Roscommon People - 12 June 2026

Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme

I was injured following an unprovoked assault. I do not want to pursue a legal case against my attacker, but I have a lot of expenses as a result of the attack. Please advise me of my rights.

Thank you for your letter, you have obviously endured a very distressing experience.

The Criminal Injuries Compensation Scheme is in place to help those who have suffered personal injuries as a result of a violent crime committed against them.

This Scheme may cover out of pocket losses caused by a violent crime, including medical expenses, dental treatment, counselling, and loss of earnings where supported by evidence.

A claim under the scheme is strongest where the assault was reported promptly to An Garda Síochána and you cooperated with the investigation. Keep copies of Garda reports if available, medical records, receipts, invoices, proof of income loss, and any correspondence showing the expenses arose from the assault.

Time limits are important. An application must generally be filed within 3 months of the incident. A late application may be accepted, but only where there is a satisfactory explanation for the delay.

On 17th April 2026, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration advised that they shall shortly finalise amendments to the Scheme to make provision for damages for pain and suffering. This followed a decision by the government on 14th April 2026 to agree amendments to the Scheme.

Contact Byrne Carolan Cuningham Solicitors for further advice regarding your rights under this Scheme.

A

Telephone

WATCHING People

With PAUL HEALY

That was a disaster last week!

Yeah, I still can’t believe the Editor left our column out… again!

And it was particularly disastrous because of the New York plan!

I know… but first off, why did he leave it out?

Because he obviously thinks he can act with impunity in these matters!

Has he ever left Frank Brandon’s column out?

Probably not! He wouldn’t want to alienate the powerful Creggs lobby! Point is, we submitted a brilliant, satirical, funny column last week… and he binned it! Maybe he was hungover after hanging out with Bob Geldof at Night and Day Festival? Oh give me a break!

Plus, it was a bank holiday issue, and the Editor is always stressed on a bank holiday issue!

There’s NO excuse! He put the story about the Dermot Earley Centre of Excellence receiving €10m in the precise spot where our column goes!

Well, that is a great project…

But it’s sport! And sport should go in the sports section! This was a deliberate snub, and the timing was disastrous for us! You really had those New York guys lined up?

YES, REALLY! Remind me…

Last week, prior to the People going to press, I messaged our PNYA… Our Prospective New York Agent? Yes, yes… AND?

I asked him if there’s any update on us signing with him…

Endangered Species

Thebarstoolboyos

To do a book, a possible New York Times column, and your Chris O’Dowd-like screenplay for a comedy-drama based in Roscommon?

Precisely!

Whereby we walk from the Roscommon People?

Well, we’d have to weigh up issues to do with loyalty versus… Money?

Eh, yeah… but I think we both agree this could be a great career move for us…

Boyos on the brink after New York humiliation

Especially since the Editor hasn’t renewed our contract for four years OR delivered on our expenses demands? Precisely! So, I advised our PNYA… Our Prospective New York Agent, the guy we met when we were over for the Roscommon game?

Yes, yes… I advised him to get his advisors together last Thursday… AND?

I invited them to review our brilliant, satirical, funny column the moment it went online – and to then give me a call!

But our column didn’t appear, did it? NO IT DIDN’T! Which is why last week was a disaster for us! We need to have emergency talks with the Editor… Yeah, but we can’t let him know about our plans to possibly break into America… He won’t hear it from me!

(They pause to check how Seán Fitzgerald is doing on Love Island, but can’t see any sign of him, and immediately lose interest)

Anyway, all roads lead to Clones this Saturday! Can we do it?

YES WE CAN!

By the way, how did our contacts in New York react to that non-existent meeting? Oh they were very frustrated when they looked online and our column wasn’t there, but… BUT?

But they liked Frank Brandon’s column!

Mid-Summer Madness SALE

Roscommon reaches top ten in latest IBAL litter rankings

Roscommon Town has improved to 10th position in the latest litter survey by Irish Business Against Litter, while Carrick-on-Shannon finished inside the top five.

The latest IBAL survey, carried out by An Taisce, ranked 40 towns and cities across the country.The An Taisce report described Roscommon’s result as “excellent”, with seven out of the ten sites surveyed receiving the top litter grade.

The report said Main Street was “looking very

Man charged following collision at Roscommon Town filling station

A man has been charged following a single-vehicle collision at a filling station in Roscommon Town.

Gardaí responded to a report of a collision at a commercial premises on the Athlone Road at around 11.40 pm on Sunday night.

The incident occurred at Casey’s Filling Station, where it is understood a vehicle overturned after colliding with a fuel pump and bollards.

A man aged in his 30s was arrested at the scene and has since been charged. He is due to appear before Roscommon District Court later this month.

A fuel pump at the forecourt was cordoned off following the incident. The filling station remained open. Gardaí are continuing to investigate the incident.

well”, with lovely paving, planter boxes and a covered seating area. Loughnaneane Park was also praised, with the report noting that the playground and PE equipment were in very good condition.

Roscommon Castle was described as “exceptionally clear of litter”, with all aspects of the visitor attraction in very good condition.

However, the report noted that the wasteland adjacent to the Recycle Bank remained the most heavily littered site surveyed in Roscommon.

Carrick-on-Shannon also received an excellent result, with seven out of the ten sites surveyed receiving the top litter grade.

The report praised Main Street, which has been recently enhanced with paving and tree planting, and described the area as spotless. The Town Clock and environs were also noted as being very attractively presented and maintained.

The most heavily littered site surveyed in Carrickon-Shannon was the Recycle Bank at Rosebank

Retail Park.Nationally, no town or city occupied the ‘Seriously littered’ or ‘Litter blackspot’ categories. Overall litter levels were on a par with last year, with 27 towns deemed clean.

IBAL’s Conor Horgan said local authorities appear to have made progress in tackling persistently littered sites and dumping.

“As the peak season for tourist visitors approaches, we have fewer littered areas than we’ve had at any time in the last 25 years,” he said.

newsbriefs

Special Healing Mass

A Special Healing Mass will take place at Our Lady Star of the Sea Prayer Centre, Curraghboy on Friday, June 12th (The Feast of the Sacred Heart of Jesus), commencing at 8 pm. The celebrant will be Fr John Walsh.

Confessions will be available from 7 pm and the Rosary and Divine Mercy Chaplet will be recited at 7.30 pm. Fr John will bless Holy water and all religious items after Mass. Exposition of the Blessed Sacrament and individual blessings for healing will take place after Mass. Refreshments will be available afterwards. All are most welcome. Eircode is N37W704.

Rescheduled Drum Cemetery Mass

The open-air Mass at Drum Cemetery will take place this Sunday, June 14th at 3 pm. It was postponed on Sunday last due to the heavy rain. If weather is adverse, Mass will be celebrated in Drum Church.

Roscommon LEADER to host free walks and workshops this month

Roscommon LEADER Partnership are hosting a number of free events in Roscommon Town this June. A herb/foraging walk will take place on June 22nd, a natural cream-making workshop will be held on June 29th, and a smoothie-making workshop takes place on June 30th (all at 11 am). To book a free place, contact Teresa O’Brien of Roscommon LEADER Partnership on 086 0291215.

MSI Church gate collections

The Roscommon branch of Multiple Sclerosis Ireland (MSI) will be holding its annual Church gate collection at Mass times at the following churches over the weekend of June 13th and 14th: Ballinamore Bridge/Toghergar, Ballygar, Ballymoe, Glinsk, and Newbridge.

MSI would like to extend a word of gratitude to each and every supporter, and also to the loyal Church gate collectors who make this e ort possible.

Cathal bringing the laughter home to Roscommon!

Red Line Comedy Club is set to bring a night of comedy chaos and big laughs to Roscommon on Saturday, June 20th, with a stellar line-up of some of Ireland’s finest stand-up talent.

Leading the charge is host Cathal Shanagher, co-founder of Red Line Comedy Club, whose love for Roscommon is matched only by his passion for puns and an evergrowing appetite for power. Known for his quick wit and crowd interaction, Shanagher will guide audiences through an evening packed with laughs.

Headlining the show is award-winning comedian and actor Eric Lalor. A two-time recipient of the Irish Comedian of the Year award from Entertainment.ie, Lalor is one of the country’s most recognisable comedy performers. He is also known for his role on the longrunning television series Fair City as bad boy Cathal Spillane and as cohost of the award-winning podcast You Must Be Jokin.

Joining the bill is Enda Whitney, a well travelled

Longford psychotherapist whose unique blend of life experience and comedy promises plenty of laughs. He is also currently tour support for Fred Cooke of the Tommy Tiernan Show. Also taking to the stage is Ken Lindsay, whose comedy is packed with dating disasters, family secrets and stories full of

unexpected twists, turns and taboos.

Also appearing is comedian Ailish McCarthy, whose sharp observations, engaging stage presence and relatable storytelling have made her a popular act on the Irish comedy circuit. Ailish has supported Damo Clarke, Fred Cooke, Foil Arms & Hog, Jason Byrne and Deirdre O’Kane.

Completing the line-up is Seán Ryan, widely regarded as one of Limerick’s most unpredictable and energetic comedians. Audiences are guaranteed to leave either laughing or regretting every life choice that brought them there!

The show takes place on Saturday, June 20th at 8 pm. Tickets are priced at €17. Also

THE

RENOWNED

SYSTEM 10

WEIGHT

FAT LOSS 5 WEEK PROGRAMME

Lose 14lbs in 5 weeks

PLAN RETURNS TO ROSCOMMON LOSE UP TO 2 STONE IN 10 WEEKS

The TRUTH is there are 3 keys to a genuine weight loss (real fat loss) plan - diet, exercise and metabolism correction. All 3 keys interconnect, one will not work without the other. Your metabolism is the most powerful of all the 3 keys. It is the ‘switch’ that controls everything else.

• An exercise plan (home - walk, jog or bike) or gym plan including toning.

The TRUTH is there are 3 keys to a genuine weight loss (real fat loss) plan - diet, exercise and metabolism correction. All 3 keys interconnect, one will not work without the other. Your metabolism is the most powerful of all the 3 keys. It is the ‘switch’ that controls everything else.

In most people this ‘switch’ is off.

In most people this ‘switch’ is o .

Metabolism problems like Slow Thyroid, Type 2 Diabetes, Sluggish Liver, Hormone Imbalances, PCOS, Endometriosis, Infertility and Digestive Problems like Constipation, IBS and Diverticulitis will limit or stop your weight loss, no matter how much dieting or exercise you do .

including toning.

• Private weigh-ins, motivational tips and support throughout the programme.

• Nutritional supplement recommendations to rapidly repair your system.

• Private weigh-ins, motivational tips and support throughout the programme.

• We can guarantee that every pound you lose is a pound of fat (you don’t lose water or muscle like most plans).

• We can guarantee that every pound you lose is a pound of fat (you don’t lose water or muscle like most plans). You will lose 2-3lbs every week and because our programme is designed to speed up your metabolism, you will keep the weight o when you nish your plan. Programmes available for men and women.

Work on fixing your metabolism problems for amazing results. Combine this with a reasonable diet and exercise and you will get the best, the fastest and the easiest weight loss ever. THE SYSTEM 10 PLAN INCLUDES:

Metabolism problems like Slow Thyroid, Type 2 Diabetes, Sluggish Liver, Hormone Imbalances, PCOS, Endometriosis, Infertility and Digestive Problems like Constipation, IBS and Diverticulitis will limit or stop your weight loss, no matter how much dieting or exercise you do . Work on xing your metabolism problems for amazing results. Combine this with a reasonable diet and exercise and you will get the best, the fastest and the easiest weight loss ever.

• An analysis of your metabolism

• Nutritionist designed highly balanced food plans of normal, natural foods, no pills, bars or shakes.

• An exercise plan (home - walk, jog or bike) or gym plan

• Nutritionist designed highly balanced food plans of normal, natural foods, no pills, bars or shakes.

You will lose 2-3lbs every week and because our programme is designed to speed up your metabolism, you will keep the weight off when you finish your plan. Programmes available for men and women.

WEEKLY CLINIC AT THE HIVE, DUBLIN ROAD, CARRICK-ON-SHANNON EVERY WEDNESDAY.

WEEKLY CLINIC AT THE HIVE, DUBLIN ROAD, CARRICK-ON-SHANNON EVERY WEDNESDAY.

WEEKLY CLINIC EVERY THURSDAY At The Cube FlexiSpace, Lanesborough Road, Roscommon F42 DX61

WEEKLY CLINIC EVERY THURSDAY At The Cube FlexiSpace, Lanesborough Road, Roscommon F42 DX61

BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL. TEL MARTINA: 086-3846302

BOOKING IS ESSENTIAL. TEL MARTINA: 086-3846302

Celebrate Father’s Day on Sunday, 21st June at the Abbey Hotel Roscommon

Treat Dad to a special lunch or dinner and make this Father’s Day one to remember. We are now taking bookings for your Father’s Day celebrations, and booking is essential. Telephone: 090 66 26240. Email: restaurant@abbeyhotel.ie. Looking for the perfect gift? Abbey Hotel and Abbey Health & Fitness Gift Vouchers are also available.

PAUL HEALY’S WEEK

THURSDAY

More of the same?

Watching a rather uninspiring Andy Burnham on Question Time (BBC 1) tonight, I’m not at all sure that the aspiring new UK Labour Party leader has much more to offer than the incumbent, Keir Starmer.

If this was speed dating, and one had just left Keir at table one, switching to Andy at table two might lead to a sigh or two!

FRIDAY

Songs That Built A Nation

There was a full house at Roscommon Arts Centre tonight for Roscommon Solstice Choir’s production of ‘Songs That Built A Nation’

It was a pleasure to be present. This was new territory for the esteemed choir, with members teaming up with local playwright Tommy Murray to stage a dramatic retrospective on important milestones in Ireland’s fight for freedom.

It was an excellent production, with the capacity crowd responding with a standing ovation. The show featured many great ballads, bringing back memories of childhood when such songs were regularly sang in pubs and indeed at family gatherings. See my review on page 9.

SATURDAY

Mirra & Spike

When Russian tennis player Mirra Andreeva won her first Grand Slam title today – the French Open – she was gracious to her opponent, while adding: “I also want to thank myself for believing in myself.”

Apparently Andreeva thanks herself any time she wins tournaments, saying she ‘stole’ the phrase from rapper Snoop Dogg.

It reminded me of a famous acceptance speech by one of my comedy heroes, Spike Milligan, when he was presented with a lifetime achievement award (in 1994).

Spike joked: “I’m not going to thank anybody, because I did it all on my own!”

A (mostly) light-hearted look at the week that was… paul@roscommonpeople.ie

SATURDAY

Boys to men…

I see where Irish Boyzone fans travelling to London for the band’s, er… farewell tour… told TheJournal.ie – “You don’t want it to end.” Don’t want it to end? Some of us might not want it to continue! (This ‘boy band’ started out in 1993).

SUNDAY

Trump-free zone

It’s dawned on me over recent weeks that (for the first time in years) I’m not currently passing any heed on President Donald Trump’s idiosyncratic behaviour/utterances.

Some random combination of circumstances has reduced my exposure to Trump on television and social media. Getting some refurbishment done at our house, enjoying the exploits of Roscommon GAA teams, being busy at work, and spending a couple of nights at the Night and Day Festival – all have contributed to my finding myself in an unplanned Donald Trump-free zone (more or less).

Yes, I’ve seen the odd eyebrowraising headline – amongst them

‘Trump to host UFC fights at White House’ and ‘Trump planning a Trump promenade’ – but I haven’t taken the bait.

Over the years I’ve sometimes enjoyed Trump’s showmanship, but it’s exhausting dealing with his mayhem, and taking a break from it all has actually been a pleasure.

Now I’m planning to work on the Healy-Raes…

MONDAY

Brexit: Still hair-raising

I would have thought that the last thing most of us (particularly millions of still-scarred people in Britain) need is a new TV documentary on (whisper it) the ‘B’ word. That’s Brexit.

Still, being a sucker for political drama, I tuned into part one of ‘Brexit: A very British Civil War’ on BBC Two tonight. This documentary coincides with the 10th anniversary of the historic vote.

Needless to say, many of the principals involved in the build-up to the seismic 2016 decision couldn’t resist taking part, all delighting in this opportunity to spin the momentous event in a manner that they consider suits their image and future legacy.

Amongst those solemnly reflecting on the historic Brexit call are Nigel Farage, David Cameron, Michael Gove, Gordon Brown, Boris Johnson and Theresa Villiers. Our own campaigner-in-chief, Bob Geldof, who had a media-delighting cameo role when confronting Farage on the River Thames, also contributes.

The Guardian describes the two-part series as a “hoot”, adding: “When you’ve got an endless stream of blockbuster names spouting irresistible gossip – plus Nigel Farage being a total panto dame – you can’t help but have a ball.”

For my part, I can report that Boris Johnson hasn’t changed much, and certainly didn’t detain any BBC makeup department hairdressers during filming.

With characteristic intent, his hair is wildly chaotic in this documentary – an apt symbol of the bedlam that befell the UK ten years ago.

*Part Two airs on BBC Two on Monday, June 15 (9 pm).

TUESDAY

Head-wrecking

According to ongoing national media

reports, the ‘Healy-Rae split’ is getting worse – with Michael and Danny allegedly involved in a quite bitter stand-off.

Surely it’s time they put a cap on it?

TUESDAY

Netflix musings

No Netflix recommendations here recently… because I’m kind of binge-watching the classic US sitcom Seinfeld (as previously mentioned in this column).

Although I occasionally noticed Kramer careering into Jerry’s Manhattan apartment in the 1990s, I didn’t get into Seinfeld at all at that time. Catching up now is a great pleasure – it’s comedy genius. The problem is, I’m dreading coming to the end of the final series! It’s a while off yet; 180 episodes of Seinfeld were made, and I have about 80 still to watch (they’re generally only 22 minutes long).

I can’t imagine how I’d have felt back in the late 1970s if someone had told me that John Cleese and Connie Booth would only be writing 12 episodes of Fawlty Towers! Still, those repeats have aged very well. The same applies with Seinfeld, although both of these – and many other sitcoms – obviously contain cultural stereotypes that some viewers may now deem offensive.

One Netflix series I do hope to watch soon is Legends, a thriller that’s receiving very positive reviews.

WEDNESDAY

Big kick-off

The World Cup starts this week (Thursday). No doubt many of us will soon be greatly invested in the tournament.

Closer to home, the big sporting focus this weekend is on Clones, where Roscommon play Monaghan in the All-Ireland series. It’s a town I’m very familiar with, having covered Ulster finals there in my days as a sports reporter with the now long-defunct Cavan Leader. Come on Roscommon!

Two local schools set to close amid falling pupil numbers

Two County Roscommon primary schools are set to close this month amid falling enrolment numbers.

Slatta National School, near Rooskey, and Scoil Mhuire, Drumboylan, are both expected to close before the end of June, in what will come as a major blow to their local communities.

Drumboylan National School, also known as Scoil Mhuire, has served the local area for 76 years. The school is understood to be closing following a continued decline in enrolment numbers.

The school is also awaiting a decision from the Department of Education and Youth in relation to

a proposed amalgamation with another school in the parish.

Slatta National School had made an appeal earlier this year for new pupils in an effort to secure its future. At the time, the school said it needed viable enrolment numbers in order to remain open.

The closures come amid wider concern over the future of small rural schools, with falling pupil numbers placing increasing pressure on schools in many parts of the country.

Further confirmation is being sought from the Department of Education and Youth in relation to the arrangements for pupils affected by the closures.

Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games launch

More than 300 athletes, families, supporters, volunteers and special guests gathered on Wednesday, June 3rd the Dexcom Stadium, Galway, for the official launch of Team Connaught ahead of the Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games 2026.

Speaking at the launch, Roscommon athlete Aoife Hegarty, who will be representing Connaught in athletics, said she was incredibly proud to be selected: “My coach Jacqui announced it at training and I was over the moon. I couldn’t believe it. Everyone was delighted for me and I was so happy to be chosen.”

Aoife trains weekly with her club, where she feels welcomed and included. “I love meeting friends, trying my best at competitions, and all the fun activities we do. Our volunteers are amazing and I always feel part of something special at the club.”

The Special Olympics Ireland Summer Games 2026, taking place from June 18-21, will bring together athletes from across the country for three days of competition, friendship and celebration, with events taking place at venues throughout Leinster.

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

Roscommon County Council has decided to close the roads set out in the schedule hereunder for the periods and the reason speci ed.

Road to be closed: L7055 Ardsallagh Woods Road from Hannons Hotel to Golf Club

Period of Closure: 9am to 2pm on Saturday 27th June 2026

Alternative Routes: via N61, N63 & L1812

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

Period of Closure: 11am to 2pm on Saturday 27th June 2026

Alternative Routes: via L1812, L7126 & N63

Reason for Closure: To facilitate Roscommon Harriers Club Road Race

Mark Keaveney Director of Services

Economic, Planning and Physical Development

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

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

Road to be closed: L-7062 at its junction with L-1806 (Kilteevan) to its Junction with the L-7098 (Cloonmurly), Roscommon

Period of Closure: 13th July to 14th August 2026

Alternative Routes: Diversion via N63 – L1806-L7098

Reason for Closures: To facilitate Kilteevan Bridge Rehabilitation works

Objections in respect of the proposed closure may be made in writing to the Roads and Transportation Department or e-mailed to roads@roscommoncoco.ie to arrive not later than 5pm on Wednesday, 17th June 2026.

Mark Keaveney Director of Services Economic, Planning and Physical Development

ROSCOMMON LOCAL COMMUNITY SAFETY PARTNERSHIP

CALL FOR EXPRESSIONS OF INTEREST

Youth Representative (Organisation/Group)

Roscommon County Council is inviting expressions of interest from organisations and groups in County Roscommon that work with or represent young people, following the recent vacancy of the Youth Representative position on the Roscommon Local Community Safety Partnership (LCSP).

The LCSP is a new and inclusive approach to community safety in Ireland. It brings together a wide range of stakeholders to collaboratively address local safety concerns and develop coordinated responses. A key aspect of this work is ensuring that the perspectives and experiences of young people are re ected in decision-making and in the development of the county’s three-year Community Safety Plan.

We are seeking one representative from a relevant youth organisation or group to ll this role and support the inclusion of youth perspectives in the work of the LCSP. This is an opportunity for your organisation or group to contribute to shaping the future of community safety in Roscommon.

Online expression of interest application opens Monday 15th of June@ 12noon. Closing date for receipt of online expressions of interest is Friday the 26th of June @ 5pm.

For queries about the application process or eligibility, please email: communitysafety@roscommoncoco.ie

Get started by submitting your Expression of Interest via My Online Services on Roscommon County Councils website - www.roscommoncoco.ie.

NOTICE PUBLISHING COMMENCEMENT OF AUDIT

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

Notice is hereby given that the audit of the accounts of the above-named local government organisation for the nancial year ended on the 31st day of December 2025 will be commenced by Ms. Mary Keaney Local Government Auditor, on the 29th June 2026. In accordance with article 17 of the Local Government (Financial and Audit Procedures) Regulations 2014, objections to any matter or matters contained in the said several accounts will be considered by the Local Government Auditor during the audit.

Written notice of any proposed objection, setting out the relevant particulars and grounds on which it is to be made, should be sent to the above Local Government Auditor c/o Roscommon County Council, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon within ten days of the commencement of the audit. The annual nancial statement will be available during o ce hours at the reception desk at Áras an Chontae for the inspection of all persons for a period of seven days prior to the commencement of the audit.

Dated this 8th day of June 2026.

Shane Tiernan, Chief Executive of Roscommon County Council

Songs That Built A Nation

BY PAUL HEALY

A wonderful and deeply emotional cultural tour de force was staged at Roscommon Arts Centre last weekend.

Linking up with well-known local playwright Tommy Murray, Roscommon Solstice Choir recently embarked on their most ambitious and challenging project to date – and what a treat they’ve produced for audiences. Prompted by Ireland’s various centenary celebrations of recent years, the voluntary choir spent several weeks planning and rehearsing for their major new production, ‘Songs That Built A Nation’.

‘Songs That Built A Nation’ premiered at Roscommon Arts Centre last Thursday, and ran for three nights, all of which attracted capacity crowds.

This show, on which Andrew and Eimear Reynolds were Musical Directors, promised to be a “dramatic insight into important milestones in Irish history – illustrated by our ballads, songs, poems and music”. And it has to be said that the Solstice Choir delivered in style. Indeed, they excelled themselves.

I went along on Friday night. It was soon obvious that this would not be the familiar concert-type presentation; instead, it was new territory for most of the choir members. They got to leave their ‘comfort zone’ and dip their toes into acting, or certainly drama, as this production was cleverly presented in a bar setting with cast members alternating between singing, reciting, narrating and then switching back to playing the role of customers in the public house (portrayed by an excellent set; plaudits to Eddie Kiernan).

‘Songs That Built A Nation’ began with the 1798 Rebellion and concluded with the War of Independence in 1920/21. Over the course of two and a half hours (there was a 15-minute interval) the audience is treated to a stirring reflection on Irish history, with choir members performing famous ballads, poems, music, and even extracts from speeches by heroic leaders.

There were evocative renditions of Boolavogue, The Fogey Dew, The Croppy Boy, Grace, Down by the Glenside – and many more. By the time A Nation Once Again was

It was a very emotional experience for

belted out, a surge of patriotic emotion was bonding cast and audience!

The huge cast carried it all off brilliantly. This was a superb show, one that took the audience on a very emotional journey. For me, it brought back memories of a time when it was usual for so-called ‘rebel songs’ to feature in singsongs in pubs. My own family launched the famous Kon Tiki bar outside Rooskey in 1970 – I was a very young child at the time, but I remember locals (my mother included) singing many of the songs so beautifully sung in the arts centre last weekend.

It was a very emotional experience for the Solstice Choir and audience alike. Indeed the cast was greeted at the finale with that most special of standing ovations – the spontaneous one!

This was a terrific and very moving production, which immediately takes its place as one of the outstanding highlights of this choir’s distinguished ‘body of work’. Heartiest congratulations to all members of Roscommon Solstice Choir, and to the evercreative Tommy Murray. I hope this production goes on tour – people need to see it.

A THANK YOU FROM THE SOLSTICE CHOIR

The directors and cast of Songs That Built A Nation would like to express their appreciation and thanks to the following:

*Roscommon County Council and the Department of Culture, Communications and Sport.

*Roscommon Credit Union.

*Nollaig Feeney, Roscommon Heritage Officer.

*The team at Roscommon Arts Centre.

*The staff and management of Kilbride Community Centre.

*Roscommon People, Roscommon Herald, Shannonside FM and RosFM.

*Everyone who provided costumes and props for the stage.

*St Mel’s Musical Society Longford (Front of House).

*All who donated the many prizes for our raffle each night.

*All you wonderful people who gave us a ‘full house’ for each of our shows.

ATHLONE Agri-Show

Athlone Agri Show takes places on Sunday 21st June – a great day out for all the family

From humble beginnings on September 13th, 1951, the Athlone Agri-Show has become a vitally important fixture in the

annual calendar of the town. Over the years, the show has developed to being one of the top ten agri-shows in the coun-

try, thanks to the generosity of its many sponsors, both local and national. Record crowds attend the show year on year,

Sunday June 21st 2026

SHOWGROUNDS, Garnafailagh, Athlone N37V252

Rohan Transport free shuttle bus service, on the hour, from Golden Island Shopping Centre. Chairman & Committee Members extend a Cead Mile Failte to members of the public residing around the Athlone area to visit the Show and witness the best of Country life in motion.

With 100 Classes for Horses, Ponies & Donkeys, 41 Cattle Classes, 104 Classes for Sheep, 20 Classes for Poultry & Eggs. Super Dog Show, Cookery, Arts & Crafts, Photography, Food Village, Trade Stands, Order of Malta, The Office of Public Works, Children’s Amusements & Live Musical Entertainment all day. Bar facilities & Big Screen. New Kids Zone Indoor Activities. What a fantastic family day out, for young and not so young.

It’s FATHERS DAY! Side Shows It’s FATHERS DAY!

The Athlone Branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann are staging a special display, including an International Multi Cultural Festival of Music & Song. You must see this. Visit the Alpacas, Pigmy Goats, Birds of Prey, Egg & Spoon race, Brazilian Jiujitsu, Free Duck & Hen Egg in Poultry Tent, Line Dancing & Jiving all afternoon.

DECLAN NERNEY Country Music from 2pm – followed by the Cowboy Disco. Rumbles Catering, available throughout the show-grounds – Free Car Parking Admission: Adults €15.00, Family €25.00, Children under 12 with Adult free.

ensuring that sponsors receive the recognition they deserve for their generosity.

The 2026 Athlone Agri-Show will be held on Sunday, June 21st, at a most beautiful and tranquil setting – the farm of Michael O’Donohoe, Garnafailagh, Athlone, Co Westmeath (N37 V252).

The organisers would like to offer a special word of thanks to the show’s main sponsors (EDF Power Solutions, Athlone Municipal District, the Minister for Rural and Community Development, and Jim Derwin Equestrian), and associate sponsors (Kepak Group, K&K Cobs, Aurivo/Homeland, Matrix Bathrooms and Heating, Flancare Warehousing and Logistic Centre Athlone, Michael McManus, and West Midlands Credit Union) for their loyal support and generosity. The or-

ganisers would also like to extend their gratitude and sincere thanks to all other people who have donated to the agri-show fund or helped in any way.

With this year’s show coinciding with Father’s Day, Chairperson PJ Glynn and his hard-working committee members would like to welcome all visitors, families’ and friends to celebrate the day by visiting the show, where attendees can taste and experience Irish country life and all it has to offer in the beautiful tranquil surroundings of the showgrounds.

With classes for cattle, horses, ponies, donkeys, sheep, and poultry, as well as a super dog show, and cookery, crafts, trade stands, and a ‘Made in the Midlands’ food village in store – not to mention a number of indoor and outdoor children’s amusements and

live musical entertainment all day – this year’s Athlone AgriShow has all the makings of a fantastic family day’s entertainment for both the young and not-so-young!

For those looking for transportation to the event, Rohan Transport has very kindly offered to run a free shuttle bus service on the hour, from Golden Island Shopping Centre to the show grounds, starting from 10 am. The Order of Malta will be on duty from early morning, and hopefully they will have a peaceful, casualty-free, day. The Athlone Agri-Show is a community effort, organised and run by volunteers from the community and for the community. The organisers are looking forward to welcoming everyone on the day!

For more information, visit athloneshow.ie.

Athlone Agri-Show introduces more fun activities for children!

Younger attendees are in for a world of fun at this year’s Athlone Agri-Show, with a number of indoor and outdoor activities to pick from!

Be sure to check out the exciting indoor kids’ entertainment area, new to the show this year. This interactive play-zone is packed with experiences and activities designed for children of all ages, making sure there’s plenty to keep the little ones entertained throughout the day.

Other kids’ activities include ‘Story Time with Athlone Library’, a kids’ yoga class with Aikyam Yoga, art workshops for kids presented by The Art Box and Women’s Circle, a RINKA kids exercise

class, family céilí and kids céilí with Reynolds’ Irish Dancing Academy, and a Brazilian Jiujitsu demonstration and participation sessions. Activities start from 10 am, running right though to 3 pm, when it will finish with the now famous ‘egg and spoon’ race for children and adults! Children will also have a chance to shake hands and have a photograph taken with ‘Big Bird’ outside the poultry marquee. Along with all this fun, younger attendees can look forward to water slides, bouncy castles, facepainting, buggy rides, hopscotch, hide and seek, and much, much, more!

ATHLONE Agri-Show

Music, art, and heritage lovers in for a treat!

Beyond the broad range of animal and produce classes in store at this year’s Athlone Agri-Show, attendees with an interest in music, dance, art, and more have a host of activities to look forward to!

Among the exciting musical events in store is a performance from one of Ireland’s most popular country music entertainers, Declan Nerney, who will be on stage from 2 pm, followed by the highly-anticipated Cowboy Disco in the Beer Garden!

There will also be dancing and jiving competitions all afternoon on the specially erected and covered maple dance floor. The musical offerings will continue with the Athlone branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann, who will be staging a special display, including an international/multicultural performance of music.

Outside of music, coordinator Martin Monaghan and staff would like to invite attendees to visit the food and craft village, which continues to grow each year.

This year, the organisers have also brought together a wonderful selection of trade stalls, both from new innovators and old reliables, who will display their wares to the show-going public.

For those with an interest in photography, the Athlone Photography Club is organising a fabulous display – a must-see exhibit of outstanding local work!

Some of the other sideshows will include a display of alpacas, pigmy goats, birds of prey, and rumbles. There will also be prize-winning catering facilities available throughout the show grounds, offering all kinds of goodies to keep everyone happy, as well as bar facilities in a large marquee, with a big TV screen for all the matches (located right beside the dance arena).

Impressive programme of classes in store

As usual, attendees at this year’s Athlone Agri-Show can look forward to an impressive programme of animal and produce classes. In the equine section, there are over 100 classes across seven rings – including breeding mare and foal, young horses, in-hand Connemara ponies, Irish draughts, ridden ponies, ridden Connemara ponies, cobs, family pony classes, working hunter, and ridden horses – and three donkey classes. There will be 14 ISA All-Ireland Qualifiers and five RDS Qualifiers, as well as show jumping and eventing, intermediate side saddle, ladies side saddle, and racehorse to riding horse.

Also on the equine side, Athlone Agri-Show will present the Athlone Show Mare and Foal Championship, sponsored by Jim Derwin Equestrian with a prize fund of €5,000, plus sashes, rosettes & rugs.

Meanwhile, the cattle section is back, bigger and better than ever, with 41 classes incorporating most pedigree breeds of angus, belgian blues, charolais, hereford, limousin, salers, shorthorn, simmental, and a big selection of commercial classes, including the Kepak Beef Heifer Championship. There will also be a young handlers class, plus a qualifier for the AllIreland Young Stockperson.

The highlight of the cattle section is the Champion of Champions, which is open to all Champions and Reserve Champions. The winner will receive the Vera Hynes Memorial Cup, plus €300 (reserve is €150), compliments of the Hynes family of Baylin in Athlone.

In the sheep section, in excess of one thousand sheep are expected over 104 classes, catering for most

breeds, including six All-Ireland Finals for the the Belgian Beltex, Irish Texel Sheep Society, Vendeen Sheep Society, Hampshire Downs, Charollais Sheep Society, and Dutch Spotted Sheep Society, plus the Kepak Interbreed Championship.

Poultry fans will have 20 classes of small and large breeds, plus two AllIreland Qualifiers, with the section sponsored by Flancare Warehousing and Logistics Centre in Athlone. There will also be a display of the different breeds of poultry that are most common in Ireland.The first 50 families visiting the poultry exhibition will receive a freshly laid duck and hen egg to bring home, compliments of the sponsor of the egg classes, Oliver Flanagan of Moydrum Castle Poultry Farm in Athlone. Another feature will

be a display of eggs from the various breeds of poultry and waterfowl, showing the different colours of egg laid by each breed, plus advice on preparing eggs for show-day.

Back by public demand, there will be a selection of vegetable classes, kindly sponsored by Fernhill Garden Centre in Athlone.

There are also over 30 classes in store in the cookery section for both junior and senior competitors.

And don’t miss out on the Super Dog Show, which is a huge attraction each year. Spread across two rings, it has classes for both big dogs and small dogs, culminating with a champion in each section. The Ellen Devery Perpetual Cup will be for the Champion Large Dog this year – a prize that is much sought after (thanks to the Devery family).

energy powers our lives. We have ambitious plans for growth in Ireland, with a pipeline of wind and solar projects across the country, including Taduff Solar Park and Carrowkeel Wind Farm in Roscommon.

to our team at the Athlone Agri Show or email info@edf-power.com At EDF power solutions Ireland our goal is to combat climate change – we’re passionate about creating a net-zero future where

you interested in leasing your land for a wind or solar project?

FRANK BRANDON

FRANK BRANDON’S unique take on life ...

Parish processions… from La Mata to Clonberne

Frank discusses Corpus Christi processions, music artists and venues of the past, sports, local events, and more!

Way back in 2002, we took our first ever trip to Spain. I had booked an apartment in a little place called La Mata, through an ad I saw in ‘Buy and Sell’. It was a small two-bedroomed apartment, and it would have been lovely… only for the fact that it had no air conditioning. Being that it was our first time in Spain, the heat took a while to get used to, and it’s safe to say that none of us got a lot of sleep.

However, one thing that was really something special over there was the Corpus Christi procession, which we were lucky enough to be there for, and which seemed to involve the entire village. The Blessed Sacrament was displayed in something called a monstrance and carried through the streets by a member of the clergy. In La Mata, the procession took place after dark, and people carried candles and little lights, and it really was hugely impressive. I had never seen such a procession here in Ireland – that is until last Saturday.

I am writing this on Sunday evening; yesterday evening (Saturday), I, along with several family members, attended Mass in Clonberne. It was a remembrance Mass for a number of deceased parish members, including my brother Peadar (second anniversary) and his wife Teresa (eighth anniversary). Fr Tommy Commins, brother of the renowned country music presenter Michael, was the

celebrant, and when the Mass was over he announced that the Corpus Christi Procession would then take place.

And so, for the first time since La Mata all those years ago, I saw a procession which headed off around the village with a large crowd of parishioners taking part. What made it even more special was the fact that a whole load of children who had just made their first Holy Communion all took part, with the girls all wearing their really stylish Communion dresses and the lads looking resplendent in their new suits.

My old hip was playing up a bit, and so I didn’t join in, but I have to say it was nice to see it. Fair play to Fr Tommy for keeping up this tradition; having got to know him over the last few years, it’s always great to run into him.

Anyway, when all the excitement was over we headed to the Country Inn for a cup of tea and a sandwich (I was driving, so no Guinness), where I ran into an old friend, Sean Hynes. He had been watching the Leinster hurling final between Galway and Dublin, and he was more than impressed with the Galway display. I make no secret of the fact that I thought the Dubs would win so I was more than happy to get Sean’s report on the game. Today I watched the whole game on record, and to be fair, the Tribesmen were very good.

The Munster hurling final is just over as I write this, so on the assumption that Cork will beat Offaly, it looks as if we will meet the Leesiders in the All-Ireland semifinal. I would have to say it will be a tall order to beat them, but after yesterday, I wouldn’t write Galway off!

Memories of Hayden’s Hotel… and Meat Loaf!

Staying with a little bit of nostalgia: during the week there was a nice documentary on RTÉ about the time in 1990 when the huge (in every way) international musical artist

TNR Church gate collection

I have written before about the stray cat population, and on that note, out here in Creggs the feral cat charity TNR are having a Church gate collection at Kilbegnet Church this Sunday, June 14th, at the 11.30 am Mass. TNR stands for Trap-Neuter-Return – a safe, humane method of managing stray and feral cat populations. It all involves trapping wild cats, spraying or neutering them, vaccinating them, and then releasing them back to where they came from. All of these steps help to reduce the cat population, keeps the cats healthier and happier, and apparently encourages them to stop yowling and fighting and to co-exist with the human population.

TNR relies on local volunteer networks to keep it going and you can support it by donating generously this Sunday at Kilbegnet Church.

Meat Loaf toured Ireland, doing 21 sellout shows over 29 nights. He was down on his luck at the time, and his career had stalled a bit, but Tommy Swarbrigg took a chance in bringing him to Ireland and freely admitted it all paid off in spades.

Meat Loaf played in all kinds of venues in small country towns, including Moate, Bundoran, and Dundrum in Tipperary, but it was the part that showed Hayden’s Hotel in Ballinasloe that really hit home with me.

As part of the documentary, the crew were allowed to film in the hotel as it is now; despite being closed for a number of years and more or less in a derelict state, it was possible to recognise the old bar and dining area, and the ballroom where I attended many a wedding. When Hayden’s was in its pomp, myself and Carol would go there every New Year’s Eve to celebrate her birthday, and looking at it last week – even in its present state – brought back a load of happy memories.

In those days, the hotel would be hopping with New Year revellers and there was never a time that we wouldn’t meet someone we knew. As hotels all over the country seem to be thriving, it’s hard to understand how Hayden’s, which was such an iconic venue, came to such a sad end.

Funnily enough, Meat Loaf’s career took off again after his Irish tour, but sadly, from looking at the documentary, very few of the venues he played in – including Hayden’s – are still open.

Anyway, I have to say that I enjoyed the show, but it was sad to see such a lovely place in such a state.

Special Olympics team off to Dublin

Jacqui McCormack tells me that the Roscommon Special Olympics athletes are heading off to Dublin for the national finals on Thursday, June 18th, and we wish them all well.

The team comprises of athletes from the Roscommon Special Olympics Club, Creggs NS, Tarmon NS ,and St Michael’s School in Castlerea, and they have been training hard over the last few months, keeping their

And finally…

amazing volunteer chaperones and coaches very busy. Jacqui wishes to thank the supporters and sponsors for their continuing generosity and she hopes the athletes have a very enjoyable experience. Competitions take place from the 19th to the 21st, and it’s a great achievement to be going to Dublin and taking part in the national finals. Good luck to everyone!

I have to be honest and tell you that I don’t claim to be a hurling expert. My main hurling claim to fame is that I played in a full Roscommon junior championship run with Creggs in 1980, when we reached the county final and lost to Ballygar after a replay.

I also sat beside Limerick goalkeeper Nickie Quaid at a recent ‘do’, and judging by the two outstanding saves that he made in last Sunday’s Munster final, he must have listened to my goalkeeping tips!

I didn’t think he was paying attention when I recounted how our fullback line and goalie used to work together to keep the sliotar out of the net – a move which mainly involved our full-back (my brother, the Rasher) wrestling the full-forward to the ground, thereby leaving our goalie Gerry Galvin to have a clear sight of the incoming ball.

However, back to the Munster final: it seems to me that the Munster Championship has been blown up so much that no one can ever say a bad word about it. We are always being told that every game is an epic, despite the fact that in round five this year Cork beat Clare by 17 points and Limerick beat Tipperary by 16. And so we come to last weekend’s Munster final, and while it was exciting and came down to the wire, I thought it was a decidedly free-ridden, error-strewn game that was spoiled by an over-fussy referee.

And yet, Marty Morrissey was telling us that the Munster Championship always delivers, and that it was another epic struggle, and in today’s papers (aka Monday’s… you wouldn’t think it, but it takes a couple of days to write this stuff), they talk about a titanic battle.

Now any game that ends up being a one-point game will usually be exciting, but no one will ever convince me that Sunday’s game was as good as commentators want us to believe. At the risk of repeating myself, I think it’s all propaganda; the narrative around the Munster final is such that you can never have anything other than a memorable, outstanding encounter – but I didn’t have such a reaction to Sunday’s game!

NewsPeople

Night and Day Festival shines spotlight on Roscommon and boosts local economy

With a record 10,000 festival-goers flocking to Lough Key Forest Park, major Irish acts, local talent and visitors from outside the county, this year’s festival delivered a major cultural and economic lift for Roscommon

< EMMA HEALY

The success of the Night and Day Festival over the June bank holiday weekend has confirmed its status as a major fixture in the county’s cultural calendar, with more than 10,000 people having attended Lough Key Forest Park across three days of music, culture, family activity and lakeside atmosphere.

This year’s festival was the biggest Night and Day to date, with organiser Craig Hughes confirming that attendance was up by more than 35 per cent on last year’s figures. More than 70 per cent of those attending travelled from outside Roscommon, making the event a significant driver of inward tourism into the county.

For Boyle, Lough Key and the wider Roscommon area, the impact was felt well beyond the festival gates. Visitors stayed locally, used local accommodation, bought food and drink, supported suppliers and traders, and experienced one of the county’s most scenic tourism destinations at its liveliest.

“We were delighted with how Night and Day went this year, having welcomed more than 10,000 people to Lough Key Forest Park across all three days of the festival,” said Craig.

Feighan: Festival has ‘broken a barrier’ The setting itself was central to the success of the weekend.

Fine Gael TD and Minister of State Frank Feighan, who was instrumental in the development of Lough Key Forest Park through his role in chairing and spearheading the Lough Key Forest Park Action Group in the mid-2000s, said the festival showed how far the park had come.

He paid tribute to the promoters for choosing Lough Key and for working so well with the various stakeholders involved.

“You can see now that Night and Day festival has broken a barrier,” he said.

Minister Feighan said many of the people he met over the weekend were “pleasantly surprised” by the surroundings, the scenery and the unique setting.

“The fact that you can come by boat to a festival, Lough Key Forest Park, what it had to offer from camping and caravanning and many other aspects of it – it certainly has brought a new focus from people who probably had never been to Lough Key Forest Park or had been generations ago and just saw how it had progressed,” he said.

Reflecting on the development of the park, Minister Feighan said bringing Coillte and Roscommon County Council together had been key to unlocking investment at Lough Key.

“It was my idea actually to bring Coillte together with the council because the council couldn’t draw down funding for Lough Key Forest Park,” he said.

Feighan credited Greg O’Donnell of Roscommon County Council with showing initiative at the time, saying the local authority’s investment allowed significant grant funding to be drawn down and helped transform the park.

“This was collaboration – public-private collaboration at its best,” he said.

For the festival itself, the cultural impact is becoming as important as the economic one.

Craig Hughes said Night and Day has become the largest weekend camping music festival in the west of Ireland.

“Prior to Night and Day, people from Roscommon had to leave the county in order to attend a high-calibre music festival. Not anymore,” he said.

“We showcase the beauty of Lough Key Forest Park to a new audience who learn about the culture of the area – with

our lakeside stage renamed the Úna Bhán stage, intertwining us with the local heritage.

“We showcase both local and emerging artists, including those from Music Generation Roscommon, who get to perform at the festival each year.”

View of the artists

That balance between major names and local opportunity was reflected across the course of the festival. Roscommon artist Arlene Feeley, from Ballintubber, returned to perform at Night and Day this year and described the experience as having been “absolutely brilliant”.

Speaking to the Roscommon People, Arlene said: “It’s such a lovely festival to perform at. It’s such a homely feeling and there’s absolutely wonderful artists, big artists, so it’s a great feeling to be able to perform with them as well.”

Having performed at Electric Picnic and at a Three City Stages showcase in the 3Arena, Arlene said Night and Day gave independent artists a valuable opportunity to perform original music in their own county.

“I love how Night and Day just continuously each year supports independent artists, whether it’s wellness, whether it’s acoustic

acts, whether it’s independent artists like myself or major artists,” she said.

She said Roscommon and the west are often associated with country music, but that Night and Day also gives a stage to artists working in other genres.

“For someone like myself who produces and writes pop, indiepop kind of music, trying to get that out there, it’s different. It’s something different,” she said.

County Clare electronic artist Daithí also praised the uniqueness of the festival setting. Having returned to Night and Day several times, including with HousePlants alongside Paul Noonan, he said the festival offered something distinctive in the middle of the country.

“It’s just a great atmosphere,” he said. “It’s great to have something in the middle of the country that’s new and different.”

Daithí was particularly struck by the Moylurg Tower stage and its visual presence within the forest park.

“It’s amazing. It’s one of a kind. There’s literally nothing else like it in the country,” he said.

He recalled sharing footage of the tower stage online and people asking where in Europe it was, describing the stage and projections as having a “world class” look. “It just looks incred-

ible, one of a kind,” he enthused.

For The Saw Doctors, who headlined on the Saturday night, performing in Connacht and in Roscommon brought its own connections.

Band members Leo Moran and Pearse Doherty spoke warmly of playing in Lough Key, describing it as a beautiful place and saying it was “lovely to be doing a festival in Connacht”.

Their Roscommon links also came to the fore. Ahead of their set, the band said they were due to open with Broke My Heart, a song Leo Moran said was based on a football match in Dr Hyde Park from his schooldays in Roscommon CBS in 1981.

They also recalled Fintan Donnelly, a Roscommon man who appeared on the cover of their first album and whose son John was drummer with the band.

“We’ve more connections than you think,” they said.

Asked what they hoped audiences would take from the night, they said they hoped people would “lose all their inhibitions”, express themselves openly and enjoy the music and songs, adding that communal singing is “great for the soul”.

“It’s a brilliant thing and for people to sing along at a gig”, said Leo, “that’s where it’s at really. I think it brings you some-

where you can’t get to in everyday life.”

That idea of music as something shared across genera- tions was echoed by Fiachna Ó Braonáin of Hothouse Flowers, who described Night and Day as “such a great festival” in “a great location”.

“Just look around ourselves here – this beautiful lake, the boats, and there’s lots for kids to do and lots for grown-ups to do and some lovely food and lots of music to see,” he said. He said music remains vital, especially for young people growing up in an age of screens and social media.

“If you get a kid in front of a musical instrument and get them to learn music, I think it’s really good for you. It’s good for the brain, it’s good for the mind, and it’s good for everything,” he said.

Future plans

With demand already strong for next year, Craig Hughes said the team will now review this year’s event and identify where the festival can improve and grow.

“Demand for next year is already very strong and we hope to be able to grow the festival further while also making it the best it can possibly be. We’ll conduct our own review in the coming weeks and identify areas we can improve on and areas we can expand on.”

Night and Day Festival is fast emerging as one of the west of Ireland’s leading music calendar events – and is doing so with Roscommon firmly at its heart. The festival has brought major acts and thousands of visitors to the county, but has also drawn on the cultural and historical significance of its surroundings. The Moylurg Tower, now one of the festival’s most visually striking performance spaces, carries the name of the old kingdom of Moylurg, once ruled by the MacDermotts in north Roscommon.

The festival’s stage names also root the event in Roscommon and Connacht heritage. The Queen Medb stage nods to one of the great figures of Irish mythology, the warrior queen associated with Rathcroghan, the ancient royal site of Connacht. Meanwhile, the lakeside Úna Bhán stage links the festival to the Lough Key legend of Úna Bhán, daughter of a MacDermott chieftain of Moylurg.

Together, these touches give Night and Day a stronger sense of place by increasingly presenting Roscommon’s landscape, mythology and cultural memory as part of the festival experience itself.

If you’d like to feature an old photograph in this section, you can email it to news@roscommonpeople.ie or drop it into our office in Abbey Street, Roscommon (please include all relevant information)

‘Photographs are a way to bear witness, to keep a moment from getting lost to the relentless march of time’

‘Let Me Be Outside’ campaign

aims to

support children spending more time in the outdoors

Let Me Be Outside is the name of a new campaign, developed by Roscommon CYPSC (Roscommon Children and Young People’s Services Committee). It is aimed at supporting our children to spend much more time in the outdoors. Not only does this generation of

young children know what they want, it seems that they also know what they need to stay well and happy. Research carried out with Roscommon pre-school children through a Think, Draw and Write method, reported that children are asking to be outside more.

When asked about what they want and need to stay healthy and happy, activities like jumping in puddles, running down hills, and spending time in nature looking for spiders were all high on their list!

There is a huge and growing body of evidence that supports not only the benefits of outdoor play, but goes as far as to suggest that it is crucial for healthy development of children.

Research tells us that the experiences children have through quality outdoor play has a great influence and effect on the growth of their brain and creates strong foundations for future development in all areas of health and development.

Being outside helps to regulate our nervous system, allowing children to feel calmer and better able to connect and engage with the world around them.

Katie Glynn from Willow Preschool – Roscommon’s only outdoor preschool – comments that “Time outdoors is a necessity for young children. Fresh air, movement, and connection to nature supports every aspect of their development, and it starts with adults making space in the day to step outside together.”

Katie adds: “Children thrive outdoors. Nature invites them to explore, move, imagine, and feel

Funding boost for Roscommon Women’s Network

The Ireland Funds, the global philanthropic network, has awarded funding to the Roscommon-based nonprofit ‘Roscommon Women’s Network’ (RWN) through its Heart of the Community Fund grant round. This latest round of funding from The Ireland Funds totals $1 million and supports education initiatives that expand access to learning for people of all ages, alongside innovative programmes addressing pressing social challenges and building stronger, more resilient communities.

The grants have been made possible through the generosity of donors to The Ireland Funds America, the largest of the global chapters of The Ireland Funds, demonstrating the power of collective philanthropy to drive meaningful change across communities throughout Ireland.

Nora Fahy, Manager of Roscommon Women’s Network said, “We are absolutely delighted with the ongoing support of The Ireland Funds. It has enabled and motivated us to keep going, stay focused and grow into the social enterprise we are today with six staff employed and three freelance tutors.

“Four of the women employed in CycleUp Textiles are from the original group of women who came up with the idea way back in 2019. The retail and community space we will establish with this new funding will support the next phase of development and we are confident that it will result in the creation of sustainable jobs.”

The late Alphonsus Owens

calm all at once. As a parent or caregiver, when you make time to bring your child outside, you are not only helping them regulate emotionally, you are making a powerful impact on their cognitive development.

“Spending time in nature improves attention and concentration, helping children reset mentally and focus better. It also strengthens problem-solving and critical thinking, as children navigate uneven terrain, create games, and figure things out independently.”

This campaign seeks to promote and encourage outdoor play, through a series of posters and social media posts.

Following a recent workshop at Willow Outdoor Preschool, four of Roscommon’s Family Resource Centres (FRCs) are now eager to support this campaign and will be providing outdoor parent and toddler groups on a regular basis in the coming weeks. Please check social media for more information.

“Nature is often overlooked as a healing balm for the emotional hardships in a child’s life”

– Richard Louv, author of The Nature Principal: Reconnecting with Life in a Virtual Age

The death of Alphonsus Owens took place recently in Leicester, England. Alphonsus, or Al as he was affectionately known as, was late of Lismehy, Strokestown, and is survived by his wife Rosaleen, daughter Marie, sons Gerard, Garry and Lee, grandchildren and greatgrandchildren. He is predeceased by his parents Luke and Winnie Owens and his brother Joe. He is mourned by his brothers Raymond (Scotland), Liam (Dublin), Neil and Derek (Canada), Henry (Lismehy), and by his sisters Valerie Westernacher (Canada) and Una Murphy (Dublin).

Al was a musician all his life and played the trombone with Seamus Scott’s band in the late

1950s, before moving to England in 1959. He became a drummer with different bands in England and latterly with a country and folk band known as ‘Billy Finnegan and Stagecoach’. The band toured Europe and played many venues back in the 1970s.

Al was a man of pleasant disposition and enjoyed meeting people and having conversation. He always enjoyed his visits home to Lismehy, where he kept in touch with neighbours and cousins. Al enjoyed reading and writing the odd piece of poetry. He had a deep love of everything Irish: its culture, its music, its history and its identity.

Al’s funeral Mass was celebrated in St Mary’s Church, Carnaska on Saturday, June 6th by his cousin Fr Gerard Dolan, from Sligo. Interment of his ashes took place in Lisonuffy Cemetery. The funeral was attended by his family, friends and neighbours. After the burial, a tribute was paid to Al by his brother Henry, and a piper played an Irish lament at the graveside.

Planning exemption bid for Roscommon

Town IPAS accommodation dismissed

The national planning body has dismissed a referral relating to the proposed change of use of the former office building at Academy House, Ballypheasan, Roscommon Town to temporary accommodation for people seeking international protection.

The decision, signed on May 29, means Roscommon County Council’s earlier declaration stands: the proposed change of use is development and is not exempted development.

The case centred on whether the proposal could avail of a Class 20F exemption, a planning provision which allows the temporary use of certain buildings for the accommodation of displaced persons or people seeking international protection, subject to conditions and limitations.

Noel Whelan had requested a fresh declaration from Roscommon County Council. The Council issued a declaration on March 19, 2025, again stating that the proposed change of use was development and was not exempted development. Mr Whelan then referred that declaration for review to An Coimisiún Pleanála on April 14, 2025.

The Commission found that the facts presented in the latest referral were not materially different from those previously presented to Roscommon County Council.

While the inspector considered that additional documentation submitted with the latest referral amounted to a material change in the planning facts, the Commission did not accept that the documentation was detailed enough to substantially change the plan-

Sheehy Meares Team Earley confirm sale of attractive four-bedroomed bungalow

Keith McLoughlin of Sheehy Meares Team Earley is delighted to confirm the sale of a four-bedroomed bungalow at Aghawerriny, Curraghroe, County Roscommon, following a strong level of interest from the market.

This attractive four-bedroomed, detached bungalow generated significant enquiry from the outset, attracting prospective buyers from both the local area and further afield. Situated on a mature site extending to approximately 0.24 hectares, the property offered the perfect combination of countryside living, spacious accommodation, and con-

venient access to nearby towns and amenities.

Keith commented that the level of interest received demonstrates the continued demand for detached family homes throughout County Roscommon, particularly properties offering generous accommodation, mature grounds, and a convenient location close to schools and local services.

Several disappointed underbidders remain actively seeking similar properties in the area. Sheehy Meares Team Earley would like to advise that they are urgently seeking similar detached houses/ bungalows

in the Curraghroe, Lanesborough, Strokestown and Roscommon areas for said underbidders.

Sheehy Meares Team Earley extend their congratulations and best wishes to both the vendors and purchasers on the successful completion of the sale.

For further details or to book a free pre-sales valuation, please contact Sheehy Meares Team Earley (Stonecourt, Roscommon) on 090 6626579, email info@sheehymeares.ie, visit sheehymeares. ie, or contact auctioneer Keith McLoughlin directly on 086 0848590.

ning facts or circumstances since the earlier Council declaration.

The Commission therefore concluded that the referral should not be considered further, having regard to the previous valid declaration by Roscommon County Council on the matter.

The property was previously used as office accommodation. The floor area is given in the report as 255 square metres.

Documentation submitted on behalf of the referrer stated that the maximum number of residents would be 17, based on room sizes. The inspector also noted from the site assessment that there were approximately eight bedrooms within the property.

Submissions made on behalf of the referrer stated that the primary pedestrian access would be onto Chapel Lane, that there would be a duty manager and 24/7 security at the property, that residents would sign in and out, and that CCTV would be fitted throughout the building.

However, Roscommon County Council’s planning report raised concerns about the proposed occupation of 17 people, the potential overdevelopment of the site, traffic volumes, parking requirements and the location of the property close to Goff Street, Main Street, Church Street and Chapel Lane.

The Council’s Roads Department stated that the submitted report did not indicate the level of daily vehicular movements or traffic and parking requirements associated with the proposal, making it difficult to assess traffic impact.

The planning report stated that, given the proposed occupancy and intensification of use, a full Transport and Traffic Assessment would be appropriate to evaluate the implications for the local road network and traffic conditions.

Observers also raised concerns during the process around consultation, traffic, parking, pressure on local services, public safety, town centre impact, local business activity and the suitability of the building and location.

The inspector’s report said the purpose of the referral was not to determine the acceptability of the use in terms of proper planning and sustainable development, but to decide whether the change of use was development and whether it was exempted development.

In the inspector’s assessment, the change from office use to residential accommodation for international protection applicants constituted development. The inspector also concluded that, based on the information on file, there was no evidence that the change of use was by or on behalf of the relevant Minister in a way that would bring it within the scope of Class 20F.

The inspector further stated that, in any event, it had not been satisfactorily demonstrated that the proposal would not endanger public safety by reason of traffic hazard or obstruction of road users.

The Commission’s final order means the Council’s earlier decision remains in place. The ruling is the latest development in a proposal which had already attracted significant public attention in Roscommon Town.

Killeroran, Ballygar, F42 EA33 3 Bed. Bungalow Residence with Garage

This delightful three -bedroom bungalow c. 82 sq. mts. stands on c. 0.23 ha. It has a nice rural l ocation just a short drive from all amenities in Ballygar. BER D1. Accommodation comprises entrance hall, livingroom with open f ireplace, kitchen/dining with solid fuel stove, 3 bedrooms and a bathroom. There is a garage/shed c. 42 sq. mts. It has public water supply, septic tank and dual central heating. This is an excellent opportunity to purchase a retirement/family home. Inspection recommended. Viewing by appointment

Further details from the auctioneer David Moran , MSCSI MRICS

SHEEHY MEARES

Team Earley

LOCAL KNOWLEDGE. WIDER REACH. TRUSTED RESULTS.

Professional Property Services Across Roscommon and Beyond

At Sheehy Meares Team Earley, we are proud to continue supporting property owners across Roscommon and the wider region with professional residential, commercial and land sales together with valuations and property advice

Our experienced team combines strong local market knowledge with modern marketing strategies including aerial photography, virtual tour technology and extensive online exposure to help our clients achieve the best possible results

With offices and support teams across Ballinasloe, Roscommon, Athlone, Galway and Dublin, we offer both local expertise and wider market reach while maintaining a personal and professional approach throughout every transaction

Whether you are considering selling, require a valuation, or simply want confidential advice regarding your property in 2026, our team is always happy to have a conversation

Strong demand continues for:

Properties currently required in the Roscommon area.

ENTERTAINMENT Culture&ARTS

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

Members of Roscommon Solstice Choir on stage during their performing of their new show, ‘Songs That Built A Nation’, in Roscommon Arts Centre last Friday night (one of their three sell-out performances last weekend). See review on page 9.

ENTERTAINMENT Culture&ARTS

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

Roscommon Solstice Choir present ‘Songs That Built A Nation’

Where? Roscommon Arts Centre

When? Friday, June 5

FarmingPeople

ICSA frustration over factory prices

ICSA Beef chair Sean Sherman has said the “continued collapse” in factory quotes defies all logic when Ireland is experiencing the sharpest fall in beef production anywhere in Europe.

“Factory quotes have fallen by 80c/kg or more since January and many finishers are now facing significant losses on cattle bought last autumn. What farmers cannot understand is how prices can be falling so sharply when everyone agrees there are fewer cattle available,” he said.

Mr Sherman was commenting on RaboResearch’s latest Global Beef Quarterly which showed that as beef supplies across Europe continue to tighten Irish beef production recorded the sharpest decline in the EU, down 14% on last year.

Continuing, Mr Sherman said: “At a recent Food Vision 2030 review meeting, Teagasc highlighted declining beef production and stressed that profitability will be critical if Ireland is to maintain its suckler herd and future

SHEEP SALE EVERY THURSDAY Thursday 11th June at 7.00 pm

Mobile: 086 839 2568 Email: drumshanbomart@gmail.com www.drumshanbomart.ie

•

beef output. At the same time, Meat Industry Ireland has acknowledged that cattle throughput is down almost 19% this year.

“Farmers have been saying for months that supply is tightening. Now Teagasc, industry analysts and the processors themselves are all saying exactly the same thing. The question farmers are asking is very simple: if there are fewer cattle available, why are factories continuing to cut prices week after week?”

Roscommon MART WATCH

Cattle: There was a good entry of stock on o er at the sale held on Friday, June 5th, with a strong trade for both heifers and stripper cows. There was a large attendance of customers at the ringside, with online bidders also very active.

Heifers achieved an average of €4.19 per kilo up to €5.37 per kilo. There was a good entry of dry cows, and they made an average of €3.18 per kilo up to €3.51 per kilo.

Dry cows, sample prices: AUX – 740KG€2350 - €3.18 per kg, AU – 650KG - €2280 - €3.51 per kg, LMX - 650KG - €2230 - €3.43 per kg, AAX - 720KG - €2050 - €2.85 per kg, and CHX - 650KG - €19500 - €3.00 per kg.

Heifers, sample prices: CHX - 380KG - €2040 - €5.37 per kg, LMX –660KG - €2760 - €4.18 per kg, CH – 665KG - €2480 - €3.98 per kg, BBX - 590KG - €2250 - €3.81 per kg, SHX –620KG - €2200 - €3.55 per kg, BAX – 560KG - €2100 - €3.75 per kg, and SIX – 520KG€2060 - €3.96 per kg.

Organic cattle: There was a super entry of stock on o er at the organic cattle sale held on Saturday, June 6th, with a strong trade for all cattle. There was a great attendance of customers at the ringside, with online bidders also active.

Bullocks ranged from an average of €4.46 per kilo up to €6.88 per kilo, and weanling bulls ranged from an average of €5.98 per kilo up to €8.41 per kilo. Heifers ranged from an average of €5.28 per kilo up to €6.85 per kilo, and weanling heifers ranged from an average of €6.35 per kilo up to €8.67 per kilo.

There were smaller numbers of stock presented for sale on June 4th. Over 250 lots were presented for sale, with a good clearance taking place despite the downward trend on forward cattle.

Store cattle still remained a good trade, with good demand for quality stores on o er. Dry cows made up to €2980, cows with calves at foot made up to €4250, and store bullocks made up to €5.36 a kilo, with heifers topping out at €4.38 a kilo. The weanling rings had bulls hitting €5.59 a kilo, while the heifer weanlings hit €5.95 a kilo. The calf ring, with good numbers on o er, witnessed a great clearance, with lots making up to €880.

Bullocks, sample prices: Lm 395kgs €2120, LM 395kgs €2110, AA 525kgs €1700, AA 385kgs €1370, Lm 470kgs €2020, and AA 425kgs €1430.

Heifers, sample prices: Lmx 385kgs €1690,

Bullocks, sample prices: LMX -285KG€1960 - €6.88 per kg, AUX - 375KG - €1960€5.23 per kg, AAX - 640KG - €2640 - €4.13 per kg, SAX – 305KG - €1930 - €6.33 per kg, and LMX - 560KG - €2440 - €4.36 per kg.

Weanling bulls, sample prices: LMX - 145KG - €1220 - €8.41 per kg, LMX – 210KG - €1330 - €6.33 per kg, and LMX – 170KG - €1330 –€6.65 per kg.

Heifers, sample prices: AAX - 260KG - €1780 - €6.85 per kg, CHX – 390KG - €2440 - €6.26 per kg, LMX - 365KG - €2100 - €5.75 per kg, SH -485KG - €2170 - €4.97 per kg, and CHX –430KG - €2140 - €4.98 per kg.

Weanling heifers, sample prices: LMX - 270KG - €2340 - €8.67 per kg, and AAX440KG - €2320 - €5.27 per kg.

Sheep: There was a super entry of sheep on o er at the sale held on Wednesday, June 3rd. Spring lambs made up to €215 and hoggets made up to €270, while stag ewes topped out at €236.

Sheep sales continue on Wednesdays at Roscommon Mart. The yard opens at 8 am, and all stock must be penned by 10 am. Please note all sheep must be tagged with a full yellow EID tag set. The sale can be viewed live on marteye.ie.

Spring lambs, sample prices: 63kgs - €215 - €3.41 per kg, 58kgs - €215 - €2.71 per kg, 60kgs - €214 - €3.57 per kg, 52.1Kgs - €210 - €4.03 per kg, and 54Kgs - €210 – €3.89 per kg.

Hoggets, sample prices: 74kgs - €270€3.65 per kg, 81kgs - €202 - €2.49 per kg, 66.4kgs - €195 - €2.94 per kg, 85kgs - €180 - €2.12 per kg, and 61kgs - €164 - €2.69 per kg.

Lm 470kgs €1800, AA 440kgs €1670, Hex 465kgs €1630, Lm 500kgs €1890, Hex 535kgs €1760, and AAX 510kgs €1630.

Dry cows, sample prices: Ch 855kgs €2980, Ch 795kgs €2840, Ch 690kgs €2420, Ch 660kgs €2200, Lm 705kgs €2260, and AA 725kgs €2220.

Weanling bulls, sample prices: AAx 270kgs €1510, Ch 275kgs €1440, Lm 220kgs €1230, AA 240kgs €1180, Ch 340kgs €1670, and AA 335kgs €1550.

Weanling heifers, sample prices: Ch 290kgs €1600, Lm 220kgs €1310, Bbx 225kgs €1230, BBx 188kgs €1160, Lm 315kgs €1740, Ch 300kgs €1550, Ch 300kgs €1510, and Lm 405kgs €1900.

Sales continue at Castlerea Mart on Thursdays, with weekly sales of bullocks, heifers, cows, calves, runners and weanlings. All sales commence at 11 am. ENQUIRIES 090 6626352

Ballinasloe hosting Teagasc National Sheep Conference 2026

The new-look Teagasc National Sheep Conference will take place this year on Thursday, June 18th in Ballinasloe, County Galway.

In a change to the format from previous years, the conference will be divided into two sessions, blending indoor conference presentations with outdoor practical workshops.

The conference will begin at 3 pm and run until 9 pm with food and refreshments provided between the two sessions. All are welcome to attend.

The first session will take place in the Shearwater Hotel, Ballinasloe, County Galway from 3 pm to 5 pm, with four exciting papers on topics of significant interest to the sheep sector presently.

The first talk of the afternoon is on Bluetongue and other exotic diseases of sheep and will be delivered by Dr Avril Hobson, Senior Superintending Veterinary Inspector with the Department of Agriculture Food and the Marine (DAFM).

The second talk will also focus on flock health with Jake Delaney, Teagasc Walsh Scholar, discussing lameness in sheep flocks, specifically the causes, management approaches and production ef-

Former Head of EU Food Safety agrees with Mullooly on traceability

The former chairman of the European Food Safety Authority Mr Patrick Wall has publicly backed a claim by Independent Ireland MEP Ciaran Mullooly that it is now neither safe nor technically possible for Brazilian beef to be restored onto a list of safe countries for exporting beef into Ireland and the EU from September 3rd next.

Mr Wall has said he will accept an invitation from the Independent Ireland MEP to go to Brussels to meet officials and give further information on the issue in the coming weeks.

Mr Wall, who is former chief executive of the Food Safety Authority of Ireland, met with the Midlands-North-West MEP and with Deputy Michael Fitzmaurice over the weekend and said afterwards the Brazilian authorities could not meet the deadline set to deal with concerns over the use of microbials and illegal growth promoters set out by the European Commission.

“So now they have three months to get their act together and it’s not possible,” Mr Wall said.

“Because the animals being killed in September will be two years old in September when they’re being killed, and you can’t go back two years and retrospectively get traceability. So they might start in September going forward but they won’t be able to go back two years so it won’t be possible.

“We cannot compromise on food safety standards or consumer trust. Serious concerns remain regarding traceability, antimicrobials and illegal growth promoters and those concerns must be fully addressed before any consideration is given to lifting this ban.”

After the meeting, MEP Mullooly wrote to Olivér Várhelyi, EU Commissioner for Health and Animal Welfare – asking him to ensure the ban now stays in place in Brazilian beef entering Ireland and Europe.

Roscommon-Galway TD Michael Fitzmaurice has now called on the Irish Government to raise Dr Wall’s statement at the highest possible level in the European Commission.

fects associated with infectious lameness conditions.

Labour is regularly cited as an issue on sheep farms, and the third talk of the afternoon will be from Damian Costello, Teagasc Sheep Specialist, discussing results from a recent survey he carried out examining labour practices on Irish sheep farms. Finally, the first session will conclude with Darren Carty from the Irish Farmers Journal discussing the outlook for markets, DAFM schemes and the new CAP.

Immediately following this

session, the conference will move to the farm of John Galvin, Coolfree, Taughmaconnell, County Roscommon. From 5.30 pm there will be food and refreshments provided to attendees (which is kindly being sponsored by Kepak). There will also be a poster session from 5.30 pm to 6.30 pm, highlighting current Teagasc sheep research, and attendees will have a chance to interact with the staff working on the various projects.

Following this, the second session will commence at 7 pm.

This session will be interactive workshops on four highly relevant topics at this time of year for all sheep farmers, namely: grassland management, lameness control, internal parasite control, and flock breeding. Attendees will have the opportunity to attend all four workshops in the session over the course of the evening, and it is hoped there will be plenty of discussion amongst attendees and presenters at each of the workshops. The event will conclude at 9 pm.

Michael Gottstein, Head of Teagasc Sheep Knowledge Programme said: “We are encouraging all people who are involved or have an interest in the sheep industry to attend what promises to be an informative and highly practical event. This is a new format for us in Teagasc, and we hope that attendees will find the new format informative and interesting.”

All are welcome to attend. No prior booking is required and there is no charge to attend this event.

Classifieds

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

FENCING/GATES

to all makes & models (LED Lights, Brakes, Re-Wiring, etc.) Call TrailerFix on 086 4041875 Rooskey, Co. Roscommon www.trailerfix.ie

• Certi ed Arborists

Tree Surgery

Dangerous Tree Removal

Wood Chipping

ROOFING CONTACTORS

REPAIRS

• All leaks, gutters, ridge pointing and valleys of homes

• Cleaning and painting roofs

• 10% discount with this advertisement.

• Fully insured and work guaranteed for 5 years Contact Mike 089 9661849.

Leylandii hedges reduced and shaped Comprehensive Insurance Cover. I.S.A. member. Tel: 086 6077307 or 086 8125165 www.parklaw treeservices.com

PODIATRIST

Tullys

Podiatrist/ Chiropodist

FLEMING

CB.Sc (Hons) Podiatry MScPI

Sarah will be in Tullys

Pharmacy, Castlerea on Monday and Friday and Boyle Totalhealth Pharmacy on Tuesdays.

●

AREAS WE COVER: • Gardening • Landscaping

• Carpentry • Patios • Fencing/ Post & Rail/ Laminate Floors • Power Washing • Concreting

(HONS.) PODIATRY MCHSI, RGN • Dept. of Health Approved • CORU Registered For all aspects of footcare in Roscommon, Castlerea & Boyle For appointment phone: 086 8630008 E.: itabetts@gmail.com

FOOT CLINIC ROSCOMMON

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

Chiropody treatment and all aspects of Foot Pain. Orthotics prescribed By Appointment Only –Dylan Byrne DIP CHFP Tel: 089 2551716 or Catriona Byrne DIP CHFP Tel: 087 2982214 PODIATRIST CAREER COACHING

Career Coach and Consultant

Specialising in Confidence Building

 CONFIDENCE BUILDING

 INTERVIEW MASTERING

 CV AND APPLICATIONS

 CHANGING CAREER

Tel: 086 8229606

Email: cburkecoaching@gmail.com

Web: www.carolineburke.ie

WINDOWS AND DOORS

HANLEY WINDOWS AND DOORS LTD

S.E.A.I. APPROVED

• Full Retrofit Service

• Composite, PVC, Patio, French Doors

• PVC Windows in a wide range of styles & colours.

• Replacement Hinges, Handles, Locks, Restrictors, Double & Trible Glazed Units

• All Repairs and Service Work Carried Out Contact Pat: 086 600 2721 or Email: pjmhanley@gmail.com

GARDENING

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

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

DIGGER: Foundations, Land Drainage, Ditch and Hedge removal

STEEL: Sheds, Gates, Cattle Crushes and Pens, all Welding repairs available

OLD HOUSE RENOVATIONS: All house renovations covered C2 Registered & Insured. FREE QUOTATIONS

FAMILY NOTICES

HAGAN

Jerry

Drinagh, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon (5th Anniversary)

Who died on the 19th June 2021

It seems to me the day you left the sun forgot to shine. Because it feels as though the lights gone out within this heart of mine.

My body feels so broken because we had to say goodbye.

And my tears they fall like raindrops everytime I cry.

The pain that I am feeling is like a storm inside my heart, and it only grows much stronger every day that we’re apart.

It’s hard to see the future and to make it through the day, but I know you will be with me and will help to light my way. When the light goes out for me I know what I shall do I’ll close my eyes one final time, and I will be with you.

Loving remembered and Deeply missed by your heartbroken mother, father, sisters, brothers, nieces and nephews.

Jerry’s 5th Anniversary Mass will be held in St. Cecilia’s Church, Curraghroe on Sunday 21st June at 10am.

MADDEN

Benny

Camogue, Elphin

In loving memory of our devoted Daddy Benny, who left us on the 15th June 2008.

(18th Anniversary)

Eighteen years have come and gone, Eighteen years since we last heard your song.

Our darling Daddy, you were our “one”, Our shining light, our guiding Sun.

To lose you so suddenly on Father’s Day, A pain and an emptiness that has never gone away, For you were our everything under the Sun, Our hero, our guide, our treasured one. You were always the measure of what a father should be, But you’ll always be Daddy to Derek and me –Loved and missed for eternity.

Love and miss you always Daddy, Donna, Derek and all your grandchildren. xxx

DONNELLY

KELLY Peggy

Roscommon

Fr. Michael Rahara,

The family of the late Fr. Michael Donnelly, Rahara, wish to express their sincere and heartfelt thanks to everyone who supported them on their recent bereavement.

We are deeply grateful to our relatives, friends, neighbours, parishioners and all who attended the Funeral Home and Funeral Mass, sent Mass cards, messages of sympathy and owers, and o ered comfort and support during this di cult time.

A special word of thanks to the wonderful, caring and compassionate sta of Midlands Regional Hospital, Tullamore, Galway Clinic, Roscommon University Hospital and Roscommon Hospice, whose professionalism, dedication and care of Fr. Michael were greatly appreciated by both him and our family.

The family wish to express their sincere gratitude to Dr. Tom Donegan, Fr. Michael’s GP. His concern for Fr. Michael’s wellbeing and the support he provided over the years was very much appreciated. We also thank David Hynes, Pharmacist, and his sta for their kindness, professionalism and assistance.

We wish to express our sincere appreciation to Donie Hamrock, Undertaker, for his guidance throughout the funeral arrangements. His attention to detail and support were a great comfort to our family.

A heartfelt thank you to Mrs. Aoife McGowan, Principal of Rahara National School, for kindly granting permission to use the school facilities and for ensuring everything was prepared and ready for the refreshments after the Funeral Mass.

We would also like to sincerely thank our wonderful neighbours, Phil Murray O’Brien, Mary O’Meara, Bernie Fallon, Ellen Kenny and Roisin Kenny, who generously gave of their time to prepare, serve and organise the refreshments. Their hard work and hospitality created a warm and welcoming atmosphere for family, friends and visitors.

The family would also like to express their sincere thanks to the members of the local community who assisted with tra c management and parking arrangements on the day of the Funeral. Their willingness to give of their time and ensure that everything ran smoothly was greatly appreciated.

We also extend our gratitude to the local community and members of the local GAA club who formed a guard of honour for Fr. Michael. This moving gesture was a tting tribute to a priest who loved his community and provided a memorable farewell as he departed for Rathcormac.

We extend our heartfelt thanks to Aileen O’Connor and to Fr. Michael’s grandniece, Olivia Bliss, for their beautiful singing and music during the Funeral Mass. Their contribution added greatly to the dignity and prayerfulness of the liturgy.

We wish to express our sincere gratitude to Fr. Ray Milton for celebrating a beautiful Mass and Service of Farewell. We are especially grateful for his friendship, kindness and unwavering support to Fr. Michael and our family, particularly during his nal years. His thoughtful words, prayers and pastoral care were a great source of comfort.

The family also wish to express their sincere gratitude to the many members of the clergy who attended Fr. Michael’s Mass. Their presence was a great comfort to the family and a testament to the respect, friendship and esteem in which Fr. Michael was held by his brother priests.

We also express our sincere gratitude to Fr. Sean Beirne for his faithful support to Fr. Michael during his time in hospital.

The family would also like to thank Deacon Willie Gacquin for the beautiful tribute he paid to Fr. Michael. His thoughtful re ections captured Fr. Michael’s deep connection to his home place, his faith and his lifelong commitment to serving others. The family were especially grateful that Willie travelled to be present at the Funeral Mass in Sligo. Fr. Michael’s ministry to the Sisters in Dún Mhuire, Athlone, was a genuine source of joy and ful llment. Following his passing, the family were deeply touched by the presence of so many Sisters of Mercy at the Funeral Home and Funeral Mass. It was a great consolation to witness the a ection and esteem in which he was held by the community he had served so faithfully.

We would also like to extend our heartfelt thanks to Fr. Michael’s many friends throughout the local area for their friendship and companionship over the years, especially during his retirement. The many visits, conversations, invitations and cups of co ee shared meant so much to him and enriched his daily life.

We wish to acknowledge and thank everyone who contributed in any way to Fr. Michael’s fFuneral and farewell. To those who participated in the liturgy, travelled long distances, or quietly helped behind the scenes, your generosity and support were deeply appreciated and will always be remembered by our family. As it would be impossible to thank everyone individually, please accept this acknowledgement as a token of our sincere appreciation.

Fr. Michael’s Month’s Mind Mass will be celebrated on Sunday, 14th June, at 10.00am in the Church of Mary Immaculate, Rahara. May his gentle soul rest in peace.

The Walk, Roscommon (11th Anniversary)

Who passed away on 13th June, 2015

Your memories are so precious, your presence missed so much. You will always be remembered and missed by all of us. Our thoughts are always with you in a very special way, not just on your Anniversary but every single day. You always had a smile to share, a laugh, a joke and time to care.

A kindly nature warm and true many lovely memories we have of you. Always remembered and forever loved by your husband Adrian and sons Enda and Seamus; your daughter-in-law Gillian and your granddaughter Margaret.

Anniversary Mass in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on Saturday, 13th June at 10 am.

COSTELLO (Nee Mulvee) Bridie

Chapel Street, Elphin, Co. Roscommon (1st Anniversary)

In memory of Bridie who died on the 12th day of June 2025.

You always had a smile to share, a laugh, a joke and time to care. A wonderful nature, warm and true, these are the memories we have of you. Forever in our thoughts and prayers, sadly missed by Padraig, Olivia, Brendan, Lenore, grandchildren (Cillian, Alisha, Fionn, Aoibheann, Nóra), brothers (Tom & Pat), sister (Kathleen), extended family, neighbours and friends.

Anniversary Mass on Sunday, 14th June at 11.30am in St Patrick’s Church, Elphin.

Mag FHLOINN Seosamh

(Joe Glynn)

Corbally, Donamon, Co. Roscommon (13th Anniversary)

In loving memory of a dear husband, father and grandfather who passed away on 9th June 2013 Silent memories keep you near, as time unfolds another year. We miss your smile, your joking ways, we miss the things, you used to do and say. And when old times, we do recall it’s then we miss you most of all.

Sadly missed by his loving wife Eibhlín and family.

Anniversary Mass in Clooneycolgan Church on Sunday, 14th June at 9.30am.

www.brianmuraystone.com

SHIELDS

Stephen

Lisnageera, Ballymoe

In loving memory of Stephen who passed away on 9th June 2024. (2nd Anniversary)

Sadly missed along life’s way, quietly remembered every day. No longer in our lives to share, but in our hearts you are always there. May the winds of heaven blow softly, and whisper in your ear. How much we love and miss you, and wish you were here. Deeply loved, sadly missed and always remembered by Eugene, Margaret, Johnny, Carmel, Des, Teresa & Families. Anniversary Mass on Saturday June 13th at 7.00 pm in St Croans Church, Ballymoe.

CONNAUGHTON

Andrew (Andy)

Sandfield, Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon In loving memory of Andy who passed away on 12th June 2024.

(2nd Anniversary)

Sadly missed along life’s way, Quietly remembered every day, No longer in our life to share, But in our hearts he’s always there. Loving remembered by his sons, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, brother, sisters, extended family and friends.

Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s Church, Knockcroghery on Saturday, 13th June at 7pm.

FAMILY NOTICES

DOWD

Tommie

Ballybane, Galway

Formerly Aughagad, Castlecoote, Co. Roscommon

In loving memory of Tommie who died on the 8th June 2017 (9th Anniversary)

We think about you always and talk about you too.

We have such precious memories but we wish we still had you. Those special years will not return, when we were all together.

But the memories that are in our hearts will stay with us forever.

Forever loved and deeply missed by your sisters Mary and Margaret, brother Michael, brothers in-law, sister in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnephews & grandniece.

GUNNING

John

Oran, Donamon, Co. Roscommon (20th Anniversary)

In loving memory of John, who passed away on the 15th June, 2006

R.I.P.

Gone from our sight, but never from our hearts.

Twenty years has passed without you, but your presence is still so deeply felt.

Lovingly remembered by his family.

Anniversary Mass on Saturday, June 13th at 7pm in Cloverhill Church.

LOHAN

Jack & Teresa

Caggle, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon (32nd & 12th Anniversary)

Treasured memories of our loving parents, Jack who passed away on 3rd February 1994 and Teresa who passed away on 16th June 2014 R.I.P.

Don’t think of them as gone away, their journey’s just begun. Life holds so many phases, this Earth is only one.

Just think of them as resting, from the sorrows and the tears, in a place of warmth and comfort where there are no days and years.

Think how they must be wishing that we could know today, how nothing but our sadness, can really pass away.

And think of them as living in the hearts of those they touched, for nothing loved is ever lost, and they were loved so much.

Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by their loving family.

Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in Four Mile House Church on Sunday, 14th June at 11am.

THANKSGIVINGS

THE MIRACLE PRAYER

Dear Heart of Jesus, in the past I have asked you for many favours. This time I ask this special one. (mention it). Take it Dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it. Then in his merciful eyes it will become your own favour, not mine. Amen. Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted, encourage devotion to St. Jude. Say 1 Our Father, 1 Hail Mary, 3 Glory Be. K.McL.

FINNERAN

Joe

Lisgobbin, Roscommon

Who passed away on 15th June 2021 (5th Anniversary)

Joe, remembering you is easy, we do it every day. Missing you is heartbreak that never goes away, you are missed and will never be forgotten.

Sadly missed by Maureen, Olivia, Trevor, Shauna and Niall and your beloved grandchildren Niall, Emma, Abbie and Danny.

Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in Our Lady of Lourdes Church, Derrane on Saturday, 13th June at 7pm.

DAVIS

John

Co. Roscommon

In loving memory of John who passed away on 4th June 2023 (3rd Anniversary)

Our Hearts are full of memories, with pride we speak your name, although life goes on without you, it will never be the same. Those special days will never return when we were all together, but with love and memories in our hearts, you will walk with us forever.

PLANNING NOTICES/LEGAL NOTICES

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Miriam O’Connor, intend to apply for permission for development at Grevisk Lodge, Grevisk, Boyle, Co Roscommon, F52 NY07. The development will consist of: (1) demolition of existing side attached garage, (2) extension to front, sides & rear of dwelling, (3) internal alterations throughout dwelling, (4) loft conversion (5) new attached garage & store, (6) alterations to roadside wall and (7) all ancillary site works. The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the o ces of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the Planning Authority in making a decision on the application. The Planning Authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Miriam O’Connor c/o Donal McPhillips Architecture, 133 Main St., Derrylin, Co. Fermanagh. Tel: 048 677 41813 www.mcphillipsarchitecture.com

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

We, Cathal & Jacinta Beattie intend to apply to Roscommon County Council For A: Retention planning permission for: Retention of dwelling house, covered patio area, domestic garage/shed, treatment system & percolation area on revised site boundaries, and B: Planning permission for: Proposed extension to existing covered patio area & proposed conversion to den/ sun lounge and associated works at Ballagh, Rahara, Co. Roscommon, F42 F985. The Planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the o ces of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, €20, within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Signed: Stephen Blake, M.R.I.A.I., Registered Architect Trihill, Ballinamore Bridge, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway 090 6624681 / 087 635 8949 / stephen@sbarchitect.ie

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

Padraig Killian intends to apply for Permission to construct a four bay slatted cattle shed on his lands at Lisco ey (Kelly), Four Roads, Co. Roscommon.

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

Signed: Padraig Killian

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

We Paul & Alice Kelly intend to Apply to Roscommon County Council for Planning Permission to demolish front porch and extension to rear of our Dwelling House and to erect new front porch and extension to the rear of our Dwelling House and all associated works, At Carrownagullagh, (Boar eld) Strokestown, Co. Roscommon. The Planning Application May Be Inspected Or Purchased At A Fee Not Exceeding The Reasonable Cost Of Making A Copy, At The O ces Of The Planning Authority During Its Public Opening Hours. A Submission Or Observation In Relation To The Application May Be Made In Writing To The Planning Authority On Payment Of The Prescribed Fee Of €20.00. ,Within A 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 Subject To or Without Conditions, or May Refuse To Grant Permission.

Signed: Paul & Alice Kelly

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL

I, Hugh Cunni e intend to apply to Roscommon County Council for retention planning permission for retention and completion of works to existing dwelling house including:

A: Rear extension, B: Velux windows to front elevation, C: Proposed window to side elevation, D: Proposed door to rear elevation, E: Proposed decommissioning of existing septic tank & percolation area and replacement with proposed proprietary wastewater treatment system & percolation area and associated works at Cloon nlough, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon, F42HX71.

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

Signed: Stephen Blake, M.R.I.A.I., Registered Architect Trihill, Ballinamore Bridge, Ballinasloe, Co. Galway 090 6624681 / 087 635 8949 / stephen@sbarchitect.ie

Public Notice

Notice is hereby placed upon the public record; by the living being with the calling Nicolaas-Jurie of the family Jonker; concerning a parcel of land situated within the locality commonly known as “Arigna”; within the administrative area commonly known as “Roscommon”; within the land commonly known as Ériu (Ireland); lying in proximity to the place commonly known as:

Lower rover; Arigna;

[commonly identi ed for postal purposes by Eircode: N41 E8X5];

[commonly identi ed for land registration purposes by Folio number: RN26492];

The parcel of land referenced herein has been de ned and demarcated by boundary markers placed upon the land and by corresponding geographic coordinates recorded within the public record referenced herein;

Public notice is therefore given that any man or woman asserting claim or interest concerning the land referenced herein may communicate such claim in writing to the mailing location for service recorded within the public record referenced herein;

Will those who think of John today, a little prayer to Jesus say. Always loved and sadly missed by his wife Peggy, sons Gerry & John, daughters Marie & Carmel, daughters in law Carol & Ann, sons in law Paul & Eoghan and his grandchildren Shane, James, Cathal, Lauren, Rian, Niamh and Jack.

John’s 3rd Anniversary Mass will be celebrated in St Marys Church, Ballygar on Friday, 12th June at 7.30pm.

Any such communication must be made within twenty-eight days from the date of the rst publication of this notice; Absent communication within that period; the record placed concerning the land referenced herein shall stand unrebutted upon the public record;

Record reference: RL697980485IE;

RosFM to host National Community Radio Day

Big celebration on June 19

This year’s annual National Community Radio Day will be broadcast from the studios of RosFM in Roscommon Town on Friday, June 19th.

This special broadcast will double as a celebration of the Roscommon community station recently being granted a new 10-year licence.

There will be various special programmes on the day, with the broadcast being shared on all 21 community radio stations around the country (between 9 am and 4 pm). National Community Radio Day aims to highlight the community radio service throughout the country.

At 12.30 pm on the day, Martina Earley, CEO of Roscommon LEADER Partnership, Bernie Kearney (Chairperson, RosFM), Station Manager David Creighton, RosFM volunteers and guests will formally acknowledge and celebrate the granting of the station’s 10-year licence, confirmed by Coimisiún na Meán last December. A fundraising initiative will also be announced.

Local groups benefit from AIB and FoodCloud link-up

According to the latest figures just released, Roscommon community and charity groups have benefitted considerably as a result of the partnership between AIB and FoodCloud, with surplus food being redistributed through various local initiatives and support services across the county.

The latest efforts centre around the AIB FoodCloud Community Meals Programme which is helping more and more local groups to turn surplus food into nutritious, freshly prepared meals from rescued ingredients.

Since the overall partnership started back in 2018, 197,949 kgs of food has been redistributed to support services in Roscommon, which amounts to the equivalent of 471,309 meals.

Bernie Kearney says that it will be a big occasion for the station.

“We are delighted that we have secured the licence to provide a community radio service in the Roscommon Town area for the next 10 years. A lot of people put a lot of hard work into the application and thankfully it has been successful.

“The station is mainly run by volunteers and we are so thankful to the effort they put in on an ongoing basis. We are inviting members of the public along on the day (June 19th).

“It is a great honour for us to be hosting the National Community Radio Day this year. It will be a chance to highlight all the great work that is being done at the station since we opened 22 years ago and indeed at all the other stations around the country” he concluded.

RosFM has been broadcasting in the Roscommon Town area since 2004. The studios are located at The Cube building on the Lanesborough Road. The manager of the station is David Creighton. There are upwards of 30 volunteers working at the station which broadcasts on 94.6 FM from Monday to Friday (9 am to 7 pm).

The National Community Radio Day is organised by CRAOL (Community Radio Forum of Ireland) which is the umbrella organisation that represents community radio stations nationwide.

Joe Finnegan Show featuring Tina Dolan nominated for Justice Media Award

Amongst the local media entities nominated for national awards at today’s Justice Media Awards (June 11th) were the Roscommon People and Roscommon Herald (as previously reported). Also nominated was the Joe Finnegan Show featuring Tina Dolan.

The objective of the Justice Media Awards is to give recognition to outstanding published works or broadcasts which contribute to a greater public understanding of the law, the legal system and specific legal issues.

A record-breaking 674 entries were received this year and these have now been shortlisted by the Law Society. The Joe Finnegan Show and Tina Dolan have been nominated in the Broadcast journalism local radio category.

Tina Dolan is a regular contributor to the legal query segment on the Joe Finnegan Show, answering queries which have been submitted anonymously by the show’s listen-

ers. In the segment which has been nominated for an award, listeners submitted queries relating to the non-repayment of loans between friends – which may well have arisen due to the ongoing DJ Carey trial at the time – queries relating to Local Property Tax, TV licences, rental property, penalties for

non-removal of campaign posters and Will queries, all of which were addressed by Tina.

The Joe Finnegan Show has worked in tandem with Brian Carolan, Brian O’Brien, Dolores Gacquin and Tina Dolan from Byrne Carolan Cunningham Solicitors for over 30 years to provide guidance to

Roscommon barber takes third place in Belfast competition

Roscommon Town barber Jason O’Connor (pictured) has returned to the competition stage in style, taking third place in the Fast Fade competition at the Great British Barber Bash in Belfast on Sunday.

Jason, owner of The Lounge Barbers and founder of Fade Society, was competing for the

listeners on all legal queries. Commenting on the nomination, Tina said she was delighted to be informed by Kevin McDermott, producer of the show, that they had been nominated. She said it is a pleasure to work with Joe, Kevin and the team on the Joe Finnegan Show.

first time in almost three years. Sharing the news online, he said it “felt good to be back” and described the competition as a chance to push himself alongside “some incredible barbers and talent from across the industry.”

Jason added: “I’m proud to have come away with third place. There’s always more to learn and improve on, but getting back out there and competing again reminded me why I love this craft.”

Jason also thanked everyone involved in the event and congratulated his fellow competitors.

Sports PEOPLE

DAY OF RECKONING FOR LADIES

TG4

LGFA All-Ireland Intermediate Championship (Round 2):

Roscommon v Down in Enfield on Sunday at 2 pm

 SEAMUS DUKE

It’s the day of reckoning for Roscommon when they welcome Down to Enfield on Sunday. After the opening round loss to Cavan, a defeat this weekend would see Roscommon exit the championship, while a win would mean Finbar Egan’s side progress to the play-off stages.

This is an extremely difficult assignment for the home side. Roscommon played well in their opening fixture, going down by only three points to a fancied Cavan, but Down made everyone sit up and take notice when they handed the current Ulster champions (Cavan) a 5-13 to 0-8 beating last weekend.

Roscommon manager Finbar Egan is confident that his charges will produce a big performance on the day.

“Our training has been going well and it’s very positive to report that Lauren Shanagher is back and training, as is Kate Nolan. Laura Mannion has returned to the group too and that has given us a boost…

so there is a good spirit among the squad.”

Egan acknowledges that this match against Down will be a very challenging test.

“They beat us in the league, but we all know that the circumstances surrounding that fixture could have been better (there were issues to do with facilities, etc) – to say the least – but we will put that behind us.

“They were outstanding against Cavan last weekend, but ladies football is like that. It’s all on the day. Down just had a great day against Cavan and we will hope to have a good day against them on Sunday.”

As stated earlier, Roscommon played well against a fancied Cavan side in round one, a display which gives the manager a lot of hope ahead of Sunday.

“We missed a lot of chances against Cavan while they seemed to score with almost every chance they got! We will have to show more composure in front of goal on Sunday. Another thing was we turned the ball over cheaply on a

number of occasions and we will have to cut out those mistakes.”

The Roscommon manager says that playing on home soil in Enfield will be a big plus for his team.

“We always get great support when we play in Ballintubber and hopefully we will get a good crowd again on Sunday. It’s a great pitch to play on and hopefully we can produce a performance that will give the crowd plenty to shout about.”

If form is to be taken into consideration, then there is only one possible result here. Down were superb against Cavan and if they replicate that performance this weekend, then Roscommon will be in big trouble. However, at home, and with a solid performance against Cavan behind them, Roscommon are not without a chance. The likes of Helena Cummins, Saoirse Wynne, Aisling Feely and Caoimhe Lennon will have to lead from the front if Roscommon are to have a chance of winning. Hopefully Roscommon can produce another strong performance, but Down look the better bet. Prediction: Down.

Camogie team eyeing play-offs

All-Ireland Premier Junior Camogie Championship (Round 2)

Roscommon 4-12 Kildare 2-10

 SEAMUS DUKE

Roscommon camogie team have put themselves in a very strong position to secure a play-off spot after their second championship win on the trot when they had eight points to spare against Kildare at Hawkfield on Saturday last.

Goals are always important in championship games and Roscommon got four on this occasion, which was of course crucial in the final analysis.

The opening half was well contested, with Roscommon proving to be sharper in attack. After Kildare had missed a couple of half-chances, Roscommon struck in the 12th minute through Aine O’Meara following some great work from Rachel Fitzmaurice.

Kildare struck over a couple of nice points before Roscommon got their second goal, this one coming in the 22nd minute when team captain Rachel Fitzmaurice finished well from close-range. It helped the visitors into a 2-4 to 0-6 lead at half-time.

Roscommon extended their advantage early in the second half with two pointed frees from Orla Connolly and a point from play from Katelyn Egan. There was further joy for Mary Grehan’s side in the 38th minute when Rachel Fitzmaurice scored her second goal of the match, Roscommon moving nine points ahead at that stage.

Kildare responded with a superb goal from Caoimhe Ni Buirceal just two minutes later. However, Roscom-

mon’s fourth goal, well finished by Oonagh Kelly nine minutes before the final whistle, put the issue beyond doubt and sealed an excellent performance from Roscommon. Kildare managed a late goal from Sara Carroll but it was of consolation value only for the Lilywhites.

Roscommon will face Wicklow this Sunday at Dr Hyde Park in round three (3.30 pm) and will be the strong favourites to win that fixture against a team who have lost both their matches so far.

A win on Sunday will all but guarantee a semi-final spot for Roscommon. Their remaining fixtures after next weekend are against Armagh (away) and Cavan (home).

Roscommon: Michaela Finneran; Michelle Rogers, Mairead Lohan, Anna Hussey; Erin McDermott, Aimee O’Connor, Sinead Mannion; Sally Bolger (0-1), Orla Connolly (0-4, 4 frees); Alannah Sutton (0-3), Katelyn Egan (0-1), Grace Geraghty (0-2); Aine O’Meara (1-1), Rachel Fitzmaurice (2-0), Oonagh Kelly (1-0). Subs: Aideen O’Brien for Rogers (47), Grace Jones for Egan (47), Hannah Murray for Mannion (50).

Kildare: Roisin Roche; Caoimhe O’Sullivan, Laoise Mimnagh, Sadhbh Horgan; Niamh Krahn (0-1), Aine Conway, Kate Murphy; Shauna Dunne, Caoimhe Ni Bhuirceal (1-5, 4 frees); Aoife Stynes (0-1), Sara Carroll (1-0), Sadhbh Buckley; Niamh Mortell (0-1), Roisin Forde (0-1), Aoife McDermott. Subs used: Aoife McCarthy for Dunne (26), Hannah Davis for McDermott (half-time), Lea Sutton (0-1) for Conway (45), Sophie Hazzard for Mortell (55). Referee: Ciaran Groome (Offaly).

ELECTRIC IRELAND

ALL-IRELAND MFC

QUARTER FINAL

DERRY 2-12

ROSCOMMON 1-9

The excitement and euphoria surrounding the recent Connacht title victory was a distant memory in Kingspan Breffni on Saturday night as Roscommon minors produced a substandard performance in losing out to a superior Derry side by six points, a result that ended their All-Ireland dreams.

Roscommon simply never got into their usual stride, particularly in the first half. They were beaten at midfield for most of the game and missed a number of scoring chances, including a few close-range frees. It all added up to a miserable evening for the young Rossies.

When Shane Moran’s team got back into the contest briefly – via a twopointer and a goal in the third quarter – there was a glimmer of hope for the Connacht champions, but Derry finished strongly and their second goal, which came five minutes from time, ended the game as a contest.

On a fine, breezy evening, the first half of this quarter-final was eminently forgettable. It was a throwback to the type of football that prompted the FRC to change the rules of the game, with both sides being ultra-cautious as the ball was moved from side to side, meaning goalmouth action was minimal.

Having said that, Derry looked the more dangerous going forward and

side opened the scoring with a point for Rocco Devlin. They doubled that lead in the 8th minute when their best player, Lorcan Higgins, was on target. It was poor stuff, with little entertainment for the good-sized crowd. While Roscommon were off-target with a couple of frees in that opening half, they opened their account in the 12th minute when Joshua Coyne pointed from 45 metres out.

There was no more scoring for almost 10 minutes as the game meandered along. Then, in the 21st minute, Derry sprung to life. Tomás Devlin and Lorcan Higgins were involved before midfielder Gabriel Gormley fisted to the Roscommon net.

Cathal Nerney pointed a Roscommon free two minutes later, but the young Rossies were making very few inroads into the Derry defence and the Ulster side finished the half with three points on the spin from Dan Mulholland, Niall McDermott and Tadhg Bradley, all of them from play.

Indeed it could have been worse for Roscommon as Mulholland raced through on goal in the dying seconds of the half only for his rasping shot to fly just wide of the post. As it was, Roscommon were in trouble at the break

Derry Air delivers Breffni Blues!

Teams & scorers

with the score at Derry 1-5 Roscommon 0-2, both of Roscommon’s points coming from frees.

in the middle of the field. Having held the ball for almost two minutes from the throw-in, the Ulster Devlin were all on target with Derry

It looked even worse for Roscommon at the start of the new half when Higgins, Jarlath McCartney and Rocco Devlin were all on target with Derry points within three minutes.

Roscommon were nine points down, but in fairness to the Connacht champions they came alive in the 37th minute and gave their supporters some hope of a revival materialising. Substitute Sean Duggan kicked a super two-pointer, and then a minute later Roscommon were on the attack again – and it would be a fruitful one.

Jayden Concannon and Seamie Carthy exchanged passes, and although it looked as if the chance was gone, Carthy gathered possession again and crossed to Concannon who fisted a badly needed Roscommon goal home.

Derry were undaunted. In the 41st minute, Neil McDermott kicked over a two-point free, and when Bradley scored a fine point a minute later, the gap was out to seven once again.

Still, Roscommon were playing better at this stage. Seamie Carthy pointed a free in the 44th minute, and when Ronan Carr blasted over a super twopointer in the 47th minute, the Rossie faithful had hope once more, the margin now down to four (1-11 to 1-7).

Derry put any notion of a Roscommon renaissance to bed in those final 10 minutes. Tomás Devlin pointed in the 53rd minute and then two minutes

later Rocco Devlin scored a brilliant individual goal after a mazy run. That was game, set and match for the Derry boys.

In the 59th minute, Derry half-forward Conor O’Kane received his second booking and was therefore sent to the line by referee Eamonn English – but at that stage the game was over as a contest. In injury-time Seamie Carthy kicked another Roscommon two-pointer, but it was of consolation value only.

It was a very disappointing way for Roscommon to exit the championship, but they can have no complaints on the balance of play. Too many Roscommon players just didn’t play well on the evening. Best for Roscommon were Dara Kelleher, Enda Browne, Seamie Carthy (second half) and Jayden Concannon.

But it must be remembered that these players are all around the ages of 16 and 17. Many of them will develop into U-20 and senior inter-county footballers, and one poor display will not define any of them. They gave us some great memories in 2026 and we thank them for that.

Derry, who now progress to play Cork in the All-Ireland semi-final, were impressive on the day. Bar a single two-point free, all of their scores came from play. Lorcan Higgins, Gabriel Gormley, Joey Mullen, Dan Mulholland and Tadhg Bradley were excellent for them.

Derry: Michael Doherty; Dan McEldowney, Conor Sargent, Dara McKaigue; Jarlath McCartney (0-1), Connail Campbell, Lorcan Higgins (0-2); Gabriel Gormley (1-0), Joey Mullan; Conor O’Kane, Dan Mulholland (0-1), Neil McDermott (0-3, 1 2pf); Tomás Devlin (0-1), Tadhg Bradley (0-2), Rocco Devlin (1-2). Subs used: Cormac McGuckian for Campbell (51), Fionn McGilloway for Gormley (58), Paul McPeake for McDermott (59), Tadhg Scullion for McCartney (59), Donnacha Collins for Rocco Devlin (60). Roscommon: Zac Mullally; Dara Kelleher, Conor Tighe, Colm Fitzgerald; Tadhg Fallon, Jack Brooks, Enda Browne; Jack Lally, Seamie Carthy (0-3, 1 2p); Ronan Carr (0-2, 1 2p), Joshua Coyne (0-1, free), Bobby Lenehan; Cathal Nerney (0-1, free), Jayden Jennings, Jayden Concannon (1-0). Subs used: Sean Duggan (0-2, 2p) for Coyne (h/t), James O’Brien for Jennings (35), Aaron Martin for Nerney (35), Dylan Goode for Lenehan (53), Daniel Nerney for Browne (59), Mickey McTeigue for Martin (60). Referee: Eamonn English (Dublin).

Stat Attack

Stat Attack

Red cards: Derry 1 (Conor O’Kane, 58); Roscommon 0

Black cards: 0

Yellow cards: Derry 5 (Conor O’Kane x 2, Tomás Devlin, Dan Mulholland, Paul McPeake); Roscommon 0

Wides: Derry 8 (4, rst half); Roscommon 12 (5, rst half)

Two-pointers: Derry 1 (Neil McDermott, free); Roscommon 3 (Seamie Carthy, Ronan Carr, Sean Duggan)

Attendance: 2,587

Man of the Match: Lorcan Higgins (Derry)

Moran rues slow start

 SEAMUS DUKE

It was a very disappointed Roscommon manager Shane Moran who spoke to People Sport after Saturday evening’s All-Ireland MFC quarter-final.

“It took us far too long to get going. They converted any chances that they got. That’s the bottom line. We got going ten minutes into the second half after they had started the half with three scores. We were hoping to start the second half better but look, we were chasing the game for most of the way through, to be honest.”

The Roscommon manager was at a loss as to why his charges just didn’t perform in that first period of play.

“It’s hard to know what it was, we will have to look at the tape when we get a chance. But you must remember that they (Derry) are a good team too. I knew that they were a much better team than they showed in the Ulster final. Hats off to them, they were much better than us on the

day here. They converted their scoring chances and we didn’t – and that’s the reality.”

Moran agreed that a couple of Derry players in particular had posed problems for Roscommon on the evening.

“Their number 11, Mulholland, is a fine player and the number 7, Higgins, was outstanding. They were a lot better than us on the day overall.”

Moran was philosophical when asked to reflect on the entire season.

“Only one team can win (a given game). We have had a good year. We did well in Connacht and to be honest we were hoping to push on a bit more, but that was not to be. These are only 16 and 17 year olds and they have learned a lot here today.

“This is a very high standard of football. You take the learnings from a day like today. Hopefully we will see a lot of these young guys in Roscommon jerseys in the future.”

Mixed fortunes for punters at Lenabane

Horses for Courses

Racing at Lenebane on Monday started in the pouring rain, with the Garvey’s Bar Ballintubber Maiden Hurdle being won by the 13/8 favourite, Cinating, who led pillar to post under Kevin Sexton for Gordon Elliott. The 4-Y-O won by 4¼l and 8½l from Take The Free and Tex Amare to get punters off to a great start.

Only three went to post in the McNulty Furniture Novice Hurdle and 13/8 shot Chanceawetmorning under James Smith made it a double for Elliott, beating Polepatrick, evens favourite, and Berto Ramirez 4/1.

The most valuable hurdle on the card, the Dermot Hughes Car Sales Handicap Hurdle, saw Sequoiaspirit, 9/2, beat Stede Bonnet, 13/2, and Billy Lee Swagger, also 9/2, by 6½l and 4½l. The winner was trained by Ray Hackett in Tipperary and ridden by Alan O’Sullivan.

Chasing started with the McGowan Accountancy Services Novice Chase, won by Wild Bill Hickok, 9/2 2nd favourite, trained outside Mullingar by Ciaran Murphy and ridden by Eoghan Finegan. He beat the odds-on Workahead, 1/3f, and Scalpnagoon, 9/1.

The national hunt feature of Roscommon’s year, the Tote Connaught National, was won by Limerick trainer Emmet McNamara, with Hermino AA ridden by Tom Kelly, who beat Paul Gilligan’s Kings Hill by 4½l with Tom Gibney’s Goody Four Shoes back in third.

Soldante under Kevin Healy provided Ciaran Murphy with a training double, winning the Sweeney Oil Handicap Chase, beating Party President, 28/1, and Moylussa, 13/2, by 5l and 14l. The penultimate race, the Roscommon

BUCCANEERS RFC

by Tom Red

Handicap Chase for amateur riders, provided no relief for punters, as 20/1 shot Kilkee Bay under J Dunne beat Ballingurteen 7/4f, and Silent Flight, 16/1, giving Emmet McNamara a double. The closing race, the Roscommon Livestock Mart bumper, finally provided relief for punters, as a second clear favourite produced the goods as Willie and Patrick Mullins combined to win with Linford at 11/10. The 4-Y-O, who won in Killarney, beat Caislean Gear and Fleu Du Glaye by 5½l and 6l.

It was nice to see a card that gives up and coming riders a chance, as all races were confined to professional and claiming professional jockeys that had not ridden more than 15 NH winners in the 25/26 season.

Racing returns to Lenebane on Tuesday, June 30th, with a flat card featuring the Listed Lenebane Stakes.

Upcoming racing

Racing starts this evening (Thursday) at Leopardstown, with a flat card starting at 5.30 pm. Tomorrow evening sees flat racing at Fairyhouse, off at 5.02 pm, with national hunt racing at Gowran Park, away at 4.50 pm.

Saturday sees the first of a two-day meeting at Downpatrick from 2 pm, with another jumps card on Sunday from 1.50 pm. There is also flat racing at Cork on Sunday at 2.07 pm.

Monday evening racing is at Kilbeggan, a jumping card featuring the Paul and Carmel Fay Handicap Hurdle and the Mongey Communications Galway Plate Trial.

Cross-channel, ITV are covering eight races on

Buccaneers RFC AGM reflects on positives

Outgoing President Eoin Reid welcomed a large attendance to the AGM of Buccaneers Rugby Football Club which was held in The Bounty. Eoin said that the senior team had put pride back in the jersey and he complimented the coaches, management and players.

The U-20s have some serious talent as they retained their Leinster League title and Reid was pleased that a senior women’s team was back on the pitch. Youths rugby is in great health, and minis rugby is going from strength to strength. Development and improvement of our facilities has commenced with fine work done on the dressing rooms. This will need to continue with an all-weather playing surface being a priority. Under the stewardship of Michael Kiely and Ray Flanagan, the club’s finances have been managed excellently and the club has no debt.

Eoin thanked the club’s Executive Committee and members for their support during his year as President and he was particularly thankful to his wife Ann and family. He wished incoming President Seán Flynn the very best for the season ahead.

David Nolan’s wide-ranging and in-depth Secretary’s report echoed much of the President’s views. He complimented the work being done on infrastructure around the club (led by Lorna Stuart Trainor) and noted that the gym should be in place ahead of the coming season.

Adult rugby provided optimism for the future with the success of our U-20s being the highlight. Overall membership is in the mid-900s. The club’s finances are significantly improved and well

Saturday, with four from York, three from Sandown, and one from Chester. Racing at Royal Ascot next week is on ITV, all days from Tuesday.

Epsom review

Joseph O’Brien’s Thundering On under Dylan Browne McMonagle won the Oaks on Friday in Epson, giving the rider his first English classic win. They beat Legacy Link, trained by the Gosdens, with Sugar Island, trained by his father Aidan in third, beaten 3¼l and 6l.

Oisin Murphy had a treble on the card with Naana’s Shadow for Katie Scott, Seagulls Eleven for Hugo Palmer, and Mister Winston for Andrew Balding. On Saturday, Murphy completed a four-timer for the meeting, winning the Group 1 Coronation Stakes for George Scott on Bay City Roller.

The Derby was won by Christmas Day, ridden by Ronan Whelan, giving Aidan O’Brien his 12th win in the race, beating William Haggas’s Maltese Cross and Joseph O’Brien’s James J Braddock 2¾l and 2½l. It was O’Brien’s 50th British classic, and also his fourth in a row in the historic race – the first trainer to achieve this feat.

There was drama as the favourite Benvenuto Cellini, who had caught his leg in the starting stalls, was declared a non-runner and there was a rule 4 deduction of 25p in the pound on all winnings. It was the second time that Christmas came in June, as Santa Claus won the great race 52 years ago for Curragh trainer Mick Rogers.

The final leg of the American Triple Crown, the Belmont Stakes, took place on Saturday at Saratoga. Golden Tempo, who won the Kentucky Derby at Churchill Downs, made it a second victory in the US Triple Crown series. The horse was trained by Cherie DeVaux, the first lady to train a Kentucky Derby winner. The win-

ner had bypassed the second leg, the Preakness Stakes at Laurel Park.

Racing news

Aidan O’Brien’s unbeaten French 1000 Guineas winner at Longchamp, Diamond Necklace, and stablemate Moments Of Joy will attempt to land a third French Classic of the season for the trainer in Sunday’s Prix de Diane Longines at Chantilly. Royal Ascot, starting next Tuesday, is looking forward to ground on the quicker side of good after a mainly dry week, unlike the going at the recent Epsom Derby meeting.

Tuesday sees three Group 1 races – the Queen Anne Stakes, King Charles III Stakes, and St James’s Palace Stakes. The Prince Of Wales Stakes on Wednesday, the Gold Cup on Thursday, the Commonwealth Cup and Coronation Stakes for fillies, and the Queen Elizabeth II Jubilee Stakes are other Group 1 races on the card.

Competition time

The winners of tickets for Kilbeggan on Monday were Marie Keane (Ballymurray), Mary Regan Casey, and Gerry Linnane (Turloughmore), who all knew Constitution River won the French Derby.

For the first chance to win tickets for Roscommon on Tuesday, June 30th: What horse won the Connaught National at Roscommon on June 8th? Answers as usual should be made via postcard to the Roscommon People (Abbey Street, Roscommon) or by email to tomrednew@gmail.com by 5 pm on Tuesday, June 23rd. Don’t forget to include your name, address, and a contact phone number with all competition entries.

Tickets to be collected in the office in Abbey Street, Roscommon. Please note the new email address.

marshalled by our treasurer. He urged more people to volunteer at the club.

Treasurer Michael Kiely recorded a healthy surplus which was helped by another very successful Annual Business Lunch and muchimproved income from the ‘Your Club Your Country’ draw. Meanwhile, a motion to allocate a percentage of the club’s annual income into a Development Fund each year was approved at the AGM.

With regard to the various football reports, the seniors stopped their slide and the U-20s had a very successful campaign. With many promising young players now at the club, Buccaneers’ foundations are promising ahead of forthcoming seasons.

Andrew Henson, Leo Anic and Rourke O’Sullivan were all capped by Ireland U-19s, while at youths level a further trio – Darragh Glennon, Owen Egan and Oisin O’Donoghue – played for Ireland U-18s. There is a pathway for players from club to province and to Ireland. Meanwhile, Darragh Murray’s 6N cap was a season highlight. Many boys and girls are featuring in Connacht squads.

Charlie Couper was complimented on the exceptional work that he is doing at this level. Club Person of the Year Declan Brady noted that minis rugby now accounts for about one-third of the membership where children aged up to 12 years learn rugby in an enjoyable environment through coaching and participating in blitzes with community spirit also being an important aspect. The election of officers, with female

representation continuing to grow there, for the coming season followed the various reports with Seán Flynn taking up the mantle as President. He is wished every success in his role (see separate item).

ELECTION OF OFFICERS: The following officers were elected to the Executive Committee of Buccaneers Rugby Football Club for the 202627 season.

President: Seán Flynn; Senior Vice-President: Trevor Thompson; Hon. Secretary: David Nolan; Asst. Secretary: Eoghan Slevin; Hon. Treasurer: Michael Kiely; Football Chairperson: Niall Moran; Youths Secretary: Sara Gibson Gaynor; Minis Secretary: Declan Brady; Women’s Secretary : Amy O’Connor; Media Officer: Michael Silke; Commercial & Marketing: Stella Devine; Membership Secretary : Jacqui Pears; Rep. to Connacht Rugby: Tom Boland; ExOfficio: Eoin Reid.

OUR NEW PRESIDENT: Seán Flynn has been elected as President of Buccaneers Rugby Football Club. A lifelong figure in the club, Seán first pulled on the jersey at U-10 level, 27 years ago at Dr Keane Park on the Ballymahon Road in Athlone.

He has remained deeply involved ever since, including playing on the club’s Seconds and Thirds in the recently concluded season, while also finding time to manage the Buccaneers U-20s team that retained their Leinster League title. U-16 GIRLS: Buccaneers U-16 Girls players were the winners of a coaching session, sponsored by Corrib Oil, at Connacht Rugby recently. It proved a memorable and worthwhile occasion for the girls as they received coaching tips from Connacht coach John Muldoon.

SUMMER SKILLS COURSE: A 7-weeks Summer Skills course for youths commences on Saturday, June 13th, running from 10.30 am to 12 noon each morning. Boys and girls welcome. Cost is only €10 for the duration.

BEST WISHES: Best wishes to Liam Rattigan on his election as Junior Vice-President of Connacht Rugby. Good luck to incoming President Tom Horkan who succeeds Robert Lahiff as President. GOLF CLASSIC: Buccaneers RFC’s annual Golf Classic takes place at Glasson Golf Club on Wednesday, July 15th. Book early to secure your preferred tee time! Contact Geraldine at 086 1732711 for full details.

SportsPeople

Launch of Athlone

GAA Annual Frank Starken Golf Classic

Athlone GAA is delighted to announce that the Annual Frank Starken Memorial Golf Classic will take place on Friday, July 3rd at Athlone Golf Club. Teams are invited to enter the competition at a cost of €200 per team. Businesses can support the event by sponsoring a tee box for €100. To sponsor a tee or enter a team, please contact one of the following committee members: Denis O’Sullivan (086 854 2800); Mandy Ganly (086 108 2162); Matt Scally (083 479 7191).

BOYLE

PRESIDENT’S PRIZE TO MEN: This year’s President’s Prize was won by Gerry Rogers, who had been tipped by many to win a major at some point. 2nd: Niall O’Donohoe; Gross: Gary Carty; 3rd: Jason Beirne.

18 Nett: Owen O’Donohoe; Past President: Charlie O’Donnell; Senior: Paddy McLoughlin; Cat. 0-13: Brendan Gaffney; Cat. 14-21: Michael Simon; Cat. 21+: Lewis Shaw.

PRESIDENT’S PRIZE TO LADIES: 1st: Mandy Toolan; 2nd: Sinéad O’Donohoe; Gross: Michelle Quinn; 3rd: Fiona Keenan.

This year’s Club President is Regina McLoughlin. The presentation of prizes for both the Men’s and Ladies competitions took place in the clubhouse on Sunday night. Regina paid tribute to all who helped her during her President’s Weekend and to all who contribute their time to the running of the club generally.

DUCK RACE: Please support our fundraising Duck Race taking place on Sunday, June 14th between the main bridge in town, to a point between the footbridge and the Pleasure Grounds.

There will be a DJ and face-painting. The proceeds of the fundraiser will go towards making the game of golf more accessible to all in the community including children and people with disabilities.

CARRICK-ON-SHANNON

SPONSORSHIP: Again this year we are very grateful to the Landmark Hotel for their very

generous sponsorship of our Golf Classic which took place over the June Bank Holiday Weekend.

We had up to 100 teams competing, which was a record number. We presented over 40 prizes on the Monday night. The club would like to thank the organisers of the Classic and all who volunteered over the weekend.

Congrats to the winning team with an excellent score of 102 pts, each of whom won a €300 voucher for Glasson Golf Club.

The winners were Monica Shannon, Ann McDermott-Conroy, Mary Blake and Carmel Garvey. Thanks also to all our sponsors and congratulations to all the winners.

INTER-CLUB: Last Thursday evening our mixed team played Ballinamore and lost 3-1. Best of luck to Ballinamore in the next round.

The team was – Captains: Nova Farris and Alan Ffrench; Away: Liam Bruen and Mary Molloy, Frank Duffy and Patricia O’Hara; Home: Hugh Gralton and Dolores Mulvey, Cathal Down and Mary King.

On Friday evening our Jimmy Bruen Team had an excellent 3-1 win against Strandhill. Captain was David McDermott. Away Captain: Alan Ffrench and Damien Quigley, John Coffey and Padraig McShera. Home: Paul Roche and John Hardiman, Niall Keaney and Niall Loftus.

On Saturday our Junior cup team had a 3-1 victory over County Sligo Golf Club. Team as follows – Home: Paul Roche, Niall Keaney, Nathan Flynn; Away: John Coffey and Alan Ffrench. Best of luck in the next rounds.

Short putts

SENIORS: Overall winner: Francie Foley (43 pts); Cat. 1: Sean McMonagle (37 pts); Cat. 2: Jimmy Deane (35 pts); Cat. 3: Kevin Glancy (33 pts); Front 9: Paddy Duffy (19 pts); Back 9: Pat Gannon (Kilmore, 19 pts).

LADIES RESULTS: Recent Scramble winner (May 28) was the team of Melissa Collins, Dympna Butler and Carmel Garvey with 30 Nett. Wednesday, June 3 Scramble results: Winners were Phil McWeeney, Jenny Bruen and Brenda Wynne, with 31 Nett. Well done to all the winners.

AIG MINOR FOURSOMES: Commiserations to our team of Frances Molloy, Terrie Gray, Gabrielle Madsen, Kathleen Loftus, Mary King, Bernie Matthews, Mary Molloy, Patricia O’Hara, and Captain Phil McWeeney, who recently played against County Sligo home and away. You brought it down to the wire ladies; alas, on this occasion, it was not to be. Very well done, ladies.

FRIDAY 9-HOLE: 1st place went to Marion Dolan with 20 pts. 2nd: Terrie Gray (on countback); 3rd: Kathleen O’Dowd (18 pts).

ROSCOMMON

SCRATCH CUPS: The annual Lidan sponsored Junior and Senior Scratch Cups will be held this Sunday. There are valuable cash prizes up for grabs. There is a timesheet on the Roscommon GC BRS and while it is busy, there are still slots available. Presentation will

take place on Sunday evening at 8 pm.

MEN: Open Friday competition sponsored by GoTo Finance: Winner was Mark Cunniffe with 36 pts. Sunday competition sponsored by Lawlor & Hynes: Winner was Sean Ridley with 38 pts. Cat. 1: Padraic Cuddy (37 pts); Cat. 2: Samuel Godfrey (37 pts); Cat. 3: Ray Stanley (38 pts); Gross: Richie Evans (33 pts).

LADIES: Ladies 18-hole: Overall winner was Sine Lennon with 42 pts. Cat. 1: Carmel Walker (34 pts); Cat. 2: Pauline Leonard (37 pts); Cat. 3: Nicole Dowd (40 pts). 9-hole: Overall winner was Patricia Keane with 22 pts. Cat. 1: Kay Condon (17 pts); Cat. 2: Paula Whyte (22 pts).

SENIOR MEN: Overall winner was Peter Geraghty with 37 pts. Cat. 1: Tom Farrell (35 pts); Cat. 2: Joe Healy (32 pts); Cat. 3: Michael Oates (33 pts); Cat. 4: Nicky Scanlon (34 pts); Deuces: Matt Farrell, Padraig Walsh, Frank Flanagan, Michael Healy, Ger Keane. SENIOR LADIES: Overall winner was Joan Moran with 21 pts. 2nd: Jane Hunt (18 pts); 3rd: Mary O’Gara (18 pts); 4th: Pat Lyons (18 pts); 5th: Teresa McDermott (17 pts).

INTER-CLUB: There was no luck for the Jimmy Bruen team who lost to Loughrea last week. The Fred Perry and JB Carr teams are in action this week. Keep an eye on the club WhatsApp for details.

The Ladies Minor Foursomes team defeated Portumna last week and the Intermediate Foursomes team defeated Ballina on Sunday. Well done to everyone involved. The Mixed Fourball team were defeated by Enniscrone last week.

CBS PPU Annual Golf Outing

The 56th annual CBS PPU (Past Pupils Union) Golf Society outing was held at Roscommon Golf Club last Saturday. It was a resounding success, with over 50 players competing.

Overall winner of the Gerry Mahon Memorial Cup was Liam McNeill who recorded a magnificent score of 47 points.

The full results are – Overall winner of the Gerry Mahon Cup: Liam McNeill with 47 pts. 2nd (Union Prize): Aengus Oates (39 pts); Captain’s Prize: Michael Murray (37 pts); President’s Prize: Cian Connolly (37 pts); 1st Gross (Tony Kearney Cup): Mario Costello (35 pts); 3rd nett: Peter Mulry (37 pts); 50-60 Prize (Gerry Dolan Cup): Billy Donnellan (35 pts);

60+ (Bill Hourican Shield): Seamus Beirne (37 pts); Front 9: Alan Connaughton (20 pts); Back 9: Shane McConn

The presentation of prizes took place on Saturday night. Amongst those present were members of the Mahon family, CBS Roscommon Principal Kevin Scollan, and vice-principal Francis Ferguson. Master of Ceremonies was PPU Golf Society Secretary, Albert Looby.

Society Treasurer Terry O’Keeffe presented a donation on behalf of the society to Kevin Scollan (Principal, CBS Roscommon) to go towards the school’s astroturf pitch project.

SPORTS DESK

Paul Healy

And now for… the World Cup!

The first World Cup that I really connected with was Argentina 1978. It ticked every imaginary box in a young boy’s mind.

There was the exotic dimension: the tournament was being played in South America. It would showcase great players that we’d never heard of (at that time, English football featured a cast of footballers drawn exclusively from Great Britain and Ireland). Making this just perfect were the late kick-offs, necessitated due to climate considerations. We could stay up late. We had to stay up late… gorging on RTE’s live coverage of late-night matches from this magical footballing feast.

My parents were mostly oblivious to the

wonder of it all, which was fine. We were in wonderland. When the hosts played, we were in some football Heaven. This was theatre merged with sport. We knew little or nothing of Argentina’s political turmoil. We just feasted on the mesmerising atmosphere in their stadiums, ticker tape cascading from the stands on to the pitch, the home crowd fiercely patriotic, passionate, deafeningly loud, the football adventurous, dynamic. This was simply spellbinding.

To varying degrees, I’ve enjoyed all World Cups since then, particularly when Ireland have been involved (1990, 1994 and 2002). The 1978 version remains especially evocative as a memory. Here’s hoping the 2026 World Cup – kicking off today – proves to be a memorable tournament for all the right reasons. Let the games begin…

Galway and Limerick take hurling plaudits

Our thousands of Galway readers are celebrating a Leinster Senior Hurling title success this week – the county’s first provincial crown since 2018. Not least given their inconsistency and underachievement in recent years, this was a significant win, and one that gives Galway momentum at just the right point in the season.

The Tribesmen are very much in the All-Ireland race, albeit that they are well behind Limerick and Cork in the betting (Paddy Power has Limerick 4/6, Cork 2/1 and Galway 13/2, with Clare next at 12/1).

After Galway’s 4-29 to 4-15 win over Dublin in Saturday’s Leinster final, the spotlight switched to Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Sunday.

Cork v Limerick was no classic (they can’t all be), but it was still a gripping contest, with a tension-filled finale. Defeat was tough on Cork, who had led for almost the entire game, including by two points with just four minutes to go (which in hurling terms is probably a bit like saying you’re a metre ahead going into the last few miles of a marathon).

Limerick were in trouble, but Peter Casey was on hand with two inspirational late scores. Having almost had their hands on the Mick Mackey Cup, Cork were now grasping at thin air, finding

themselves a point behind deep into injury-time. A botched late free ended their hopes of sending the game into extra-time.

Indeed, complaints from some on Leeside about the referee’s handling of that finale are a bit rich. If the referee told the Cork players it was the last puck of the game, Cork goalkeeper Patrick Collins would have gone for an unlikely monster score (into the wind). If the referee told the Cork players it wasn’t the last puck of the game, what are the complaints about? Cork constructed an untidy, pedestrian attack, and it was no surprise that the final whistle sounded just as a (short) shot was finally sent in.

Limerick’s resilience, composure under pressure and sheer will to win – amongst many other qualities – makes them phenomenal opponents. But Cork are still very much in this title race too.

Fond memories as Ken hangs up his cue

It was 1997, and the World Snooker Championship semi-finals were underway in Sheffield. Dubliner Ken Doherty was at his peak, playing with beautiful fluency. Having already defeated Mark Davis, Steve Davis and John Higgins, he now faced Canadian Alain Robidoux in the Crucible Theatre.

In Earl Street, Longford Town, I was working for the Longford NEWS. Throughout that Friday, I did a 1990s’ version of checking one’s phone for updates, which basically involved popping into Eamonn Farrell’s pub as often a possible – for as long as possible – to see how Doherty was faring. Calls for the Longford NEWS newsroom that afternoon were met with a chorus of ‘Our reporters are busy, can I take a message?’ responses at reception.

On the big screen in Eamonn Farrell’s, Doherty was on the march. At his best, he was a master of the green baize – and he was at his best in April of 1997. Blessed with beautiful cueing technique, and a great break-builder, Doherty was an accomplished safety player too. He also had a great temperament for the game. At the 1997 World Championships, he was simply flowing, an artist at work.

Robidoux was dispensed with easily (17-7) in

that semi-final at Sheffield/Earl Street. Doherty was now the first snooker player from the Republic of Ireland to reach the world final. Over the following days, he stepped into the history books, defeating the great Stephen Hendry 18-12 in the final. The man from Ranelagh was snooker’s new world champion.

Last week, Ken Doherty announced he is retiring from professional snooker, after a 36-year career. The year after that historic world title win, Ken was back in the final (losing to John Higgins). He also reached the final in 2003. In a fabulous career (he was ranked world number two at one point), Doherty won six ranking titles, plus a further 17, and is still the only player to have been World U-21, World amateur and World professional champion.

I had the pleasure of meeting (and interviewing) Ken once. He was a gentleman… charming, friendly, polite… as reflected in the warm tributes paid to him over recent days. He will continue as a popular commentator and pundit. Ken Doherty is one of Ireland’s greatest ever sporting ambassadors.

Guess  who’s back  (if he is)

It appears that José Mourinho still has the X-factor after all.

For several years now, I felt the accepted narrative was that ‘The Special One’ no longer quite had the Midas touch of old, and that at this stage of his career (he is 63 years of age) Mourinho was no longer a contender for elite football management.

It turns out I may have been wrong. After weeks of speculation, one of the most famous clubs in the world has confirmed Mourinho is their dugout target. Real Madrid want him back as their head coach, 13 years after he was last in charge there. Mourinho recently completed a unique campaign as manager of Benfica in the Portuguese League (Liga Portugal). His team went unbeaten for the entire season (but still only finished third).

Benfica won 23 and drew 11 of their 34 games, but this version of ‘The Invincibles’ still lost out on the big prize, Porto (defeated twice all season) winning the title.

Murtagh ready for ‘game of jeopardy’

< SEAMUS DUKE

Roscommon captain Diarmuid Murtagh says he is relishing the chance to play in a big championship match in St Tiernach’s Park in Clones. He was speaking at an All-Ireland SFC (Series) launch held at Trim GAA Club last week.

“Clones is always a pitch that you associate with big summer championship matches over the years and it will be exciting to play in a big game there with Roscommon” Murtagh said.

Roscommon and Monaghan are often used as examples in discussions about counties that tend to maximise their playing potential.

“I know that there is a great respect between the two counties down through the years. We are both trying to bridge the gap with the top teams. Monaghan have probably done better than us in that regard. They have got to All-Ireland semifinals, they have great experience and they have some good young players as well, so it should be a very exciting match.”

Diarmuid says it’s time for Roscommon to take that step further in the All-Ireland series.

“Going to Clones will be tough but it’s in

matches like these that we will find out more about ourselves. If we can beat Monaghan in Clones it means we could do well in the championship, but if we lose then that would be two losses in a row and it would mean that you don’t deserve to go any further. Look, it’s all or nothing and it adds to the fixture.”

The Roscommon forward is a fan of the new All-Ireland Championship format.

“I like the fact that there is an incentive for any team who wins. Tyrone beat us and they got two more chances for that. The teams in Group 2A do not want to lose because they will have to face a team that has just won, so that adds to the jeopardy.”

Diarmuid agrees that a win against Monaghan would re-set the season for Roscommon.

“If we can win that game we will go into the game a week later with momentum and hopefully that will be the case. But matches are very unpredictable now, especially with the new rules, and we have seen the character that Monaghan have shown in their games so far… so it will be a close-run thing. Hopefully we can come out the right side of it.”

Monaghan’s Stephen O’Hanlon and Roscommon’s Dylan Ruane contest possession during the 2023 clash between the teams in Clones (which Monaghan won). Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Roscommon aiming to reignite championship momentum in Clones

All-Ireland SFC Group 2B: Monaghan v Roscommon at St Tiernach’s Park, Clones on Saturday at 4.30 pm

 SEAMUS DUKE

So this is it. The shadow boxing has ended (if indeed there was any!) and knockout championship football is here. There are no more back doors. Defeat for either of these teams on Saturday means that the 2026 championship is over for them.

For the neutral, this is a very attractive game between two teams that have played some great football so far in the championship. And yet it can be argued that both sides need a win this weekend to definitively categorise their season as a success.

Monaghan, after a poor league campaign, came to life in the Ulster Championship, bringing Armagh to extra-time in the final, having beaten Derry earlier in the campaign. In their AllIreland series match against Mayo, they looked to be down and out but recovered to miss out by just a single point.

Roscommon have had a much better year than Monaghan, but in terms of the championship, they are still in the same place as the Farney County. A very solid Division One campaign

was followed by a superb provincial run, culminating in that exhilarating Connacht final win against Galway. Tyrone came to Hyde Park and dampened the spirits of the Rossies with that one-point victory three weeks ago. Losing was a disappointment for Roscommon, however they played well enough in that game to suggest that their season is far from over.

Monaghan have been hit by a number of injuries in recent weeks, not least to Bobby McCaul, who terrorised the Mayo defence (after coming on as a sub) until he was stretchered off with an ACL injury with 12 minutes to go in that game.

Gabriel Bannigan’s men have several very experienced players in their ranks, not least their high-scoring goalkeeper Rory Beggan, who continues to be the main inspiration for his side.

Dessie Ward, Killian Lavelle and the very speedy and skilful Conor McCarthy will hope to lead in defence for the home side. Michael McCarville and Karl Gallagher will most likely be the Monaghan midfield partnership.

Up front, Jack McCarron is the main man and will take some watching. Michael Bannigan and David Garland are excellent attackers too, but

Monaghan will not be the force that they could be without the likes of McCaul and the outstanding Stephen O’Hanlon, the latter also struggling with a long-term injury.

Roscommon selection

On the Roscommon side, it will be very interesting to see who Mark Dowd and his selectors opt to start on Saturday. Many Roscommon fans are of the opinion that Brian Stack is ready to return to the starting 15 after his solid contribution when coming on as a sub against Tyrone. Will he get the nod?

There are several other big questions about the prospective starting line-up. Are Paddy Gavin and Eoin Ward in the shake-up to start again? Will any of Daire Cregg, Conor Hand and Shane Cunnane, all of whom came on against Tyrone and did well, merit a starting jersey? Will Ruaidhrí Fallon hold on to his place? The only ones who can answer those questions are the manager and selectors who have been watching the players in training and know who is in form. Once again both goalkeepers will have crucial roles

MONAGHAN V ROSCOMMON

Conor Carroll was probably the man of the match against Tyrone until that late slip-up. His kickouts will be absolutely vital again. Then there’s Rory Beggan. There isn’t much else that I can say about the Scotstown man that hasn’t been said already. Roscommon will have to try to minimise the concession of long-distance frees, because he will punish them.

Formlines

Looking at both teams and their progression, on all known formlines this is a game that Roscommon should win. There is no doubt that the team have improved this year, with several new players making their mark. The fact is that if Roscommon want to be considered a top six team (and I think they are at that level) then this is a game they must win.

Make no mistake, Monaghan will also be looking upon this game as one they can win, but Roscommon’s panel looks much stronger and Mark Dowd and his selectors have huge options off the bench.

If Roscommon can get at least an even break at midfield and then transition the ball quickly into the likes of Diarmuid Murtagh, Darragh Heneghan, Enda Smith and Dylan Ruane, they can get the scores to win this game.

A win for Roscommon would tee up another big game just one week later against opponents that will have lost this weekend. It would be a marvellous opportunity to get to a quarter-final and to progress up through the ranks. A loss would end the season and a lot of the progress made earlier in the year would be undermined. It will certainly not be easy, but I am expecting Roscommon to win by three or four points and set up a preliminary quarter-final for the following weekend.

CHAMPIONSHIP WATCH 2026 With Seamus Duke

Eight football treats on weekend menu

All-Ireland SFC Group 2A: Donegal v Cork in Ballybofey on Saturday at 3 pm

This is arguably the biggest weekend of the entire football championship to date, with eight mouth-watering matches down for decision. The losers in this group will get another chance, but no team wants to be defeated in a high profile game at this stage. Donegal come into this game as the team to beat (of all teams in the competition). Cork played some brilliant stuff against Meath in the last round, but a long trip to Ballybofey is a completely different prospect. It’s highly unlikely that Donegal will be caught here. It may be closer than a lot of people think though. Prediction: Donegal.

All-Ireland SFC Group 2A: Louth v Armagh in Inniskeen on Sunday at 1 pm

It’s interesting that Louth opted to play this match in Inniskeen, which has a capacity of about 5,000. Quite apart from the Louth supporter attendance expectations, Armagh would normally bring at least twice that number of fans to a big game. Armagh were impressive when defeating Derry in round one of the All-Ireland series, while Louth had that superb win against the Dubs. Armagh look to have far more firepower and should be good enough t o progress. Prediction: Armagh

All-Ireland SFC Group 2A: Galway v Westmeath in Pearse Stadium on Sunday at 2 pm

This is one of the easier games to predict. Westmeath recovered from their Leinster final heroics to edge past Cavan, while Galway brushed aside the challenge of Kildare in round one.

Matthew Thompson is back on the Galway panel and Shane Walsh, Damien Comer and Matthew Tierney are all back and fit for Pádraic Joyce’s team. They should win here with a bit to spare. Prediction: Galway.

All-Ireland SFC Group 2A: Tyrone v Mayo in Omagh on Sunday at 3.30 pm

This is one of the games of theweekend. Mayo actually have a decent record in the league in Omagh, but this will be a step up in terms of intensity. Andy Moran’s men were going great against Monaghan but then almost imploded. Tyrone will be on a high after their great win against Roscommon. There won’t be a lot between the sides, but with their former U-20 stars coming into form I give Tyrone a hesitant vote to win. Prediction: Tyrone.

All-Ireland SFC Group 2B: Monaghan v Roscommon in Clones on Saturday at 4.30 pm

A close contest is in prospect here and it should be a terrific game. See full preview in this sports section. Prediction: Roscommon.

All-Ireland SFC Group 2B: Kildare v Kerry in Newbridge on Saturday at 5.30 pm

Kerry, who were way off the mark against Donegal, will be hoping to have some of their injured players back for this match. Kildare were never in the hunt against Galway and were well beaten in that fixture. This is a chance for Kerry to put their train back on the track and anything other than a comfortable win for ‘The Kingdom’ would be a shock. Prediction: Kerry.

All-Ireland SFC Group 2B: Derry v Meath in Celtic Park on Saturday at 7 pm

This looks the game of the weekend in this section. Meath were disappointing against Cork in the last round while there was no disgrace for Derry as they went down to a very strong Armagh side by five points. There is a strong argument to be made for both sides here. There will be at

least one upset this weekend and I have a fancy that Meath might win this one. It will be very close. It may even take extra-time. Prediction: Meath.

All-Ireland SFC Group 2B: Cavan v Dublin in Kingspan Breffni on Sunday at 2 pm

The fall of Dublin has been spectacular this year and Cavan will relish a chance to put them out of the championship on Sunday.

Dermot McCabe’s side were unlucky against Westmeath, but surely there is one last kick in this Dublin team? They may not go too much further, but I fancy the Dubs to shade what might be a very hard-fought and tetchy encounter. Prediction: Dublin.

Tailteann Cup

The Tailteann Cup quarter-finals will be played this weekend. Antrim will fancy their chances at home to Wicklow, while Fermanagh and Sligo clash in Enniskillen, with the home side favoured to emerge victorious. Down are favourites to win the competition but they will be tested by Laois in Portlaoise. Down should prevail. Offaly should be able to overcome Wexford in Tullamore.

Club. Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Photo: Bernie O’Farrell

Top scorers

The top scorers in the 2026

All-Ireland SFC up to this weekend are:

1: Conor Turbitt (Armagh) on 3-22

2: Diarmuid Murtagh (Roscommon) on 1-27

3: Jointly: Steven Sherlock (Cork) on 0-27 and Brandon Kelly (Westmeath) on 3-18

5: Jointly: Cormac Costello (Dublin) on 0-26 and Ryan O’Donoghue (Mayo) on 1-23

Results to date…

Roscommon 2026

championship results so far are as follows:

Roscommon 5-22 New York 1-10

Roscommon 2-25 Mayo 1-18

Roscommon 3-21 Galway 2-22 Roscommon 2-18 Tyrone 3-16

Roscommon have scored a total of 12-86 (122 pts) in their four championship games to date, and have conceded 7-66 (87 pts). That’s an average of 30.5 points per game scored and 21.7 points per game conceded.

Monaghan’s championship results so far are as follows:

Monaghan 0-17 Cavan 2-14 Monaghan 1-30 Derry 3-23 Armagh 2-28 Monaghan 0-25 Monaghan 2-20 Mayo 1-24

Monaghan have scored 3-92 (101 pts) in their four championship games to date, and have conceded 8-89 (113 pts). That’s an average of 25.2 points per game scored and 28.2 points per game conceded.