane, Roscommon 14th Anniversary - 12th March 2008
• Superior Quality Headstones • Restoration work carried out • New Inscriptions added
Araghty, Athleague, Co. Roscommon. Who passed away peacefully on 22nd February 2022
CONTACT HAZEL
087 6758874
Your memories are so precious, your presence missed so much. You will always be remembered and loved by all of us. The family of the late Pauline Galvin wish to express their heartfelt gratitude to all those who sympathised with us and supported us on the sad loss of our beloved Pauline. Thanks to all those who sent mass cards, text messages, phone calls and left messages on RIP. ie. Heartfelt thanks to all those who attended Pauline’s funeral. Thank you to all who travelled long distances to be with us at this difficult time. To our wonderful neighbours, relatives and friends, who brought food and offered their assistance in many ways, thank you. Our sincere thanks to all at Castle Street Surgery, especially Dr. Claire Keaveney, McGuinness’ Pharmacy, all the wonderful staff of Primary and Palliative Care, Roscommon, the doctors, nurses and staff of U C H G, Galway Clinic, Bon Secours hospital, Galway, Portiuncula hospital, Ballinasloe and the Palliative Care Team, Portiuncula, for your kindness and professionalism. A special word of thanks to Fr. Michael Donnelly, and his concelebrants, Fr. Joe Delaney and Fr. Eugene McLoughlin for celebrating a beautiful Funeral Mass in Castlecoote Church. Thanks to the organist and choir for enhancing the liturgy with their beautiful music and singing. Thanks to Smyth’s Funeral Directors for their professionalism and attention to detail in arranging Pauline’s funeral. A very special thanks to our neighbours, relatives and friends who lined the street outside Smyth’s Funeral Home and outside Castlecoote Church on Pauline’s final journey. A very special word of thanks to the gravediggers who prepared Pauline’s final resting place in Athleague cemetary. To the management and staff of the Abbey Hotel, thank you for a beautiful meal. As it would not be possible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as an expression of our family’s deep gratitude and appreciation. Mass will be offered for all your intentions. Sadly missed and always remembered by her family, relatives, neighbours and friends. Pauline’s Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated in Athleague Church on Saturday, 19th March at 12 o’clock.
FAMILY NOTICES • Anniversary Remembrance • Acknowledgements • Birthday Remembrance Phone: (090) 66 34633 Email: advertising@roscommonpeople.ie
Always remembered and missed by all the family. Anniversary Mass will be held in The Church of the Risen Christ, Ballybay, Kiltoom on Sunday, 20th March at 11.30am.
LEONARD William & Ann Creemully, Castlecoote, Co.Roscommon. (29th & 25th Anniversaries)
In loving memory of our father William who died on the 8th April 1993, and our mother Ann who died on the 15th February 1997. Rest In Peace. Parents hold their children’s hands for a while and their hearts forever.
Lovingly remembered by Anna Mae, Bridie, Liam and Pauline. Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in the Church of Our Lady Assumed into Heaven, Castlecoote on Sunday, 20th of March 11.30am.
Scrine, Athleague, www.brianmuraystone.com Co. Roscommon E: brianmurraystone@gmail.com
You can only have one Mother, patient, kind and true, no other friend in all the world, will be the same to you. When other friends forsake you, to Mother you will return, for all her loving kindness, she asks nothing in return. As we look upon her picture, sweet memories we recall, of a face so full of sunshine, and a smile for one and all. Sweet Jesus take this message, to our dear Mother up above, tell her how we miss her, and give her all our love.
Remembered today and always by her sons Noel and Des, daughter Frances, son-in-law, daughters-inlaw, grandchildren and great grandchildren.
HIGGINS Walter
TUCKER Brian
Swords, Co. Dublin and Knockcroghery (8th Anniversary)
Ballyleague and Lehery, Co. Longford. Who passed away on the 16th March 2014. (8th Anniversary)
In loving memory of Walter Higgins, who died on 22nd March 2014 Rest In Peace. Today is your 8th Anniversary, you would not want a fuss, just to be remembered and prayed for by all of us.
MURRAY Michael and Ruth Kilmore, Athleague (5th and 29th Anniversary)
19th March 2017
12th April 1993
In the hearts of those who loved you, you will always be there.
Always loved, missed and remembered by Marie and Shane and their partners Gabriel and Shevaun. Mass offered.
BUTLER Teresa and Jimmy Curry, Brideswell, Co. Roscommon (9th Anniversary and 47th Anniversary)
Teresa who died on 17th March 2013 and Jimmy who died on 25th February 1975 Sadly missed by their family. Anniversary Mass in St. Bridget’s Church, Curraghboy on Thursday, 24th March at 7pm.
Sadly missed by Martin, Clare and Lorraine, his grandchildren and a large circle of friends.
Lovingly remembered by your wife Anna Mae and son Ignatius. Anniversary Mass in St. Columcille’s Church, Swords, will be celebrated on St. Patrick’s Day at 10am, and via live webcam at www.swords-parish.com.
THANKSGIVINGS THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many favours. This time I ask this special one. (mention it). Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted. . L.F.
THANKSGIVINGS THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many favours. This time I ask this special one. (mention it). Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted. . M.F.
Submit your Classified online Send your Classified advertisement to advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie or alternatively call 090 66 34633
38
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
Classifieds
To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie
FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES McHUTCHEON Alex
GIBLIN John
BYRNE Michael
Fallon Avenue, Roscommon, formely The Kilbride Inn, Tully, Strokestown Who died on 21st March 2019 (3rd Anniversary)
Mote Park, Roscommon (11th Anniversary) In loving memory of my brother John who died on 21st of March 2011.
Scregg, Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon. (15th Anniversary)
THANKSGIVINGS PRAYER TO ST. EXPEDITE For urgent need... Our dear martyr and protector, Saint Expedite, you who know what is necessary and what is urgently needed. I beg you to intercede before the Holy Trinity, that by your grace my request will be granted. (Clearly express what you want and ask him to find a way to get it to you.) May I receive your blessings and favours. In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, Amen. If Saint Expedite grants your request, place fresh flowers beside his statue in your home or in the church. Also place an ad in the newspaper thanking Saint Expedite, so that his name and fame will grow. L.M.
In loving memory of Michael who passed away on the 8th March 2007 There is a face before us, a voice we’d love to hear. A smile we will always remember of a Dad we loved so dear.
Loved and sadly missed by his loving family.
He never failed to do his best, his heart was true and tender. He worked and toiled for those he loved and left them to remember. Rest In Peace John
Acceptance of an advertisement or payment therefore is not to be taken as implying guarantee that the advertisement will be published. The right is reserved to refuse to insert any advertisement, without giving any reason; also to discontinue the publication of any advertisement previously published, without compensation for any loss or damage claimed for non-publication. Publication of an advertisement cannot be guaranteed on a specific week or at all, whether or not a particular week has been stipulated by the advertiser, and the company will not be liable for any loss claimed by such omission, whether from all editions or any particular edition or editions of the paper. Right is reserved to alter any advertisement without liability for any compensation for such alteration. Further, the company does not accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement.
Sadly missed by your sister Winifred. Also remembering Mammy and Daddy and deceased members of the Giblin family.
KERINS Donal Church Street, Strokestown.
MURRAY Michael Joseph
Fondly remembered today and always Teresa and family. Masses offered.
We will meet again some sunny day.
Submit your Classified online Send your Classified advertisement to advertising@ roscommonpeople.ie or alternatively call 090 66 34633
Sadly missed by his wife Teresa, his children June, Mary, Alan and John, sonin-law Danny, daughtersin-law Margaret and Lisa. Grandchildren, Michael, Devin and Dan O’Brien, Kevin and Kormac Murray and Caoimhe Murray. Second Anniversary Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on Saturday, 19th March at 11am.
Care Assistants in their Nursing Home l
Positions available l Flexible, variable shifts l Immediate start for successful candidates
Love’s Greatest Gift - Remembrance
MEMORIAL CARDS Individually Designed and Printed
Ballindall, Racecourse Rd, Roscommon Town. (2nd Anniversary) In loving memory of Michael, who died on March 19th 2020 R.I.P.
We had a special Father that could not say goodbye, you taught us love and fondness, you taught us how to care. You bound us all together with love few families share, we never had a greater gift than the years we shared with you.
Are actively recruiting for
l Excellent terms and working conditions
REQUIREMENTS l FETAC Level 5 Essential l Good Communication Skills required l Experience desirable but not essential, as full on-site training will be provided l Garda Vetting and References will be required
Please forward CV’S by email ONLY to: costellosnursinghome@gmail.com
SITUATIONS VACANT Email or call for Sample Pack
(14th Anniversary)
Nursing Home Ballyleague, Lanesboro, Co. Roscommon
l Full-Time and Part-Time Permanent
Our hearts are full of memories with pride we speak your name.
Sadly missed by your sisters Bridie and Lillie, brother John, nephews and nieces. Anniversary Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Knockcroghery on Saturday, 19th March at 7pm.
Appointments
Scrine, Athleague, Co. Roscommon Third generation Monumental Sculptors specialising in: • New Headstones • New Inscriptions • Restoration and Cleaning of Monuments • Wall Plaques and Name Plates • Grave Maintenance Service Contact James on 087 3549574 or David on 087 6086723 E-mail: info@anthonymurrayandsons.com www.anthonymurrayandsons.com
Locally owned ... in the heart of the community
< STAFF REQUIRED: For busy Restaurant/Take-away, Forte’s Restaurant, Roscommon town. Tel: 090 6630503 after 3pm.
LOOKING FOR THE RIGHT PERSON FOR THE JOB? To have your advert seen by over 80,000 people every week advertise 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
39
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
Classifieds To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie Appointments BROTHERS OF CHARITY SERVICES IRELAND WEST REGION
BROTHERS OF CHARITY SERVICES IRELAND WEST REGION
PROVIDING SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
PROVIDING SERVICES TO PEOPLE WITH INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
We wish to invite applications for the following post
Permanent Full-Time Personal Assistant/Administrator Grade V (CLERICAL) - €44,128 - €52,926
We wish to invite applications for the following posts initially assigned within our Roscommon Children’s Respite Services supporting children and young adults up to 18 years of age who have a wide range of needs including those with Autism, physical and complex medical / behavioural needs.
Location: Roscommon Offices, Lanesboro Street, Roscommon Town, Co. Roscommon Qualifications / Sklls/Experience: • Minimum Level 6 qualification in Business Management, Business Administration, Secretarial Administration or equivalent • Minimum of 3 years’ experience as administration support to a management role. • Maintaining confidentiality is a fundamental requirement of the PA role • Willingness to assume significant responsibility, ownership and accountability • IT Literate with excellent working knowledge of MS Office to include advanced level skills in Outlook, Word and PowerPoint and at least intermediate level skills in Excel • Ability to prioritise and handle multiple tasks simultaneously and meet deadlines • Excellent written communication skills • Extensive Diary and Inbox Management skills • Excellent Minute Taking skills • Strong numerical, analytical and attention to detail skills • Interpersonal skills that enable working with people at all levels and advising people clearly • An ability to work within a team environment and be self-motivated • Ability to competently deal with situations in the Roscommon Services Manager’s absence and to delegate upwards to senior management • Full Clean Driver’s Licence
To view the full job descriptions and to make an application, please log onto the Brothers of Charity website at www.brothersofcharity.ie/galway and complete the online Application Form together with an updated CV. The closing date for receipt of all applications / CV’s on-line is 5pm Tuesday 29th March 2022 Interviews will be held Monday 4th April 2022. The Brothers of Charity Services Ireland - West Region is an equal opportunities employer. Tulsk Community Childcare Ltd St. Fidelma's Childcare Centre Corbally, Tulsk Commu nity CTulsk, hildcCo. areRoscommon Ltd Tel: Centre 071 9639202 St. Fidelma's Childcare Corbally, Tulsk, Co. Roscommon Tel: 071 9639202
St. Fidelma’s Childcare Centre is currently recruiting for the following positions: St. Fidelma’s Childcare Centre are currently recruiting for the following positions: CleanerChildcare Centre is currently recruiting for the following positions: St. Fidelma’s
EARLY YEARS EDUCATOR
10 hours per week Monday-Friday after 6pm. Cleaner
Level 5, 6, 7 or 8 and Relief After-school Teachers
Thisper position subject to Garda vetting and Reference validation. 10 hours weekisMonday-Friday after 6pm. All positions are subject to Garda vetting and Reference validation. Pay: Negotiable to Level and experience. If you are interested in applying your C.V. to: Acting Manager: Pauline This position is subject to Garda vettingthen andforward Reference validation. Starting date: Immediate start after Garda vetting process. Flanagan, St. Fidelma’s Childcare Centre, Corbally, Tulsk, Co. Roscommon or Email Essential tulskchildcare@gmail.com If you are interested in applyinginterpersonal then forwardand yourorganisational C.V. to: Actingskills. Manager: Pauline • Excellent communication, Flanagan, St. Fidelma’s Childcareyou Centre, Co. Roscommon or continuous Email • Adaptable and innovative, mustCorbally, also haveTulsk, the desire to ensure the Relief Sand taff –development Early Years Edofucchildren. ator . learning tulskchildcare@gmail.com • Highly motivated with good team spirit. looking panel of:initiative. Relief Childcare Workers. take and workaon own Reli•eAbility f SWe taffare –toEalso arlycurrently Yresponsibility ears Ed ucatorto . develop Candidatesof arethe required to have minimum:Siolta and Aistear. • Knowledge National frameworks Fetac Level 5 qualification in childcare or equivalent and We are also currently looking to develop a panel of: Relief Childcare Workers.
Lots of initiative and enthusiasm Desirable Candidates are required to have minimum: • Previous experience within a similar role. Fetac Level 5 qualification in childcare or equivalent and • Be aofgood player curriculum. Knowledge the team High/Scope Lots• of initiative and enthusiasm • Anof interest in community childcare • Experience working in partnership with parents • First An interest in supporting and empowering children and their families. ••Children training Be a good team player ••First aid certificate Anmembers interest inofcommunity childcare All the panel will be subject to Garda Clearance and reference validation. ••Manual handling certificate An interest in supporting and empowering children and their families. Staff training will be provided
Ifdate you are interested please Send Your CV by30th post to: Mrs Pauline Flanagan Acting Manager, St Fidelma’s Closing applicants is subject Wednesday the March and interviews for this position will All members offor the panelChurch will be to Garda Clearance and reference validation. Childcare Centre, Road, Tulsk, Castlerea, Co Roscommon or email: tulskchildcare@gmail.com. Staff training will be providedtake place week beginning the 4th April. If you are interested applying forward C.V.Flanagan to: Acting Manager, If you are interested pleasein Send Your CVthen by post to: Mrsyour Pauline Acting Manager,Pauline St Fidelma’s Flanagan, St. Fidelma’s Corbally, Tulsk, Co. Roscommon Childcare Centre, Church Road, Tulsk,Childcare Castlerea, Centre, Co Roscommon or email: tulskchildcare@gmail.com. or email tulskchildcare@gmail.com
_____________________________________________________________________________________ “Investing in your future”
_____________________________________________________________________________________ “Investing in your future” Directors: Seamus Conway, Michelle Keaveney, Jennifer Payne, Orla Carty.
Directors: Seamus Conway, Michelle Keaveney, Jennifer Payne, Orla Carty.
PERMANENT PART-TIME (60 HOURS PER FORTNIGHT)
STAFF NURSE / ENHANCED NURSE Roscommon Children’s Respite Service (initially based in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon) Job Ref: 47/2022 Qualifications / Experience: • A current Live Register Certificate with the NMBI (An Bord Altranais) is essential (RNID qualification is desirable). • Candidates must have a level of experience sufficient to carry out the duties and responsibilities of the post together with an appreciation of the needs of persons with an intellectual disability. • A current, full clean manual Irish driving licence is essential.
PERMANENT PART-TIME (64 HOURS PER FORTNIGHT)
SUPPORT WORKER TEMPORARY PART-TIME (72 HOURS PER FORTNIGHT)
SUPPORT WORKER
(Care Assistant I.D. Grade)
Roscommon Children’s Respite Service (initially based in Castlerea, Co. Roscommon) Job Ref: 43/2022 Support Workers provide a key-working supportive role to children. This role comprises of two main elements. Firstly, the Support Worker is responsible for all aspects of personal care required by the individual child. Secondly, a major focus of the Support Worker role is to assist and support the child through the development of Individual Plan’s and the achievement of associated outcomes, and critically, to support children in participating in the ordinary everyday life of the community through inclusive and creative thinking. Qualifications / Experience: • A good general education is essential. A recognised qualification appropriate to the field of intellectual disability and children’s service is an advantage. A QQI Level 5 or higher is desirable. • Candidates must have a minimum of six months experience of working with people with an Intellectual Disability. Experience of working with Children is desirable. • A current, full clean manual Irish driving licence is an essential requirement for the post. To view the full job descriptions and to make an application, please log onto the Brothers of Charity website at www.brothersofcharity.ie/galway and complete the online Application Form together with an updated CV. The closing date for receipt of all applications / CV’s on-line is 5pm Wednesday 23rd March 2022 The Brothers of Charity Services Ireland -West Region is an equal opportunities employer
40
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
Appointments
NUA CAREERS ROSCOMMON
NUA CAREERS ROSCOMMON
ASSISTANT SUPPORT WORKERS AND SOCIAL CARE WORKERS We are seeking applications for Assistant Support Workers and Social Care Workers in County Roscommon.
BENEFITS ASSISTANT SUPPORT WORKERS AND EMPLOYEE SOCIAL CARE WORKERS
The roles will suit candidates with previous experience in Social Care, who will join our team in the delivery of support services to people with We are seeking applications for Assistant Support intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, mental Workersneeds, and Social Care Workers County Roscommon. health autism, sensoryin and communication needs and acquired brain injuries.
The roles will suit candidates with previous experience in Social Care, who will join our team ESSENTIAL CRITERIA in the delivery of support services to people with intellectual disabilities, physical disabilities, mental Assistant Support Workers: •health FETAC Level 5 or working towards a Degree in a needs, autism, sensory and communication related needs and discipline acquired brain injuries. Social Care Workers: CRITERIA •ESSENTIAL Level 7 or 8 Degree in Social Care or Healthcare
Assistant Support Workers: KEY COMPETENCIES •
FETAC Level 5 or working towards a Degree in a
related discipline Excellence in: • Verbal and Written Communication •Social Report & Roster Management CareWriting Workers: •• Interpersonal Skills Level 7 or 8 Degree in Social Care or Healthcare • Organisational and Planning Skills • Dignity and Respect COMPETENCIES •KEY Confidentiality and Adaptability Excellence in: • Verbal and Written Communication • Report Writing & Roster Management • Interpersonal Skills • Organisational and Planning Skills
> Company Pension > Paid Maternity / Paternity Leave > Education Assistance & Continuous
EMPLOYEE BENEFITS Professional Development
EmployeePension Assistance Programme (EAP) >> Company
> Life Assurance / Death-in-Service Benefit
> Paid Maternity / Paternity Leave
> Education Assistance & Continuous Professional Development
GET IN TOUCH
> Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) Recruitment are working 24/7 to process >The Life Assurance /Team Death-in-Service Benefit
applicants as quickly as possible. We are also facilitating interviews on weekends and outside of regular office hours. If you would like to become part of our team, get in touch with us today.
GET IN TOUCH
How to apply: Please email our Recruitment Team with your CV and cover letter, or simply apply The Recruitment Team are working 24/7 to process directly through our website careers page.
applicants as quickly as possible. We are also facilitating interviews on weekends and outside of Email: recruitment@nuahealthcare.ie regular office hours. If you would like to become Website: nuahealthcare.ie/careers part of our team, get in touch with us today. How to apply: Please email our Recruitment Team www.nuahealthcare.ie with your CV and cover letter, or simply apply directly through our website careers page. Email: recruitment@nuahealthcare.ie
41
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
AtYourService BLINDS
To advertise, telephone 090 66 34633 or email advertising@roscommonpeople.ie
CARS
LIFE COACH
FARMING
Dead & Worn-Out Animals Contact JOHN GREENE BALLINASLOE 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
INSURANCE CLAIMS
CLEANING 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 Mountbellew, Co.Galway 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 Certified Dip in Loss Certified Certified Dip Dip in in Loss Loss Adjusting Adjusting Adjusting Loss Assessor Services Loss Loss Assessor Assessor Services Services
KEEN and COMPETITIVE PRICES
M: 086 3912396 Ph: 090 66 62892
DOORS/ WINDOWS SERVICE
Email:
SHOWROOM:
Chimney Problems
Racecourse Road, Roscommon We SUPPLY & FIT Double & Treble Glazed Windows & Doors, Patio Doors, French Doors, Porches and Conservatories
Dooley Chimney Repairs • Lining
uPVC Window and Door Locksmith We are the only Licensed Window and Door Locksmith in Roscommon
Cathal Dooley 087 6579064
Telephone: 090 66 33026
• Relining • Rebuilding • CCTV Camera Inspection
20 Years Experience Free Insurance Quotes Nationwide Service Stoves and Ranges Fitted All Work Guaranteed
INSULATION
Bonded Bead Cavity Wall Insulation Cellulose, Sheepswool, Fibreglass, SIGA Airtightness Bonded Bead Cavity &Wall Insulation New Buildings Retrofit Cellulose, Sheepswool, Fibreglass, Call in SIGA or contact us for free Airtightness advice and quotes New Buildings & Retrofit Call in or contact us for free
andfrom quotes Unit advice 2,Grants Ballybrit Industrial €1,214 to Estate, Galway
WIDE RANGE OF COMPOSITE DOORS
Springfield, Williamstown, Co. Galway l Window restrictors l Burglary repairs l Window locks l Cylinder and lock supplied l Hinge replacement l Glass replacement l Window and door seals l Window and door handles supplied and fitted l Aluminium and uPVC doors and windows repaired.
Te l : 0 8 5 2 1 9 1 2 3 4
email: chrislocksmith.162@gmail.com
DOOR & WINDOW SERVICE
Supply and fit uPVC Doors and Windows ONLY TOP QUALITY PRODUCTS USED Composite Doors, French Doors, Patio Doors in a wide range of styles and colours Also various styles and colours of uPVC Windows
Contact Pat Hanley on
www.ecowise.ie
Advisor
Loss Assessor Services Member of the Insurance RECYCLING Institute of Ireland
Regulated by the Central Bank of Ireland
Castlerea Vehicle Recycling RECYCLING OF END-OF-LIFE VEHICLES
All NCT Failures Destruction Certs Issued l Sale of Second Hand Parts l Contracted to all Major Car Companies l Farm Machinery, Old Gates l Metals, Iron Baths l Old Cooking Ranges l Weighbridge on Site l l
SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED
SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED ALSO DRAIN JETTING SERVICE
Contact Maurice on 086 2538169 or Kenneth on 086 8044030 Gannon Environmental Services Ltd.
Tel: 090
6621220
VETERINARY RECYCLING ALL TYPES OF METAL
Castlerea ELV Recycling Ltd., Cloonkeen, Castlerea Kevin & Martina Keenan Tel: 094 96 21250 Mob: 086 2522231 POWER BRUSH
GENERAL SERVICES
Lanesboro Street, Roscommon
Tel: 090 662 6898 Patios Decking Houses l Vehicles l Driveways l Caravans l Walls l Gutters l Domestic Cleaning l Roof Cleaning l All Types of Algae Treated l
REPAIRS & SERVICING ALSO CARRIED OUT
086 6002721
to discuss your requirements
Email: pjmhanley@gmail.com
l
l
Chris’s Window Service
091 768 768 info@ecowise.ie
ApprovedProduct Product Member of the PSAB-GI Approved Member Approved Member of of the the PSAB-GI PSAB-GI Advisor Product Advisor by the Central www.mhla.ie Regulated Advisor Regulated by the the Central Central Regulated by Member of the Insurance Bank of Ireland Member of the Insurance Bank of Ireland Member ofofthe Insurance Bank of Ireland Institute Ireland Institute of Ireland Institute of Ireland Approved Product Member of the PSAB-GI
www.roscommonwindows.ie
091 768 768
Ballybane Industrial Estate, Unit 2,info@ecowise.ie Ballybrit Industrial Estate, Galway H91 P5k5 Block 12, Galway www.ecowise.ie
Certified Dip in Loss Adjusting
info@mhla.ie
OR email your enquiry to cburkecoaching@gmail.com (FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS OR ON-LINE/TEAMS)
AFTER HOURS/24 HOUR EMERGENCY
Full replacement service provided and all work carried out to a high quality finish
€3,500
CAREER COACHING: * CV ADVICE AND TAILORING TO JOB SPECS * COMPETENCY BASED APPLICATION FORMS (INCLUDING PUBLIC SECTOR) * INTERVIEW MASTERING (INCLUDING COMPETENCY-BASED QUESTIONS) CHANGING JOB / GET THAT PROMOTION!
For appointment call me on 086 8229606
S tephen H oare
info@athlonechimneyrepairs.ie
GUIDING & COACHING TOWARDS SUCCESS
PERSONAL COACHING: * BECOME MORE ASSERTIVE & BUILD YOUR CONFIDENCE! * HELP TO COPE WITH AND EMBRACE CHANGE (E.G. RETIREMENT, NEW JOB, SEPARATION, ETC)
Tel: 087 0944027
• Carpets & Upholstery Cleaning • WINDOW CLEANING • POWER WASHING Fascias & Soffits • Gutters & Down pipes • Drive ways ‘paths and patios’
086 8229606
CAROLINE BURKE Career & Life Coaching
Full & Mini Car Valeting (we come to you) Furniture Removal & Collection l Garden Maintenance l Painting Service Fully Registered & Insured Phone John: l
Contact Dave:
087 751 3774
087 2596055 You must call in advance to order repeat prescriptions
Please ring to make an appointment for the small animal clinic.
085 2113317
DRIVING LESSONS
ROSCOMMON Driving School Phone 087 2295551 Road Safety Authority Approved Driving Instructor
Lisagallon, Cloverhill, Roscommon Eircode: F42 K243 Tel: 0906665555 Fax: 0906627653 • Digital X-Ray Facility • In house Blood Analysis • Small Animal Ultra-Sound • Gas Anaesthetic • Veterinary Kennel’s facility •24hrs Emergency Vet on call Clinic Hours: 2pm – 7pm Mon – Friday • Saturday Clinic 10am - 3pm Office Hours: 9am – 7pm Mon - Friday PLEASE CALL TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT
42
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
Sports PEOPLE Hurlers’ favourites for semi-final spot Allianz NHL Division 3A (Round 5): Roscommon v Monaghan at Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday at 1 pm < SEAMUS DUKE
Roscommon hurlers can qualify for the Division 3A semi-final with a win against Monaghan in Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday. The Rossies are unbeaten in the division and they will go into the game in good spirits following that dramatic one-point win against Armagh in the last round. Francis O’Halloran and his selectors have been looking at various combinations over the course of the league campaign and the side have been relying on Cathal Dolan in the scoring department and on Peter Kellehan, Padraig Kelly, Conor Cosgrove, Brendan Mulry and Mickey Joe Egan for leadership around the field. Monaghan have been struggling and have won two games (against Louth and Warwickshire) and lost two (against Tyrone and Armagh). It would be shock if Roscommon don’t win this match with a bit to spare and qualify for a league semi-final tilt in two weeks’ time and at Dr. Hyde Park they should achieve that aim without too much fuss. Prediction: Roscommon.
Gotcha! Buccaneers held on for a 31-24 win over Creggs in last Sunday’s Connacht Junior Cup Quarter-Final in Creggs. See page 43. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell
Promotion hopes rest on Tullamore showdown! Allianz NFL Division Two (Round 6): Offaly v Roscommon at O’Connor Park, Tullamore on Sunday at 2 pm < SEAMUS DUKE
With Galway travelling to Derry, Roscommon footballers need to beat Offaly in Tullamore to set up a final day showdown with the Tribesmen on Sunday week. For much of this campaign, the general view was that Offaly were one of the whipping boys in the division and that Roscommon could chalk down two points when they met The Faithful. However, events over the past two weeks have changed that narrative. Offaly were somewhat unfortunate to only draw with Meath before coming back from Newry with a well-deserved win last Saturday. Survival is now in their own hands and they know a win against Roscommon would go a long way towards staying in this division. Roscommon, meanwhile, were looking good when they went six points up against Derry last
weekend but they lost their way in the second half and were happy to walk away from the ‘mayhem’ with a draw so this is a very tricky assignment for Anthony Cunningham’s men. Add into the mix the fact that John Maughan is now at the helm in Offaly and he would be more than happy to preside over a home win against a side that he managed in the past. Roscommon fans will not need to be reminded that it was Offaly who denied the county of glory in the All-Ireland U-20 final last year and now Maughan has introduced a number of that successful team into the senior ranks. However, the hosts will be relying on their more experienced players to produce a performance against Roscommon. Paddy Dunican, Niall Darby, Ruari McNamee, Bernard Allen and the evergreen Niall McNamee will be crucial to Offaly’s chances on Sunday. Roscommon’s second-half fade-out against Derry was a worry, but it has to be said that Rory Gallagher’s team were the best side that Roscommon have played in this campaign by some margin. Sunday’s game for Roscommon is all about get-
ting the two points. They will have to be careful and keep focussed on the job in hand and make sure that they get the job done. Looking at both teams, Roscommon have the better performers overall and although there could be a scare or two along the way, they are capable of prevailing by three or four points. Prediction: Roscommon
Elsewhere in Division Two…
The game of the weekend in NFL Division Two sees the top two teams go head to head at Celtic Park as Derry host promotion favourites Galway at 1 pm. The Tribesmen have stuttered in recent weeks but have remained unbeaten while Derry stood up to the Roscommon challenge last time out. A Derry win, aided by home advantage, would set up a massive clash between Roscommon and Galway at Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday week.
Ladies ready for Lilywhite challenge Lidl Ladies NFL Division Three Semi-Final: Roscommon v Kildare on Sunday at 1 pm at Parnell Park < SEAMUS DUKE
Confidence is high in the Roscommon Ladies football camp as they prepare to face Kildare at Parnell Park this Sunday for a place in the Division Three final. Speaking to People Sport on Monday, manager Ollie Lennon said his charges are looking forward to the game. “This is where we wanted to be when the season started and the players are looking forward to the challenge. The opposition will be good and it’s an excellent venue for the game but it’s a game that we are capable of winning if we play to our capability,” he said. “Lisa O’Rourke is away in Croatia at a boxing tournament so she will be a loss to us, but we will have a full panel apart from that and we have plenty of talented girls to come in and do a job for the team. We wish Lisa the best of luck this weekend too. It is good that we are going into the game on the back of a good display against Sligo and that should stand to us. “We know that Kildare will be tough. They are the only unbeaten team in the division so they will come in to the game with a bit of momentum, but we will have to deal with that on the day,” he concluded. Roscommon have improved with every outing in the league so far and if they can continue that trend on Sunday they should go through. Prediction: Roscommon.
43
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
SportsPeople Creggs RFC Report
THE GAIN LINE
Creggs stunned by Buccs’! Creggs RFC 24 Buccaneers RFC 31 (Connacht Junior Cup QuarterFinal): Buccaneers produced an impressive performance on the road to stun Creggs at The Green and send them crashing out of the Connacht Junior Cup at the quarter-finals stage. A late penalty try proved to be the decisive score for the visitors from Athlone as they ran out 31-24 winners. Creggs had led 11-7 at the break with Shane Dowd running in a first-half try. The hosts then extended that lead to 17-7 after the restart thanks to two Shane Purcell penalties. Buccs’ fought back with a Ryan O’Meara try before Dowd crossed over for his second shortly after. It was the visitors who finished the strongest, however, and Harry Hughes intercepted and powered to the line before a conversion and penalty from captain Colin Daly tied matters
up at 24-24 going into the closing stages. Buccaneers continued to pile on the pressure and Shane Purcell was yellowcarded as Creggs desperately defended their line. The visitors then went for the jugular and a five-metre scrum led to the award of a penalty try which decided the outcome. Buccaneers advance to a home semi-final against Ballinrobe on Sunday week while Creggs’ season ends in disappointment. The Creggs Development team are down to play Tuam Seconds in the Connacht J1C Cup Semi-Final on Sunday week with a 2.30 pm kick-off.
Youth and Schools Rugby Creggs RFC 38 Ballinasloe RFC 17 (Connacht U-16 Girls Quarter-Final): Creggs U-16 Girls advanced to the semi-
Short Athlone
Lady Captain Frances McGettigan and Men’s Captain Thomas O’Connor got the golfing season off to a successful start last Sunday and we wish them the very best for the coming year. The team of Anne O’Sullivan, Aidan McGowan, Keith Ryan and Michael Lennon won the Scramble on the day. The Ladies’ and Gents’ Open Shamrock competition will take place from St. Patrick’s Day to Sunday, March 20th. Timesheet available at www.athlonegolfclub.ie. Deirdre Connolly was the winner of the White Elephant competition last week with 25 points while Marion O’Shea won the 97 Club with 28 points. The AWGS competition was won by Padraig McNamara with 32 points.
Boyle Captain Gabriel Lavin launched the club’s golfing year with the annual Drive In last weekend before thanking volunteers and wishing everyone well for 2022 during the presenta-
Carrick Congratulations to the weekly winners of the Flynn’s sponsored Spring League Round Two, Maria Burke in the Ladies’ section with 21 points and Philip Martin in the Gents’ with 23. Round three winners were Monica Shannon (22 points) and Philip Martin (25). Team results: Team 1 (Phil McWeeney) 269 points; Team 2 (Damien Duignan) 273; Team 3 (Oliver Curran) 233; Team 4 (Garry Vesey) 260; Team 5 (Kathleen Loftus) 276;
Norio’s Premier Division Moore United 2 Ballymoe FC 1 Castlerea Celtic 0 Boyle Celtic 1 Moylough ’79 3 St. John’s Athletic 0 Kilkerrin United 0 Ballinasloe Town 0 Joe’s Bar Challenge Cup Second Round Boyle Celtic B 0 CP Ajax 2 Glen Celtic 1 Skyvalley Rovers 4 Cam Celtic v Ballaghaderreen FC B, postponed. Ballinasloe Town B v Roscommon United, postponed. Dunmore Town v Shiven Rovers, postponed. St. John’s Athletic v Roscommon United B, postponed.
Fixtures Wednesday, March 16th Norio’s Premier Division Boyle Celtic v Ballaghaderreen FC. 8 pm Thursday, March 17th
Shane Dowd grabbed two tries but Creggs fell to a 31-24 defeat to local rivals Buccaneers in last Sunday’s Connacht Junior Cup Quarter-Final in Creggs. Pic: Bernie O’Farrell
finals of the Connacht Cup following a hard-earned win over Ballinasloe in Creggs on Monday night last. Creggs were equal to the physicality of the visitors in the opening half and there were impressive performances in every sector. Try scorers on the night were Sarah Purcell (4), Siofra Hession and Shauna Walsh with Hession adding four conversions.
Convent claims Connacht crown! Congratulations to all the Creggs girls and everyone involved with the Convent of Mercy, Roscommon Junior side which won the Connacht Junior ‘A’ title at the Sportsground last Thursday. The Convent were impressive 26-15 winners over MSM Claremorris.
putts
tion which followed in the clubhouse. Congratulations meanwhile to Lochlainn Conboy who was the winner of the 2021 King Harmon Matchplay Cup following his win over Jason Beirne. All rounds of the Spring League must be completed by this Sunday (20th) while the Boyle round of the Holmpatrick Cup will take place on the weekend of the 26th/27th. The county final winners will then proceed to the provincial final with the four provincial winners playing off for the cup at St. Andrew’s in Scotland.
Soccer results
Fixtures Creggs U-14s play Tuam RFC today (Wednesday 16th) in Creggs at 7 pm. The U-18.5s tae on Monivea in the Connacht Plate Quarter-Final at 12 pm on Sunday in Creggs. Meanwhile, Creggs’ U-18 Girls will play their Connacht Cup Semi-Final against Ballinasloe on Sunday in Creggs at 5 pm. The U-15 Boys take on Corrib before this at 3 pm.
(News from local golf clubs)
Team 6 (Siobhan Talbot) 244; Team 7 (David McDermott) 244; Team 8 (Mary King) 269; Team 9 (Darren Conlon) 261; Team 10 (Chris Lowe) 266; Team 11 (Carmel Stritch 264. The Captains’ Drive In takes place this Friday (18th) at 2 pm with Lady Captain Deirdre and Captain Owen. There will also be a members’ draw at 6 pm in the clubhouse. The Senior Singles competition was won by Michael Keville with 38 points with Aidan Sheeran runner-up with 36. The first away outing for the Seniors takes place on Monday, April 4th at 10.30 am in Ballinrobe Golf Club.
Norio’s Premier Division Cloonfad United v Ballymoe FC. 11 am RDFL Division One Roscommon United v Ballinagare Manor United. 11 am Saturday, March 19th Norio’s Premier Division Moore United v Castlerea Celtic. 7 pm RDFL Division Two (7 pm) Boyle Celtic B v Moore United B Skyvalley Rovers B v Cloonfad United B Sunday, March 20th TP Brennan Connacht Cup Quarter-Final Corrib Rangers v Ballinasloe Town. 2 pm TP Brennan CFA Shield Quarter-Final Shiven Rovers v Dunmore Town. 2 pm Norio’s Premier Division Ballaghaderreen FC v Ballymoe FC. 11 am Boyle Celtic v Cloonfad United. 2 pm RDFL Division One Dysart FC v Roscommon United. 11 am RDFL Division Two Dunmore Town B v St. John’s Athletic B. 11 am Roscommon United B v Rahara Rovers. 2 pm St. Cuan’s Ahascragh United v Ballymoe FC B. 2 pm
Roscommon C. McDonnell was the winner of the Senior Men’s 9-hole competition last Thursday with 21 points. Other results: Cat. 1: W. Doyle (20); Cat. 2: M. Lennon (19); Cat. 3: J. Grogan (18); Over 80: J. Finn; Deuces: C. McDonnell and W. Weldon. Senior Ladies results: 1st: M. Kilroy, 2nd: M. Madden, 3rd: S. Kelly, 4th: U. Gleeson. The club has decided to
Pictured at Athlone Golf Club for the recent Captains’ Drive In were (Left to right): Thomas O’Connor (Captain), Frances McGettigan (Lady Captain), and Sam Delaney (President).
run a 9-hole three-person Scramble in aid of the Irish Red Cross Ukrainian Fund this Friday, March 18th. Any combination is allowed and times can be booked on the BRS System. Entry fee is €10 per person. Registration for Get Into Golf for Ladies will take place at 6 pm on Mon-
day evening next (21st) at the clubhouse. For further information, contact Mary O’Connor on 0860818626. A CPR training course is available for members on Wednesday, March 30th at 7 pm. Cost is €30 per person. Contact Kate Walsh on 087-9631623 if interested.
FAI pulls on ‘Green’ jersey The FAI is pulling on the ‘green jersey’ having taken delivery of a fleet of electric vehicles from Nissan as its Official Vehicle Partner. 21 of the FAI’s coaches, development officers and administrators have taken delivery of the 100% electric Nissan LEAF as part of the green initiative which will help the FAI to reduce its carbon footprint as staff travel around Ireland to promote and support the development of Irish football. FAI Development Officer for Roscommon, Adrian Carberry, pictured taking delivery of his Nissan Electric LEAF to mark the start of the association’s move to a more sustainable vehicle fleet.
44
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
SportsPeople
Horses for Courses
by Tom Red
Cheltenham Festival Day 1 (Tuesday)
In the opening Supreme Novices Hurdle, nine went to post and Constitution Hill led them a merry dance after the joint favourite Dysart Dynamo departed three out. Stablemate Jonbon finished runner-up with Kilcruit and Patrick Mullins the best of the Irish. The winning distances were 22l and 2½l. The Arkle was won by the favourite Edwardstone, trained by Alan King and ridden by Tom Cannon. Gabynako, supplemented by Gavin Cromwell, finished second and Mullins’ Blue Lord was third. 2-0 to the English. The maximum 24 ran in the Ultima Handicap Chase, which was won by Coroch Rambler for Lucinda Russell, whose partner is Peter Scudamore, and Irish jockey Derek Fox and For Scotland from Gericault Roque and Oscar Elite. The best of the Irish was Death Duty in sixth. The featured Champion Hurdle went to the unbeaten Irish mare Honeysuckle, trained by Henry de Bromhead and ridden by Rachael Blackmore, who proved that last year was no fluke as she steered her partner to victory over the 2020 winner Epatante with Elliott’s Zanahiyr third under Jack Kennedy. Honeysuckle now remains unbeaten for 15 races, eleven of them Grade 1. In the mares hurdle, the English were back in the winners enclosure as Nicky Henderson and Nick de Boinville completed a double with outsider Marie’s Rock who beat the Cullentra trained Queen’s Brook under Jack Kennedy and the Paul Nolan trained Mrs Milner. What a game national hunt racing is, Rachael Blackmore after her Champion hurdle win was brought down in this race on Tellmesomethinggirl, the highs and lows of racing. The Irish were on the mark again in the Boodles Juvenile Handicap Hurdle with
Brazil, a first festival winner for Padraig Roche, son of the former flat jockey Christy, with Mark Walsh aboard. Bell Ex One was third for Paul Nicholls and Harry Cobden. In the National Hunt Chase, there was a small field of six horses, five from Ireland who scored a 1, 2, 3 with Mullins’ Stattler beating the Elliott-trained Run Wild Fred and Gavin Cromwell’s Vanillier After day one, the British lead the Irish 5-2 in the Prestbury Cup awarded for the battle between the nations.
Wednesday Preview The Ballymore Novices Hurdle sees nine go to post with six of them trained in Ireland, headed by Mullins’ Sir Gerhard 4/6 favourite and 6/1 the field including Elliott’s Three Stripe Life with Davy Russell, de Bromhead’s Journey By Me and Rachael Blackmore and the leading English challenger Stage star both on 13/2. Can’t see Sir Gerhard beaten. In the Brown Advisory Chase, only eleven go to post and two English-trained horses head the market Paul Nicholls’ Braveman’s Game 2/1 and Venetia Williams’ L’Homme Presse 100/30. L’Homme Presse with Charlie Deutsch in the plate should win. The Coral Cup has 26 runners, and the bookies go 15/2 the field led by Emmet Mullins’ The Shunter with 8/1 bar. Elliott puts Rob James up on top weight The Bosses Oscar and he could be placed for the 7lb claimer. A race best left alone. This year’s Queen Mother Champion Chase has eight runners, and it looks like a walk in the park for Shishkin at odds on, but Mullins’ Energumene will not be far away. Envoi Allen, if back to his best could complete the places at a nice price for de Bromhead and Rachael Blackmore In the Glenfarclas Cross Country handicap Chase, Gigginstown run four headed by Tiger Roll, 6/4 favourite, ridden
Constitution Hill wins the first at Cheltenham.
by Davy Russell this year. Delta Work is well equipped to pick up the race for connections if the Tiger doesn’t roar. JP McManus also has four runners and his recent French acquisition, JP McManus’s Prengarde under Mark Walsh and now trained by Enda Bolger is my selection. What a reception Tiger Roll will get if he wins this, probably his last race. The Grand Annual Chase has 20 runners with eight of them trained in Ireland. Two of them head the betting, both from Elliott’s yard, Davy Russell rides Buddy Rich, 6/1, and Mark rides JP McManus’s Andy Dufresne. The blue and yellow of the Rossies is carried by Sean Mulryan’s Dancing On My Own trained in Waterford by de Bromhead and ridden by Sean O’Keeffe at 12/1. In the Weatherby’s Champion Bumper, another Mullins/ Elliott face-off as the unbeaten Facile Vega from Closutton and American Mike from Cullentra also unbeaten. Both horses are unbeaten in two runs where they did all that was asked of them. Patrick Mullins and Jamie Codd, leading Irish amateurs, do battle. I will be surprised if anything else comes near them and have already nailed my colours to the cross after American Mike won in Navan in December.
Cheltenham Thursday In the opening Turner’s Novice Chase, only four runners go to post, all Irish trained. With both Bob Olinger and Galopin Des Champs both a shade off odds on. They are taken on by El Barra, 20/1 and Busselton 33/1. Bob Olinger to extend his winning run. The Pertemps Final, one of those handicaps best left alone, it is a wide-open affair with a full complement of 24 runners. There are a lot of Irish horses, eleven, but Gordon Elliott’s decision to put Rob James up on Sir De Berlais to take 7lb off his back should be noted. Nine are set to go in the Ryanair with four Irish and five British runners. The raiding party is headed by Mullins’ Alaho, 8/13, with Conflated 11/2 going here instead of the Gold Cup for which his trainer fancied him. Another Mullins’ winner. In this year’s Stayers Hurdle, only ten are declared to run. With 3/1 the field, this will take winning. Gavin Cromwell reports his Flooring Porter in good form. A winner here last year he will take all the beating as at 3/1. Mullins’ Klassical Dream is no slouch nor is the English Thyme Hill trained by Phillip Hobbs, both at 100/30. Cromwell knows what it takes to win here. In the Plate Handicap Chase, there are 22 runners and similar comments as above in the Pertemps would normally apply to this race. There are three horses on 9/2, Imperial Alcazar, The Glancing Queen and Celebre D’Allen all English runners, 10/1 bar.
Rachael Blackmore celebrates with the Champion Hurdle Trophy at Cheltenham.
There are 12 Irish runners out of the 22 runners left in the 2m Mares Novice Hurdle. While Closutton supplies seven of the Irish runners, all fancied, but an Irish winner could be Party Central. The Kim Muir has 24 runners with 4/1 Frontal Assault ridden by Rob James, claiming 7lb, for Elliott. Noel Meade’s School Boy Hours in next best at 6/1.
Cheltenham Friday Triumph Hurdle opens racing on Friday with 13 runners still in. The Irish again supplying over half the field including the first five in the market. The favourite is Vauban trained by WP Mullins at Clon. With the next two, Pied Piper and Fil Dor, trained in Cullentra by Gordon Elliott. The leading home hope is Porticello trained by Gary Moore at 10/1. Fil Dor missed an engagement on Tuesday, but I still have Pied Piper as my choice. The Vincent O’Brien County Handicap Hurdle still has 54 entries with a the maximum 26 to run. Once again, three Irish horses lead the market. Mullins’ State Man will be market leader from Elliott’s Top Bandit and Peter Fahey’s Surprise Package. There are another 23 Irish horses declared including Gavin Cromwell’s My Mate Mozzie, at 16/1 he won’t be far away and is worth an e/w bet. There is a field of 25 still in with a maximum of 20 runners allowed. There are 18 Irishtrained in the Albert Bartlett Novice Hurdle. For once there is an English trained horse at the head of the market with Hillcrest trained by Henry Daly jointfavourite with Ginto trained by Elliot. Six of the next seven are Irish-trained with the lightly raced Falcon Eight trained by Dermot Weld looking an e/w bet at 12/1. A field 13 are set to face the starter in the Blue Riband
of the festival and three Irishtrained runners head the market. Last year’s runner-up, Henry de Bromhead’s A Plus Tard is joint-favourite with the Elliotttrained Galvin at 100/30 and the champion Minella Indo 9/2. Elliott also has Gigginstown’s Conflated at 11/1, a horse he rates highly. WP Mullins has his only Gold Cup winner Al Boum Photo, the 2019 winner, in the shake-up and must be respected. Dan Skelton’s Protektorat is the pick of the home team. The Foxhunters, has seven Irish runners in the 23 still standing. The market is again headed by a Mullins’ inmate, Billway, who will have Patrick Mullins aboard, is 9/4 with David Christie’s unbeaten Winged Leader 5/1 ahead of the Paul Nicholls trained Bob And Co. Eugene O’Sullivan’s shock winner in 2019 It Came to Pass is 16/1 but if you fancy a big price David Christie second string Vaucelet could go close. Heart rules the head and Winged Leader to win from Billway. Three Irish runners head the field of ten entered in the penultimate race of the festival. Joint-favourites are Mullins’ Elimay and Elliott’s Mount Ida at 9/4, with Closutton’s Concertista 100/30 backing up Elimay. I go for Elimay for owner JP McManus. Martin Pipe Handicap Hurdle for conditional jockeys has 59 runners with a maximum of 24 allowed. An English-trained horse, Langer Dan, heads the betting at 4/1 in a weak market. The next four are trained in Ireland, State Man and Adamantly Chosen from Closutton, and Hollow Games and Chemical Energy from Cullentra. Even though it is the “getting out” stakes it is best left alone. My final e/w Yankee selection for Friday, again a €1 stake, is Pied Piper, You Raised Me Up, Falcon Eight, for value, and Elimay.
This week’s action Racing in Ireland tomorrow (Thursday) is in Down Royal at 1.55 pm. Friday is a blank day and on Saturday racing is at Thurles features the Grade 3 Pierce Molony Memorial Novice Chase away at 2.20 pm. Sunday racing is on at Downpatrick featuring the Ulster National Handicap Chase, racing starts at 2.10 pm. On Saturday, there are four races from both Kempton and Uttoxeter, featuring the Midlands Grand National from Uttoxeter.
Point-to-Point Corner North Down’s meeting at Loughbrickland on Saturday has been cancelled due to ground conditions. Only one of the three meetings down for decision last Sunday took place at Lingstown in Co. Wexford with the meeting of Ballyarthur near Fermoy in Cork and the re-scheduled fixture for Nenagh rescheduled for Saturday with original entries standing, 88 at Ballyarthur at 1.30 pm and 132 at Nenagh at 1 pm. On Sunday, there are three meetings down for decision: North Kilkenny at Ballyragget at 1.30 pm with 137 entries, North Galway at Belclare, 125 entries and Duhallow, 125 entries at Liscarroll both at 2 pm
<< Weekend Rewind
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
>>
Compiled by: Paul Healy
The
GAA Studio
45
Weekend Fast-forward
Brian’s Tullamore rallying call… Roscommon GAA County Board chairperson Brian Carroll has appealed for “massive support” in Tullamore next weekend, when Roscommon take on Offaly. On Twitter, Brian lauded Roscommon’s draw with Derry (“another point on the board, five played & still unbeaten!”) and added: “Two massive tests ahead with a tough trip to Tullamore next Sunday! Need to get massive support to Tullamore next Sunday!”
Rainbow & Rossies… There was a nice rainbow over Hyde Park on Sunday. Just two games to go before we find out if there’s a crock of gold at the end of it for the Rossies…
Beyond his ‘GPA’ grade… Galway manager Padraic Joyce, happily ignoring a GPA request not to give media interviews, spoke to journalists after his team’s win over Clare. He chose not to exercise his diplomatic skills! “I have no interest in the GPA. I never had. It’s beyond my pay grade, talking about the GPA to be honest, so I don’t know”.
Top of the bill! RTE’s highlights show ‘Allianz League Sunday’ began with coverage of Roscommon v Derry, with punditry from the laidback Colm ‘Gooch’ Cooper and the ever-droll Colm O’Rourke. Most of what they had to say focussed on the frantic last few minutes, with ‘Gooch’ sympathetic to Derry’s Shane McGuigan, who was furious at being sent off.
Linesman David Gough gets an earful during the Allianz NFL Division Two match between Roscommon and Derry at Dr. Hyde Park on Sunday last. Pic: Mick McCormack
Gallagher: Rossies ‘cynical’, Derry were trying to play! Speaking to Frank Roche of the Irish Independent, Derry boss Rory Gallagher – clearly not too exercised by the GPA’s request that managers might kindly ignore the media last weekend – suggested that “cynical” Roscommon had instigated the fiery finale to Sunday’s game. “I thought it got a bit out of hand, to be honest. It was a hard game to ref and from my point of view we were trying to play all the football. I don’t believe we instigated much of what went on, but look,
we were not going to lie down either. “Roscommon showed their Division One experience and were fairly cynical at times in trying to stop our running game…this was always going to be a battle but we stuck it out well”. Seamus Duke comments: Roscommon manager Anthony Cunningham was one of the intercounty bosses who decided not to interact with the media last weekend, this stance being in support of the GPA dispute with the GAA over expenses.
Well-known GAA pundit and Sunday Independent columnist, Joe Brolly (left) pictured in Down The Hatch, Roscommon after Sunday’s game in the company of Gay Collins (centre) and Mike ‘Junior’ Smith (on right). Photo: Mick McCormack
Joe’s in The Hatch Colourful and sometimes controversial GAA pundit Joe Brolly kept his Twitter followers updated on Roscommon v Derry on Sunday. Less than impressed with the fare, if probably tongue in cheek at times, Joe wrapped up his ‘commentary’ thus: “Game over. Draw. 12 each. Woeful game of thoroughly modern football. Nothing to enjoy. Terrible spectacle. Pointless really”. To which Mark Murphy (on Twitter) replied: “Is Seamus Hayden’s pub* in the town still going? Always good in there, even after we’ve lost. Might help”. To which reference to the Hatch, Joe Brolly quickly replied: “In it”. And I can indeed confirm that Joe rarely lets a visit to Roscommon pass without popping into ‘The Hatch’, now happily reopen (after Covid-19 lockdowns) and making up for lost time. *Fact-check: Also Larry Brennan’s pub!
Wild thing(s)… ‘Roscommon and Derry both still alive after wild draw’ – Irish Times headline.
Roscommon manager Anthony Cunningham pictured last Sunday at Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack
It’s a pity that after such a controversial game, and comments from Derry boss Rory Gallagher, in which he effectively suggested that Roscommon had been responsible for the nasty undercurrent (above), that we can’t report the view from the Roscommon camp. Whatever the merits of the players’ dispute with the GAA, penalising the media, and the local media in particular, seems meaningless to me, and I struggle to see how it will advance the cause of the players.
‘A war of attrition’ – Dineen After the Roscommon-Derry game on Sunday, former Roscommon star Nigel Dineen agreed that it hadn’t been one for the purists! “It was a war of attrition. I wasn’t sure that four points of a lead was going to be good enough at half-time but when we got the two points after half-time we were in a great position (six ahead)…but in fairness to Derry they stuck to their guns.
“Look, it was a nasty game in the second half and certainly not a spectacle, but a draw was probably a fair result. It suits Derry better than Roscommon and it was disappointing for Roscommon not to win having been six points up. “But it’s still in the melting pot (promotion) and it looks like it will come down to the final game of the campaign against Galway” he concluded.
46
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
SportsPeople
Doyle delivers and denies Derry! Promotion hopes still alive as fiery contest drawn Allianz Football League Division 2 Roscommon 0-12 Derry 0-12 < SEAMUS DUKE
Action from last Sunday’s Allianz NFL Division Two match between Roscommon and Derry at Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack
Roscommon’s promotion prospects still remain intact after this highly competitive tie at Dr Hyde Park last Sunday which descended into chaos and controversy in the second half as referee Sean Lonergan struggled to control proceedings. The Tipperary official showed no less than 14 yellow cards (including one to the Derry manager Rory Gallagher), two red cards (one to each side) and two black cards (both to Roscommon players) in the final 25 minutes of the match. It has to be said that amid the chaos, a draw was probably the fairest outcome in the end. Roscommon played with the swirling wind at their backs in the first half and after conceding the opening two points to the visitors, Eddie Nolan and Ultan Harney got going at midfield and Roscommon began to find the target. Donie Smith was on target with four points (two frees) as Roscommon built up a 0-8 to 0-4 half-time lead. Indeed Roscommon were thankful to Colm Lavin at the halfway mark as the Eire Og man made a splendid save from Paul Cassidy in injurytime to deny the visitors a goal. Roscommon started the second half on the front foot, and sub Cathal Heneghan and Cian McKeon were both on target from play to open up a six-point gap. But as Derry dug in and started to put pressure on the home side, the game took a nasty turn for the worse. A melee in the middle of the field in the 41st minute resulted in two yellow cards for Derry, while Cathal Heneghan was also shownellow and Cian McKeon a black. There was more
47
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
SportsPeople
Donie Smith braces for impact during last Sunday’s Allianz NFL Division Two match between Roscommon and Derry at Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack
Getting shirty! Niall Kilroy pictured during last Sunday’s Allianz NFL Division Two match between Roscommon and Derry at Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack
controversy in the 52nd minute when referee Lonergan pulled Cathal Heneghan back to award a free when he was clean ythrough on goal. Conor Cox tapped over the resultant free but Roscommon were not to score again for 23 minutes as Derry dominated. Derry, with Shane McGuigan and Conor Glass superb, clipped over the next six points in a row, and with 11 minutes left it was 0-11 each. But there was precious little football to be seen now as the avalanche of cards continued to be dished out. In the 69th minute Niall Daly was red-carded for a second yellow offence and McGuigan pointed the resultant free to edge Derry ahead. Then in the fourth minute of injury-time Roscommon sub Keith Doyle engineered space for himself and kicked a superb levelling score. There was still time for referee Lonergan to send off Shane McGuigan for a second yellow offence, and it was just as well for Roscommon as Derry were awarded a free 40 metres from goal in the 77th minute – but with McGuigan off the field Emmett Bradley was wide of the posts with the second last kick of the game.
Teams & scorers Roscommon: Colm Lavin; David Murray, Brian Stack, Eoin McCormack; Richard Hughes, Niall Daly (0-1), Ronan Daly; Ultan Harney, Eddie Nolan (0-1); Ciaráin Murtagh, Enda Smith (0-1), Niall Kilroy; Cian McKeon (0-1), Donie Smith (0-4, 2 frees), Conor Cox (0-2, free). Subs: Cathal Heneghan (0-1) for Ciaráin Murtagh (h/t), Diarmuid Murtagh for Kilroy (52), Keith Doyle (0-1) for McKeon (59), Andrew Glennon for Cox (66), Ciarán Sugrue for Donie Smith (68). Derry: Odhran Lynch; Conor McCluskey, Brendan Rogers (0-1), Christopher McKaigue; Gareth McKinless, Padraig McGrogan (0-1), Conor Doherty; Conor Glass, Emmett Bradley; Oisín McWilliams, Shane McGuigan (0-8, 5 frees), Paul Cassidy (0-1); Benny Heron (0-1), Niall Loughlin, Ethan Doherty. Subs: Ciarán McFaul for Doherty (44), Niall Toner for Heron (46), Lachlan Murray for Loughlin (48), Ben McCarron for McWilliams (70). Referee: Sean Lonergan (Tipperary).
Stat Attack Wides: Roscommon 7 (4, first half ); Derry 8 (4, first half ) Red cards: Roscommon 1 (Niall Daly 73); Derry 1 (Shane McGuigan 74) Black cards: Roscommon 2 (Cian McKeon 40, Brian Stack 75); Derry 0
What’s next?
This coming weekend all eyes will be on Celtic Park when Derry host Galway in a battle of the top two. Roscommon travel to Tullamore to face Offaly and must win if they are to maintain their promotion push in advance of their final game, which is at home to Galway.
Yellow cards: Roscommon 7 (Cathal Heneghan, Niall Daly x 2, Conor Cox, Ronan Daly, Diarmuid Murtagh, Niall Kilroy); Derry 7 (Padraig McGrogan, Gareth McKinless, Conor Doherty, Ciaran McFaul, Shane McGuigan x 2, Rory Gallagher, manager) Man of the Match: Shane McGuigan (Derry) Action from last Sunday’s Allianz NFL Division Two match between Roscommon and Derry at Dr. Hyde Park. Pic: Mick McCormack
Attendance: Approx. 2,500
Roscommon People Friday 18 March 2022
48
Brisknet
with and
when you connect to our Fixed Wireless network
call today to book a free survey fibre packages also available
eurona-brisknet.ie