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The BIGGEST readership of ANY Roscommon newspaper! Readership is now 80,000 people every week!

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www.roscommonpeople.ie ABBEY STREET, ROSCOMMON Tel. (090) 66 34633 Fax: (090) 66 34303

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SOCIAL PEOPLE

02 March 2018

See inside

The Local Paper

VOLUME: 568

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Justina, Anthony, Adam, Hannah and Michael pictured enjoying the wintry conditions in Loughnaneane Park, Roscommon town yesterday (Wednesday). Picture: Andrew Fox

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Constituency Office: Priory House, Barrack Street, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon Office hours: 9.30am-4.30pm

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

NewsPeople

People WATCHING

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Professional Painters & Decorators

The 4* Abbey Hotel Roscommon are now taking bookings for Communions, Confirmations, Christenings, Birthday Parties and all special events.

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Email restaurant@abbeyhotel.ie Early booking RAI County Winner advised

LEARN TO UNDERSTAND AND ACCEPT YOURSELF Overcome Anxiety, Fears & Phobias, Stress, Trauma and Low Energy

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ROSCOMMON Driving School 087 2295551

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Daire Feeley, UC Monaco cyclist and brand ambassador for MJ Farrell Jeweller, Roscommon What’s your idea of the perfect night in?

My idea of the perfect night in would be sitting at home on a cold evening during the off-season and drinking a cup of tea in front of the fire and chatting to my mother and father about everything and anything. You appreciate those moments when you’re away from home all the time.

Goff Street, Roscommon Multisensory environment open to children of all abilities • Group bookings available • Private birthday parties • Parent Baby/Toddler morning • Mindfulness classes • Music Therapy sessions • Private Occupational Therapy Apts

Ideal weekend away in Ireland?

Ideal weekend away is a tricky one.

Probably head to Dublin and stay in a good hotel, eat some good food and just chill.

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And the ideal night out?

My ideal night out would be simply heading into town for a takeaway and a few drinks with the lads. This only happens maybe only twice a year unfortunately!

Businesses: Reach your target market!

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What about a holiday abroad?

Definitely New York. I was there when I was about ten but at that age you

Quote of the week

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Dolores Gacquin Solicitor Tel: 090 6478433 info@bccsolicitors.ie

don’t appreciate it as much. It would have to be during the off-season as I would probably end up pigging out in sweet shops and eating pizza!

Best movie/TV series you’ve seen recently?

Best movie I’ve seen recently would be Hacksaw Ridge.

What do you do to relax?

Netflix is a great way to relax so either that or I just sit down with a nice cup of coffee.

Your favourite place in Co. Roscommon?

My favourite place in Co. Roscommon is definitely my home in Mote Park.

Can’t fault it.

Our Person of the Week…

Donie Smith came off the bench to score 0-7 in 30 minutes against Louth in Drogheda as Roscommon got back on track in the National Football League Division Two.

“A lot of people living alone don’t even see the postman any more because there’s a postbox at the end of the road” – Denis Connolly, Dysart Rural Men’s Group

1st for Quality, Service, Value & Design 1st for Quality, Service, Value & Design

GOLF LINKS ROAD, ROSCOMMON Tel.: 090 6627449 www.mlk.ie

I had planned to buy some agricultural land during the Celtic Tiger years ago but I did not proceed as the price of land at the time was excessive.

I believe that prices are now at a reasonable level and I would now like to invest. I would like some advice on the likely taxes I may have to pay. I understand that I will have to pay stamp duty? Are there any other taxes I should be aware of e.g.

Capital Gains Tax, Capital Acquisitions Tax? The rate of stamp duty payable on agricultural land or commercial property has been significantly reduced in recent years. If you purchase agricultural land or other commercial property then stamp duty at a rate of 2% of the land value currently applies. E.g. if you purchase land for €150,000 then stamp duty of €3,000 is payable. Interest and penalties will also be payable if the stamp duty is not paid within the requisite time period.

Capital Gains Tax (CGT) is a tax payable on the profit made on the disposal of investment property i.e. the sale of any property other than your principal private residence. The rate of CGT is currently 33%.

This tax will not affect the purchaser of property. It is a matter for the seller only.

Capital Acquisitions Tax (CAT) is only payable upon receipt of a gift or inheritance. In the event that you purchase land at full market value then no Capital Acquisitions Tax will be payable. If however, land or other property is transferred from one party to another for substantially less than its market value Revenue may treat this transaction as a gift, and CAT may be due. E.g. If you purchase land from a family member for €50,000 and the known market value of the property is €150,000 then Revenue will look upon this transaction as containing a gift from one relative to another of €100,000. The rate of CAT is currently 33%.

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

Good WEEK Call to our showroom today for a free consultation

Land Purchase and Taxes

It’s been a good week for Monksland, South Roscommon and indeed the entire county if reports are to be believed…amidst assurances from our local minister, Denis Naughten, that County Roscommon’s boundary is no longer under threat. Minister Naughten says a new law will lead to a new cooperative structure between Roscommon and Westmeath Councils – but with no threat to our boundary.

It’s been a bad week for businesses nationwide as the arrival of freezing cold temperatures and wintry showers has led to widespread disruption.

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

Byrne Carolan Cunningham SOLICITORS

Telephone Central Line 090 6478433 info@bccsolicitors.ie www.bccsolicitors.ie

Bad WEEK Compiled by PAUL HEALY

Businesses: Reach your B target market!

18,000 COPIES PRINTED WEEKLY

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

NewsPeople

‘Beast from East’ hits Roscommon

 DAN DOONER

Storm Emma has caused disruption across Ireland as temperatures plummeted on Tuesday night.

Schools in Co. Roscommon closed early yesterday (Wednesday) while a number of events in the county have been cancelled.

An Orange weather warning has been put in place for Connacht as persistent snow looks set to develop tonight (Thursday) and continue into Friday.

Road-users are being advised to take extreme care when using roads nationwide and to avoid unnecessary journeys. The Orange alert is valid from 8 pm on Thursday,

March 1st until 12 noon on Friday, March 2nd.

Road-users have been urged to check local weather and traffic updates before travelling and to heed any advice from the National Emergency Coordination Committee, An Garda Síochána or the local authority.

Roscommon Civil Defence have been placed on standby to provide transport and assistance during the cold weather which is expected over the coming days.

The Civil Defence has advised people to keep up to date with Met Éireann and be prepared for snow and very cold weather with tips available at winterready.ie.

Meanwhile, Senator Frank Feighan has urged communities throughout the county to be extra-vigilant in the coming days as the wintry weather continues.

“This is a time where all of us need to be especially vigilant when it comes to the welfare of elderly people, especially those living in more remote areas.

“I know of a recent case where vital home help services for an elderly woman living in an area with poor access were disrupted because of the recent snow.

“With weather conditions set to deteriorate, all of us must be extra conscious of older people at this time,” he said.

Justina, Anthony, Adam, Hannah and Michael pictured enjoying the wintry conditions in Loughnaneane Park yesterday (Wednesday). Picture: Andrew Fox

The road at Ardsallagh, Roscommon left driving conditions difficult on Wednesday with compacted snow and ice. Picture: Andrew Fox

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

NewsPeople Loughglynn ambulance talks welcomed Cllr. Michael Creaton has welcomed the announcement that discussions are ongoing on a proposed 24/7 ambulance service at the Loughglynn base. The West Roscommon and East Mayo area has been described as an ambulance blackspot and was branded “a national disgrace” by then-TD (now Minister) Denis Naughten in 2016.

“There are proposals for a 24-hour service in Loughglynn which would be a major boost to the area,” said Cllr. Creaton.

“Discussions are ongoing with staff members and it is hoped that this service could be up and running within the next six months.

“I’m very pleased with this news because it is an issue I have been working on for quite some time,” he concluded.

Senator Frank Feighan also welcomed the news on Wednesday, adding that he had been highlighting the need for such a service for the past five years.

He said: “I very much welcome the news that talks are ongoing to get a 24/7 service into the Loughglynn ambulance base. The service is badly needed for the area, which has been an ambulance blackspot”.

Fleadh Cheoil launch postponed The organisers of this year’s Fleadh Cheoil Ros Comáin in Castlecoote Fuerty have announced that the launch of the event, which was due to take place this Friday (2nd) at the Castlecoote Lodge, has been postponed due to adverse weather conditions.

Senator Terry Leyden has confirmed that the launch will now take place on Friday, March 16th at 8 pm at the Castlecoote venue and the committee have offered apologies for any inconvenience caused.

Murphy: ‘Government spin machine in overdrive!’

Fianna Fáil TD Eugene Murphy has accused the Government “spin machine” of going into overdrive on the propaganda surrounding the announcement of Project 2040 and the National Planning Framework.

“Let’s be honest, the NPF and NDP launch is one of the most cynical political launches in decades. It is the third Capital Plan Fine Gael has launched in seven years with an unprecedented bought media campaign by the government spin unit. The NDP promises €116bn investment of which €42bn and numerous projects have already been announced back in 2015.

“We have seen the government’s Housing, Broadband and Health Plans which have completely failed to deliver.

“I also take serious issue with the government Strategic Communications Unit paying for advertising content that is not identified as such, including instructions to newspapers to ‘make these advertorials look like independent stories and part of the normal news cycle’.

“Double page spreads in local newspapers in my region for example featured Fine Gael general election candidates which is using taxpayers’ money to promote a particular political party.

“While I personally am not the sort of politician to stand grinning like a Cheshire cat at the side of every roadside or ditch from Roscommon to Dublin, there are certain local politicians who seem to make a habit of this sort of self-promotion”.

PAUL HEALY’S WEEK A column by Roscommon People editor

paul@roscommonpeople.ie

Monday/Tuesday (all week) There was a ‘run’ on milk in Roscommon town on Tuesday.

And the sun was splitting the stones.

By Tuesday evening, word was that the crisis was over, for then at least, in that milk had become available.

Mind you, later that night on TV3, Matt Cooper/Ivan Yates showed er…dramatic footage of bare-shelved supermarkets, people seemingly buying up essentials as if there was no tomorrow.

Or rather ‘as if there was snow tomorrow,’ which I gather there will be. At this stage, after all we’ve been through, there had better be.

What a few days it’s been! Some of the ‘old people’ must think we’re losing the run of ourselves.

These are heady, heady days.

For well over a week, the nation has been living in a state of dread, dread of what’s coming, dread of the apocalyptic event that we knew we could not prevent.

And, sure enough, poor ould Marty got booted out of Dancing with the Stars. Apocalyptic indeed, but it’s not as if we hadn’t been warned – he’s been rubbish for weeks.

More than that, there’s been the never-ending fear of the ‘weather event’ that’s on its way.

Some of the old people – the initial guardians of our young state – must indeed think we are losing the run of ourselves.

Even when I was a young fella, back in the early 1970s, there was no talk of ‘weather events’, no mass media coverage of what might happen, no fancy naming of storms and gales and fleeting winds.

These days, ‘weather events’ have become big business, an almost permanent crisis on our doorstep, even a potential political timebomb.

For the past week or so the nation has been gripped by what it might be gripped by from midweek.

I can hardly remember what life was like in Ireland BC – before Cusack. Evelyn is everywhere.

Years ago, the weather just happened, and the odd television or radio station we had just updated us every now and again through a po-faced grimly-dressed weather forecaster.

Now, we live in an era of glamorous weather forecasters (although winking Gerald is gone), while the aforementioned Evelyn seems to live in a Star Trek type engine room, the Met Éireann hub in which our fate and faith rests.

And I still haven’t worked out whether or not the omnipresent Evelyn wants to be on television or not, because while she pops up all over the media, she sometimes comes across as ever so slightly abrupt, even eccentric. She can

A robin sits on a wall in Loughnaneane Park with Roscommon Castle in the background yesterday (Wednesday). Picture Andrew Fox

be as scattered as some of her showers.

I first noticed this side of her with her very haughty dismissal of an amateur (you know, the ‘postman from Donegal’ type) weather forecaster during a Liveline debate a few years ago. Evelyn has a major hump with ‘unconventional’ forecasters, as she’s entitled to – after all, she’s in the scientific end of the business. She’s quirky in her interviews; on balance, I think she likes being the centre of our universe at times like this.

Indeed, at the pre-mentioned times like this, all sorts of experts are wheeled out and suddenly almost every television and radio show has one on, explaining the difference between orange and yellow warnings, half of them falling just short of having a legal advisor beside them for fear of the dreaded post-event charge of having got it all wrong.

This fear of ‘getting it all wrong’ or even of a public perception of having over-reacted or under-reacted is particularly concentrating the minds of senior politicians.

A Government is unlikely to fall over a misdiagnosed ‘weather event’ but it could slip in the polls if it makes a mess of things, and this Government, high on its Storm Ophelia success, is taking no

chances this week!

Minister Eoghan Murphy is being careful not to say a word out of place, fearful of any hostage to fortune – but in fairness, he’s doing a diligent ‘weather watch/warning’ job so far. Leo, who had enough Orange Alerts thanks to Arlene last week, has been low profile enough as of yet, but no doubt he’ll brave the elements for some photo opportunities later this week, and who could blame him!

It’s 12 noon on Tuesday as a write, and the weather is defiantly summer-y, well, it’s a bit cold, but still very pleasant. But, by all accounts, bad stuff is coming from Wednesday night/Thursday morning – the ‘Beast from the East’ to Leinster, with snow and storms in tow for the rest of the country. Expect most of the kids in the country to be very happy, and (though he won’t show it), RTE’s Paschal Sheehy, if he’s honest, will be in his element too.

On a serious note…take care, get the bread and milk in, do drive carefully or not at all, and watch out for elderly family and neighbours. Most of all, do not take any chances on the roads.

Now, all we can do is wait.

Now, it’s over to Evelyn. Evelyn, in whom we trust, Evelyn, our Everywoman. Evelyn for President if this madness continues.

* In other news (held over due to lack of space): Syria, vulture funds, gang crime and other stuff that has nothing to do with the weather.

An update (Wednesday) Okay, fair enough, it looks like the warnings may indeed have been accurate enough; I wrote above over Monday and Tuesday…this morning (Wednesday) we awake to snow and a notable drop in temperature.

Driving to school, and on Morning Ireland, Bryan Dobson is receiving reports from around the country. He goes to Cork.

Direct quote from Paschal Sheehy at 8.42 am: “I am looking out at a spectacular winter wonderland”. I knew it! He’s secretly delighted!

Paschal’s expression or tone will never reveal it, but, deep down, he loves the ould bit of drama.

The roads in town are grand just now, but certainly there was an early blast from the beast in rural Roscommon this morning.

Now it’s becoming obvious that some rough conditions are indeed ahead. By the time you read this on Thursday or Friday, I imagine we may be in standstill mode.

I’m off to chase up some milk and bread.

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

NewsPeople

Pictured are Aaron Bracken, Denis Naughten, Minister for Department of Communications, Climate Action and Environment; Seán Allen and Jack Campbell from Roxboro NS, Derrane, Co. Roscommon. Photo Naoise Culhane.

Pictured are Denis Naughten, Minister for Department of Communications Climate Action and Environment with Eoin Fallon, Aaron Keenan, Michael Moran, James Molloy, James Gannon from Rahara National School Roscommon Photo Naoise Culhane.

Two Roscommon schools exhibit at Green-Schools Expo Denis Naughten, Minister for Department of Communications Climate Action and Environment (DCCAE), opened Ireland’s only schools expo focused on Climate Action, at the RDS on Thursday, February 22nd.

The Green-Schools Climate Action

Expo saw over 5,000 students, teachers and members of the public attend the one-day event focused on creating awareness on climate action and issues related to the environment.

Two schools from Roscommon, Rahara NS and Roxboro NS, exhibited

at the Expo, showcasing their exemplary work on the Green-Schools programme.

Rahara NS displayed their project on zebra mussels, an invasive species, at the Expo. The school focused on the impact of these invaders on inland

waterways and used a colourful, eyecatching visual display to display important information about Zebra Mussels along with charts which showed results of the surveys they did in their school community.

Roxboro NS focused on energy use

and renewable energy sources in their exhibit. They displayed facts and figures about worldwide energy use along with tips on energy saving and ways to conserve water around your school and home. Roxboro are one of the longest serving Green-Schools in Ireland.

ROSCOMMON DRAMA FESTIVAL We wish to express our sincere thanks to our loyal sponsors • Bear an Raille

• Le Petites Tartres

• Brigeen & Gerry Fitzmaurice

• Mahon Sweeney Solicitors

• Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group

• McCranns Bar, Castle Street.

• Carthy’s Porter House

• McGuinness Total Health Pharmacy

• Casey’s Londis & Supermacs

• Marie & Pat McCrann

• Casey’s Garage, Lanesboro Road

• M.J Farrell Jewellers

• Cerena Consulting Ltd, Hugh Baxter

• Molloy’s Artisan Bakery

• Charlie O’Brien, Rosmed Pharmacy

• Molloy’s Carry Out

• Claddagh Optical

• Montella’s Take Away, Main St., Roscommon

• Cllr. Dominic Connolly

• Noel Naughton

• Cllr. Orla Leyden

• Norio’s

• Connaughton Fuels • Cormican’s School & Arts Supplies • Curtain Centre • Denis Naughten T.D. • Dermot Hughes Cars • Donnellan & Co • Doorly’s Corner House • Down the Hatch • ETL Giftware & Accessories • Eurona Brisknet, Domnick Connolly • Foxes Bar • FBD Insurance

• Pepper Mill Restaraunt • Regan’s Gastro Pub & Restaurant • Rogue & Co Cafe • Roscommon Arts Centre • Roscommon Chamber of Commerce • Roscommon Credit Union Ltd. • Roscommon Drama Group • Roscommon Herald • Roscommon Lions Club • Roscommon Mart • Roscommon People • Roscommon Signs • Satara Ladies Boutique

• Finn Electrical Expert

• Seamus Hunt, Sports Therapist

• Fleming’s Supervalu

• Sean Cox Electrician

• Future Flowers

• The Brewery

• Galaxy Hair & Beauty

• The Comfy Cafe

• George Bannon Sports Shop

• The Skin Clinic

• Gleesons Rooms & Restauraunt

• Time Pieces

• Hannon’s Hotel

• Timothy’s Londis Plus, Abbeytown

• Harrison Cafe

• Tommy Kelly Electrical

• Hynes Pharmacy

• Ulster Bank

• J.J. Harlows • J.J. Ward & Sons Topline • Keane’s Centra, Athleague • Klassic Cleaners

Thanks to all the other sponsors who supported us over the past eleven years Please support local businesses

06

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

NewsPeople Public Consultation in Knockcroghery today on N61 Project A Constraints Study Public Consultation will take place in Knockcroghery Community Centre on Thursday, 1st of March (today) from 12 noon until 7.30 pm.

Minister Denis Naughten says this public consultation process relates to the N61 between Ballymurray and Knockcroghery.

“This forms part of the Planning & Design of the N61 Ballymurray to Knockcroghery Road Project,” explained Minister Naughten.

“The section referred to is 7.5km long and stretches from Newtown to Galey, south of Knockcroghery village.

“The stretch of the N61 between Ballymurray and Knockcroghery is substandard and also features a large number of junctions, some of which create hazards in terms of sight distances. This constraints study public consultation will assist Roscommon County Council to map feasible route options for future work on the N61 which will help to assist road safety at this location,” added Minister Naughten.

Anna (15) survives Florida school shootings BRAVE DAUGHTER OF ROSCOMMON MAN IN PLEA FOR GUN LAW CHANGE

ANNA LOST THREE FRIENDS, SAW SHOOTER  PAUL HEALY

Lanesboro Road, Roscommon T. 090 66 34671 / 086 8769291 ●

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An Irish-American teenager whose father was born in Roscommon town credits her teacher with saving her life after narrowly evading the shooter responsible for the deaths of seventeen people in a Florida school on St. Valentine’s Day. Anna Crean, whose grandmother lives in Roscommon town, survived the latest mass shooting in an American school – and the brave teenager has emerged as one of the most passionate and articulate advocates for a change in gun laws in the aftermath of the tragedy.

Anna (15) holidayed in Roscommon town at Christmas. Her father, John, is a native of Lisnamult, Roscommon. Her grandmother, Annie, lives in Roscommon and her relations here include her uncle, Michael, a familiar face to many through his work in Timothy’s Londis.

Three of Anna’s friends were killed in the shooting and two bullets ripped through the glass of the door behind which Anna and others were hiding at the height of the carnage.

Anna’s father, John Crean, is a native of Lisnamult, Roscommon. He moved to America in 1990, meeting his future wife, Rachel, there in 1992. John and Rachel (a native of Dublin) married in 1996. After a number of years in New York, they moved to Florida in 2003, when Anna – their only child – was a baby.

The first Michael Crean knew of the drama involving his niece was when he received a call from his brother in Florida.

“I was just back in from training the (Roscommon Gaels) U-16s when I got a call from John. He asked ‘Did you hear what happened?’ Then he said ‘There’s been a shooting at Anna’s school’ ”.

Anna’s school is Marjory Stoneman Douglas High School in Parkland, Florida.

On St. Valentine’s Day, a young gunman entered the school and began shooting.

The first her parents knew was when Anna sent a text to her mother.

‘There’s a shooter in my hallway and he shot through our classroom window. I’m okay but it’s real and I’ve never been more scared in my life’.

When her mother texted her daughter back, she got no reply.

It later emerged that Anna and some classmates were being ushered through an area of the school when the shooter approached on a stairway. A teacher led the terrified students into another classroom. The shooter fired two shots through the window of that room. A short while later, Anna saw the bodies of two

Anna Crean, whose grandmother lives in Roscommon town, survived the latest mass shooting in an American school

of her friends and had to step over an abandoned gun. An hour or so after the shooting began, Anna was reunited with her mum and dad, who were frantically waiting with other parents outside the school.

“Anna was unhurt but obviously very, very shook” Michael Crean says of his niece. “It was an unbelievable, harrowing experience, but she’s a resilient girl. John (her dad) was able to reassure us that she was okay. Unfortunately, three of her classmates were amongst the seventeen people who were killed”.

Speaking of her friends who died, Anna told American media: “I guess my teacher closed the door before they could make it back in because there were just too many kids to make it through a small door and they just tried to keep running, but I guess there were too many people and there wasn’t enough time and they passed away…I’m going to miss them a lot”.

Poignantly, she added: “All existing school drama has completely disappeared. Everyone is looking at life in a different way and trying to spread love”.

r mother tween Anna and he Text messages be Rachel

07

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

NewsPeople

Monster Draw for Creggs’ new 3G pitch!

LEFT: John Crean, is a native of Lisnamult, Roscommon. He moved to America in 1990, meeting his future wife, Rachel. RIGHT: Reaction to Anna’s facebook post.

‘This needs to end’ – Anna’s passionate call Anna Crean has been amongst the most articulate and passionate of the many students and family members who have spoken out since the latest gun atrocity in an American school. In a powerful Facebook post, Anna wrote: “I am sick and I am tired of the thoughts and prayers. People around the world are thinking and are praying for my city and my school but how is that going to change anything? You aren’t going to bring my friends back from the dead and you aren’t going to change what I saw on Wednesday.

“After the cameras leave, and the senators go home and we go back to school we are going to be forgotten.

Marjory Stoneman Douglas is going to be forgotten. My school is going to become another statistic and my friends are going to be added to a growing list of unmemorable names that have been shot and killed for no reason except that they went to school to get an education.

“This needs to end. I saw too much that day. What person in their right mind thinks that owning a gun THE SAME GUN that shot my friends, my classmates and my teachers should be acceptable?

“I saw the gun myself. It was on the third floor staircase that I ran down and it was HUGE!! For anyone who believes that owning guns like that is okay, I would like YOUR own children to walk down a hallway, crying with their hands up and seeing their friends dead around them. This shouldn’t be a damn debate at this point. How many of America’s OWN children need to die before this ends?

“But no, send us your thoughts and prayers for the next week and move on. Because the news companies have gotten their pay checks and the government has said their condolences and the people will move on to the next news story.

“This is going to happen again.

Next time in New Hampshire or in Tennessee or in Washington and you can send your little pity thoughts and prayers to them too, for a week….I saw my own friend dead on the floor.

I went to my 14-year-old friend’s funeral and when I came home, the FBI came to question me. Did I see the gunman? Did he shoot anyone in my classroom? What did you hear?

What did you smell? I’m 15!

“By all means, stand up for your damn rights and…let another person come into another school with the same gun and shoot your child. Do any of you know how loud a gun is? Because it’s pretty loud.

It’s louder than the screams of my classmates as we run back into our classrooms just barely missing a bullet in our backs. It’s louder than my classmates crying in my classroom as he shoots through the window on my door. It’s louder than the glass shattering and falling all along the tiles that we walk on every day to learn and laugh and to make memories.

“This needs to change. These students, my classmates, we have a voice. And (Washington) DC? You’ve got something coming for you because for once, we aren’t going to be silenced and we aren’t going to be forgotten. We are here and we are loud and we will not stop until we get justice for schools that had to endure this tragedy in the past and with those to come”.

Creggs Rugby Club has confirmed that it is set to be the first club in Connacht to have a full-size all-weather 3G playing pitch – developed to the highest IRFU and World Rugby standards so that competitive games can be played on it. This will mean that training and matches can take place throughout the year. The club is also in the process of developing two additional sand-based allweather grass pitches.

With these developments in mind, the club is running a once-off draw in order to raise the funds required.

There will be 26 wonderful prizes available, which have all been generously donated by friends of Creggs Rugby

Denis Buckley, Aidan Farrell and Ger Dowd pictured last September inspecting the work being carried out at Creggs Rugby Club.

Club. Tickets are available from club members and are priced at €10 each.

Books of six are available

at €50 and tickets can be purchased online at www.

CreggsRugby.ie.

All support for the draw,

which will provide muchneeded training and playing pitches, would be appreciated.

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

NewsPeople

NEWS…at a glance

Roscommon Show AGM rescheduled Due to the adverse weather warning, the AGM of Roscommon Agricultural Show has been rescheduled for Hannon’s Hotel, Roscommon town next Thursday, March 8th at 9 pm.

Apologies for any inconvenience caused.

All are welcome to next Thursday’s meeting. This year’s show will be held on Saturday, August 18th.

Daffodil Day Coffee Morning in JJ Harlow’s This year, Daffodil Day will take place on Friday, March 23rd. The annual fundraising effort will begin in Roscommon town with a coffee morning at JJ Harlow’s in The Square on Friday, March 9th from 10.30 am to 12.30 pm.

All proceeds will go towards the Irish Cancer Society’s Daffodil Day 2018. All support would be greatly appreciated.

€70,066 for Triest printing business Minister for Rural and Community Development, Michael Ring has provided funding of €70,066 to Triest Press Ltd. under the Community Services Programme.

Triest Press Ltd., located on the Athlone Road, Roscommon Town, is a professional digital print service which provides meaningful employment for people with an intellectual disability.

The printing company, now 30

years in operation, has grown to be a thriving social enterprise.

Senator Maura Hopkins has welcomed news of the allocation.

nity Centre. For further information, contact Dympna on 086-0682109, Breege on 087-1268806 or Andre on 087-7425947.

Roscommon to feature on ‘Countrywide’ on Saturday

Top marks for Abbey Community College!

Senators Frank Feighan and Maura

Hopkins have warmly welcomed the news that Abbey Community College in Boyle is among the first group of schools set to study Physical Education as a Leaving Cert subject.

The school will become one of the pioneers in the implementation of the new Physical Education for Senior Cycle programmes.

On the ‘Countrywide’ programme on RTE Radio One this coming Saturday there will be a special report from Roscommon town on reaction to the recently announced National Development Plan.

A number of local people took part.

The programme can be heard between 8 am and 9 am.

Benefit dance – ‘Rock at the Lough’ A benefit dance ‘Rock at the Lough’ will be held in the hotel in Ballinlough on Friday, 9th of March, with proceeds going to the Aisling Duggan Memorial Fund and the Ballinlough/Granlahan Defibrillator group. Three bands will kindly perform on the night. There will be a raffle and finger food will be served.

Admission is €10 and doors open from 9.30 pm. Please support this worthy cause.

Church Gate collections in aid of RSPCA Roscommon Society for the prevention of Cruelty to Animals is holding Church gate collections at Slatta, Kilglass, Dangan and Rooskey Churches on Saturday 3rd & Sunday 4th March 2018.

Your support is greatly appreciated and all monies raised goes directly to animal welfare in the county.

Bus to ‘Save the 8th’ Rally A bus will travel on Saturday, 10th of March to the Save the 8th Rally in Parnell Sq., Dublin, leaving Roscommon Church car park at 9 am. Booking essential at 086-1925411.

Loughglynn Woodlands 5k/10k Run/Walk The Loughglynn Woodlands 5k/10k Run/Walk will take place on Sunday, 6th of May. All proceeds will go towards the running of the Commu-

Boyle was among the 80 successful schools out of 369 applicants which were successful in their bid to participate in the phase 1 roll-out.

The Friendship Circle Claire O’Brien, Anne Marie Whyte and Cait O’Brien pictured at the Craig Connolly Memorial Walk/Run last Saturday in Roscommon town. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

To send news to your local newspaper…email news@roscommonpeople.ie

The Friendship Circle takes place at The Core, Roscommon town (at the corner of Church Street and Abbey Street) each Sunday from 4 pm to 6 pm.

All are welcome along for a chat, music, activities, games and refreshments. For further information, please contact 087-6868451.

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

NewsPeople –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Advertorial ––––––––– –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Mount Talbot NS: ‘a home away from home’ Mount Talbot National School Open Evening will take place on Thursday, the 8th of March from 7 pm to 8 pm. This quaint three-teacher school dates from the late 1800s and is located in the village of Mount Talbot on the N63 between Athleague and Ballygar.

Although the building has facilitated over 100 years of education, it has been extensively extended and modernised, offering children excellent facilities, modern technology and large spacious playgrounds and playing fields.

The school prides itself on providing an excellent foundation in all subjects and the children benefit from the additional support of a fulltime special education teacher and a part-time SNA. While Mount Talbot N.S. teaches every aspect of the primary school curriculum, it also participates in a wide variety of other educational initiatives and extra-curricular activities which further compliments the school programme, e.g.

Peace Proms, Junior Entrepreneur, their seventh Green Flag, numerous Science/S.T.E.M. awards, Engineering, Scratch and Coding workshops, Tin whistle lessons, Heritage Field Trips, Poetry, Drama and Baking, to mention but few. Sport and physical activity also play a big role in Mount Talbot with children enjoying hurling, football, cycling, rugby, rounders and soccer training. Children from junior infants also partake of swimming lessons annually.

Prospective pupils will benefit from a low pupil teacher ratio and a caring, nurturing envi-

MOUNT TALBOT N.S. Enrolment & Information Evening Thursday, 8th March, 2018 7.00pm-8.00pm

Our successful Christmas Shoebox Appeal!

ronment giving children every opportunity for success and happiness in their primary years of education.

Mount Talbot N.S. endeavours to prepare them for second-level education by instilling in them self-esteem and confidence in their ability to achieve which will hopefully have long-term beneficial effects for their future lives.

bot N.S., have “I, a 6th class of Mount Tal cation here. edu of enjoyed my eight years mend this om rec hly hig , hly hig I would atmosphere y ndl frie y ver a school as it has are very ils pup and all the teachers and e variety of wid a is ere Th g. welcomin activities – E.K.

Kiltoom psychologist to launch series of books  DAN DOONER

This Saturday, the ‘Mindfully Me’ series of books

by Kiltoom native and children’s therapist, Louise Shanagher and Rose Finnerty, a visual artist from Westmeath, will be launched at the Academy Plaza in Dublin. Louise and Rose make up the creative partnership Lou Lou Rose and their aim is to promote positive mental health and mindfulness among young children and teenagers.

Louise Shanagher is a children’s therapist, mindfulness teacher and psychology lecturer and holds a BA and MSc in Psychology and further qualifications in Psychotherapy and Play Therapy and runs weekly creative mindfulness classes in ‘Sensory Me’ in Roscommon town for both children and adults.

Rose Finnerty studied Visual Communication in Graphic Design in Athlone I.T. and graduated in 2009.

Together, Louise and Rose have produced the series aimed at helping young children to learn more about their mental well-being.

Louise Shanagher says the books promote mindfulness and positive mental health.

ALL ARE WELCOME For further information contact: TEL: 090 66 24014 Email: mounttalbotns.ias@eircom.net

WOODBROOK National School OPEN EVENING Thursday, 8th March 3.30 - 4.30pm or drop in anytime (We are located 5 minutes from the Train Station) SCHOOL INITIATIVES AND ACTIVITIES ● Overall winner of Roscommon County Council’s Tidy Schools - 5 times ● Low pupil to teacher ratio ● 7th Green Flag for Global Citizenship ● Comenius Projects ● School Pets/Organic Gardening - Polytunnel ● Entrepeneurial School ● County titles in rounders, soccer and football ● Additional activities include: soccer, swimming, I.T., music and drama Optional supervision We offer a Homework Club from 2.10 - 3.10pm for ALL Infants Monday to Thursday available to all pupils!

2018 Admission Now Open 071 9621771/086 8207571 E: woodbrookns@gmail.com W: www.woodbrookns.scoilnet.ie

OUR HOMEWORK CLUB

€370,000 in funding for repair of small roads

Rose Finnerty and Louise Shanagher form the creative partnership Lou Lou Rose and will be launching the ‘Mindfully Me’ series of books this Saturday in Dublin.

“There are three books in the ‘Mindfully Me’ series which is Ireland’s first series promoting positive mental health for children and particularly mindfulness.

“The first book is called ‘It’s Always There’ and that’s introducing mindful breathing. The second one is ‘Where’s Happy?’ and that’s about children accepting themselves for who they are and finding peace and happiness from inside. The third book is called ‘Look Who’s Here’ and that’s about managing

difficult emotions while being kind to yourself”.

Louise said that the books were inspired by her own experiences and studies.

“It came from my own experiences really and from working with teenagers and seeing that some of their problems were fairly ingrained and thinking that children should be learning skills to manage their emotions and understand their own mental health and well-being. I didn’t see that being done so I

started teaching mindfulness and meditation classes. It was hard to find good books around these issues so I decided to try and write them myself.

“I see the books as a tool really for parents and teachers to approach these topics with children and teenagers.

“For kids themselves, I hope they will be able to use the books to help them be happier and help them deal with issues that happen in their lives.

The books will come

with workbook pages which will be available online so that parents and teachers can print off their own lesson plans and guided meditations.

A series of videos, which Louise produced with two of her brothers, will also be available.

The books are published

by The Lilliput Press and will be available individually and as a set in Newsround and Cormican’s in Roscommon town as well as outlets nationwide following this Saturday’s launch.

€370,290 in funding has been announced for 2018 Local Improvement Schemes in Co. Roscommon. The funding will allow for the repair and improvement of small roads and laneways leading to local people’s homes and businesses that are not under the normal maintenance of the Local Authorities. The funding has been welcomed by local politicians.

Minister Denis Naughten said: “This allocation will significantly impact on road conditions and accessibility for drivers, homeowners and businesses.

“This allocation builds on the €1.8 million for repair works to non-public rural lanes, boreens and access roads in 2017 under the Local Improvement Scheme,” added Minister Naughten.

Minister Naughten said he raised this as an issue on entering this Government as he sought the reintroduction of the Local Improvement Scheme (LIS).

Senator Maura Hopkins stated “This funding adds significantly to the funds that were provided for County Roscommon under the scheme in 2017.

“This scheme will have a very positive impact for farmers to help them access their land and for residents who live on these private roads.

Senator Frank Feighan said: “This scheme should not be underestimated, as it provides valuable access for people in rural areas to homes and farms as well as amenities such as lakes and rivers. Generally speaking, the local authority would not be in a position to fund repairs to such roads”.

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

NewsPeople CONVENT OF MERCY (ROSCOMMON) STUDENT ENTERPRISE AWARDS TULSK, ROSCOMMON. www.jamesflanagan.ie

2016 2016 2015 2014 2014 2013 2012 2012 2011 2011 2005 2003 2011 2011 2007 2005 2005

Tel. 071 9639944. Email: sales@jamesflanagan.ie Open: Monday-Friday 9-6pm & Saturday, 10-3pm

Renault Capture 1.5 Diesel, 3,800 miles, Cream .................................................. €16,000 Renault Clio Dynamique 5-door 1149cc, Sat. Nav., Petrol, 13,178 miles ... €11,995 Ford Transit Custom 2.2, Long wheel base L-R P-V, 40,000 miles, White ... €14,950 Honda Civic Tourer Estate 1.6 Diesel, 37,000 miles ............................................ €15,500 Peugeot Boxer Van 333, 32,000 miles, 2.0cc, Blue ........................................... €12,500 Volkswagen Passat 1.6 Diesel SE Blue Motion, 66,000 miles, 4-door saloon, White ........................................................................ €12,750 Citreon Berlingo Enterprise, 76,000 miles, Grey ................................................... €7,500 Peugeot 207 2-door 1.4 Diesel Active, 56,000 miles, Silver ............................... €8,250 Ford Fiesta 5-door 1.4 Petrol, 60,000 miles, Blue SOLD ................................................ €7,500 VW Golf Match 1.6 5-door, 44,000 miles, Black SOLD ................................................. €9,500 Jaguar X Type 2 litre Diesel, 125,000 miles, ............................................................. €2,950 VW Golf Diesel 5-door HB, 142,000 miles, Blue ............................................................. €1,500 Honda Accord 2.2 ex-automatic, 97,000 miles, Silver SOLD ................................... €13,995 Honda Accord 2.2 Diesel ES GT, 130,000 miles, Black ........................................ €11,500 Honda CRV Jeep 4 wheel drive EX 112,000 miles Grey Met 2.2 Dsl ..................€3,995 Honda Jazz 1.2, Blue ......................................................................................................... €1,550 Honda Civic 1.7 HB Diesel, 5-door, 153,000 miles ....................................................... €2,750

PUBLIC NOTICES

LOCAL ELECTIONS (DISCLOSURE OF DONATIONS AND EXPENDITURE) ACT, 1999 AS AMENDED BY THE ELECTORAL (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2001 (SECTION 58) AND THE ELECTORAL (AMENDMENT) ACT, 2002 (SECTION 5), ELECTORAL (AMENDMENT) (POLITICAL FUNDING) ACT 2012

Pictured at the Convent of Mercy (Roscommon) Student Enterprise Awards were (front row, l-r): Tara Crowley, Ailbhe Farrell and Roisín Grady, who won first prize with ‘Grow Your Own’. Back row (l-r): Jeremy Cullen, Claire Carty, Anne Browne and Sinéad Fannon. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin

Donation statements submitted by Members of Roscommon County Council for the period 1 January 2017 to 31 December 2017, in accordance with the above, are now available for public inspection. Documents may be viewed at Corporate Services Desk, Roscommon County Council, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon during normal office hours.

Majella Hunt Director of Services Roscommon County Council Pictured at the Convent of Mercy (Roscommon) Student Enterprise Awards were Orla Keane, teacher, Niamh Petrie, who was runner-up with ‘Safe 4 Road’, and Anne Browne, LEO Roscommon. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin

Pictured at the Convent of Mercy (Roscommon) Student Enterprise Awards were Edel Connolly, teacher, Helen Corcoran, who placed fourth with ‘Essentials For You’, and Anne Browne, LEO Roscommon. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin

Pictured at the Convent of Mercy (Roscommon) Student Enterprise Awards were Patricia Henriques, Louise Fetherstone and Courtney Kelly, who placed third with ‘As Cute As A Button’, and Anne Browne, LEO Roscommon. Pic: Gerard O’Loughlin

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

NewsPeople –––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––– Advertorial ––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––––

Information Evening at Feevagh National School

Pupils from Feevagh NS coding with Lego as part of the school’s Digital Schools Distinction endeavours

Feevagh National School is holding an information evening on Tuesday, March 6th, from 7 to 8 pm. We invite all prospective students and their parents to come along to view the school and its wonderful facilities and meet our staff.

Feevagh National School is a wellresourced, expanding rural school with ample surrounds nestled in the Dysart countryside, which has held a prominent place in the local community since the 19th century and continues to do so today.

Our school is not only steeped in tradition but is equipped with every modern learning resource and facility in our modern, newly-refurbished classrooms.

Having seen enrolment figures rise steadily over the past number of years it endeavours to provide a high standard of teaching and learning now and into the future.

“Rural schools are an important part of the social fabric and they will continue to be into the future” – commented Acting Principal of Feevagh N.S., Ms. Aoife Donnelly.

“The attachment of local communities to their schools and the association of the school with a sense of place is part of the unique identity of many areas with strong intergenerational connectivity’’.

And it is obvious, upon visiting this rural school, that its ties to the local community run deep.

“Our low pupil teacher ratio provides ample opportunity for individual attention ensuring that each child reaches their full potential in all areas of school life”.

Children partake in a range of sporting and other extra-curricular activities. Indeed the range of activities offered is testament to the staff of the three-teacher school in their provision of the optimal teaching and learning experiences for the pupils in their care, while at the same time creating lasting memories of their school days.

For more information, visit www. feevaghns.ie or contact the school at feevaghns@gmail.com or 0906622200.

Open Evening & Enrolment at

Feevagh N.S. Feevagh, Dysart, Co. Roscommon www.feevaghns.ie Parents and children are invited to come along to Feevagh N.S. on Tuesday, 6th March from 7.00 to 8.00pm to meet with staff and view our school & its facilities.

If this date does not suit or should you have any enquiries prior to that date we may be contacted on 090-6622200 or feevaghns@gmail.com

Town halls: Who’s responsible, WHO CARES?  LOUISE HOLIAN

Louise Holian pictured at Ballygar Town Hall last Friday. Pic: Andrew Fox

The Town Hall in Ballygar was once called ‘The People’s Hall’ and is now owned by the parish. It is in trouble and has been in trouble for a long time. Recently the problems have become more obvious due to increasing footfall and they have become the main topic of conversation at most committee meetings.

The building is in need of major investment and a complete overhaul inside and out. Before, I wouldn’t have been one to knock on the priest’s door, but nowadays I’m a regular visitor. Not for spiritual guidance mind you, but to request repairs. In fairness, the parish have responded so far, but it’s becoming too much for them. The church and other local parish-owned buildings face similar dilemmas.

If one day the parish can’t help us, what then? Is it down to the users? Most voluntary, charitable or not-for-profit organisations don’t have the funding. It also wouldn’t be fair if responsibility for repairs fell back on the local community, even though everyone is always so kind – this is bigger than a bake sale!

As a native of Ballygar, the town hall has my heart, even with the delightful smell of damp as you open the door.

Memories remain, from dancing awkwardly on stage in feiseanna as a child to seeing my father starting a youth club.

Recently, I reignited the youth club in 2016 and now help to run an Arts & Theatre Space at the town hall on a voluntary basis. The aim is to make the arts more accessible in rural areas. It’s home in lots of ways and the last thing I want is to witness it falling into further disrepair or, worse yet, close once more.

Aside from the emotional plea I want to use this platform to ask a bigger question about halls like this in rural Ireland, of which there are so many. This is our identity and these halls were what our communities were built around. Their past was so rich, but what’s their future? I ask local politicians, local people and anyone who cares about halls like ours to come, sit around a table and see what we can do, if anything at all.

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

NewsPeople

‘No positive vibes’ from Daly’s Rosalie meeting  DAN DOONER

Jim Daly, the Minister for State with responsibility for Mental Health and Older People, met with family members of residents at the Rosalie Unit in Castlerea on Tuesday afternoon as concerns continue to grow for the future of the unit.

Liam Walsh, whose mother Breda lives in the unit, said that Minister Daly maintained that the future of the unit would be dictated by clinical best guidance and what’s in the best interests of current residents.

“I’m still very hopeful ahead of our meeting with Minister Harris and Minister Daly this day next week (Wednesday) in Dublin.

“Minister Daly is a decent man, he listened to us and gave us a significant amount of his time on

what was a busy day for him.

“Unfortunately he could tell us nothing new and reiterated what was said already, that any decision would be taken in the best interests of the residents and would be a clinical decision,” he said.

Mr. Walsh said that the decision to wind down the unit remains “shocking and very upsetting” for the loved ones of current residents but that they remain hopeful of political intervention.

“We have three very decent men as public representatives here in Roscommon, and we’re very fortunate that one of them is a Minister in the current Government.

“He (Minister Naughten) is a decent man with a previous track record of doing the right thing. He also has a letter from the office of

the then Health Minister and current Taoiseach, Leo Varadkar, which gave reassurances on the future of the unit back in 2015.

“Are Fine Gael going to renege on another promise to Co. Roscommon? Hope springs eternal but there were no positive vibes yesterday,” Mr. Walsh said.

Mr. Walsh added that he was also concerned by a perceived lack of engagement from senior HSE managers who were also present in Castlerea yesterday.

“The staff were fantastic as usual but at no point did any of the family members see any interaction between HSE senior management and residents.

While I couldn’t fault the Minister, I would be concerned with HSE management’s lack of engagement with family members and residents,” he concluded.

Minister Jim Daly, Senator Frank Feighan, Mary Garvey, Manager of Roscommon University Hospital and Senator Maura Hopkins pictured in the new Endoscopy Suite at Roscommon University Hospital. Picture: Andrew Fox

PUBLIC NOTICES

DECLARATION OF PUBLIC ROADS

PUBLIC NOTICES

ROADS ACT 1993, SECTION 11 ROADS REGULATIONS 1994, PART 2 PLANNING & DEVELOPMENT ACT 2000 (AS AMENDED), SECTION 180

N61 Ballymurray to Knockcroghery Road Project CONSTRAINTS STUDY PUBLIC CONSULTATION Roscommon County Council, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII) is promoting a project to improve the N61 National Secondary Route between Ballymurray and Knockcroghery. Roscommon National Roads Regional Office has identified an initial Constraints Study Area for the Project and this is now being presented for public consultation.

CONSTRAINTS STUDY PUBLIC CONSULTATION will take place in Knockcroghery Community Centre (Old School), Knockcroghery, Co Roscommon on Thursday 1st March 2018, between the hours of 12pm and 7:30 p.m.

Members of the public are invited to attend this public consultation to express their views and impart their local knowledge.

For additional project information, or to complete the questionnaire online, please visit the project webpage at http://www.roscommoncoco.ie/en/Services/Roads/ Publications-and-Information/

LOCAL GOVERNMENT REFORM ACT 2014, SCHEDULE 3 Roscommon County Council proposes to declare the following roads to be public roads: Road located at Baylough, Athlone, Co. Roscommon

Athlone Municipal District Office, Monksland, Athlone,

Road located at Taylorstown, Clonown, Athlone, Co. Roscommon

Co. Roscommon N37 W5P9

Boyle Municipal District proposes to declare the following roads to be public roads: Road located within housing development at River Oaks, Kilcolman-Ballyoughter Townland, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.

Ballaghaderreen Area Office, The Courthouse, Ballaghaderreen Co. Roscommon F45 X704

Road located within housing development at Glenpatrick Estate, Cortober Townland, Carrick-on-Shannon, Co. Roscommon.

Boyle Area Office Cootehall Street, Boyle Co. Roscommon F52 X436

Road located within housing development at Park View Estate, Warren or Drum Townland, Abbeytown, Boyle Co. Roscommon.

Maps outlining the said roads may be inspected at the offices of Roscommon County Council, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon and at the offices listed above during normal working hours for the period from 2/3/2018 to 4/4/2018 inclusive. Objections or representations in relation to this declaration may be made in writing to the undersigned or e-mailed to roads@roscommoncoco.ie no later than 4 pm on 18/4/18.

Eugene Dwyer S.E. Head of Roads and Transportation Roscommon County Council Áras an Chontae Roscommon F42 VR98 Date of Notice: 2nd March 2018

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

NewsPeople

Celebrating ten years of Dysart Rural Men’s Group You are cordially invited to the launch of ‘Dysart Rural Men’s Group – Celebrating Ten Years’ in Dysart Community Centre me next Monday night, 5th of March at 7 pm All are welco

Launch by Cllr. Orla Leyden, Cathaoirleach of Roscommon

Dysart men’s group to launch new book  DAN DOONER

Rural men’s groups are becoming increasingly popular across Ireland and in Co. Roscommon three have been established in Ballaghaderreen, Drumboylan and Dysart.

The groups, which are supported by Roscommon LEADER Partnership, provide a social outlet for men across the county and include activities such as historical research, social events and day trips.

The Dysart Rural Men’s Group was established in 2007 and its twenty members meet every Tuesday at Dysart Community Centre. To celebrate their tenth anniversary, the group made the decision to produce a book in January 2017 and that book, titled ‘Dysart Rural Men’s Group – Cele-

brating Ten Years’ will be launched next Monday night (5th) at Dysart Community Centre.

The book will include photographs and articles from the last decade and “captures ten years of memories, fulfilments, achievements and community spirit” according to group coordinator, Noel Hoare from Roscommon LEADER Partnership.

Noel described the group as a vital outlet for local men in the area.

“The group was set up to provide a safe environment for men to socialise and also address issues around isolation and loneliness in rural Ireland,” he said.

Noel did however highlight the issue of funding and the uncertainty rural men’s groups face each year.

“There is a real need for the Government to really support groups such as this one. It’s kind of tough not having a set budget at the start of each year and not being able to plan ahead”.

As for ‘Dysart Rural Men’s Group – Celebrating Ten Years’, Noel praised the men on their work during the production.

“Just from doing this book it’s been amazing to see what came out of this room.

“The have had a huge input into the book – if they weren’t doing it, it would be meaningless.

“The book has now come to pass. I don’t think people will ever wonder what the Dysart Men’s Group was in twenty years’ time, what it was about or who was up there. The work has been done and the book is there”.

Phil Noone, a lecturer at NUI Galway, wrote the

foreword for the book and said that groups such as the Dysart Rural Men’s Group were important in providing an outlet for people to meet and gather.

“The Dysart Rural Men’s Group was established to address this need and to offer rural men a social outlet, a safe and secure interactive space to meet. But, it evolved into more than just a meeting space.

“This book showcases, with pride and through illustrated photographs, the many valuable projects that the Dysart Rural Men’s Group have undertaken over the last ten years”.

The book will be launched next Monday (5th)

by Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council Cllr. Orla Leyden at 7 pm in Dysart Community Centre.

Members of Dysart Rural Men’s Group pictured in Dysart Community Centre. Picture: Andrew Fox

An afternoon with the Dysart Rural Men’s Group  DAN DOONER

Last Wednesday (21st of February) I had the pleasure of meeting seventeen members of the Dysart Rural Men’s Group during their weekly meeting in Dysart Community Centre. The group, which celebrated its tenth anniversary last year, is preparing to launch a book, titled ‘Dysart Rural Men’s Group – Celebrating Ten Years’ next Monday (5th) in the community centre.

Denis Connolly opened proceedings by paying tribute to Roscommon LEADER’s Noel Hoare, who is responsible for facilitating group meetings each Tuesday in Dysart.

“We wouldn’t have any men’s group in Dysart only for Noel Hoare. He’s the key to the life of the men’s group here in Dysart. He does an awful lot of work behind the scenes organising speakers each week, musicians and entertainment. He’s a very likeable lad; he’s one of us. Before we got the bus, he went around and picked up some of the lads each week. Without Noel, there’d be no men’s group”.

The men believe the group is vital in terms of providing a social outlet in Dysart.

“It’s a good way of meeting people because out in the country you don’t meet them. You’d be left farming on the land and it can be lonesome. It’s different this way (with the group), you meet people and hear what they have to say,” Jimmy Harrington said.

Michael Gacquin has a keen interest in the history of Dysart and surrounding areas. The group has been a great outlet for that passion, taking part in historical research and erecting an information panel on local history in the village.

Michael has also played his own part in the rich local history, having been a member of the Dysart Dramatic Society back in the 1950s.

“In 1952 we had a Dramatic Society and we did a lot of plays down in Ballyforan and down in Ballinasloe and Rahara and places like that”.

The former Dysart Dramatic Society star is now an enthusiastic member of the rural men’s group.

“It’s great that we can come here maybe 22 Tuesdays every winter. We have the craic here and we might have the fire brigade one day and the guards the next and someone in about veterinary the next day,” he said.

Denis Connolly said the variety of activities on

offer meant that there was rarely a dull moment in Dysart.

“Every week is different, this week will be different to last week and there’s always something to look forward to. I think everyone that comes to the group looks forward to meeting again the next week. It’s great and it does people good, it’s important”.

Denis also highlighted the problems caused by rural isolation.

“A lot of people living alone don’t even see the postman any more because there’s a postbox at the end of the road”.

There is a wonderful social element to the group and it was evident during our visit last Wednesday.

Dinner of bacon, cabbage and potatoes was served around two tables in the kitchen area as the men chatted and enjoyed the craic and being in each other’s company.

The group acts as a forum for men in Dysart and surrounding areas and any problems or issues they have can be raised in the group setting. There are also regular talks given by local public servants and those with tips and knowledge to impart on a wide variety of topics.

As well as the frequent guest speakers from bodies such as An Garda Síochána and Roscommon Fire Brigade, the group are also involved in many projects locally, all of which are detailed in the book. John Taylor and Noel Hoare are also training to be physical activity leaders through the Go For Life scheme and will be leading physical activities within the group in the coming months.

The support of local organisations enables the group to continue and Noel Hoare highlighted the number of people who have given their time voluntarily in order to speak to the group as well as the various bodies who have offered support over the past decade.

“We couldn’t count the amount of people who have come in here over the last few years and gave advice whether it was about wills, mental well-being and many other issues affecting older people.

“The HSE, GRETB, Roscommon County Council and Roscommon LEADER Partnership have been very good to us and we couldn’t survive without them and that’s the truth. We have a local committee and other local groups as well as local businesses are a great support too. There’s nothing magic about it, it just works!”

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

Business Pictured are St. Coman’s Wood’s Primary School who were runners-up in the Roscommon Credit Union Table Quiz Finals. Pictured were Isabelle Quinn, Grace Killion, Karen Grogan, Roscommon Credit Union, Darragh Gubbins, John Devaney, Roscommon Credit Union and Rory Dunne. Picture: Andrew Fox

Pictured are St. Mary’s National School, Knockcroghery who were runners-up in the Roscommon Credit Union Table Quiz Finals. Pictured were Barry Gately, Tara Biesty, Roscommon Credit Union, Heather O’Sullivan, Serena O’Farrell, Roscommon Credit Union, Maeve Gately, John Devaney, Roscommon Credit Union and Ruairi Kilcline. Picture: Andrew Fox

Roscommon Credit Union Schools Quiz winners in regional finals this Saturday The Annual Credit Union Schools Quiz took place in Kilbride Community Centre, Fourmilehouse recently when a large crowd attended for what was a superbly successful event.

A total of twenty-six teams competed for the honour of representing Roscommon Credit Union in the Regional Finals of this popular competition and the winners now go forward to compete in those Regional Finals on Saturday, March 3rd in the Athlone Springs Hotel (at 3 pm).

This was an excellent response from local schools who competed in the

parallel A (U-11s) and B (U-13s) competitions. In all, over 100 pupils took part from various schools around the region.

In the U-11 age category Competition A, Gaelscoil struck gold with 1st place and Kilteevan followed in a close 2nd place. Third place went to St. Coman’s Wood.

Competition B winner was Gaelscoil de Hide, 2nd place was taken by Fourmilehouse and after a nail-biting tie-break round between Knockcroghery and Fuerty, Table 4B from Knockcroghery came out on top.

All the winning teams received prizes and a small memento of the day but really all the competitors deserved a prize as the standard of answering was extremely high.

Roscommon Credit Union said in a press statement: “Congratulations to all the competitors who took part in what was an excellent competition and sincere thanks also to all the parents and teachers who participated and supported their teams.

“The organising committee also deserve a big thank you. Many voluntary hours have gone into organising this

event and we thank in particular Lynda Lane for her administration work in liaising with all the schools, Ann Murphy (Quizmaster) and Mary T. Molloy (Adjudicator), John Devaney, Patrick J. McDonald, Alec Dempsey and Michael O’Beirne, who assisted on the day.

“A special word of thanks also to Mark Molloy and Karen Murphy who volunteered their time to help out on the day and to all the staff who assisted and made this a very well organised and efficient event for all to enjoy.

“Our thoughts now turn to the next

round on Saturday, March 3rd and we wish our representatives the very best of luck as they march forward to represent Roscommon Credit Union in the next round of this prestigious AllIsland Credit Union Competition”. * To find out more about Roscommon Credit Union Ltd. or the role it plays as a community-based financial services co-operative please call to their offices at Abbey St., Roscommon, Main St., Elphin, or Elphin St., Strokestown or call 090-6626657. Also, you can visit www.roscommoncreditunion.ie or facebook @RosCreditUnion

Pictured are Gaelscoil De hÍde who won 1st place (B) in the Roscommon Credit Union Table Quiz Finals.

Pictured were Brían O’Conchúir, Alec Dempsey, Roscommon Credit Union, Emma Ní Fhearghail, Bernie Moran, Roscommon Credit Union, Nathan Mac an Bhaird, John Devaney, Roscommon Credit Union, Múinteoir Éanna and Ethan ÓFallúin. Picture: Andrew Fox

Pictured are Gaelscoil De hÍde who won 1st place (A) in the Roscommon Credit Union Table Quiz Finals.

Pictured were Mary Flynn, Roscommon Credit Union, Tara Ní Heidhin, Mary T. Molloy, Roscommon Credit Union, Ruadhan Mac Sheamais, Bernie Moran, Roscommon Credit Union, John Devaney, Roscommon Credit Union, Dylan Ó Tearbhaill, Paula Satchwell, Roscommon Credit Union, Senan Ó Móre and Múinteoir Éanna.

Picture: Andrew Fox

Pictured are Kilteevan National School who were runners-up in the Roscommon Credit Union Table Quiz Finals.

Pictured were Ruth Cunningham, Karen Grogan, Roscommon Credit Union, Jenny Connolly, John Devaney, Roscommon Credit Union, Maria Fox, Catherine Nugent, Roscommon Credit Union and Maeve Egan.

Picture: Andrew Fox

Pictured are Scoil Bhríde National School, Fourmilehouse who were runners-up in the Roscommon Credit Union Table Quiz Finals. Pictured were Conor Fannon, Shane O’Donnell, Principal of Scoil Bhríde, David Brennan, Serena O’Farrell, Roscommon Credit Union, Emma Fitzmaurice, Pat McDonnell, Roscommon Credit Union and Adam Murphy. Picture: Andrew Fox

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

15

Business Daire’s one to watch this year!

Cyclist is new MJ Farrell brand ambassador MJ Farrell Jewellers, Roscommon town has announced a sponsorship deal supporting local international cyclist Daire Feeley as their new brand ambassador for 2018.

Managing Director Aidan Farrell said his

company were delighted to unveil Daire as their new brand ambassador.

“I have followed his impressive rise through the ranks of Irish amateur cycling and now riding in Europe with Team UC Monaco”.

Daire has already worn the green international jersey of Ireland with such aplomb alongside the best cyclists in the world and Aidan added that he is in no doubt that Daire will be riding in the Grand Tours of the world before long.

“Daire is a great example of where hard work and dedication and no shortage of sacrifice and bravery can reap rewards, from Donamon Dynamos onto the world stage of international cycling.

“MJ Farrell Jewellers see Daire as a fantastic ambassador for their jewellery business which is firmly established as one of the finest County Jewellers in Ireland for well over 100 years,” Aidan concluded.

Pictured is Aidan Farrell presenting MJ Farrell brand ambassador, Daire Feeley, with a new Casio G-SHOCK watch in Roscommon town recently.

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For a confidential chat, ring Aengus on (086) 2573358 Pictured at the presentation of Casio G-SHOCK watch to UC Monaco cyclist Daire Feeley as brand ambassador for MJ Farrell Jewellers were (l-r): Michael Farrell, Marie Hennigan, Aidan Farrell, Daire Feeley and Michelle Mulryan-Beirne.

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Save Roscommon campaign a success – Minister Naughten The Save Roscommon campaign has been a success as County Roscommon’s boundary is to be protected in a new law that will also set up a new committee to develop Athlone in a cooperative way, Minister Denis Naughten has claimed.

“As a result of my work with Ministers Eoghan Murphy and John Paul Phelan on designating Athlone as a major centre in the new National Planning Framework we have now received Cabinet approval to put a new cooperative structure in place which allows Athlone to develop in a coordinated manner while protecting Roscommon’s county boundary,” explained Minister Naughten.

“A new legally established joint structure will deal with the development and other interests of both parts of the town of

Athlone, rather than altering the county boundary. This will be underpinned by a new law which will provide clarity once and for all by protecting the existing county boundary and removing the possibility of any disagreement in the future.

“The statutory joint structure will be composed of equal membership from both Roscommon and Westmeath County Councils.

“It will have designated responsibility for development and planning including responsibility for certain key strategic matters beyond the existing standard functions of Councils, especially in relation to spatial and economic planning and development.

“These structures will also have responsibility for transportation strategy, forward planning and

land use designation, and retail strategy as well as any other such matters as both Roscommon and Westmeath Councils agree. Such structures will not, however, have responsibility for delivering existing functions of Roscommon County Council except with the express agreement of the Council”.

Minister Naughten added: “There will be a new clear legal guarantee for the permanent integrity of the identity of County Roscommon and traditional allegiance through legislative provision to copper-fasten the status of counties as territorial units”.

Minister Naughten said that it is expected that this new legal protection will be included in a Local Government Bill to be published by the end of May 2018.

16

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

NewsPeople

Planning for Portrun …

The local community, working closely with st state agencies and other st stakeholders, are embarked o on development plans for the b beautiful Portrun area.

Recently a Public C Consultation took place on th the Feasibility Study which w was commissioned by Portrun D Development Association.

That Consultation was held in Hannon’s Hotel, Roscommon.

PUBLIC NOTICES

LETTING OF LANDS Tenders are invited for letting of lands, as detailed in the schedule below, for grazing for the EIGHT month period commencing 1st April 2018. The highest or any offer shall not necessarily be accepted. The persons whose offers are accepted will be required to enter into an agreement with Roscommon County Council, and such persons shall be responsible for fencing work that may be required during the letting period. Horses/ponies/donkeys will not be permitted on Council lands.

If required, the Council may terminate any letting on one week’s notice with adjustment of rent. The Tender must be enclosed in a sealed envelope marked “Letting of Lands” and delivered either by hand or by post to the Director of Services, Corporate Services, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon F42 VR98 no later than 4.00 p.m. on Friday 9th March 2018. Certificates regarding disease free herd must be enclosed with the Tender.

Pictured at the event were members of Portrun Development Association executive. Back row (l-r): Pat Donnellan, Tracey Owens, Ciarán Heneghan, Susan Townsend and John Devaney. Front row (l-r): Stephanie O’Connor Shaw, Ger Hanlon (chairperson) and Cora Mugan. Picture: Andrew Fox

PUBLIC NOTICES

SCHEDULE OF LANDS Location of Land

Approximate Acreage

Ballyforan

12.5

Ballyforan

3

Ballyboughan, Roscommon

3

Ballyboughan/Carrownabrickna

9

Portrunny

4

Carrowmore, Roscommon

4

Lisnamult, Roscommon

4.9

Lisnamult, Roscommon

2.4

Ballyleague

3

Ballyfinnegan, Ballintubber

6.5

Falledeen, Ballinlough

3.7

Drishaghaun East, Castleplunkett

2

Clooninisclin, Ballinlough

3.6

Orchard Garden, Demesne, Castlerea

3.7

Kilcolman, Ballaghaderreen

3.5

Kilcolman, Ballaghaderreen

4

Carrowiskeehan, Kilglass

0.7

Clegna, Cootehall

4.4

Cloonmaan, Carrick-on-Shannon

3

Lugnamuddagh, Boyle

40

Copse, Boyle

1.5

Derreenavoggy, Arigna Majella Hunt Director of Services Roscommon County Council Áras an Chontae Roscommon F42 VR98

1

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 period and the reason specified.

Road to be closed: L 7040 Lanesboro Street between Fallon Avenue and Castle Street.

Period of Closure: From 8.00am on Tuesday 3rd of April to 5.30pm on Friday 20th April, 2018.

Alternative Routes: N61 Circular Road and Regional Road R366 Reason for Closures: To facilitate road improvement works.

Local access will be facilitated where possible.

Objections in respect of the proposed closure may be made in writing to the undersigned to arrive not later than 5.00pm on Thursday 15th March, 2018.

Eugene Dwyer Head of Roads & Transportation Roscommon County Council Áras an Chontae Roscommon F42 VR98

Banks cannot be let off hook through Vulture sales – Kerrane Claire Kerrane, Sinn Féin General election candidate for Roscommon/Galway, has said that banks cannot be let off the hook by transferring loan books to vulture funds.

Ms. Kerrane said that many struggling families are only now beginning to see some light after years of struggle and that the banks had a responsibility to bear with hard-working families doing their best to reach a solution.

She said: “First Permanent TSB and now Ulster Bank are flagging up a massive sale of loans while AIB are likely to look to make more sales.

“This all points to the banks consciously using vultures as a ‘get out’ clause with the government refusing to shout stop.

“For some families, things have begun to turn around and there is light at the end of the tunnel.

To hear of banks lining up sales of loan books is a cruel blow to families doing their best and making progress on their mortgage arrears.

“The regulation issue must be dealt with but the failure of the banks so long after the banking crash to have offered the full range of solutions and to have put in place permanent solutions including writedowns is the real cause of this rush to sell”.

Ms. Kerrane called for “a concerted political effort aimed at reminding Irish banks that they are only here by the grace of hard-working families”.

She added: “Sinn Féin is clear that we stand with the mortgage holders doing their best to pay and I am calling on the government to do the same”.

Property People Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

Crossing a threshold Housing charity not impressed with banks’ plans National housing charity Threshold has said that the proposed sale by Permanent TSB and Ulster Bank of non-performing home loans is a matter of grave concern to the thousands of tenants who will be affected and threatens to exponentially increase pressure in the private rented sector.

It understands that 4,000 buy-to-let properties are to be included in the PTSB sale alone, affecting up to 10,000 tenants, and threatening to dramatically escalate homelessness among tenants in these properties.

It is calling on the Government to: Legislate to ensure that receivers must ‘step into the shoes’ of the landlord and take on their obligations for renters in a receivership situation. Introduce a code of conduct on buy-to-let mortgage arrears, similar to the Code of Conduct for Mortgage Arrears (CCMA) for residential mortgages.

Commenting, Threshold CEO, John-Mark McCafferty said: “Threshold speaks to tenants on a daily basis who are suffering from the impacts of the current housing crisis, with security of tenure and the threat of eviction being the top issue. We call for any protection to mortgage holders who could be affected by the sale of the PTSB loan book to a vulture fund to be extended to tenants living in homes that are financed by distressed buy-to-let mortgages. While the loan may not be performing, the rent is still being paid by the tenants and without Government intervention, we will inevitably see homeless figures continue to rise once the vulture funds start to pursue aggressive repossession procedures on renters”.

Threshold is also highlighting the uncertainty for renters when their home is repossessed or goes into receivership.

While a receiver is entitled to collect the rent, it does not have any obligations to the tenants. Tenants’ rights in relation to upkeep of the property, deposit return and adherence to the existing terms of the tenancy are often ignored by receivers when they are appointed or when lenders seek to repossess a mortgaged property that is being rented. Many properties that are subject to

17

NEWS… & VIEWS Offers over €55,000 sought for Oakwood apartment David Diffley (MIPAV, TRV) of Property Partners Earley is this week offering new to the market a quality 1st floor two-bedroomed apartment located at 19, Oakwood Retirement Village, Roscommon town, Roscommon.

David describes the property as “a most attractive apartment located in the exclusive Oakwood Retirement Village beside Roscommon town, Roscommon University Hospital and all local amenities”.

The property is presented for sale in turnkey condition throughout with the benefit of spacious living accommodation and a peaceful setting with ample parking facilities.

David added: “We now invite enquiries, viewings and all offers after €55,000 for immediate sale”.

For further details or to arrange a viewing, please contact David Diffley (MIPAV, TRV) of Property Partners Earley, Roscommon on 090-6626579, email ddiffley@propertypartners.ie or log onto www.propertypartners.ie.

Glinsk lands on the market Sean Naughton Auctioneers is delighted to invite final offers on c.40 acres of mixed quality land with old residence at Treanpark, Glinsk, Co. Galway.

Price on application.

Final offers to be submitted to the office on or before 5 pm on Thursday, 15th of March.

For further details please contact the office on 0906625080 or email seannaughton@eircom.net

Final two at Castleview! receivership are sold, which can result in tenants being evicted.

Mr. McCafferty said: “At present tenants do not have an automatic right to be heard in the court proceedings relating to the repossession of their rented home, and the court is not required to have regard to the tenant’s rights or interests in making an order for possession and/or sale. A code for buy-to-let arrears, similar to the CCMA for residential mortgages, would introduce a transparent process for financial institutions, landlords and tenants; set out the required steps for engagement with the landlord and tenant and the forms of

communication required; and ensure that financial institutions respect and uphold tenants’ rights”.

Threshold’s Tenancy Protection Service works to prevent families becoming homeless in the first place and is urging people and families who are renting and who are worried about losing their home to contact them, free of charge, on 1800 454 454, 9 am to 9 pm, Monday to Friday.

Mr. McCafferty added: “We await evidence that Government is taking the matter of Buy-to-Let properties in the sale of bank loan books seriously, or that it has a strategy on this issue”.

Property Partners Earley, Roscommon are this week inviting final offers over €50,000 (each) for the last two remaining prime retail/office properties of 2,100 sq. ft., each located at Castleview Terrace, off Castle Street, Roscommon town, Co. Roscommon.

John Earley describes the property as: “primely located commercial units with the benefit of substantial car parking facilities and spacious accommodation to suit either office or retail purposes”.

He adds: “Each property comprises of 1,050 sq. ft. on the ground floor and 1,050 sq. ft. on the first floor. The properties can easily be modified to be used as one overall unit. The auctioneers now invite immediate enquiries and final offers after €50,000 for immediate sale”.

To arrange maps or for further details contact Property Partners Earley, Roscommon on 090-6626579, email jearley@propertypartners.ie or log onto www. propertypartners.ie.

18

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

PropertyPeople Auctioneers & Valuers NO. 1 ABBEY ST., ROSCOMMON. TEL 090 66 27003. FAX 090 66 26296 EMAIL info@pathughesauctioneers.com Web: www.pathughesauctioneers.com

New to the Market –For Sale at GLENBALLYTHOMAS, TULSK, CO. ROSCOMMON Circa 43 acre farm with an old derelict Residence thereon. The lands are located a short distance off the main frenchpark to Tulsk road in a nice rural setting. The lands have the benefit of a Cattle Pen and Crush and mains water.

Most of the lands are of top quality and located in one block.

For further details contact the office on 090 6627003 or e-mail info@pathughesauctioneers.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------

New to the Market –For Sale at GALLOWSTOWN, ROSCOMMON PSRA No.: 003821 An attractive 5 Bedroomed Residence on a large site in a much sought-after location.

Luxury residence on books of Sean Naughton Sean Naughton Auctioneers is delighted to offer to the market a four-bedroomed luxury detached residence for sale by private treaty with a large garden, located in the centre of Athleague Village, Co. Roscommon.

Accommodation includes – downstairs: kitchen, dining room, living room, sitting room, utility, toilet & WHB, storage room; upstairs: four bedrooms (one ensuite), large landing and family bathroom.

The property has many additional features, such as solid wooden floors throughout the property, master bedroom en-suite and walk-in wardrobe.

The property boasts large outside space, with garden to the rear with off-street

------------------------------------------------------------------------

FINAL OFFERS – FOR SALE Circa 18 acres of Top Quality land at

LYSTERFIELD, CURRAGHBOY, CO. ROSCOMMON

S R E F F AL O

FIN

The Lands are located in one block a short distance off the main Curraghboy to Roscommon Road and less than 1 mile from the Village of Curraghboy. The lands have the benefit of access to three roads with excellent road frontage and would have development potential subject to planning permission being granted.

The Lands have the benefit of there own Electrical & Mains water supply. Final Offers by Friday 2nd March 2018 at 5 p.m.

For further information contact Pat on 090 6627003 or e-mail info@pathughesauctioneers.com ------------------------------------------------------------------------

LANDS TO LET • Circa 70 acres at Knockcroghery on a 5 year lease.

Can be let in one or two lots to suit.

All of the lands are of top quality and well fenced.

First letting.

• Circa 55 Acres convenient to Tulsk Village on a 5 year Lease.

For further details contact Pat on 090 6627003 or e-mail info@pathughesauctioneers.com

Hughes & Company have an attractive townhouse for sale, located at Lanesboro Street, Roscommon. The residence stands on a large site with rear entrance from the Mart Road which would leave it suitable for development, subject to planning permission being granted.

Accommodation consists of – downstairs: sitting room/ bedroom, living room, kitchen; upstairs: two bedrooms and a bathroom.

While the residence is in need of some modernisation it is located in a promi-

Sean Naughton MIPAV

COMMISSIONER FOR OATHS, AUCTIONEERS, VALUERS, ESTATE AGENTS THE SQUARE, ROSCOMMON TEL: (090) 6625080 (offi (office ce)) Mob: 087 2479486 — Fax: (090) 6627161 Email: seannaughton@eircom.net

FINAL OFFERS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY TREANPARK, GLINSK, CO. GALWAY C.40 acres of mixed quality land at Treanpark, Glinsk, Co. Galway

Price on application

parking. This property has commercial potential due to its excellent location in the centre of Athleague village. Formerly the old schoolhouse, it has been completely been redesigned to modern standards.

This property is in an excellent location within walking distance of local

amenities such as shops, school, post office and Church, etc. Viewing is highly recommended – this property has to be seen to be fully appreciated.

Price on application.

For further details please contact Sean Naughton Auctioneers on 0906625080 or email seannaughton@eircom.net

Attractive townhouse in Roscommon town The Residence consists of a Kitchen, Utility, Dining Room, Sitting Room, 2 Large Bedrooms down stairs, Toilet with Shower and Wash Hand Basin and a Single Bedroom. Upstairs has two large Bedrooms and a Bathroom. The Residence stands on circa ½ acre site.

Viewing by Appointment on 090 6627003.

LEGAL: MAHON SWEENEY SOLICITORS, MAIN STREET, ROSCOMMON. PH. 090 6626102

PSRA Licence No. 001821

nent location in a quiet residential area. This would be an ideal investment opportunity or holiday home.

For further information

or to make an appointment to view, contact the office on 090-6627003 or email info@pathughesauctioneers.com

Dormer bungalow at Gallowstown This week Hughes & Company, Abbey Street, Roscommon are confirming that they have just placed on the market a large five-bedroomed dormer bungalow at Gallowstown, Roscommon. The property is finished to a high standard and stands on a large mature site.

For further information or to make an appointment to view, contact the office on 090-6627003 or email info@ pathughesauctioneers.com

Final Offers to be submitted to the office on or before 5pm on Thursday 15th March

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

FINAL OFFERS NOW BEING ACCEPTED FOR SALE BY PRIVATE TREATY CURRAGHBOY, ATHLONE, CO. ROSCOMMON Period 5 Bedroom Residence on 0.5 Acres for sale at Curraghboy, Athlone, Co. Roscommon. Accommodation briefly consists of Kitchen, Sitting Room, Living Room, 5 Bedrooms and Bathroom. Conveniently located close to Roscommon & Athlone town centres. Price on Application

Final offers invited for period farmhouse Sean Naughton Auctioneers is delighted to invite final offers on a period two-storey old farmhouse residence on a 0.5 acre site at Curraghboy, Athlone, Co. Roscommon.

Accommodation consists of kitchen, sitting room, living room, five bedrooms and bathroom.

The property had additional benefit of enclosed garden with mature shrubbery to the front of the property.

This property is in need of some refurbishment; however, it would make an ideal family home. The property is serviced by mains water and a septic tank.

The exterior of the property could be brought back to old stone facade.

This property is conveniently located to both Roscommon and Athlone Town centres. Viewing is strongly advised. Offers in the region of €110,000 are invited.

For further details please contact the office on 0906625080 or email seannaughton@eircom.net

New to the market – Glenamaddy residence

For sale in Strokestown Hughes & Company have for sale at No. 14, Vesnoy, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon an attractive semi-detached residence on a corner site. The residence is finished to a very high standard. Accommodation consists of a sitting room, kitchen cum dining room, downstairs bathroom; upstairs has three bedrooms and a toilet.

Meanwhile, Hughes & Company have for sale at Church Street, Roscommon a large four-bedroomed townhouse in need of modernisation. Pat is accepting offers in excess of €120,000 for this fine property.

For further information or to make an appointment to view, contact the office on 0906627003 or email info@pathughesauctioneers.com

Sean Naughton Auctioneers is delighted to offer new to the market No. 20, Dudley Heights, Glenamaddy, Co. Galway.

“We are delighted to offer for sale by private treaty this large five-bedroomed detached residence situated a two-minute walk from Glenamaddy Town centre.

“Accommodation includes kitchen/dining room, living room, five bedrooms (three en-suite), utility and family bathroom. This property has tarmac drive to the front with ample off-street parking and a garden area to the rear with mature shrubs.

“The property has additional benefit of downstairs bedroom with en-suite and the attic has been floored and converted. This property is in excellent condition throughout and viewing is highly advised”.

Offers in the region of €175,000 are invited.

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

PropertyPeople PSRA Licence No. 001481

www.propertypartners.ie

FORTHCOMING PROPERTY EXHIBITIONS We are now compiling our property listings for our forthcoming UK & USA exhibitions To have your property showcased to an extensive audience through our professional network, please contact one of our team in the strictest of confidence for a no obligation quotation.

Stone Court, The Square, Roscommon.

Tel. 090 66 26579. Fax: 090 66 25405.

EMAIL: jearley@propertypartners.ie

NEW TO THE MARKET

NEW TO THE MARKET

ONE ONLY LUXURY 4 B/R DORMER STYLE RESIDENCE OF C. 1,605 SQ.FT LOCATED AT

A SUPERB 5 B/R TWO STROEY RESIDENCE OF C. 1,840 SQ,FT LOCATED AT

THE HILLVIEW DEVELOPMENT, BESIDE BALLINLOUGH VILLAGE, CO. ROSCOMMON.

GORTNAGOYNE, BESIDE BALLINAGARE VILLAGE, CO. ROSCOMMON

One only 4 B/R bungalow residence in need of fit out located in the select Hillview development and beside all village amenities. The said residence is currently completed to builders finish throughout and would make an ideal family home due size and layout. The auctioneers now invite immediate enquiries and all offers for immediate sale.

Provisional

All offers after €160,000 to sell.

An impressive 5 B/R detached two storey residence standing on a wonderfully mature site area of approx. 2 acres in total with the benefit of 2 no large detached garages standing to the rear.

The said property is finished to the highest of standard throughout and is located in a select residential district close to Ballinagare village just off the main N5 western route.

Altogether, this is a quality family home that must be viewed to be fully appreciated and all offers after €160,000 are now invited for immediate sale.

From boom to bust to Brexit (and a query about Black and Tans) Sean has seen it all! the years. Are there any funny incidents that stand out in your memory from auctions or sales or just through meeting people?

I once had a gentleman from Australia who wanted to purchase property in the Four Roads area as his ancestors came from the area. He was infatuated with the history and especially the Black and Tans as he had been told one of his ancestors shot a Black and Tan. He went on four consecutive days to Strokestown House to locate the gun as he felt it should be there! The staff were very helpful and did everything to facilitate him but finally on the fourth day they showed him a gun and stated that was the one so he came back over the moon! I thought to myself she was a very smart lady.

Five minutes with Sean Naughton Sean, how long are you in the auctioneering business and how did you start out?

35 years this year. Previously I worked in the hospitality business, spending five years in London, and five in Dublin prior to starting the auctioneering business. I moved back to my native Rahara on getting married (to Peggy) and built a family home there. I always had a keen interest in property and had dabbled a bit prior to returning/buying and selling them on, naturally always with some profit. I enjoyed it so much that I decided to start my own auctioneering business.

How much and in what ways has the business changed over the years?

A chance meeting in Athlone one evening…I was introduced to Mr. Seamus Quinn who was the CEO of The Midland & Western Building Society whose head office at the time was in Longford. We had a very interesting chat and he was looking to expand the business and through the conversation I was offered a franchise – and the rest is history! I worked in conjunction with them and later they were sold on to EBS. I was also lucky enough to secure an agency for Eagle Star, now Zurich. Paul that’s how it all started.

Initially it was very personalised and you had to build up the confidence with all your clients on a personal level. I was lucky to be involved in politics and the GAA and was fairly well-known throughout Roscommon and that was a great help to me. Like all businesses now it is highly regulated and there’s quite an amount of red tape involved.

Bearing in mind the Government’s 2040 Plan, not

Rugby great Paul O’Connell meets Sean Naughton!

to mention Brexit, what’s your view of the future for County Roscommon? Are you optimistic or pessimistic?

I am very optimistic regarding the future of Roscommon and surrounds as it’s a lovely town to live in, myself and Peggy having moved here fourteen years ago. The community spirit is excellent and we have great facilities within walking distance. We could do with an injection of jobs presently but we are lucky to be so convenient to Athlone which is earmarked for huge investment in the Government Plan.

I would have to say the Government got a lot right in the past few years.

Are there any particular initiatives/incentives/changes which you’d like Government to make that would further energise the property market?

I would like to see changes to the Finance Bill as the jump from 2% to 6% for commercial transactions is having a negative effect on sales. I was very lucky to have sold quite a few farms and completed the trans-

actions in the past few months.

Are banks lending again to house-hunters?

Very much so Paul. I haven’t seen as many loan approvals for clients since the boom. Banks are now proactive, with competition between them. I have had AIB, PTSB and Bank of Ireland call with cards to the office in the last month. There’s a large number of loan-approved buyers. The problem currently is sourcing suitable residences.

Sean, you’ve a great passion for GAA…how do you feel the Roscommon team is shaping up for this season under Kevin McStay?

Yes it’s one of my great passions in life and I feel very confident this Roscommon team are going to give us loads of joy for the foreseeable future. There is no doubt they are a very talented team and under the guidance and motivation of Kevin McStay and his team I feel we will have a very successful season.

Sean, you’ve met a lot of characters through your work over

What do you enjoy most about your work?

Interacting with people and meeting them years after I did business with them. I end up thinking it’s only been a few years since we interacted, but most of the time it’s actually been 25 to 30 years!

It is also lovely to see the younger generation calling in to see me and sometimes having a deal.

Any exciting events coming up with Sean Naughton Auctioneers…what’s the outlook for your business in 2018?

The start of the year has been very positive with a number of sales closed and more to close over the coming months. We are most likely to have a land auction in the autumn. My hopes for 2018 are that Roscommon repeat the success of last year and win the Connacht final and reach the SUPER 8!

A pleasure talking to you Sean and congrats to you and Peggy on 35 years in the business – and here’s to many more!

Interview: Paul Healy

Quality two-storey in Rooskey Due to cancellation, Property Partners Earley, Roscommon are this week offering to the market a highly attractive four-bedroomed detached two-storey residence of approximately 2217 sq. ft. finished to a shell and core level throughout and located at Kilbarry, Rooskey, Co. Roscommon.

John Earley commented to the Roscommon People: “This is a quality four-bedroomed, new-build two-storey residence which was built in 2009, standing on 1.18 acres and located in a select countryside area convenient to Whitehall Church and between the towns of Tarmonbarry and Rooskey.

“This property is currently at shell finish throughout thus allowing for the wouldbe purchaser to put their own individual touch to the finish on same. There is also planning permission to erect a garage of 413 sq. ft. at the side.

“Services include a septic tank (not fitted) and ESB power at the roadside. All offers after €75,000 to sell”.

For further details, please contact John Earley (FIPAV) of Property Partners Earley, Roscommon on 090-6626579, log onto www.propertypartners.ie or email jearley@propertypartners.ie.

Sale of the week with David Diffley David Diffley (MIPAV, TRV) of Property Partners Earley, Roscommon is advising that they closed the sale this week of a quality three-bedroomed semi-detached residence located at 18, Kildallogue Heights, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon for a very satisfactory price.

David describes the property as “a quality property located in the established and sought after Kildallogue Heights development conveniently located beside Strokestown and all amenities”.

David further commented: “We have experienced a very busy selling period with quality properties attracting strong interest in all areas. Due to demand, we are now seeking properties in all areas for disappointed underbidders and cash buyers. We welcome all submissions and offer a free appraisal service”.

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

20

PropertyPeople

UNBELIEVABLE VALUE

WESTGROVE LODGE, BALLINROOEY, DRING, LONGFORD, N39 YX3

Exclusive 4 bedroom family home situated down a charming avenue. This property is located in the wonderful village of Dring renowned for it’s old world charm in County Longford.

Dring is in easy commutable distance to Ballymahon and will therefore benefit from the opening of Center Parcs.This is a wonderful family home, extending to c. 301 sq.m (c. 3,240 sq.ft).and has been finished with incredible attention to detail.

This property offers exquisite value at a guide price of €375,000.

Please contact REA Seamus Carthy to arrange a viewing on 090 663 0001 or email info@reacarthy.

NEW TO THE MARKET

10 ANTOGHER COURT, ROSCOMMON TOWN, CO. ROSCOMMON

Quality 4/5 bedroom two storey family home situated in a sought after residential estate in Roscommon Town convenient to schools, shops, medical centre, leisure centre, swimming pool, golf course etc. Finished to a high standard this residence is set on a generous site with large rear garden. Antogher Court itself is a small housing estate of only 10 prestigious properties, mainly owner occupier, family homes. REA Seamus Carthy invites enquiries and all offers.

Guide Price: €250,000

NEW TO THE MARKET

WOODLANDS, BARRYMORE, KILTOOM, ATHLONE WEST, ROSCOMMON, N37 W5D

Barrymore House is a prestigious and innovative home recently constructed in the sought after residential location of Barrymore, Roscommon. This spacious property is situated on a large site and boasts in excess of 4,000sq.ft. The property has been finished to the highest specification and the ground floor includes a kitchen, dining room, pool room, tv room, utility room, play room, 2nd sitting room, wc and a study. The 1st floor provides 5 bedrooms, 2 ensuites, a main bathroom and the luxury of a sauna/steamroom.

Contact Seamus Carthy at REA Seamus Carthy today.

EXCLUSIVE FAMILY HOME

1 CLUAIN DARA, STROKESTOWN ROAD, BALLYLEAGUE, ROSCOMMON

REA Seamus Carthy are delighted to present this quality 4 bedroom family home, situated in the attractive village of Ballyleague. The property is spacious, bright and airy and has been finished to a very high specification throughout and presented in excellent decorative order.

Considered a quality residential location Cluain Dara is situated within walking distance of all amenities in the picturesque village of Ballyleague. There are few family homes of this quality on the market and viewing is highly recommended.

Contact Seamus Carthy today to arrange a viewing 090 663 0001 or email info@reacarthy.ie REA Seamus Carthy are bringing properties to New York on the 8th March.

REGISTER YOUR PROPERTY NOW! Call 090 663 0001 or email info@reacarthy.ie

ROSCOMMON TOWN T: 090 66 30001 • W: www.reacarthy.ie

New York, New York: Enquiries flooding into REA Seamus Carthy Seamus Carthy of REA Seamus Carthy advised that traffic to their website has increased twofold and the phones are constantly ringing with enquiries from the US. REA Seamus Carthy continue their USA marketing campaign for 2018 with their upcoming property exhibition, taking place in Fitzpatrick Grand Central Hotel, 687, Lexington Avenue, New York on the 8th March 2018.

Seamus Carthy of REA Seamus Carthy, Roscommon Town said that demand from property buyers in the USA is consistently increasing, with sales conducted through his office last year with buyers from New York and Boston.

Currently 1 in 5 enquiries are coming from the US as a result of the direct marketing REA is conducting in New York at present.

Seamus Carthy of REA Seamus Carthy believes that the time is right for those based in America to look to Ireland to purchase a property.

Who is buying in Ireland?

According to REA agents, 31% of overseas buyers are moving to Ireland to live and work, while 29% are purchasing a home for their retirement and 20% are purchasing as an investment.

US buyer interest is particularly strong in many undervalued rural counties such as Roscommon and

Unique property!

Seamus Carthy of REA Carthy is offering new to the market a substantial high profile commercial and residential property situated in the centre of Ballinagare village.

This property is known as The Corner House Coffee Shop and B&B. A wellestablished Coffee Shop and Bed & Breakfast, this property is to be sold as a going concern, offering potential purchasers an immediate business opportunity.

Presented in excellent condition, immediate enquiries advised and viewing is strongly recommended.

Guide price: €200,000.

Please contact Seamus at REA Seamus Carthy 090-6630001 or email info@reacarthy.ie

scenic locations and for the first time in the bigger cities, mostly from emigrants who feel that the time is right to return.

To register and showcase your property in theirr New York exhibition, contact Nuala Diffley at REA Seamus Carthy, Roscommon Town on 0906630001 or email info@ reacarthy.ie.

Researching housing supply, demand Initiative Ireland has announced the launch of the new annual housing report, entitled Housing 2031.

The report was commissioned to provide a more accurate and consistent view of housing supply and demand over the last 25 years in the Republic of Ireland, to more reliably forecast true housing demand up to 2031.

Padraig W. Rushe, right, CEO of Initiative Ireland said: “We don’t need to rely on reports to tell us that there is a significant shortfall in housing today – that is self-evident.

“That said, it is important we build an accurate picture of the level of housing demand regionally and how that is likely to change in the coming years, if we want to build a sustainable housing market. While there have been multiple public and private reports issued recently on the subject, most reference data sources they openly acknowledge are significantly flawed.

“To establish a true picture of the market, we have pulled data from multiple independent sources to establish more accurate understanding of housing supply.

“We have observed regional population and housing trends from the last 25 years and overlaid this information against population forecasts up to 2031.

“Our goal is to provide a more accurate, reliable picture of regional housing requirements in Ireland to date and into the future, to help ensure the sustainability of our housing and finance industry and learn from the mistakes

PSRA Licence No. 001350

●

Property Sales Lettings Valuations ●

●

Athleague, Co. Roscommon.

Tel. (090) 6663700. Mob. (086) 8985013 www.connaughtonauctioneers.ie FOR SALE No. 7 Circular Road, Roscommon Town

FOR SALE No. 40 Cluain Fraoigh, Lanesboro Road

Eircode: F42 PY65

Eircode: F42 FE89

• Prime two bedroom semi-detached residence • One bedroom apartment adjacent • Ideally located within walking distance of Roscommon Town Centre and all amenities • Ideal property for either owner occupier or an investor

LAND LETTING 2018 IS YOUR LAND MAKING YOU MONEY? We Have farmers waiting to rent land • All Locations considered • Short or Long Term CONTACT US TODAY FOR FULL PROFESSIONAL ADVICE PRIVACY GUARANTEED Call Connaughton Auctioneers on 090-6663700 for a free valuation of your lands

• Attractive four bedroom semi-detached residence • Ideally located within walking distance of Roscommon Town Centre and all amenities • Boasting spacious living accommodation throughout • Ideal property for either owner/occupier or an investor

PROPERTY AUCTION FRIDAY 20th APRIL 2018 INCLUDE YOUR PROPERTY IN THE UPCOMING AUCTION • COTTAGES • RESIDENTIAL (new and second-hand) • Commercial • Agricultural Land • Building Sites

FREE VALUATION, NO SALE, NO FEE CONTACT THE OFFICE TODAY FOR FURTHER INFORMATION TEL: 090 666 3700

WEEKEND PEOPLE Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

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Pictured at the official launch of the 2018 Roscommon Drama Festival were Drama Festival story writing competition winners, back row (l-r) Gavin Staunton (Ballymurray NS), Rian Kingi (Roxboro NS), Izidro Ribas (Roxboro NS), Anna Higgins (Fuerty NS), Fr. Eugene McLoughlin, President of Roscommon Drama Festival, Brian Mannion (Tisrara NS), Sinéad Connerton (Cloontuskert NS), Lyndsey Gibbons (Ballagh NS), Niamh Walsh (Lisaniskey NS), Faye Reynolds (Knockcroghery NS) and Adam Murphy (Scoil Bhride Fourmilehouse NS). Front row (l-r): Cllr. Orla Leyden, Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Conor Pearce (Gaelscoil de hÍde), Chloe McNamara (Lisaniskey NS), Ruth Cunningham (Kilteevan NS), Heather O’Sullivan (Knockcroghery NS), Natasha Shaughnessy (Runnamoate NS), Oisín McDermott (Cloontuskert NS) and Caroline Egan, Chairperson of Roscommon Drama Festival. Picture: Andrew Fox

Let the drama begin!

Roscommon Drama Festival 2018 launch The launch of Roscommon Drama Festival 2018, which runs for nine nights from Friday, 2nd of March to Saturday, 10th of March in Roscommon Arts Centre, took place in Áras an Chontae on Wednesday of last week.

Chairperson of Roscommon Drama Festival Committee, Caroline Egan, welcomed everyone to the launch. Ms. Egan thanked the Council Chief Executive Eugene Cummins and his staff for making the fine facility available for the launch and for their welcome and hospitality. She expressed appreciation to the sponsors of the festival, to Averyl Dooher and her staff at Roscommon Arts Centre, and to the local media for the publicity they provide.

She thanked Declan Molloy of Molloy’s Bakery and Fine Food Emporium for sponsoring and providing the finger food. She had a special word of welcome for the children who had participated in the story writing competition, their parents and teachers and to Cormican’s School and Art Supplies for sponsoring prizes for overall winners.

Cllr. Orla Leyden, Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, said

Pictured at the official launch of the 2018 Roscommon Drama Festival were back row (l-r) Cllr. Paddy Kilduff, Brigeen Fitzmaurice, Tom Costello, Marie McCrann, Padraig Brennan, Mary Finn, Tommy Murray, Mary Cox, Senator Maura Hopkins and Joe Nally. Front row (l-r) Anne Murphy, Cllr. Orla Leyden, Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Fr. Eugene McLoughlin, President of Roscommon Drama Festival, Caroline Egan, Chairperson of Roscommon Drama Festival and Mairéad Nally. Picture: Andrew Fox

that she was delighted to be invited to launch the Roscommon Drama Festival 2018, which she said was one of the highlights of the cultural calendar in the county. She said that promotion of the arts was a priority for Roscommon Co. Council and she was pleased that visiting groups remarked on the fine facility in Roscommon Arts Centre.

Cllr. Leyden commended Caroline

Egan and her committee for their courage and commitment in organising such an important event year after year.

skey N.S.; 1st Overall (5th Class): Rian Kingi, Roxboro N.S.; 2nd Overall (5th Class): Hazel Kelly, Lisaniskey N.S.

Presentations

Best from each school

The following children were presented with their prizes – Best Overall: Heather O’Sullivan, Knockcroghery N.S.; 1st Overall (6th Class): Sinead Connerton, Cloontuskert N.S.; 2nd Overall (6th Class): Chloe McNamara, Lisani-

Ballagh N.S.: Lyndsey Gibbons; Ballymurray N.S.: Gavin Staunton; Cloontuskert N.S.: Oisin McDermott; Feevagh N.S.: Niamh McCarroll; Fuerty N.S.: Anna Higgins; Gaelscoil de Híde: Conor Pearce; Kilteevan

N.S.: Ruth Cunningham; Knockcroghery N.S.: Faye Reynolds; Lisaniskey N.S.: Niamh Walsh; Roxboro N.S.: Izidro Ribas; Runnamoate N.S.: Natasha Shaughnessy; Scoil Bhride, Fourmilehouse N.S.: Adam Murphy; Tisrara N.S.: Brian Mannion. * See the Drama Festival advertisement in this edition for full programme details.

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

March Sunday 11th

Happy

Mother’s Day

JACKSON’S Guest House & Restaurant The Square, Roscommon. Tel. 090 66 65599

Mother’s Day 3 course meal €19.95 2 course meal €16.95

HORAN’S RESTAURANT Racecourse Rd., Roscommon Town

Now taking bookings for Mother’s Day OPEN ALL DAY ST. PATRICK’S DAY

Call John on 090 6626380 or 086 8538519 OUTSIDE CATERING ALSO AVAILABLE OR CALL AND COLLECT ●

Open late ● Booking advised

Mama Mia…here we go again ED O AL E N F F €15 L M U B E A N V O MS AU Y U GE T T Y FA C H A C & IA ER SK L I N AT C A RE

Miriam Kerins has some advice on Mother’s Day gifts…

W

e know it can be dif-

ficult to choose a gift for the woman who has everything…I mean, she has you for a son/daughter doesn’t she, so you’d think her life would be complete. Think again! Last year on Mother’s Day, my own daughter actually informed me that the best gift she could give me was the fact that she, herself, had turned out to be so awesome due to my parenting skills that she didn’t need to get me anything! (In fairness she is, and so is her older sister, but I’m biased). Then the pair presented me with an actual present… whew!

However, whether that special Mother or Mother figure in your life is a lady who likes to wine and dine, is a jet-setting, trendsetting dedicated follower of fashion or whether she’s someone who could do with a bit of pampering, the fact is, you need to put some thought into her present to make sure you show her just how much you love and appreciate her. And, if you’re stuck for ideas, we’ve got some pressie inspo just for you.

Here are our top ten!

Put a decent deposit on a holiday for d’mammy: Perhaps a wine tasting weekend in Tuscany...Mmmm, I want that. Or what about Florence, the birthplace of the Renaissance; now that particular one is on my bucket list if my girls are reading this!

Signature sunnies: Mammy

may think she’s a radical dudette, but if you want to add a touch of style and inject a classic sense of cool into the woman who gave you life, why not get her some designer sunnies for that mini-break you’ve just booked for her.

Gym Membership/Personal Trainer: Yes, she made a New Year’s resolution to get fit but she hasn’t actually joined that gym so surprise her with a year’s membership and encourage her to get into shape for running around after the grandkids, or indeed, for walking through those romantic Italian streets.

Signature Scent: We all love our ‘go to’ perfumes, but perhaps mammy has been smelling of the same scent forever; and, while you love it, and it reminds you of your childhood, now that you’re earning a crust maybe it’s time to treat her to a more sophisticated scent.

Just the two of us: Take her out on a dinner date and reconnect with dear, darling mum. What could be nicer?

Say it with gold: We all love a bauble or two, so jewellery should be high on your list this year and sure what Roscommon mammy doesn’t love getting an intimate and personal gift of a gemstone or three?

Put the focus back on the woman who spends all her time focusing on you: Get mammy a new mobile phone and prepare her for some scheduled pampering by adding some spa days into her planner.

A designer handbag or cute

clutch: Free her from her Maggie Thatcher (esque) monstrosity of a handbag and treat her to a designer number that’ll help her to elegantly corral her perfumes and potions in style.

Tickets to a show: Every mother loves a good aul syrupy musical, a dramatic play or a belly laugh-out-loud comedy show, so get a pair of tickets and bring the woman out for the day; we guarantee you she’ll be great craic!

Make her a Memory Frame: If you’re on a budget, you could opt for something creative and thoughtful like buying a nice big frame and putting together a selection of pictures of you and mammy down through the years. Customise it by adding some butterflies or angels or dried flowers, etc., or even some crystals and present it to Mammy with a nice bottle of her favourite tipple.

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

WeekendPeople

Colin Dowd, Avril Hunt and Shane Kelly pictured at the Craig Connolly Memorial Walk/Run last Saturday in Roscommon town. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Claire Regan and Leah and Pauline O’Connor pictured at the Craig Connolly Memorial Walk/Run last Saturday in Roscommon town. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Claire, Anne and Emma Holton pictured at the Craig Connolly Memorial Walk/Run last Saturday in Roscommon town. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Inaugural Craig Connolly Memorial Walk/Run

Erin and Mary O’Connell pictured at the Craig Connolly Memorial Walk/Run last Saturday in Roscommon town. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Craig Connolly’s family, Cathal Dineen and Full Body Workhouse staff pictured at last Saturday’s Craig Connolly Memorial Walk/Run. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Rebecca, Marie, Lorraine, Megan and Michael Regan pictured at the Craig Connolly Memorial Walk/Run last Saturday in Roscommon town. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Edel McCaffrey and Ann-Marie Connor pictured at the Craig Connolly Memorial Walk/Run last Saturday in Roscommon town. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Lauren, Bridget and Ava Giblin pictured at the Craig Connolly Memorial Walk/Run last Saturday in Roscommon town. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Michelle and Keith McGuinness, Carrick-onShannon, pictured at the Craig Connolly Memorial Walk/Run last Saturday in Roscommon town. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Fiona Colgan, Sheila Coyle and Claire Shanley pictured at the Craig Connolly Memorial Walk/Run last Saturday in Roscommon town. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Molly, Marie and Carol Connolly pictured at the Craig Connolly Memorial Walk/Run last Saturday in Roscommon town. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

Declan Hoare pictured at the Craig Connolly Memorial Walk/Run last Saturday in Roscommon town. Pic: Michelle Hughes Walsh

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

WeekendPeople SUNDAY GOSPEL REFLECTION Jesus does not come to destroy the Temple, but to fulfill it (see Matthew 5:17) – to reveal its true purpose in God’s saving plan.

He is the Lord the prophets said would come – to purify the Temple, banish the merchants, and make it a house of prayer for all peoples (see Zechariah 14:21; Malachi 3:1–5; Isaiah 56:7).

The God who made the heavens and the earth, who brought Israel out of slavery, does not dwell in sanctuaries made by human hands (see Acts 7:48; 2 Samuel 7:5). Nor does He need offerings of oxen, sheep, or doves (see Psalm 50:7– 13).

Notice in today’s First Reading that God did not originally command animal sacrifices – only that Israel heed His commandments (see Jeremiah 7:21–23; Amos 5:25).

His law was a gift of divine wisdom, as we sing in today’s Psalm.

It was a law of love (see Matthew 22:36–40), perfectly expressed in Christ’s self-offering on the cross (see John 15:13).

This is the “sign” Jesus offers in the Gospel today – the sign that caused Jewish leaders to stumble, as Paul tells us in the Epistle.

Jesus’ body – destroyed on the Cross and raised up three days later – is the new and true sanctuary.

From the temple of His body, rivers of living water flow, the Spirit of grace that makes each of us a temple (see 1 Corinthians 3:16), and together builds us into a dwelling place of God (see Ephesians 2:22).

In the Eucharist we participate in His offering of His body and blood.

This is the worship in Spirit and in truth that the Father desires (see John 4:23–24).

We are to offer praise as our sacrifice (see Psalm 50:14,23). This means imitating Christ - offering our bodies – all our intentions and actions in every circumstance, for the love of God and the love of others (see Hebrews 10:5–7; Romans 12:1; 1 Peter 2:5).

– Scott Hahn Ph.D., www.salvationhistory.com (and courtesy of Sacred Heart Church)

THE BRIDGE CLUB Roscommon Bridge Club Anthony McCormack Memorial – 1st: A. Rafferty & V. McManus, 2nd: L. & L. Curley, Gross: J. Donnellan & J. Halliday, 3rd: E. Kelly & M. Dermody. Session 1: P. & V. Finneran, Session 2: A. Murray & J. McGrath.

Happy ‘71 Bridge Club 1st: L. Curley & S. Cooney, 2nd: M. & T. O’Keeffe, Gross: V. & M. Brennan.

Ballymurray Bridge Club Club Pairs - Session 1 – 1st: H. Lynn & G. Relihan, 2nd: C. Browne & K. Kelly, 3rd: J. Devaney & G. Spillane.

Kilbride Bridge Club North/South – 1st: M. Regan & C. Neilan. 2nd: M. Mullen & M. Fallon, 3rd: E. Dowling & M. Farrell. East/ West – 1st: B. Gillooly & F. Keane, 2nd: G. McDermott & A. Igoe, 3rd: S. Macken & A. McCourt.

FRANK

BRANDON

FRANK BRANDON’S

unique take on life ...

Cups of joy in Creggs A good few years ago, a young girl came to the village of Creggs, all the way from Powers Cross (between Woodford and Portumna), to help out in her aunt’s pub. History will show that the young Sarah Hanbury met and married Mick O’Roarke, whose parents owned the business next door.

Fast-forward to 2017, and lining out for the Galway hurlers in their unforgettable All-Ireland hurling final victory over Waterford was one John Hanbury, the grand-nephew of the aforementioned Sarah, and he was to play an absolutely major part

in bringing the MacCarthy Cup back to the very receptive arms of the Galway team and supporters.

In the years since Sarah’s first arrival to Creggs, her aunt’s pub had changed hands a couple of times, before closing its doors some years ago. However, O’Rourke’s pub and grocery is still in the family’s hands, and on Friday night we had a great occasion in Mikeen’s (the present O’Rourke proprietor) when a good number of the Hanbury family brought four national hurling trophies to the village.

The iconic MacCarthy Cup was

there (and it is amazingly heavy), the Leinster Championship trophy, the National League cup and the All-Ireland minor cups were all on display, and they were joined by the Nestor Cup – the Connacht senior football trophy – which Kevin McStay and Ger Dowd brought out as well.

It’s doubtful if those five cups will ever be together again, and I have to say the huge crowd – from either side of the border – really enjoyed the night. Everyone had their pictures taken with all the silverware, and I’m sure if the late Sarah could look down

on the whole proceedings, she would have been justifiably proud of her family legacy. Tommy Donlon and his son Calvin provided some wonderful musical entertainment, and, all told, it was one of those very special nights.

Anyway, it won’t be long until this year’s championships are up and running, and I’m sure the Galway hurlers and the Roscommon footballers are flat out getting ready for the challenges that are surely coming their way. All I can do is wish them all well.

Donncha takes over!

Pictured at Creggs National School for the visit of the Nestor Cup, Liam MacCarthy Cup and Bob O’Keeffe Cup were John Hanbury, Emilia Kedziora, Patrick Mongan, Eugene Hanley, Keelan Duke, Brian Murray, Rachel Slattery, Ger Dowd, Daniel Conlon, Kevin McStay and Rachel Beirne. Picture: Andrew Fox

A great sporting weekend Sometimes I wonder what I would do without sport. The weekend just gone by had to be one of the most compelling weekends ever. We had the fantastic rugby match in the Aviva Stadium between Ireland and Wales, which we of course won, followed by the brilliant action from Scotland, where Eddie Jones’ England were put to the sword.

All is set now for a very interesting finish to the Championship. I am not going to mention the Grand Slam, be-

cause, at that level anything can happen, but for the moment we are the only ones who can dare to dream of one – here’s hoping.

On top of all that, out here in Creggs we had a very tough rugby league match on Sunday against an N.U.I.G. team who came with every intention of derailing our run to the league title. While we eventually won, the 17 points to 3 scoreline in no way reflects the intensity or closeness of the play.

At half-time the students led by 3

points to nil, and to be honest, the game was in the balance until the last few moments – our nerves were sorely tested, but we came through, and, providing the beast from the east doesn’t put paid to next week’s fixtures, we can win a long-awaited league title with a victory away to Corrib in Headford next Sunday.

Please God we will do it, as I’d love to see the bonfires lit in the village yet again on a Sunday evening – it’s one of the greatest sights of all.

Fuerty goes to the OsKaRs! On to local matters, and over the road, our neighbouring GAA Club, Fuerty, are involved in a big fundraising drive to raise funds to develop their grounds and the clubhouse.

They have a major five-year plan, which includes several big improvements, including building a stand and providing a fully floodlit playing pitch.

Fuerty have organised a night at the OsKaRs in the Radisson Hotel on Good Friday night, and three of our best-known local talents – in every way – Jacinta Hanley, Gerry

Keegan and Bobby Jennings, have kindly agreed to do their bit to help raise the necessary funds.

Each one has to raise a minimum of €500 and to help them achieve their target, there is a big table quiz in Mikeen’s at 9.30 pm on next Saturday night, 3rd of March, with tables of four €40. Yours truly, which is me, is the quizmaster, and I really hope you turn out in large numbers to support the Mulhern Park development, but also to support our own three neighbours and friends.

The fundraiser itself takes place in

the Radisson Athlone on Good Friday night, and I think the Creggs trio will win the OsKaR, but as Creggs rugby lads are playing that evening in the final of the Curley Cup, I will be otherwise engaged and won’t be able to be there to see their performance. But I wish them well of course.

In the meantime, get to Mikeen’s next Saturday night, and we’ll have our own bit of drama and craic, and help to get the necessary funds to send them off to the OsKaRs in good heart.

A big question that’s been on my mind: Where has Donncha O’Callaghan suddenly come from?

Now we all know he has been a top class international rugby player, who played umpteen times for Ireland, did seventeen very successful years with the all-conquering Munster team, and is presently (at 38 years of age) still playing at the highest level with Worcester in the English Premiership.

However, all of a sudden he is omnipresent on all our television screens, and no matter where you look there he is smiling and winking back at you.

He was always regarded as good craic and a little bit mad, but whatever it is, it is now paying off, and it looks as if our Donncha is headed for a very lucrative TV career.

It must be a Cork thing, as Anna Geary, a Cork ladies camogie superstar, is also very much on the media horizon, and she too is very visible and high profile on our television screens.

She is presently to be found on Dancing with the Stars, and she looks set for a successful media career.

I don’t know if I’m allowed to say this these days, but she’s a good deal easier on the eye than the bould Donncha.

And finally…

Staying with fundraising efforts…and Jimmy Kearney of The Lancers fame tells me that on next Monday night, 5th of March, the Roscommon Deanery are holding their annual dance in aid of the Lourdes Invalid Fund in the Abbey Hotel, with music by Frank Nelson, Top Level, The Lancers, and Patsy McCaul, all of whom represent the very best of local musical talent.

I’ve told you many times of the great work the Lourdes Invalid Fund does, in sending so many of our sick and infirm to the Marian Shrine every year, so leave Monday night free, keep a tenner handy, and get yourself down to the Abbey for a great night of music and dance. It all kicks off at nine o’clock.

Please God I will see you all there.

Till next week, Bye for now!

25

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

WeekendPeople Solstice Choir are New York-bound Over seventy members of Roscommon Solstice Choir and families will travel to New York City from the 12th to the 19th of March on what could be described as the trip of a lifetime!

The week-long vacation will include visits to all the top visitor attractions, including Ellis Island, Liberty Island, the Empire State Building, Ground Zero and Madison Square Gardens. Don’t be surprised if you hear a spontaneous rendition of ‘Isle of Hope, Isle of Tears’ on the Ellis Island quayside!

The trip includes participation in the New York St. Patrick’s Day Parade under the Roscommon County banner and attendance at the annual County Roscommon Association of New York Dinner on Sunday night.

It is planned to perform two charity concerts – in the Irish American Centre of Nassau, Suffolk & Queens on Wednesday (14th) and in St. Paul the Apostle School in Yonkers on Thursday (15th).

The choir will also sing at Mass on Sunday morning in St. Peter the Apostle Church in Parsippany, New Jersey.

Choir Chairperson James Hoban said of the trip: “The members of the choir are really looking forward to their trip to New York, especially as it coincides with the St. Patrick’s Day celebrations there.

“Having had a wonderful year in 2017, followed by our Silver Award at the All Ireland Community and Council Awards in February ‘18, the choir are excited about experiencing and singing in ‘New York, New York so good they named it twice’!”

Deirdre Cribben, the current Roscommon Rose of Tralee, pictured with Rose of Tralee compere Dáithí Ó Sé.

Search begins for 2018 Roscommon Rose of Tralee The Roscommon Rose of Tralee Centre are delighted to announce their 2018 competition to select a candidate for the International Rose of Tralee is in full motion and applications are now being accepted for entry into the Roscommon heat.

On Saturday, 3rd of March the Roscommon Rose Team will have an information stand at Rosmed Pharmacy from 10.30 am until 1 pm and at DV8, Roscommon from 2 pm to 3.30 pm for anyone interested in taking part.

The Roscommon Rose Ball & Selection Night which will take place at the Abbey Hotel on Saturday, 28th of April next. Roscommon Rose Launch and interview dates to be announced. Competition application form can be found online at www.roseoftralee.ie.

The closing date for applications into the Roscommon heat is Friday, 9th of March. For further information, please visit the Roscommon Rose Facebook page or contact the Roscommon Rose Centre directly on 0868294778. The best of luck!

Miriam’s

MUSINGS

Words of wit and wisdom with MIRIAM KERINS

The right to ‘bare’ arms – and anything we want!

Last week, during what has been described as ‘a promotional event,’ A list actor Jennifer Lawrence was scandalously criticised by what I can only describe as a pack of joyless Femi-nazis for wearing a barely-there dress. Now you know the sort of mirthless Minnies…they’re the ones who cough and splutter into their G&Ts claiming how much they hate men and all they stand for!

“She looked frozen and out of place” screamed one hack. “Why is she wearing a skin-baring gown surrounded by men in coats?” asked another. “Inequality!” lamented a scandalised Irish radio contributor. Then we had Helen Lewis, (deputy editor of New Statesman, a British political and cultural magazine), getting her armpithugging-reinforced-gusset-granny-knowsbest knickers in a twist, saying “This is such a quietly depressing (and revealing) image.” Er, to be honest Ms. Lewis, what I find ‘depressing’ is the surging storm in a D cup spurned on by green-eyed, resentful, bitterly spiteful harpies with nothing better to do than slag off a beautifully talented Oscar winner…and all because she chose to wear an eye-catching, albeit revealing Versace gown at a photocall to promote her movie, Red Sparrow.

Personally, I’d have stood in the nip in subzero temperatures if someone agreed to pay me just a fraction of Jen’s salary…soooo, what do you have to say about me?

Look, I’m sick of these judgemental hessian sack-wearing shrews who continuously try to pit women against each other when what we all really should be doing is empowering and helping each other. I mean, OMG, why is it that some members of my gender are such massive buzz kills they have to stand firmly on the twin pillars of venom and hostility while battering the sisterhood? So what

if a woman, any woman, whether an actor, office worker, child-minder, columnist, beautician, hairstylist, etc., etc., etc., wishes to bare her bits in a slinky little slashed to the waist, cut to the thigh number? So what if she wants to wear six-inch heels in the depths of winter! It’s her perogative! Troll off and mind your own bloody business and allow those of us who are happy to rejoice and embrace equality to dress without duress.

You see readers, as a feminist myself, I believe in the equality and the empowerment (without limitations) of all women; however, this resurgent and sinister profile of the so-called ‘Femi-nazi’ with their misguided notions that all men are the enemy who must be defeated at all costs worries me. Our gender doesn’t need to emasculate men to feel empowered, nor do we need to engage in fringe extremism by publicly tweeting, squawking and bellowing like she-devils regarding such immaterial social issues like ‘slut-shaming’ a sister for looking fabulous in a designer frock!

Being a feminist is being a champion of women’s rights. Being a feminist is endorsing, supporting and lobbying for the equality of all women; in all walks of life. Being a feminist is helping each other. This is what I believe in. And…if a man wants to hold open a door for me or rise when I enter a room…great. I love it. It’s called manners, and I say thank you!

However, sadly there are those who insist on promoting this misdirected notion that all men are insensitive, misogynist a**eholes…these are the ones who’re doing the most harm to our gender. Why? Because they are creating a generation of men who feel castrated, feeble and useless…and Jennifer Lawrence pictured during a photocall promoting her new film, ‘Red Sparrow’. that’s just mean and unjust!

Is this the demise of diesel cars?

Last week, Minister Denis Naughten launched his AntiIllegal Dumping Initiative and well done to him; I hope local community groups, (who do amazing work), manage to get their hands on much-needed funding to gear up and stay on top of those selfish, dirty, under-handed, ignoramuses who jettison their waste willy-nilly around our beautiful Roscommon countryside.

However…while I’m handing out much-deserved plaudits to our lovely Minister for Communications, Climate Action and Environment, I need to ask him these questions…why is his Department penalising us diesel car drivers with higher levies on fuel, having previously

actively encouraged us to ditch the petrol and buy diesel because ‘it’s greener’? And, can Mr. Naughten kindly give us a headsup as to how many more ways his Government is deciding to screw us before we don’t even have enough money for a litre of milk and a loaf of bread?

I mean, seriously folks, when I saved and saved and shelled out for a second-hand diesel car last year, I honestly didn’t think I’d be treated like an environmental terrorist by the very people who encouraged it and whom, by the way, now rob me of €1,100 a year tax for the privilege of driving (and wrecking) it on what’s left of our pothole-filled, substandard dirt tracks masquerading as roads!

The ‘Black Widow’ preferred Bible to my classes She thought she’d pulled off the perfect crime but Catherine Nevin, the individual who orchestrated the assassination of her hard-working gent of a husband Tom back in 1996 – believing she’d live life as a much-minted merry widow – is now deceased. Good riddance. I’ve said before that I delivered education/training courses in prisons, including the Dochas Women’s Centre, but the high profile manipulative so-called ‘black widow’ was never an attendee at any of my classes, apparently preferring instead to read the bible and study her books relating to the law. Maybe my little lessons were too twee for madam.

However, I’m going to divulge that, like many of us, (come on, admit it), the dark deceiver did somehow capture my morbid fascination and curiosity for the simple reason that, as a narcissistic femme fatale, Nevin was media gold! I hope Tom Nevin is resting in peace and I hope his lovely, dignified family have at last found closure.

26

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

WeekendPeople

Hamrock’s Ciarán to launch Athleague, Co. Roscommon.

Tel.: (090) 6663325 Saturday, 3rd March:

new band in Tulsk!

Sean Brennan

Signs up with Joe The Talk of The Country Finnegan!

Ciaran Rosney launches his NEW Piece Band at the Tulsk Inn, Tulsk on Sunday, March 18th

5

Come along and dance the night away ....hear all the hits ... Willies Shoes, Gotta Travel On ... Hold Whatcha Got Doors open 9.00 p.m.

Dancing from 10.00 p.m.

Building on the feelgood factor created by his hit single ‘Willie’s Shoes’ and various top 10 album releases, County Offaly native Ciarán Rosney is delighted to announce the launch of his new five-piece band in March 2018.

Ciarán, who lives with his wife and family just outside Castleblaney, Co. Monaghan, has recently signed with well-known promoter Joe Finnegan, and is launching his new five-piece band at the Tulsk Inn, Tulsk on Sunday, March 18th 2018.

After becoming a fulltime country singer in 2012, Ciarán has risen to great heights in the coun-

Telephone: 090 6626225 Friday 2nd March:

try music industry both in Ireland and abroad.

He is fast gaining recognition for his unique songwriting skill, and much acclaim for his energetic live shows and impressive guitar playing.

2017 was a great year for Ciarán. Not only did he sign his new management deal, but he also spent time recording his new

album in renowned Spout Studios with awardwinning record producer Jonathan Owens. He also toured and performed with the Three Amigos and Robert Mizzell.

See Ciarán and his new five-piece band in The Tulsk Inn on Tulsk on Sunday, March 18th (doors open at 9 pm, dancing from 10 pm).

Faces & Places

– All welcome, sign up at 9pm Sunday 4th March:

Toby and the ghost * No Cover Charge, all gigs are at 10pm approx unless stated otherwise * Search for us on facebook: JJ-Harlows - The- Square-Roscommon-Town

Creggs National School Pictures: Andrew Fox

Open Mic Night

Pictured at Creggs National School for the visit of the Nestor Cup, Liam MacCarthy Cup and Bob O’Keeffe Cup were John Hanbury, Ger Dowd and Kevin McStay with students from Creggs National School.

BEER OF THE WEEK! JJ Harlows supporting Irish Micro Breweries i

Pictured at Creggs National School for the visit of the Nestor Cup, Liam MacCarthy Cup and Bob O’Keeffe Cup were Daniel, Jamie, Lorraine and Jack Conlon.

Pictured at Creggs National School for the visit of the Nestor Cup, Liam MacCarthy Cup and Bob O’Keeffe Cup were Leah, Tracey, Etaine and Oisín Connolly.

Businesses: Reach your target market! 18,000 COPIES PRINTED WEEKLY

27

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

WeekendPeople

Pictured in Kenny’s, Ballintubber recently were Padraig and Marie Shanley. Picture: Andrew Fox

Pictured in Kenny’s, Ballintubber recently were Dwayne Campbell and Deirdre Heneghan. Picture: Andrew Fox

Pictured in Kenny’s, Ballintubber recently were Brian Coleman and Annmarie Belton. Picture: Andrew Fox

Faces & Places Kenny’s, Ballintubber & Hodson Bay Wedding Fair

Photographs:

Andrew Fox

Pictured at the Hodson Bay Hotel Wedding and Food Fair were Tim Hayes, Hodson Bay Hotel (General Manager) and Siobhan Burgoyne, Donnellan & Co. Picture: Andrew Fox LEFT: Pictured at the Hodson Bay Hotel Wedding and Food Fair were Tim Hayes, Hodson Bay Hotel (General Manager), Linda O’Connor, Linda’s Special Occasions and Gavin O’Rourke, Executive Chef, Hodson Bay Hotel. Picture: Andrew Fox

Pictured at the Hodson Bay Hotel Wedding and Food Fair were Renata and Kevin, noveltycakes.ie. Picture: Andrew Fox

Pictured at the Hodson Bay Hotel Wedding and Food Fair were Gavin O’Rourke, Martin Duffy, Paul Coffey, Kristen McNamara, Tim Hayes, Hodson Bay Hotel (General Manager), Nancy Alac, Andrew Ward and James Mannion. Picture: Andrew Fox

Pictured at the Hodson Bay Hotel Wedding and Food Fair were Anthony Kearns and Peter Keenan, GUY Clothing, Athlone. Picture: Andrew Fox

28

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

WeekendPeople

Pictured (above) in the Roscommon Arts Centre recently were Mick McLoughlin, Mary McLoughlin, Ann McLoughlin and Pat McLoughlin.

Pictured in the Roscommon Arts Centre recently were Bridie Egan, Kathleen and Tom Clarke.

Faces & Places Roscommon Arts Centre Pictured in the Roscommon Arts Centre recently were Kathleen and Tommy Mannion.

Photographs:

Pictured in the Roscommon Arts Centre recently were Padraig Jones, Marie Gillooly, Alan and Kate Somers.

Andrew Fox

Pictured in the Roscommon Arts Centre recently were Padraig Maloney and Mary Ann Mahon.

Pictured in the Roscommon Arts Centre recently were Seรกn and Myra Mullaney, Annmarie Beirne and Larry Brennan.

Pictured in the Roscommon Arts Centre recently were John Touhey, Kathy Gately, Sam Touhey and Malachy Gately.

Pictured in the Roscommon Arts Centre recently were Michael and Mary Donoghue.

29

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

NewsPeople

PEOPLE PLATFORM How do taxis operate in Roscommon town?

‘No taxi on night out’ Dear Editor, How do the taxis in Roscommon operate? A

friend was visiting midweek and we went out for a few pints. I appreciate it was a Tuesday night but when we tried to get a taxi at 12.30 there was none to be got. We

got the telephone numbers from the publican but he wasn’t optimistic that we’d get one. He was right!

I can’t understand how it is in the county town that there

could be no taxis available. I was lucky I could phone my wife to collect us but I’d have been walking if it was much later.

Visitors would not be so

lucky. How can we expect to attract visitors to the county if we can’t even guarantee them a taxi back to the hotel or B&B? Surely the taxi drivers

could work out a rota so that there would at least be a taxi available every night?

Yours sincerely, (Name and address with Editor)

‘Don’t let Rosalie become part of a forgotten Ireland’ Strokestown, Co. Roscommon Dear Editor, I was at the meeting regarding the future of the Rosalie Unit in Castlerea and left it feeling very positive.

I just hope that the Minister for Mental Health, Jim Daly, and the Minister for Health, Simon Harris, will take on board all that was said at the meeting, and the concerns that the people of Castlerea and Roscommon have for the vulnerable in our society.

They should listen to the professionals that have been involved in the care of service users over the years, i.e. Dr. Greg Kelly and Dr. Charles Byrne, also the front-line staff…nurses, healthcare assistants, multi-task attendants and everyone involved in their care over the years. They are the people that know.

The HSE would need to open their eyes and

Letters on the nt e endm Eighth Aa num the issue mber of letters on We have received dment. It is our intention of the Eighth Amenthese letters, reflecting the to publish some of e public, in forthcoming varying views of th editions.

ears and listen to the people. 2,000 people are suffering from some form of dementia in our county.

It could be a family member. How do we know what might come to our front door one day? But I would like to think in any such instance that help would be available without doors being slammed in my face.

It would be wonderful to have a facility like the Rosalie Unit available where the service user would obtain professional help with respect and dignity which in my mind everyone deserves in this world.

All I say is wake up HSE and let the professionals look after the vulnerable in our society. The people in the Rosalie Unit and their families do not need this stress in their lives, nor do the people that have no voice.

Instead of closing beds in these facilities they should be opening up beds. We in Castlerea and County Roscommon generally and indeed surrounding areas do not want the likes of the Rosalie Unit becoming a part of a forgotten Ireland where services are being depleted.

I know what the services were like five or six years ago in Castlerea, and slowly they are dwindling before our eyes. I know, because I worked as a multi-task attendant and healthcare assistant over the past 21 years (I am now retired). I had respect for anyone in these services and did my utmost to Worrying times: Senator Maura Hopkins and Senator Frank Feighan with Minister Jim Daly on the help them feel it was their home. occasion of his visit to the county on Tuesday, which saw him attend the hospital in Roscommon and also Yours sincerely, continue on to Castlerea where Minister Daly met concerned family members in relation to the future of Eileen Beirne the Rosalie Centre. Picture: Andrew Fox

Reader ‘abhorred’ by feature on Hunt Ballymurray, Ballinagare, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon Dear Editor, I find it abhorrent that you gave over two pages of your newspaper last week to the Roscommon Hunt.

The only purpose of fox hunting is to provide ‘entertainment’ to a small minority of people. It provides no measurable benefit to the environment and is ineffectual as a form of fox control, two arguments often put forward to try and put a veneer of respectability on this blood sport.

During the hunt, the fox is chased to exhaustion, at which point he will be caught and torn to pieces by the hounds. Foxhounds

are bred for stamina, not speed, otherwise the fox would be caught too soon and thus spoil the ‘fun’ – though what fun can be had from watching a sentient animal being savaged in front of you escapes me.

Foxes will, of course, try anything to escape the hounds. It may go to earth down a foxhole, drain or badger sett, but these escapes are likely to have been blocked the night before by hunt supporters. The fox will run among sheep and other livestock, the hounds following in pursuit, resulting in the livestock being scattered and put under stress.

If a fox finds an unblocked refuge, the hunt may dig it out with shovels, or their ‘terrier men’ will send down a terrier to bolt the

fox back out into the open for the hunt to resume, or for the terrified fox to be thrown to the hounds.

Foxes are not vermin. The truth is that foxes can be a valuable asset to farmers by keeping down the numbers of rabbits, voles and rats which can cause damage to crops and forestry. Much of the case against foxes stem from the finding of lamb carcasses at fox dens. Reliable and independent research shows that these carcasses result from the fox scavenging on dead lambs, lambs which would have died from exposure, for example.

Hunters are keen to support the impression that foxes are a serious pest to farmers because this allows them to claim that their activities are beneficial to the farmers. In

reality, damage caused by the hunts is likely to be a much greater risk to the livestock than the foxes.

With increasing concerns over the possible spread of disease, farmers are becoming more reluctant to allow free passage for hunts over their land.

Fox hunters claim that what they really enjoy is not the kill, but working with hounds and riding across open country. If this is the case, then a real alternative is drag hunting, where a scent is laid for the hounds and riders to follow. Drag hunting would also avoid serious damage to crops and livestock.

Foxes belong to the dog family and use similar facial expressions and body postures to pet dogs, such as wagging their tails when

greeting family members. Foxes often form a pair that lasts for life.

They use up to 28 different vocal calls to communicate. Foxes have strong family ties; young foxes often stay with their parents for a few years and help raise future cubs.

Fox hunting (or any type of hunting with hounds) has no place in modern society and should be banned. That it is cruel is beyond doubt. I look forwards to you offering two pages in your newspaper to the Irish Council Against Blood Sports or the Hunt Saboteurs Association and they, far more eloquently than I, could put the argument very much against hunting.

Yours sincerely, Philomena Collins

30

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

FarmingPeople

IFA: Government must regulate funds IFA Farm Business Chairperson Martin Stapleton has reiterated IFA’s call on Government and the Minister for Finance, Paschal Donohoe that funds, which purchase loans, must be regulated.

The IFA principles for engagement with vulture funds, launched last year, set out a number of policy proposals on this issue, including a call for the regulation of funds buying Irish loans.

Martin Stapleton said: “Farmer

borrowers feel that they have no protection in their dealings with vulture funds. It is simply appalling that farmers who give security to long-standing financial institutions can find that security has been sold to unregulated and faceless entities”.

Mr. Stapleton added that it is unacceptable that those buying loans would not be vetted or regulated.

“If a loan is being sold, there is no way to predict who is going to

end up owning it, which leaves borrowers in a very precarious position.

“The Government must ensure that robust regulation is put in place and that this applies to funds that have already bought loans. In the interim, no sale of loans should go ahead until regulations are put in place,” he said.

The Farm Business Chairman also said IFA is seeking a Government commitment to rebalance

the power between borrowers and loan owners.

“IFA is clear that, as a core principle in negotiations, there should be no forced sale of the family farm, where the farmer has meaningfully engaged to find a solution”.

The IFA currently operates a service for farmers who are having debt difficulties. Farmers can phone a confidential helpline at 1890 924 853 to seek the IFA’s help.

‘Back suckler farmers with €200 per cow!’

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Johann Martin, Branch Manager, FBD Insurance, presenting 1st prize to Aengus Killion, Lecarrow, Co. Roscommon, for the best AA store Heifer without permanent teeth at the Annual Aberdeen Angus heifer show and sale at Castlerea Mart. Pic: Glynn’s Photography, Castlerea

IFA National Livestock Chairman Angus Woods recently led an IFA delegation of livestock farmers at a Oireachtas debate on a motion calling for increased supports for the suckler sector.

The motion, tabled by Fianna Fáil, is supportive of the IFA’s campaign for investment of €200 per suckler cow.

Mr. Woods described the motion as “timely and positive”.

“The improved national finances mean the Government is in an ideal position to invest in the suckler herd, and to tackle the income crisis facing the country’s 100,000 livestock farmers.

“I am calling on Minister Creed to come onside and support our campaign, to back Irish suckler farmers and the case for €200 per cow”.

The livestock chairman admitted however that it would be a major challenge to get such support.

“The IFA worked hard and got an extra €50m from the last Minister, Simon Coveney, for the BDGP scheme.

While this is worth €80 to €100 per cow, it was too complicated and got tied up in knots, which turned many farmers off”.

Roscommon People MART WATCH Roscommon Mart sample prices Dry cows Char X 860kgs €1645, Char 785kgs €1500, Simm X 755kgs €1455, Lim X 700kgs €1385, Lim X 675kgs €1360, Simm X 785kgs €1305, Char X 660kgs €1215, Hex 620kgs €1040, Char X 560kgs €1100, BBX 715kgs €1180, Char X 660kgs €1215.

600kgs €1350, 3 Char X 533kgs €1300, Lim X 540kgs €1420, Char 510kgs 1275, AA 560kgs €1270, 2 Char X 482kgs €1265, 3 Lim X 486kgs €1205, 2 Lim X 467kgs €1130, Char x 435kgs €1100, Lim X 475kgs €1315, Char X 505kgs €1380, Char x 395kgs €1000 Lim X 370kgs €950, Lim X 395kgs €1010.

Heifers Char X 680kgs €1650, Char X 635kgs €1570, Lim X 610kgs €1530, 2 Char X 647kgs €1450, Simm

Hoggets 53.6kgs €125, 66.7kgs €124, 49.3kgs €121, 44kgs €107, 45.3kgs €107, 42.2kgs €105.

Manager’s report…

Brendan Egan, Castlerea Mart “Bigger numbers of stock presented last week and forward store cattle in particular were a very lively trade in both the heifers and bullock rings. Weanlings continue to be a strong trade also with strong farmer demand as well as feed lots and exporters.

“There was a noticeable increase in calf numbers with a good clearance reported while the dry cow trade reported some very strong prices with good quality cows on offer.

“Springer cows made from €760 to €1600 per head. Dairy cross calves made from €30 to €130 per head with Hereford and Angus lots making from €150 to €270 and the continental lots making up to €400.

“Sales continue at Castlerea Mart today (March 1st) with our usual sale of bullocks, heifers, cows, calves, runners and weanlings. All sales commence at 11 am and there are three rings in operation as usual”.

Manager’s report…

Maura Quigley, Roscommon Mart “There were increased numbers on offer this week. There was a good trade for heifers with prices averaging from €2.37 per kilo up to €2.90 per kilo. There was small number of bullocks on offer with prices averaging €2.06 per kilo. There was a good number of dry cows on offer with average prices ranging from €1.75 per kilo up to €2.01 per kilo. There was a keen demand for all classes resulting in a good clearance of lots. Bullocks made from €587 up to €594 over, dry cows made from €550 to €1645 per lot and heifers made from €490 to €970 over.

“Bullocks, heifers and dry cows each Friday with a special sale of bullocks this Friday (2nd) at 11 am with 53 pens on offer as well as dry cows and heifers. The mart will hold

a mid-spring special sale of heifers on Friday, March 9th, which will also include bullocks and dry cows.

Bookings accepted up to 5 pm today (Thursday, March 1st).

“We had a small entry of sheep at last Wednesday’s sale (February 21st).

There was an increase in trade for hoggets with prices as high as €125.

The trade for cast ewes was on a par to the previous week with prices ranging from €82 to €130.

“Cast ewes made from €82 to €130 per lot, in lamb ewes made from €138 to €160, ewe with one lamb at foot made up to €194 and ewe with two lambs at foot made up to €266.

“Sales continue each Wednesday at 11 am for lambs and cast ewes. Sheep scanning service available every Wednesday from 9 am to 10 pm”.

Castlerea Mart sample prices Bullocks AA 480kgs €1255, Ch 460kgs €1240, Lm 460kgs €1225, Ch 510kgs €1385, Lm 500kgs €1270, Lm 560kgs €1450, Ch 610kgs €1485, Lm 595kgs €1385.

Heifers Ch 425kgs €1140, Ch 405kgs €1055, Ch 465kgs €1165, Ch 640kgs €1620, Ch 585kgs €1490, Lm 590kgs €1420, AA 480kgs €1170.

Dry cows Lm 830kgs €1715, Lm 830kgs

€1645, Ch 775kgs €1365, AA 810kgs €1475, AA 650kgs €1045, Ch 780kgs €1400.

Weanling bulls Lm 290kgs €875, Ch 280kgs €875, Ch 270kgs €850, Ch 425kgs €1265, Sim 405kgs €1130, Ch 395kgs €1115.

Weanling heifers BBX 285kgs €845, Ch 260kgs €760, Lm 390kgs €1105, Ch 370kgs €1050, AA 365kgs €890, Ch 400kgs €1080, Ch 310kgs €995, Ch 375kgs €1015.

31

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

FarmingPeople

NewsPeople

(Proudly serving farmers for over 58 years)

Property Services Providers Licence No. 001373

Bullocks, Heifers and Dry Cows Each Friday at 11 a.m.

-----------------------

Springtime Special Sale of Bullocks SALE CANCELLED (Due to the Adverse Weather) Tomorrow Friday, March 2nd at 11 a.m.

Please note Sale will be held on Friday March 9th – Sellers who booked for this Friday will be allocated the same pens for the following week ------------------

Extra Special Sale of Bullocks Friday, March 16th at 11 a.m.

Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. on Thursday, March 8th Also Heifers & Dry Cows -----------------

Springtime Special Sale of Heifers Friday, March 9th at 11 a.m.

Also Special Sale of Bullocks & Dry Cows Bookings accepted up 5 p.m. on this Thursday, March 1st ------------

Springtime Show & Sale of Weanlings Tuesday, March 6th at 5 p.m.

Class 1: Best Male born in 2017 Class 2: Best Female born in 2017 Born in exhibitors own herd Bookings accepted up to 5 p.m. on this Thursday, March 1st ---------------------Tuesday, March 6th – 6 p.m.

Pictured at Roscommon University Hospital were Maura Quigley, HAC, Paula McNamara, HAC, Senator Frank Feighan, Minister Jim Daly, Senator Maura Hopkins and Cllr. Valerie Byrne, HAC. Picture: Andrew Fox

HAC raise concerns with Daly during visit to hospital

“

We raised the A&E issue with Minister Daly and the need to restore it

9 Excellent Quality Cows in calf to AI Bulls (CH, LM, BB)scanning dates available at the sale ----------------

ORGANIC CATTLE & SHEEP SALE CANCELLED (Due to the Adverse Weather) This Saturday, March 3rd 2018 - 12 Noon The sale will now be held on Friday evening, March 16th at 6 p.m Entries to Iofga 090 6433680 or Organic Trust 01 8530271 -----------

Lambs, Cast Ewes & Ewes with Lambs at Foot Each Wednesday at 11 a.m.

--------------------Wednesday, 7th March Special Entry of 19 excellent quality 2nd crop Suffolk X ewes in lamb to 5 star Charollais Ram due 23rd March onwards.

----------------------

Sheep Scanning Service Each Wednesday– 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

ENQUIRIES 090 6626352

Live streaming of sales from Ring 1 See link on our Facebook page or website Email: roscommonmart@gmail.com Visit our website: www.roscommonmart.ie

Find us on facebook

Pictured at Roscommon University Hospital were Senator Frank Feighan and Minister Jim Daly.

Picture: Andrew Fox

 DAN DOONER

Jim Daly, the Minister of State for Mental Health and Older People, visited Roscommon University Hospital and also met with members of the Hospital Action Committee on Tuesday following an invitation from Senator Frank Feighan.

Senator Feighan said he was “delighted” that Minister Daly accepted the invitation, which allowed him to see firsthand the continued expansion of Roscommon University Hospital, including the Endoscopy Unit, which was opened in 2016.

Senator Feighan added that the Minister’s visit was timely following recent confirmation from the HSE that the design team for the €7.85 million Medical Rehab Unit is to be put in place this month.

Cllr. Valerie Byrne of the Hospital Action Committee said that Tuesday’s meeting provided the group with an opportunity to raise issues of concern with Minister Daly.

“We raised the A&E issue with Minister Daly

and the need to restore it.

We were also looking for timeframes in relation to the proposed sterilisation unit and the Medical Rehab Unit as it’s important that both of those come together. He listened and confirmed that he would be discussing those timeframes with the HSE”.

The Hospital Action Committee sought confirmation on when the extended hours at the Medical Assessment Unit would begin and also raised the need for a resuscitation unit at Roscommon University Hospital.

Cllr. Byrne added that the issue of the Sacred Heart Hospital and the proposed delivery of a 50-bed unit was also raised with the Minister.

“The money was supposed to be ring-fenced so we wanted an update on where that project is at. HIQA have given us until 2021 to put that in place,” she said.

Cllr. Byrne said the HAC were thankful to Senator Feighan for enabling the meeting, adding that health and safety was vital to the people of Co. Roscommon.

Over 3,000 sign Rosalie petition  DAN DOONER

Well over 3,000 people have signed a petition against the closure of the Rosalie Unit at Áras Naomh Chaolain in Castlerea.

The unit is being wound down with nobody being admitted to the facility which is currently home to 13 Alzheimer’s and dementia affected residents.

In recent months, concerned family members, councillors and local Senators and TDs have voiced their opposition to the winding down of the unit.

Community activists Henry Hughes and Seamus O’Brien have been at locations around the county, urging members of the public to support the petition.

Henry told the Roscommon People earlier this week that the response has been very positive.

“We have about 1,800 signatures ourselves so far and there’s a further 800 online too. It’s clear that members of the public do not want this unit closed down. There has been a great response right across Roscommon”.

Seamus O’Brien agreed that the response had

been positive but said that the public had legitimate concerns regarding the future of mental health services in the county.

“We have over 2,000 people in this county with Alzheimer’s related illnesses and the population is getting older. By 2020 that number could be up on 3,000. Does that mean that everyone with Alzheimer’s and dementia will be moved out of the county?

“People are angry about this and some are almost in tears telling us their stories. We can only continue to get signatures across the county”.

32

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

Classifieds

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

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

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS MEETINGS ST. COMAN’S CLUB, ROSCOMMON Tuesday 1pm; Tuesday 9pm; Wednesday 1pm; Thursday 1pm; Thursday 9pm; Saturday 8.30pm; Sunday 12 noon

Tel: 01 4538988 or 091 767777

BOUNCING CASTLES

Gerrity Bouncy Castles

CAREER ADVICE

CONTACT: Abbeyside House, Abbey Street, Roscommon.

Tel: 090 6630760

Email:abbeysidehouse@ eircom.net Facebook: www.facebook. com/careersgraceoreilly

COUNSELLING

TELEPHONE:

087 4668675 BLOCK AND BRICKLAYING

Experienced Brick/Blocklaying Gang Available for houses, extensions, sheds, walls, foundations etc...

Contact Kieran on

087 7157857

For all foot ailments Siobhan Murray BSc (Hons) Podiatry M.Ch.S.I.

Grace O’Reilly B.Sc. Psych., B.Comm., H.Dip. in Ed., MBPS & PSI Registered Occupational Psychometrician Assistance with: • Interview Preparation • CAO & UCAS Course Application • Subject & Course Choice • Study Skills / Exam Preparation

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

CHIMNEY CLEANING CONNAUGHT CHIMNEY CLEANING Chimneys (Power Sweep and Vacuum - no mess) - Openfire - Stoves Ranges Oil Boilers serviced and repaired Carpets and Upholstery cleaned Satellite and Digital TV Installation All areas covered Mob: 086 2495851 www.connaughtchimney cleaningservice.com

CHIROPODIST

CHIROPODIST

PODIATRIST

CAREER ASSESSMENT & ADVICE

Opening Hours: 9 am - 5.30 pm, Mon-Fri.

•Serving County Roscommon and surrounding area • For all Special Occasions • Standard Castles, Combi Castles, Obstacle Courses and much more.

CHIMNEY CLEANING

Complete Chimney Services

CHIMNEY CLEANING

• Power brush and vacuum technology for cleaning chimneys, stoves, ranges and open fires

• Removes up to 50% more than traditional methods • Firebacks replaced and flues repaired • Can be cleaned from the bottom up • Chimney cowels and crow guards fitted Power washing and gutter cleaning services.

Telephone:

087 2798704

CHIMNEY CLEANING POWER SWEPT No Mess Reasonable Charge ALSO AVAILABLE FOR POWER WASHING

TELEPHONE: 087 9657933 090 66 26752

CHIMNEY REPAIRS

CHIMNEY SWEEP • Open fire, stove, ranges • All flues and chimneys • Power brushed & vaccumed • No mess, no fuss • CCTV camera inspections • Detailed report and CCTV recording provided for insurance claims • Fully insured Also available for powerwashing and gutter cleaning

Department of Health Approved Every Monday Tully’s Total Health Pharmacy Main Street, Castlerea

For appointment: (094) 96 21647 / (089) 4142233 • Home visits • Insoles and Orthotics prescribed

PODIATRIST/ CHIROPODIST Mark Kilgallon B.Sc Podiatry (Hons) M.Ch.S.I. Department of Health Approved

EVERY FRIDAY St. Joseph’s Resource Centre, Boyle For appointment

085 1503353 086 8538404 Email: m.kilgallon23@gmail.com

• House Visits • Insoles and Orthotics Prescribed • Chiropody Services Clinics also in Ballaghaderreen and Castlebar

FOOT CLINIC ROSCOMMON – MOLLOYS PHARMACY (Monday to Saturday) Also available in Boyle & Athlone, Carrick-on-Shannon -------Chiropody treatment and all aspects of Foot Pain.

Orthotics prescribed

By Appointment Only –

087 2982214

Tel: Catriona Byrne DIP CHFP

Kathleen’s Mobile Footcare Provided in the comfort of your own home Kathleen Wynne MCFHP, MAFHP

O TOW WITH LEARN T

SYL’s

School of Motoring

Have you a licence to tow a trailer? Car/Jeep & Trailer Training available SPECIAL RATES FOR BEGINNERS AND STUDENTS Gift vouchers available

Call (085) 1348779

Foot Care Practitioner

071 9637984 / 086 3562718

CHIROPRACTOR ROSCOMMON CHIROPRACTIC CLINIC Specialising in:

• BACK PAIN • HEADACHES • NECK PAIN • LIMB PAIN

Telephone: 086 8433433

Roscommon West Business Park, Circular Road, Roscommon.

David Connor BSC (Hon.) Chiro. MSc. Chiropractic Association of Ireland

VHI and Laya Covered

COMPUTERS DC Computer Services Providing IT services for Homes, Businesses & Schools. Home Callouts.

NO FIX NO FEE PC Maintenance – Upgrades, Repairs, Virus & Spyware removal.

Network Solutions – Cabling, Hardware & Software Installation & Maintenance.

Contact David Conboy Tel: 087 7496459 Email: info@dccomputerservices.ie Web: www.dccomputerservices.ie p

Learn to drive with ....

Roscommon Driving School Telephone:

090 66 61102 Road Safety Authority Approved Driving Instructor

JOHN DOORLY School of Motoring RSA REGISTERED AND FORMER DRIVER TESTER

Excellent pass rates CAR - 12 EDT LESSONS CAR & TRAILER (B&E) TRUCKS - RIGID, ARTIC & CPC

GIFT VOUCHERS AVAILABLE

Tel: 086 2387528 www.aclearsteerdriving.com

Interested in reading the Gospel story together?

Also weekly studies Sunday 7 pm in Hannon’s Hotel, Dublin Road, Roscommon For more information: 086 8489244

MIAM ROSPA Approved Driving Instructor Former BSM Driving Instructor and UK advanced Met. Police Driver.

GIFT VOUCHER CARDS AVAILABLE Castlerea & Roscommon

EDT Lessons Available Telephone:

094 96 20099 Mobile:

086 8936012 This driving School conforms for the new RSA regulations & legislation

DOCKERY’S SCHOOL OF MOTORING

DENTAL

R.S.A. Approved Driving Instructors

Dental Design Studio

• Tuition in Car • Car Available for Tests Gift Vouchers – an ideal gift Tel. (094) 98 80281/ Mob. (087) 2031909

• Natural Cosmetic Dentures • Palate Free Dentures • Flexible Dentures • Repairs & Re-lines • Express replacement of lost/broken dentures

Patrick Lynch

Henry Street Medical Centre Roscommon TELEPHONE:

GOSPEL READING

Paul McStay DSA/ADI (UK) RSA

• ROSCOMMON • CARRICK-ON-SHANNON

Clinical Dental Technician

fergalkelly@live.com

Fergal 086 1016899

DRIVING LESSONS

090 66 65917 087 228 8780

33

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

Classifieds FARMING  A B AT TO I R S E R V I C E AVA I L A B L E : Cattle, lambs and pigs. Ready for freezing. Home Cured and Honey Dry cured traditional bacon (not pumped with water) now available. Tel: Webb’s Butcher’s, 094 96 20005 or 086 4094715  PRESSURE TREATED STAKES FOR SALE: • 6ft stakes 4inch only €2.40 per stake or bale of 70 for €160 delivered • 5ft stakes 3inch only €2 per stake or bale of 100 for €180 delivered • Pressure treated Larch Strainers 8ft 7-10inch only €11 delivered or bale of 25 only €250 delivered • 200 meter rolls barbed wire €25 per roll • 100 meter 3ft sheep wire €75 per roll. Also staples and nails available. Contact Tom on 086 2628439  SLURRY WANTED: Slurry wanted, Tremane/Athleague area. Tel: 086 8479798  FOR SALE: Round bales of hay, Roscommon. Tel: 086 3776948

QUAD HIRE Rush licking, spraying, spotspraying, flail mower for cutting rushes, easy on ground

Phone:

087 6982309 FENCING/GATES

Des Kelly Fencing Over 20 years in business All types of fencing supplied and erected Including: • Cresoted Posts • Agricultural Fencing • Site Fencing • Security Fencing • Post & Rail Fencing • Concrete Fencing • Grant Approved Fencing No job too big or too small Just give us a call on

087 2346364 FRANCIS REGAN FENCING LTD For all your fencing needs.

Glas Fencing Grant Fencing Post Rail

● ●

●

Tel: 087 2172281

FOR SALE  FOR SALE: New complete double divan bed including leather base and headboard, memory foam pocket sprung mattress. Still in packaging. Retail €950, will sell for €240 including free delivery. Tel: 086 4438919  2004 SKODA OCTAVIA FOR SALE: 2004 Skoda Octavia, GLX 1.4 Petrol.

Perfect for spare parts, driving ok, for quick sale €350 or nearest offer. Tel: 086 1578298  MOUNTAIN BIKE FOR SALE: New mountain bike, perfect condition, genuine reason for selling, reasonable price. Tel: 090 6621850  FOR SALE: Novum Chest Freezer, great condition, Capacity: 7 cubic feet approx. Price €100. Tel: 087 6141489  FOR SALE: Top quality bales of silage. Tel: 086 3923227

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

GARDENING GARDENING SERVICES Including: • Hedge Cutting • Hedge Planting • Grass Cutting • Spraying • Strimming • Weeding • Garden Tidy-ups • Planting • Gutter Cleaning, etc.

Chainsaw work also available

Phone John on

GARDENING

JOE HEALY Tree Services • Hedge Cutting • Dangerous Tree removal • Wood Chipping • Fully Insured

Phone:

087 2721193

HOLISTIC JOAN MOORE Therapy Rooms • Sports Massage • Deep Tissue Massage • Reflexology • Indian head Massage • Reiki • Aromatherapy • Dry needling • Thai Massage Roscommon West Business Park, Circular Road, Roscommon

PARKLAWN TREE SERVICES

087 9201818

Tel: 086 6077307 or 086 8125165 www.parklawntreeservices.com

DANGEROUS TREE REMOVAL SERVICE • Woodchipping • Log Splitting • Tree Surgery • Hedge Cutting

Bernard Conroy Timber Clearance Ltd Tel: 087 2533101 Firewood For Sale Over 30 years in business

Garden Clearance Complete garden clearance services with debris disposed of. Safety certified and insured.

Gift vouchers now available

Find us on facebook

KATHLEEN KELLY M.I.R.I.L. • Reflexology • Reiki • Indian Head and Shoulder Massage • Gift Vouchers Available • Evening appointments available

Tattie Hoaker, Health Store, Goff Street, Roscommon Phone:

086 3614230

SEAMUS HUNT • Massage & Sports Therapist • Holistic Massage • Injury Assessment & Treatment • Ultrasound & Infra Red Available

Tattie Hoaker, Health Store, Goff Street, Roscommon Telephone:

086 1930766 HEALTH & WELL-BEING

Tel: 086 2437376 WALTER BEGLEY Gardening, Maintenance & Painting Roscommon Town • Indoor & Outdoor Painting • Winter Garden Clean-Up • Power Washing Driveways - Paths • Prepare Lawns for Spring • Hedge Trimming • Planting • Grass Cutting • General Maintenance

Contact Walter on 087 9519873

Private & Commercial Power washing 25 years experience Free Estimates Given

Phone Alan on: or Mobile:

087 2683079

Four Roads, Co. Roscommon • Landscaping • Timber Decking • Patios • General Maintenance Contact Liam on 086 8749550 or 090 66 27496

• Certified Arborists • Tree Surgery • Dangerous Tree Removal • Wood Chipping • Leylandii hedges reduced and shaped.

Comprehensive insurance cover. I.S.A. member.

PAINTER & DECORATOR

090 6661635

087 2860428 GATELY GARDENING

PAINTING & DECORATING

● Amatsu Therapy ● Neuromuscular therapy

& orthopaedic sports massage Appointments with Anne Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday & Saturday.

Molloy’s Pharmacy, The Harrison Centre, Roscommon

Tel: 087 2721757 www.aobtherapies.com Vouchers available on-line

PROFESSIONAL PAINTING & DECORATING CONTRACTOR For all your decorating needs CONTACT JOHN

086 4679798 PHYSICAL THERAPIST Roscommon Physical Therapy Clinic 18 years experience in treating babies to adults Physical Therapy CranioSacral Therapy Medical Dry Needling Prescription Orthotics Pilates – Small Classes Can we help you?

Call us today to enquire Ph. 090 663 0009 Like us on Facebook www.rosptc.com We are now located at: 2 Castleview, Castle Street, Roscommon F42 C902

REFLEXOLOGY REFLEXOLOGY MARINA FUREY (MNRRI) African & Classical Reflexology Reflexology may bring relief from conditions such as: • Allergies • Eczema • Migraine • Back Problems • Infertility • Respiratory Disorders • Blood Pressure • Insomnia • Stress • Exam Stress • Bowel Disorders • Joint/Muscle Problems • Thyroid Imbalance • Colic • Pain Relief • Emotional Disorders - Ante Natal Reflexology - Cancer Care Reflexology - Infant/Child Reflexology Mobile Service Available Marina Furey B. Sc. (Hons)

Knockcroghery, Co. Roscommon

Tel: 087 2264951 Find us on facebook

PROPERTIES TO LET/RENT/WANTED  TO RENT: 3 bedroom house to rent in Oran/ Donamon. Solid fuel and oil fired central heating, all mod cons. Suitable for family/professionals, mature gardens. Viewing by appointment only. Tel: 086 8161539  FOR RENT: 3 bed townhouse in The Barony, Strokestown, newly refurbished. Tel: 087 6152861  TO LET: 8.5 acres of land to let in Ballyleague, Co. Roscommon from 01 March till October 31st. Tel: 087 9008817  TO LET: One bedroom apartment, to let The Walk, Roscommon, fully furnished.

Tel: 087 6949253  TO LET: Function/Meeting rooms available for rent, very reasonable rates at Cuan Aire Family Life Centre, Castlerea. Tel: 094 9620057 on Thursdays. Counselling also available, for issues such as anxiety, depression and relationships, on an ongoing basis on Thursdays. Tel: 094 9620057 CHAZEY PROPERTIES: We require properties for waiting tenants, we advertise, conduct viewings, arrange references, read meters, set up tenancy agreements and arrange direct debit payments straight into your bank. We charge a one off fee only if we are successful in renting your property. If not no fees are payable. Tel: 086 8212732

KENNELS

LISBROCK BOARDING KENNELS & CATTERY Brideswell, Athlone, Co. Roscommon • Spacious Kennels provided • Spacious exercise areas outside • Short Term - Long Term boarding welcomed • Dogs walked on request.

For further details contact Mary 087 6162191 or Barra 087 9764250 www.lisbrockkennels.ie Members of IBKCA

PLANNINGS

Design Consultation Planning Applications New Build, Extend, Renovate Bespoke Design Domestic, Commercial & Agricultural

086 3482387 info@moleskinarchitecture.com

facebook.com/moleskinarch

MORRIS LOHAN Consulting Engineers Castle Street, Roscommon Phone: 090 66 27950 • PLANNING APPLICATIONS • ASSIGNED DESIGN & CERTIFIER ‘New Building Regs’ • BER RATINGS ‘Domestic & Commercial’ • STRUCTURAL & CONDITION SURVEYS • FIRE DESIGN CERTIFICATES

www.morrislohan.ie

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I am applying to Roscommon County Council for retention permission on behalf of Mel Hand to retain an oil interceptor and concrete apron and full planning permission for an oil depot for the storage and parking of trucks consisting of the installation of 4 no. bunded oil storage tanks ancillary buildings and associated siteworks at Loughlackagh, Ballydangan, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: Seamus Murray, Project Managers, Engineers & Surveyors.

Castle St., Roscommon.

Ph: (087) 2222874 The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that submission or observation in relation to the application may be made to the authority in writing on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application.

The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Elizabeth Finneran, hereby give notice that I am applying to Roscommon County Council for full planning to construct a bell mouth entrance onto public road to facilitate access to forestry plantation together with internal access road and all associated site works at Killerdoo, Boyle, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: Lo-Homes Limited Tonamaddy, Creggs, Co. Roscommon.

Tel. 090 6621941 Mobile: 086 8551835 The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application and such submission or observation will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application.

The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Elizabeth Finneran, hereby give notice that I am applying to Roscommon County Council for full planning to construct a bell mouth entrance onto public road to facilitate access to forestry plantation together with internal access road and turning head and all associated site works at Killerdoo, Boyle, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: Lo-Homes Limited Tonamaddy, Creggs, Co. Roscommon.

Tel. 090 6621941 Mobile: 086 8551835 The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application and such submission or observation will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application.

The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL Áras an Chontae, Roscommon, County Roscommon FURTHER INFORMATION/ REVISED PLANS Name of Applicant; KILRONAN CASTLE HOTEL LIMITED Ref Number of the Application; PD/17/113 The development applied for consisted of; the construction of a 4 berth marina consisting of pile retained linked pontoon moorings, access walkway and bridge extending c20.6m from an existing landing stage and ancillary works at Lough Meelagh Kilronan Castle Hotel, Castletenison Demense and Carrowmore Townlands, Ballyfarnon, Boyle, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: (Agent) Wojciech Odrobina, ASE DESIGN CONSULTANTS LIMITED Drumullin, Elphin, Co. Roscommon.

Date of Erection of Site Notice: 02/03/2017 Significant Further Information and Revised Plans in relation to the application have been furnished to the planning authority and are available for inspection or purchase at the fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making copy, at the offices of the authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the Further Information and Revised Plans may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee, not later than 2 weeks after the receipt of the newspaper notice shall be submitted to the planning authority.

34

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

Classifieds PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, John Connor and James Tully, hereby give notice that we are applying to Roscommon County Council for full planning to develop an existing entrance and upgrade it to forestry harvesting standard (bell mouth entrance) onto public road to facilitate access to forestry plantation together with internal access road and all associated site works at Cloonshaville, Frenchpark, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: Lo-Homes Limited Tonamaddy, Creggs, Co. Roscommon.

Tel. 090 6621941 Mobile: 086 8551835 The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours and that a submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the authority on payment of the prescribed fee within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the Authority of the application and such submission or observation will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application.

The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We, Alan and Michelle Kelly, intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for the construction of a single storey rear extension, renovation of existing dwelling to include conversion of existing garage, together with all ancillary site works at No. 8 Hawthorn Drive, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: MoleskinArchitecture Mote Park, Roscommon 086 3482387 info@moleskinarchitecture. com The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00 within the period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submission or observation will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Pat Hynes intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission for retention of front porch to existing apartments at Racecourse Road, Loughnaneane, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: Gaynor Architectural + Design Services Ltd. Architects Fallon Avenue Roscommon Phone: 090 6626974 Mobile: 086 8115449 The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00 within the period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submission or observation will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

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

SITUATIONS VACANT  HEAD CHEF: Required for busy bar/restaurant, Lanesboro area. Great opportunity for someone to run Kitchen their way. Tel: 086 8745180 email: adiesbar@gmail.com  RECRUITING: I’m looking for a few people that may be interested in supplementing their income part-time. Work from home, be your own Boss, flexible hours, full support and training provided.

Tel: 086 2304192  LADY REQUIRED: To mind 3 children in their own home for school holidays.

Mornings only.

Derrane area. Please reply to BOX NO: 1124, c/o Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon.

SITUATIONS WANTED  KIND RELIABLE WARM IRISH LADY AVAILABLE: To care for elderly person/ disabled person/children.

Qualifications - QQi Level 5 Healthcare, Fetac Childcare, Social Activities and experience with Alzeihmers and dementia. Lots of experience, car owner (can do shopping, cooking and caring). Reference’s available.

Tel: 087 1390411

LOST FRIEND  LOST FRIEND: I am looking to find my friend Sarah (from Mauritius) who I met some years ago. I eagerly await good news, my name is Helena and I worked with Sarah around 3 or 4 years ago. Please reply to BOX NO: 1123, c/o Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon.

TAXIS AND HACKNEYS

HUGH KILDUFF CABS Tel: 086 2479829

KELLY’S EYE Taxi and Minibus hire.

The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00 within the period of five weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application, and such submission or observation will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

Padraig Healy Car & Mini Bus Hire Wheelchair Accessible

PHONE:

087 2727888

Call car direct

JOHN BEATTIE

(086) 2714879

Cab and Bus Hire Roscommon

086 2670670

TUITION

BUS HIRE FOR ALL OCCASIONS

 GRINDS: Castlerea area.

Leaving Certificate and Junior Certificate, Maths, French and Irish. Private tuition in your own home. Tel: 086 3282437

TOMMY GILLIGAN

CABS

TELEPHONE: 086 8099 503

Pete’s Cabs

Roscommon

PLANNINGS ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL I, Patricia Compton intend to make application to Roscommon County Council for planning permission to demolish existing cottage, construct part single storey and two storey dwelling, domestic garage, proprietary effluent treatment system and percolation area, associated site development works and services at Farnmore, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: Gaynor Architectural + Design Services Ltd. Architects Fallon Avenue Roscommon Phone: 090 6626974 Mobile: 086 8115449

TAXIS AND HACKNEYS

 FRENCH GRINDS: From French Native. Glenamaddy area. Leaving Certificate, Junior Certificate, or General help. Also available for Adults, Private or Groups.

Call or email for further information. Tel: 086 3305827 or email fanny.peters@ hotmail.com  MATHS GRINDS: Available for Junior and Leaing Certificate.

Experienced teacher of Maths to all levels in large secondary school.

State exams corrector, excellent revision and guidance for State Exams given. Tel: 086 4067270 after 5pm

GRINDS IN JUNIOR AND LEAVING CERTIFICATE BUSINESS AND ACCOUNTING Tutoring for college students in Business, Accountancy and Taxation.

– Contact –

Peter Lynch 086 8400002

LEAVING CERTIFICATE STUDENTS Would you like to do Accounting or Business as an extra subject?

Higher or ordinary levels catered for

Contact: Nuala McGowan on 086 0352849

TURF/FUEL/ FIREWOOD  THIS WEEK’S SPECIAL OFFERS: • Bags of seasoned timber €2 per bag, buy 20 bags get 2 free • Bags of top quality black turf only €2.50 per bag, buy 20 get 2 free. €75 DEAL: 1 tonne logs + 1 tonne turf, 1 bag 20kg coal + 1 free bale briquettes: for €75 • Tonne bags of turf and timber €35 delivered. ALSO PACKAGE DEAL: 1 bale of briquettes, 1 bag of logs, 3 bags of turf, delivered only €10. Price cannot be beaten.

Contact Tom: 086 2628439

 FIREWOOD FOR SALE: Dry seasoned hardwood ash, beech, elm and whitethorn. Stored indoors. Tel: 086 2437376  TURF FOR SALE: Good quality turf, 1 tonne bag €45 delivered. Tel: 086 0442967 WANTED: Fallen trees for firewood. Ash, Beech, Birch and Whitethorn.

We are safety certified and insured. Phone:

086 2437376

PSYCHIC DOLORES PSYCHIC MEDIUM CLAIRVOYANT

• Tarot & Angel Card Reading • Honest & Confidential • Spiritual Guidance • Need Direction?

Phone for an appointment -

090 66 23898 or 085 7857191 Athleague

PIANO LESSONS PIANO LESSONS Piano lessons for beginners, €10 for half an hour.

First lesson is free.

Tel: 089 2342604

USEFUL SERVICES

KEANE OIL BOILERS • Servicing • Repairs • Efficiency Testing Printout • Oil Tank Installation • Oil Boiler Replacement ALL WORK GUARANTEED Fully qualified and insured O.F.T.E.C. Registered TELEPHONE:

087 9131664 SEPTIC TANKS EMPTIED DRAINS/SEWERS CLEANED PERMIT NO: NW CPO - 09 - 03267 - 03

TELEPHONE MICHAEL HAVERTY: 086 8381227 or 086 1997815

DOMESTIC APPLIANCE REPAIRS: WASHING MACHINE, REPAIRS, DISHWASHER REPAIRS, OVEN AND TUMBLE DRYER REPAIRS Contact Paul on 086 0538977 087 4046478 www.appliance-repairs.ie  ELECTRICIAN AVAILABLE: Safe electric registered.

All work considered. No job too small. Phone Paul on 086 2553153 anytime or email: p086 2553153@gmail.com

24/02/18

 SHANE NAUGHTON ROOFING CONTRACTOR Roofing, slating, tiling, 1st and 2nd fixing and flooring.

All aspects of carpentry and building undertaken. Tel: 086 3155329.

FIRST PRIZE €50: Marese Healy, The Square SECOND PRIZE €25: Jane Brennan c/o K Finan THIRD PRIZE €20: SKathleen Hoare c/o K H 8 RESIDUAL PRIZES OF €10 EACH:

 HANDYMAN AVAILABLE: For block/brick laying, plastering, carpentry, painting and general maintenance. All areas considered.

No job too small. Tel: 086 0512267

FAMILY CIRCLE FAMILY CIRCLE

Kay + Mary c/o K. Hoare Eileen Kelly c/o B. Healy Maebh Naughton c/o Maureen Beirne Gerard Quigley Creevg Michael Menton c/o JF Kerrigan Gerry Quigley Creegs Michael Menton c/o JF Kerrigan Tom Quigley Creevg 5 PROMOTERS PRIZES OF €5 EACH:

Sorcha Ward Goff Street Kathleen Collins Denis O’Shea Joseph Hoare Thomas Hoare Total Receipts: €232 Total Prizes: €200

Mobile Welding + Fabrication Mobile welding repairs to doors, gates, sheds etc All repaired or made new

Phone:

USEFUL SERVICES

Quality Small Job Services For Home or Business

LOFT LADDERS Aluminium

Supplied & Fitted From

The company that can do all them small jobs

FROM

€170 094 96 31880 087 9100477

www.oddjobsolutions.ie Established since 2005

CRASH REPAIRS

| Insurance Repairs | Restoration Work | Paint Repairs | Colour Matching | Panel Replacement | Valeting | And much more Rathra, Tibohine, Castlerea, Co. Roscommon T: 094 98 72870 M: 087 6077277 E: wreck.amended@yahoo.ie Do you have a house or shed that you want cleaned out and all unwanted items removed?

If so ring: 087 9657933 or 090 6626752

Painter Decorator Powerwashing Plastering Gardening General Handyman

●

●

●

●

●

Gerry:

086 6684179 SOULMATES SOULMATES - DON’T BE ALONE, LOVE IS ALL THERE IS: Find that special person for friendship and romance with like-minded people. Safe, reliable and confidential.

Tel: 087 9216302/087 7720250

087 6982309 WINDOW CLEANING  WINDOW CLEANING: Competitive rates. All areas covered. Also Gutters/ fascias. Contact John: 087 2291931

35

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

AtYourService CARPENTRY

Eugene Quinn Carpentry • First and Second Fix • Roofing • Timber Flooring • Dry Lining

CARPENTRY

Gary Jameson

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

CHIMNEY REPAIRS

CHIMNEY PROBLEMS SHOWROOM:

Racecourse Road, Roscommon

STEPHEN HOARE CLEANING SERVICES • ROSCOMMON • Carpets & Upholstery Cleaning • Leather Suites • WINDOW CLEANING • POWER WASHING Fascias & Soffits • Gutters & Down pipes • Drive ways ‘paths and patios’ CAR VALETING

2nd Fix Carpentry Munsboro, Roscommon • Fitted Kitchens & bedroom units

Tel: 086 3686669

• Doors, Timber Floors • Stairs

NO JOB TOO SMALL

• Attic Conversions and all internal woodwork

086 0708833

Ronan Hegarty Bespoke Carpentry/Cabinets Kitchens ● Sliding Wardrobes ● Home Study ● Television Cabinets etc ●

ELITE CHIMNEY REPAIRS • Lining • Relining • Rebuilding • CCTV Camera Inspection

CATHAL DOOLEY 087 6579064

20 Years Experience Free Insurance Quotes Nationwide Service Stoves and Ranges Fitted All Work Guaranteed

WE SUPPLY & FIT Double & Treble Glazed Windows & Doors, Patio Doors, French Doors, Porches and Conservatories WIDE RANGE OF COMPOSITE DOORS

Thermally efficient and high security with reinforced frames offering quality without compromise.

Telephone: 090 66 33026

Contact Ronan on 087 6035995 email: hegartybespokeprojects@gmail.com email: robedesign.ie@gmail.com Download our brochure on www.robedesign.ie Robe Design Showroom open 7 days a week

RECYCLING

Castlerea Vehicle Recycling All NCT Failures ● Destruction Certs Issued ● Sale of Second Hand Parts ● Contracted to all Major Car Companies ● Farm Machinery, Old Gates ● Metals, Iron Baths ● Old Cooking Ranges ● Weighbridge on Site

RECYCLING OF END-OF-LIFE VEHICLES

Dead & Worn-Out Animals Contact

JOHN GREENE BALLINASLOE

TEL: (090) 96 88606 (090) 96 88830 (090) 96 87651 Lowest price guaranteed Daily collection

INSTALLATION RECYCLING ALL TYPES OF METAL

C ASTLEREA ELV RECYCLING LTD., CLOONKEEN, CASTLEREA KEVIN & MARTINA KEENAN TEL: 094 96 21250 MOB: 086 2522231 Bonded Bead Cavity Wall Insulation

VETERINARY

Cellulose, Sheepswool, Fibreglass, SIGA Airtightness New Buildings & Retrofit Call in or contact us for free advice and quotes

Lisagallon, Cloverhill, Roscommon Eircode: F42 K243 Tel: 0906665555 Fax: 0906627653 • Digital X-Ray Facility • In house Blood Analysis • Small Animal Ultra-Sound • Gas Anaesthetic • Veterinary Kennel’s facility •24hrs Emergency Vet on call Clinic Hours: 2pm – 7pm Mon – Friday • Saturday Clinic 10am - 3pm Office Hours: 9am – 7pm Mon - Friday PLEASE CALL TO ARRANGE AN APPOINTMENT

Unit 2, Ballybrit Industrial Estate, Galway

BLINDS

BRENDAN DOOLIN

Also Wooden Venetians, Velux Window Blinds.

Tel: 090 66 30521 Mobile: 086 8115928

GLASS

Boyle Glass Ballinameen, Boyle,

Tel: 071 96 68368 - Stained Decorative

and Frosted Glass - Double Glazed Units - Bevelled Glass/ Mirrors - Glass Shelves/Table Tops - Painted Glass Splashbacks - Balcony Glass

- STOVE GLASS - Fire Rated Glass Find us on DoneDeal/boyleglass

CHIMNEY REPAIRS

091 768 768 info@ecowise.ie

www.ecowise.ie

KEEN and COMPETITIVE PRICES ROSCOMMON, WEST of IRELAND and BEYOND!!

www.roscommonwindows.ie

FARMING

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CLEANING

WINDOWS/DOORS

- Chimney Repairs - Soot & Smoke Problems - Demolish, Re Build & Re Flue Line - Chimney Fires - Flexible Stainless Steel Liner - Insurance Claims processed

- CCTV Camera Inspection For Professional For Professional Advice Contact Advice Contact: John Hibbitt: Tel: 090

9673336 2678350

Mob: 086 Email:

info@athlonechimneyrepairs.ie

M: 086 3912396 PH: 090 66 62892

WINDOW AND DOOR REPAIRS • Door Handles • Door Locks • Letterboxes • Window Hinges • Patio Door Repairs • Misted and Double Glazed Units • Reseal Windows and Doors

Contact David Martin on 087 9959417

TARMACADAM CARPET AND UPHOLSTERY CLEANING:

• Carpets and Suites (fabric & leather) • Mats • Large rugs • Tiled floors • Carpets dry immediately Covering Roscommon / Leitrim / Sligo www.cleananddryireland.com TEL: John Higgins/Gerard Cuffe 086 2328291/087 6786161

uPVC WINDOW AND DOOR PARTS

ROSCOMMON WINDOWS RACECOURSE ROAD, ROSCOMMON 090 66 33026

TARMACADAM

Gerry Monaghan

TARMACADAM

Specialising in Kerbing, Tar and Chips and Tarmacadam.

Machine or hand laid.

All types of drainage/ septic tank upgrades and new percolation.

Contact (086) 4007158

NOW IN STOCK TO SUIT ALL BRANDS • Handles • Hinges • Locks • Letter Boxes • Double Glazed Units supplied and fitted Fully insured

Donamon

Tarmacadam LTD

ROOF REPAIRS Specialising in Roof Repairs

Re-Roofing Demossing ● Cleaning & Painting of Slates & Tiles ● Attic Conversions ● Gutter Cleaning & Repairs ● Hay Shed & Barn Repairs David Kelly ● ●

Feurty, Roscommon

087 9442596

LIFE COACH

CContact: GGerry M Monaghan h

SERVICES: • Tarmacadam • Kerbing • Patio • Domestic & Commercial TAKE ADVANTAGE OF THE GOVERNMENT HRI SCHEME

Contact us for further information Kiltoom, Athlone, Co. Roscommon T: 090 64 93386 M: 086 8207242 or Darren on 086 8972265 E: gerrymonaghan1@eircom.net

CAROLINE BURKE COACHING

Career, Education and Personal Coaching Helping you to help yourself! *CAREER: HELPING YOU TO GET THAT JOB! CV UPDATING / INTERVIEW MASTERING / JOB SEARCH

*EDUCATION: CHOOSING THE RIGHT COURSE! CAO APPLICATION / HELPING YOU TO MAKE BETTER MORE INFORMED COURSE CHOICES

*PERSONAL: CONFIDENCE/ASSERTIVENESS BUILDING! HELPING YOU TO LIVE A MORE BALANCED LIFE / DEALING WITH CHANGES IN PERSONAL CIRCUMSTANCES, E.G. RETIREMENT, NEW JOB, SEPARATION, STUCK IN A RUT ETC…..

For appointment call me on 086 8229606 OR email your enquiry to carolinebburke@gmail.com

36

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

Classifieds

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

Appointments Service Advisor Required Michael Moore Car Sales Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for inclusion on a panel for the following post:

TEMPORARY PART-TIME TOUR GUIDES KING HOUSE, BOYLE, CO. ROSCOMMON Application forms and full particulars may be obtained from the Human Resources Department, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon. e-mail: humanresources@roscommoncoco.ie telephone: 090 6637107 or visit: www.roscommoncoco.ie Candidates may be shortlisted on the basis of information supplied on application form.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 5.00 p.m. on Tuesday, 13th March, 2018.

Canvassing will disqualify.

Roscommon County Council is an equal opportunities employer.

Is fóstóir comhionannais deiseanna í Comhairle Chontae Roscomaín

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for inclusion on a panel for the following posts in Roscommon Arts Centre:

TEMPORARY CASUAL PART-TIME BACKSTAGE AND GALLERY ASSISTANT TEMPORARY CASUAL PART-TIME BOX OFFICE / FRONT OF HOUSE ASSISTANT Application forms and full particulars may be obtained from the Human Resources Department, Roscommon County Council, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon.

Michael Moore Car Sales have an esteemed reputation for meeting and exceeding the highest level of standards within the motor trade. It is our driven and ĞĵĤǟĤĤĚĜ īĩĄĞĞ ĩĝĄĩ ĤġĚ Ąĩ ĩĝĚ ěħĪĚ ħĞ ħĵĪ ĄěěħĥĨĤġīĝĥĚģĩƎ ĀĚ ĄĪĚ ěĵĪĪĚģĩĤĹ īĚĚĠġģğ Ą full time experienced service advisor to join our vibrant and dynamic team.

Responsibilities: • To ensure the service customers receive prompt, courteous and effective repair of ĩĝĚġĪ ĶĚĝġěĤĚī Ĵġĩĝġģ ĩĝĚ īĨĚěġǟĚĜ ğĵġĜĚĤġģĚī ĄģĜ ĨĪħěĚĜĵĪĚīƎ • Liaising with the Service Team regarding the most effective way of carrying out the work required on the vehicle.

e-mail: humanresources@roscommoncoco.ie telephone: 090 6637385 or visit: www.roscommoncoco.ie

• To ensure all work is correctly invoiced and payment recieved.

Candidates may be shortlisted on the basis of information supplied on application form.

• Ensuring effective collection and delivery of customers’ vehicles including

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 5.00 p.m. on Thursday 15th March 2018.

Canvassing will disqualify.

Roscommon County Council is an equal opportunities employer.

Is fostóir comhionannais deiseanna í Comhairle Contae Ros Comaín

• Maintaining close liaison with customers to ensure customer rentention. administering hire/loan cars as required.

Skills: Ü Īġğĝĩ ĨĚĪīħģĄĤġĩĹʉ īħĤġĜ ĴħĪĠ Ěĩĝġěʉ ǟĪīĩ ěĤĄīī ěĵīĩħĥĚĪ īĚĪĶġěĚ īĠġĤĤīʉ ĄģĜ ĄĂġĤġĩĹ to work under pressure.

• Excel at understanding, anticipating and meeting customer needs.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

• Excellent organisational and planning skills, with attention to detail.

• Possess good administration and IT skills.

Finest Quality Foods

• Work well as part of a team.

• Smart, professional appearance.

Lanesboro, Co. Longford An attractive package awaits the ideal candidate.

We now have a vacancy for

VAN SALES PERSON HB Ice-Cream and Birdseye Frozen Food to service existing customers in the midlands.

Candidates should have a number of years sales experience.

Be over 25 years of age with a full clean C Driving Licence and up to date CPC’s.

Contact Sinead with up to date CV: sinead@dolanfoods.ie or 043 33 43060 Unit 3, Lanesboro Bus. Park, Lanesboro, Co. Longford Phone: 043 3343060 || Web: dolanfoods.ie || Mail: sales@dolanfoods.ie

If you possess the above attributes please forward your letter of application together with your CV to ciara@audiathlone.ie Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for the following posts:

CASTLEREA SWIMMING POOL SUMMER SEASON 2018 TEMPORARY DUTY MANAGER TEMPORARY LIFEGUARDS Application forms and full particulars may be obtained from the Human Resources Department, Roscommon County Council, Áras an Chontae, Roscommon. e-mail: humanresources@roscommoncoco.ie telephone: 090 6637107 or visit: www.roscommoncoco.ie Candidates may be shortlisted on the basis of information supplied on application form.

The closing date for receipt of completed applications is 5.00 p.m. on Thursday 15th March 2018.

Canvassing will disqualify.

Roscommon County Council is an equal opportunities employer.

Closing Date: Friday, 9th March.

Michael Moore Car Sales Ltd. Dublin Road, Athlone, Co. Westmeath Tel: 09064 74620 www.mmcs.ie

LEGAL SECRETARY Full time legal secretary position available in an established Solicitors practice in Roscommon Town.

Previous experience essential.

Apply in confidence to: BOX NO: 1125, c/o Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon.

Is fostóir comhionannais deiseanna í Comhairle Contae Ros Comáin

Submit your Classified online Send your Classified advertisement to advertising@rosommonpeople.ie or alternatively call 090 66 34633

Part-time

PRACTISE NURSE

Required for busy GP Practise in Athlone

Forward Cover Letter and CV to BOX NO: 1120, c/o Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon.

Sales Rep / Relief Van Driver Apply Corrib Eggs Please email CV to:

admin@corribeggs.ie Telephone: 094 9659058

Acceptance of an advertisement or payment therefore is not to be taken as implying guarantee that the advertisement will be published. The right is reserved to refuse to insert any advertisement, without giving any reason; also to discontinue the publication of any advertisement previously published, without compensation for any loss or damage claimed for non-publication.

Publication of an advertisement cannot be guaranteed on a specific week or at all, whether or not a particular week has been stipulated by the advertiser, and the company will not be liable for any loss claimed by such omission, whether from all editions or any particular edition or editions of the paper.

Right is reserved to alter any advertisement without liability for any compensation for such alteration. Further, the company does not accept liability for any loss or damage caused by an error or inaccuracy in the printing of any advertisement.

37

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

Classifieds Appointments Parklawn Tree Services have positions available for the following:

Experienced Tree Surgeons & Chainsaw Operators

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

FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES LYNCH Eamon and Kathleen

Duignan Michael and Teresa

Motepark, Roscommon (5th and 19th Annviersaries)

Araghty, Athleague, Co. Roscommon (20th Anniversary)

Must hold all relevant NPTC Certs: CS30/31, 38/39, Safepass and First Aid. Full Drivers Licence a necessity.

Email info@parklawntreeservices.com with CV or call Enda on 087 1147959

PERSON REQUIRED

For housekeeping duties/general care for elderly couple in Rooskey/Dromod area Part-time hours Applications to Box Office No. 1126, c/o Roscommon People, Abbey Street, Roscommon. and/or email housekeeping@hotmail.com

PLANNINGS EXTRA ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We are applying to Roscommon County Council on behalf of Declan Healy for planning permission for the provision of a car wash facility incorporating an underground washdown separator, equipment store, associated signage together with all necessary ancillary siteworks at Circular Road, Ballypheasan, Roscommon, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: Seamus Dowd & Associates Ltd, Registered Building Surveyors Tel: (090) 6623417 Mob.086 8546035 The planning application may be inspected, or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours. A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of the prescribed fee of €20.00 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the authority of the application and such submission or observation will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

ROSCOMMON COUNTY COUNCIL We are applying on behalf of Next Week & Co Ltd. for planning permission for the construction of a 317 square metre detached single storey ‘Log Cabin Type’ Childcare Facility to be located on the site of the existing Emergency Reception and Orientation Centre (EROC) with all associated site works at Abbeyfield Hotel, Sligo Road, Kilcolman Townland, Ballaghaderreen, Co. Roscommon.

Signed: AOL Design Ltd. Consulting Engineers C/O Albert Looby, Killeenboy, Kilteevan, Co. Roscommon.

Tel: (090) 66 28184 Mobile: 086 8167365 The planning application may be inspected or purchased at a fee not exceeding the reasonable cost of making a copy, at the offices of the planning authority during its public opening hours.

A submission or observation in relation to the application may be made in writing to the planning authority on payment of a fee of €20.00 within the period of 5 weeks beginning on the date of receipt by the planning authority of the application and such submissions or observations will be considered by the planning authority in making a decision on the application. The planning authority may grant permission subject to or without conditions, or may refuse to grant permission.

We hold you close within our hearts And there you shall remain To walk with us throughto our lives, Until we meet again.

So rest in peace dear loved ones And thanks for all you have done.

We pray that God has given you the crown you truly won

Sadly missed and always remembered by your loving family.

Anniversary Mass on Friday, 2nd March at 7pm in St. Patrick’s Church, Knockcroghery.

Loved and remembered by Mary, Anna, Theresa, sons-in-law and grandchildren.

Anniversary Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Athleague on Saturday, 3rd March at 7pm.

LENNON Michael and Kathleen Cloonmurray, Strokestown

Glinsk, Castlerea, Co. Galway In loving memory of Johnny who died on the 1st March 2016 (2nd Anniversary) RIP

Fondly remembered by their loving family, Michael (died 14 March 1999) and Kathleen (died 13 January 2013), Cloonmurray, Strokestown.

Remembrance Mass in Tulsk Church on Sunday, 4th March 2018 at 11:30am.

NAUGHTON Sean Little did I know that morning that God was going to call your name, In life I loved you dearly, in death I do the same.

It broke my heart to lose you, you did not go alone, For part of me went with you, the day God called you home.

Main Street, Ballygar, Co. Galway (3rd Anniversary)

Lovingly remembered and sadly missed by your wife Kathleen.

Gone are the days we used to share But in our hearts you are always there The gates of memory will never close We miss you more than anyone knows.

Remembered with love, Fiona, Marty, Carmel, Pat, Cathy and Rod, Paula and Morris, Padraig and Noli, Sean and Siobhan and Stephen No longer in our lives to share But in our hearts you are always there.

Fondly remembered by your grandchildren: Aoife, Roisin, Laura, Sean, Eimear, Aislinn, Conor, Lewis, Kayleigh, Nicole, Niamh and Patrick

Sadly missed by your brother in law John.

–––––oOo ––––– Anniversary Mass in St. Michael’s Church, Glinsk on Sunday, 4th March at 10.00 am

Ros Memorials Headstone, Memorial & Gravestone Specialists

KNOCKCROGHERY, CO. ROSCOMMON

Send your Classified advertisement to advertising@rosommonpeople.ie

PAT QUIGLEY: 087 7799076 PAUL O’CONNOR: 086 6052649

or alternatively call 090 66 34633

• Headstones • Kerbed Memorials • Grave Site Care • Headstone Cleaning • Monument Levelling • Gravestone Repair

Caldra, Strokestown

In loving memory of Michael Carr, Caldra, Strokestown Died March 2nd 2001 The hands of time keep turning 17 years have passed away But in our hearts and memories You are with us every day.

Lovingly remembered by your beloved wife Genevieve, Emma, Ruth, Michael, Fergal and James.

THANKSGIVINGS

HEGARTY Johnny

Every day in some small way Memories of you still come my way

Submit your Classified online

Will those who think of them today A little prayer to Jesus say.

CARR Michael

Remembrance is a golden chain Death tries to break but all in vain; To have, to love, and then to part Is the greatest sorrow of one’s heart The years may wipe out many things, But this they wipe out never The memory of those happy days, When we were all together.

Lovingly remembered and dearly missed every day by his loving wife Ann, Denise, Gerard, Shane and Aine and all his loving family.

Anniversary Mass in St. Mary’s Church, Ballygar on Tuesday, March 6th at 7:30pm.

THANKSGIVINGS PRAYER TO SAINT PAULINA Prayer to Saint Paulina Visintainer (Feast 9th July) is considered by many to be patron of diabetics, if you are diabetic please use the prayer daily - but please remember to pass the prayer on, publish or leave a copy in a church to spread devotion.

St. Paulina, you have suffered much in your life blind with Diabetes.

In heaven, you can see clearly now.

The love of God and the sick, enabled you to endure tragedy; your example will forever be our vision.

St. Paulina, ask God to give me the strength to sustain this illness, and to allow my body to produce energy needed to function.

I ask your loving intercession to control my blood sugar and other risk factors, so my body will live and I may live to help others.

St. Paulina, intercede to Our Savior to help the newly diagnosed Diabetics throughout the world so they may have medical and Divine intervention.

Healing Heart of Jesus cleanse us from all sin to be Reborn in Faith, Hope and External Love. S.L. ST. PADRE PIO Grateful thanks to St. Padre Pio - Saint Therese of Lisieux and the 54 day Rosary Novena for favours hoping to recieve. S.L.

Family Notices • Anniversary Remembrance • Acknowledgements • Birthday Remembrance Call into our office on Abbey Street, Roscommon Phone: (090) 66 34633 Email: advertising@roscommonpeople.ie Our deadline for receipt of Family Notices is 2.30pm on Tuesday.

We cannot guarantee publication after this time.

PRAYER TO ST. MICHAEL, ST. GABRIEL AND ST. RAPHAEL Light 3 white candles on a white plate and put sugar all around it. Place a glass of Water next to it. Ask the archangels for 3 wishes: one for business, one for impossible and one for love. Do this petition for three days. On the third day publish this prayer.

St. Michael, St. Gabriel and St. Raphael, please be with me today. Please hear and answer my prayers with your divine grace, intervention and kindness, I love you all, please help me so that my prayer requests all come true quickly. Amen. (mention your request here) Heavenly Father, you have given us Archangels to assist us during our pilgrimage on earth.

Saint Michael is our protector, I ask him to come to my aid, fight for all my loved ones and protect us from danger. Saint Gabriel is a messenger for the Good News, I ask him to help me clearly hear your voice and to teach me the truth. Saint Raphael is the healing angel, I ask him to take my need for healing and that of everyone I know, lift it up to your throne of grace and deliver back to us the gift of recovery. Help us O Lord to realise more fully the reality of the archangels and their desire to serve us. Holy Angels pray for us. Amen. Thank you for answering my prayers. S.L. PRAYER TO ST. RAPHAEL THE ARCHANGEL Glorious Archangel St. Raphael, great prince of the heavenly court, you are illustrious for your gifts of wisdom and grace. You are a guide of those who journey by land or sea or air, consoler of the afflicted, and refuge of sinners.I beg you, assist me in all my needs and in all the sufferings of this life, as once you helped the young Tobias on his travels. Because you are the “physician of God” I humbly pray you to heal the many infirmities of my soul and the ills that afflict my body. I especially ask of you the favor (mention your petition), and the great grace of purity to prepare me to be the temple of the Holy Spirit.

Saint Raphael of the glorious seven who stand before the throne of Him who lives and reigns, angel of health, the Lord has filled your hand with balm from heaven to soothe or cure our pains. Heal or cure the victim of disease and guide our steps when doubtful of our ways. Amen. S.L.

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

Classifieds

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FAMILYNOTICES ....ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND ANNIVERSARIES BRADY Aisling

KENNY Paddy

McCRANN Noel and Kathleen

Curreen, Rathcline Road, Lanesborough.

Treasured memories of a beloved and dearly missed daughter and sister Aisling Who passed away on the 28th of February 2015 (3rd Anniversary)

Aughmaghree, Kilteevan Who passed away 17th of January 2011 (7th Anniversary)

Castle Street, Roscommon (7th and 29th Anniversaries)

Sadly missed along life’s way Quietly remembered everyday No longer in our lives to share But in our hearts he’s always there.

A silent thought, A quiet prayer, For a special person in God’s care.

Just a prayer from the family that loved you both dearly Just a memory fond and true In our hearts you will both live forever Because we thought the world of you.

Our lives go on without you, But nothing is the same, We have to hide our heartaches, when someone speaks your name, Sad are the hearts that loved you, Silent the tears will fall, Living our lives without you, Is the hardest part of all.

Loved always, forever in our hearts and always on our minds, Mammy, Daddy, Michelle, family and friends.

Anniversary Mass for Aisling and her Nanny Mai Gray (The Green) on Sunday, 25th March at 11.30am in St. Mary’s Church Lanesborough, Co. Longford.

KEEGAN Bridie Muff, Castlecoote, Roscommon (20th Anniversary)

Lovingly remembered by Marie, Vincent, Philip and Alex.

Anniversary Mass on First Friday, 2nd of March in Kilteevan Church at 8pm.

Always remembered and sadly missed by their children and extended family and relations.

Anniversary Mass on Saturday, 3rd March at 10am in the Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon.

DOORLY Patrick and Mary Rockfield, Roscommon (8th & 5th Anniversary)

GIBBONS Tony Caggle, Strokestown Whose 12th Anniversary occurs on February 28th 2018

Your resting place we visit, And there we kneel and pray But no one knows the sorrow, As we turn and walk away.

Much loved, always missed mom, dad, David and Alan.

In loving memory of Patrick who died on 12th December 2009 and Mary who died on 13th March 2013 R.I.P. Our hearts are full of memories, With pride we speak your names, Though life goes on without you both It will never be the same.

Your memories are so special Your presence missed so much You will always be remembered And loved by all of us.

Our hearts are full of memories.

With pride we speak your name.

Although life goes on without you, It will never be that same.

Those special days will not return, When we were altogether, but with love and memories in our hearts, You will walk with us forever.

LOHAN Tom, Delia and Kathleen (McCarthy)

Sadly missed by her nephews Canon Joe, Kevin, niece Moria, niece-in-law Bernie, nephew-in-law Christy and grandnieces and nephews.

Anniversary Mass on Sunday, 4th March at 11.30am in Fuerty Church.

GROGAN Ger-Michael Who died 10th March 2002 R.I.P. (16th Anniversary)

McMANUS Evelyn Athlone Road, Roscommon Town Who died 1st March 2014

In loving memory of our parents, Tom and Delia and our sister Kathleen, whose anniversaries occur around this time Time may pass and fade away, but silent thoughts and memories stay.

“I light a candle for you today, As you did when the need was mine.

There for your needs it brightly burns, True symbol bright of God Divine.”

Fond memories, always treasured with love, by her husband, Noel, daughters Deirdre, Rebecca and Judith.

Lisgobbin, Roscommon (4th Anniversary)

In loving memory of Claire, Lisgobbin, Roscommon who died on 4th March 2014.

Softly the leaves of memory fall, Gently we gather and treasure them all

Lovingly remembered by her husband Sean, daughters Lorraine and Alma, sons John and Gary, grand-daughter Laura, John’s partner Jannette, brothers, sisters, relatives and friends.

Anniversary Mass on Sunday, 4th March at 11.30am in Strokestown Parish Church

McCrann Frank Kilclare, Co. Leitrim & The Walk, Roscommon (2nd Anniversary)

Sadly missed by Ann, Michael, Ann Marie and Patrick.

Anniversary Mass in Cloverhill Church on Saturday, 3rd March at 7pm.

Mote Park,, Roscommon In loving memory of our dear Aunt Bridie who died on 6th March 1998

BRENNAN Claire

Always remembered by their loving families.

Anniversary Mass in St. Patrick’s Church, Knockcroghery on Saturday, 3rd March at 7.00pm.

Will those who think of Ger-Michael today, A little prayer to Jesus and Mary say.

Sadly missed by his parents, brother, sister, sister-in law, nephews, niece, aunts, uncles, relatives and friends.

Anniversary Mass on Friday, 9th March at 10am in the Sacred Heart Church Roscommon

You filled our lives, With love and laughter And it is this we shall remember.

Always there with a listening ear, A hand to hold, A warm embrace so tender.

A gentle man with a heart that filled your being.

Who loved to laugh and loved to live, Treasured your family and valued your friends.

All had a place your love to give.

We’ll still hear your laughter upon a season’s breeze And see your smile forever in sunshine and in rain.

So blessed were we to have you Until we meet again!

So dearly loved and missed every day. Your loving wife Margaret, children Caroline, Peter, Lorraine and Sinead.

Grandchildren, brother, sisters, nieces, nephews and extended family.

Franks’s 2nd Anniversary Mass in The Sacred Heart Church, Roscommon on Saturday, 3rd March at 10am.

THANKSGIVINGS THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many favours.

This time I ask this special one (mention it).

Take it dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it.

Then in his merciful eyes it will become your favour, not mine, Amen.

Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted.

Never known to fail. M.M. THE MIRACULOUS PRAYER Dear Heart of Jesus in the past I have asked you for many favours.

This time I ask this special one (mention it).

Take it dear Heart of Jesus and place it within your own broken heart where your father sees it.

Then in his merciful eyes it will become your favour, not mine, Amen.

Say this prayer three times, for three days, promise publication and favour will be granted.

Never known to fail. M.M. UNFAILING NOVENA PRAYER TO ST. ANTHONY Oh Holy St. Anthony, gentlest of saints, your love for God and charity for His creatures made you worthy, when on earth, to possess miraculous powers.

Miracles waited on your word, which you were ever ready to speak for those in trouble or anxiety. Encouraged by this thought, I implore of you to obtain for me (request). The answer to my prayer may require a miracle, even so, you are the ‘Saint of Miracles’. O gentle and loving St. Anthony, whose heart was ever full of human sympathy, whisper my petition into the ears of the Sweet Infant Jesus, who loved to be folded in your arms, and the gratitude of my heart will ever be yours. Publication promised for a great favour received.M.L.

PRAYER TO ST. EXPEDITE For a Financial crisis...

Here is a prayer for your money emergency. The traditional way to petition Saint Expedite is to take a white and a green candle; carve your name on them lengthwise. Light the candles and continue lighting the candles and praying to him until you receive his answer. Have faith and do not doubt his power or willingness to help you.

Pray to Saint Expedite I call forth the Power and the presence of St. Expedite in my time of financial trouble. I offer my body, heart, mind and soul upon your altar of light. I have faith and trust and complete confidence that you will be my strength in this time of need.

Quickly come to my assistance.

Bring to me _________ (Clearly express what you want, and ask him to find a way to get it to you.)

My financial need is urgent.

Be my Light and Guide in this situation so that I may live with peace, love, prosperity and abundance and in the Praise of God. A m e n .

(Now promise to give Saint Expedite a specific offering if your desire is granted.)

S.F. PRAYER TO THE BLESSED VIRGIN O Most Beautiful Flower of Mt. Carmel, Fruitful Vine, Splendor of Heaven, Blessed Mother of the Son of God, Immaculate Virgin, assist me in my necessity. O Star of the Sea, help me and show me herein you are my Mother. O Holy Mary, Mother of God, Queen of Heaven and Earth, I humbly beseech you from the bottom of my heart to succor me in my necessity (make request). There are none that can withstand your power. O Mary conceived without sin, pray for us who have recourse to thee (3 times).

Holy Mary, I place this cause in your hands (3 times). Say this prayer for 3 consecutive days.

M.L.

/RYH·V *UHDWHVW *LIW 5HPHPEUDQFH

0(025,$/ &$5'6 ,QGLYLGXDOO\ 'HVLJQHG DQG 3ULQWHG

(PDLO RU FDOO IRU 6DPSOH 3DFN

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

Sports People The Roscommon & District Football League Grounds in Lecarrow yesterday (Wednesday) afternoon. An Orange weather warning has been issued for Connacht from Thursday evening. Picture: Andrew Fox

White Weekend?

The ‘Beast from the East’ has already caused widespread disruption across Ireland and with an Orange warning issued for Connacht counties including Roscommon and a Red warning issued for Leinster and Munster,

fixtures across a number of codes are under threat.

The GAA announced yesterday (Wednesday) that it would monitor the situation closely and that a fixtures plan had been put in place.

Meanwhile, the Roscommon & District Football League has advised match officials and away teams to contact home clubs before travelling to games. The RDFL also said it would monitor the situation over the coming days.

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

36 SportsPeople

Roscommon People Friday 03 March 2017

Racing in Ireland today in Co. Tipperary at Clonmel has fallen victim to the cold weather snap and was abandoned yesterday morning. Tomorrow’s meeting on the all-weather at Dundalk was also abandoned due the weather and dangerous road conditions.

Saturday sees Co. Meath host racing in Navan with tapes away for the first at 1.25 pm and on Sunday at Leopardstown in Foxrock, Dublin first race at 1.50 pm. Leopardstown race again on Monday.

The going is soft at Navan and the Foxrock venue on Sunday is monitoring conditions following 3 inches of snow on Tuesday night. The track is currently unfit for racing and further snow is forecast on today and tomorrow.

Horses for Courses

by Tom Red

Festival Watch Today a look is taken at some of the support races during the festival which are normally dominated by runners from this little isle.

Over half the entries for the Glenfarclas Cross Country Chase, 11 from 21, are from Ireland, including last year’s winner Cause Of Causes trained by Elliott who has three others entered.

Enda Bolger also has four entered, Alan Fleming with two and Denis Hogan completes the Irish contingent with one.

Josie’s Orders, Auvergnat, Cantlow from Enda Bolger and Cause of Causes with Bless The Wings from Elliott’s will all be thereabouts again, along with Urgent De Gregaine from France. Kim Bailey has entered the classy The Last Samuri, who finished second in the 2016 Grand National for the home team.

There are 31 entries, only 24 can run, for the Champion Bumper at the Cheltenham Festival with only 9 trained in Ireland. Generally considered an

GAA RESULTS Allianz NFL Division 2 Roscommon 1-21 Louth 0-12 Allianz NHL League Division 3A Tyrone 1-16 Roscommon 1-12 Lidl Ladies NFL Division 3 Wexford 2-7 Roscommon 1-6 Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League Division 3 Roscommon 6-21 Tyrone 0-1 AFL Division 3 (Tansey Cup) St. Dominic’s 2-7 Western Gaels 1-7

FIXTURES

Cause Of Causes and Jamie Codd win last year’s Cross Country.

Irish banker WPM has seven of the nine with Gordon Elliott and Joseph O’Brien one each.

The home team are headed by Nick Gifford’s Didtheyleaveuoutto and the Anthony Honeyball-trained Acey Milan.

Ben Pauling’s Willoughby Court won’t be travelling to the Festival.

The 7-Y-O ante post fav for the JLT Novices’ Chase has missed work due a foot infection and is not 100% fit.

General News With the withdrawal of 14 horses, there are 90 remaining in the Aintree Grand National at the latest forfeit stage. Ninety horses have been left in the Randox Health Grand National at Aintree on April 14th following the latest forfeit stage. Nigel TwistonDavies’ Becher Chase winner Blaklion and Willie Mullins’ Ladbrokes Trophy victor Total Recall head the market.

Lady rider Hayley Turner will re-

turn to full-time race-riding later this year. Britain’s most successful female Flat jockey officially retired at the end of the 2015 turf season and made a career with At The Races and ITV Racing.

Point to Point View Saturday racing is on at Tyrella in Co. Down meet starting at 1 pm and as of today the track is raceable.

A busy day on Sunday with four meeting in the south, at Borris House in Carlow, Lismore in Waterford, The Pigeons between Athlone and Ballymahon and the rescheduled meet at Moig South in Limerick. Racing starts at 1 pm in Borris House, Lismore and Moig South and The Pigeons starts half an hour later at 2 pm.

If you are going racing this weekend check that the weather has not intervened before leaving home. The meeting scheduled for Lemonfield has been cancelled due to ground conditions.

BUCCANEERS RFC Buccs’ home to Clontarf BUCCANEERS are home to Clontarf in the Ulster Bank League Division 1A at Dubarry Park, Athlone, on Saturday and the action kicks off at 2.30 pm.

With the league entering the final four rounds of fixtures, the stakes are raised for all the teams and Buccs’ and ‘Tarf will be battling for these precious points, albeit from differing perspectives. The midlanders prop up the league table and desperately need a change of fortune in this Ganly’s of Athlone sponsored game while the Dubliners are still chasing a top four berth.

Seconds beaten by Ballina Ballina maintained their drive for the Connacht Junior 1A League title when overcoming the challenge of Buccaneers Seconds by 54-12 at Dubarry Park, Athlone last Sunday. On a sunny but cold afternoon, the visitors proved too hot for the hosts although the Pirates efforts warranted a tighter margin on the scoreboard.

League, kicking off at 2.30 pm. Sligo lie third in this division while Buccs have struggled.

Buccaneers U-20s have had a disappointing campaign after early promise while Sunday’s visitors Greystones are enjoying a better season in the J.P. Fanagan Leinster U-20 Premier 2 League.

The Wicklow side will fancy their chances in this game which starts at 3 pm.

Ireland clubs triumph!

The Ireland and Scotland teams served up a highly entertaining Clubs International contest with the home nation edging the decision 26-23 in a thrilling finish at Dubarry Park. There was a decent attendance at the Athlone venue despite the bitterly cold night and little or no promotion in the national media for this fixture. The hardy spectators were well rewarded with a lively and committed affair from start to finish.

Busy weekend – weather permitting!

Dubarry Park is going to be a busy spot on Sunday provided the ‘Best from the East’ swerves Ballinasloe!

First up is the Connacht Women’s Cup quarter-final between Buccaneers and Carrick-on-Shannon which gets under way at 1 pm. Buccs’ should have the edge here but it will be a competitive affair.

Buccaneers Seconds play Sligo Reserves in the Connacht Junior 1A

Action from the recent Ireland Schools match against Scotland Schools at Dubarry Park.

Michael Melia is presented with the man of the match award by Elaine Dunning (Ulster Bank) and Dr. Tom Meagher, President Buccaneers RFC, following Ireland Schools’ recent win over Scotland Schools at Dubarry Park.

Sunday, March 4th Allianz NHL Division 3A At Dr Hyde Park: Roscommon v Warwickshire. 1 pm Allianz NFL Division 2 At Cusack Park, Ennis: Clare v Roscommon. 2 pm Lidl Ladies NFL Division 3 At TBC: Longford v Roscommon. 2 pm

UNDERAGE UPDATE Friday, March 2nd Minor Football League Division 1A At Johnstown: Clann na nGael v Oran/St. Croan’s. 8 pm Saturday, March 3rd U-14 Féile Hurling At St. Dominic’s: St. Dominic’s v Athleague\Tremane At Four Roads: Four Roads v Oran At Pairc an Phiarsaigh: Pádraig Pearses v Roscommon Gaels Sunday, March 4th Minor Football League Division 1A At Kiltoom: St. Brigid’s v Clann na nGael.

1 pm At Enfield: Oran/St. Croan’s v Strokestown.

4 pm Minor Football League Division 1B (1 pm) At Mulhern Park: St. Ciaran’s v St. Dominic’s At Pairc an Phiarsaigh: Pádraig Pearses v Castlerea St. Kevin’s Minor Football League Division 2A (1 pm) At Ballyforan: St. Aidan’s v Kilmore/ Shannon Gaels/St. Ronan’s At Lisnamult: Roscommon Gaels v St. Faithleach’s Minor Football League Division 2B (1 pm) At Kilbride: Kilbride v Elphin-Ballinameen At Kilglass: Kilglass Gaels/St. Barry’s v Éire Óg/Michael Glavey’s Minor Football Championship Division 3 (1 pm) At Western Gaels: Western Gaels v St. Michael’s At Abbey Park: Boyle v Tulsk Lord Edwards U-14 Football League Division 1 (11 am) At Kiltoom: St. Brigid’s v Roscommon Gaels At Abbey Park: Boyle v Strokestown At Pairc an Phiarsaigh: Pádraig Pearses v Clann na nGael U-14 Football League Division 2 (11 am) At Ardcarne Park: St. Michael’s v Kimore/ Shannon Gaels/St. Ronan’s At Mulhern Park: St. Ciaran’s v Kilglass Gaels/St. Barry’s At Rockfield: Oran v Elphin-Ballinameen U-14 Football League Division 3 (11 am) At Ballyforan: St. Aidan’s v Éire Óg/MIchael Glavey’s At Tulsk: Tulsk Lord Edwards v St. Dominic’s At Enfield: St. Croan’s v Castlerea St. Kevin’s U-14 Football League Division 4 (11 am) At Pairc an Phiarsaigh: Pádraig Pearses v Roscommon Gaels At Kiltoom: St. Brigid’s v Clann na nGael At Kilmore: Kilmore/Shannon Gaels/St. Ronan’s v Elphin-Ballinameen

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@SeamusDuke

Seamus Duke ON SPORT

League campaign back on track When I saw that there were so many changes in the Roscommon team for last Sunday’s game in Drogheda I was a bit fearful, but those doubts were proven totally unfounded by an excellent display and a big score too.

It puts the Division Two campaign back on track and the good crowd of Rossies who made the long journey were very happy on the way home.

Having played four games in the league now by far the best team we faced were Tipperary and we beat them! Down and Meath were poor and Louth were by far the weakest side that we have faced so far. Peter Domican, Seanie McDermott,

Letter from a Roving LOI fan Seamus, I hope you will stick with the League of Ireland throughout the 2018 season. Is your piece on Bohs/Rovers the first of many? The game was poor. Dalymount is being redeveloped. There will be many cracking games this season. John Caulfield’s Cork will be the team to topple.

I was in Tallaght Stadium on Friday night.

Over 5,000 there, a lot of kids too which was great to see. Decent game too. Very good match day experience. Were you ever at a game in Tallaght Stadium? If not, you should go.

Too many soccer “supporters” in Ireland sit on barstools and sofas and neglect clubs in their locality. There are Rossies living in Roscommon and Dublin who actually attend Rovers games and “keep an eye” on English clubs. It can be done.

All the best, Mick Mick, I take an interest in all sports but for live action I am confined to covering Roscommon sports events every weekend, but will be following from afar.

SD

Niall Daly, Conor Daly, Conor Devaney, Diarmuid Murtagh and Donie Smith were outstanding on the day.

Donie Smith’s story is amazing.

So many times over the past couple of years the Boyle man has come off the bench and saved Roscommon’s bacon. This time around he led the charge, and a haul of seven points in the space of 30 minutes is a fantastic return by any yardstick. I don’t know what he has to do to get a starting jersey but maybe he will become the best sub in the game!

On a more serious note, Louth were very, very poor and next Sunday’s game against Clare will be a

Enda Smith (left) climbs high against Galway in the recent FBD League Final but is he better off at half-forward? Pic: Andrew Fox

much different prospect altogether.

With regard to the midfield conundrum I was ever so impressed with Conor Daly last Sunday. He is improving with every game and maybe he is one part of the equation in the middle of the field. I am convinced too that Enda Smith is more suited to a place in the half-forward line.

The game against Clare is previewed elsewhere in the paper but on the back of what was a morale boosting win against Louth, I am expecting another two points in Ennis on Sunday (weather permitting of course).

A great day of televised sport If there is a better day of sport on the box this year than last Saturday then I will be looking forward to it. The Ireland v Wales game was an absolute cracker. It looked bad for Ireland early on but this team under Joe Schmidt seem to be confident that they can get out of any bind that they get into and there were some marvellous performances not least that of Chris Farrell who replaced Robbie Henshaw in the centre. He was sensational.

Surely nothing could trump that thriller at The Aviva.

But there was even more excitement at Murrayfield as Scotland tore into England and beat them with a bit to spare.

The atmosphere was unreal as the crowd realised it was going to be their day. If Ireland think

that all they have to do it turn up to beat Scotland then they will be beaten. If Scotland play with the same passion that we saw last Saturday then Ireland are in for a huge tussle.

The excitement on Saturday wasn’t finished. Nemo Rangers and Slaughtneil produced a classic in the All-Ireland club football semi-final. Nemo pulled away in extra-time but there was some mighty football from both sides. Best player on the field was Tomas Ó Sé who played every single minute of the game and extra and injury-time too and at 38 years of age, turned in what was a phenomenal display. He will get the chance to play in Croke Park one last time on St. Patrick’s Day. What a final that should be.

Predicting results in Division Two is almost impossible and there have been a number of very surprising results.

Last weekend Clare went to Newry and went home with two points despite having a man sent off early in the second half. Reports of internal strife in Cavan seem way off the mark as they top the table after a great win in Cork. Meanwhile, Tipperary beat Meath easily and that wasn’t a surprise at all as they look a good side.

Wenger’s time looks up!

Scotland will be hoping to take another big scalp when they take on Ireland at the Aviva Stadium next Saturday week.

Galway going strong as Mayo struggle It was once again heart-warming to see the great crowd of Rossies in Drogheda on Sunday. On a beautiful day weather-wise it was one of the more enjoyable days out in recent years.

Elsewhere last weekend, Galway kept their great run going; to travel to Kerry and win is a fair achievement and they are now on top of the table after four rounds. Maybe they are emerging as a top four team but Roscommon fans will know what happened when we were at the top of the

Unpredictable Division Two!

Division One table a few years ago.

It’s very possible to peak too soon.

Mayo were well beaten against Dublin although they missed at least four simple frees and an open goal.

But looking at the game Dublin were always in control.

At the bottom of the table it’s looking bad for Kildare and Tyrone and maybe Mayo might be dragged into a relegation battle too.

There were fantastic hurling games and Tipperary and Kilkenny produced another classic. One aston-

ishing thing was the standard of the pitch surface at Pairc Uí Caoimh.

They have spent €80 million on refurbishing the stadium but they must have forgotten about the pitch. It looked like a ploughed field during the Cork v Waterford hurling game.

It was very disappointing to hear that Roscommon hurlers were beaten by Tyrone which will affect their chances of promotion. It’s still possible to go up of course but a loss to Tyrone does not auger well for the rest of the year.

It would appear that Arsene Wenger’s long career at Arsenal is over. Many a team have been hammered

by Manchester City this season, but the manner of The Gunners’ defeat to City in the League Cup final will surely signal the end of what has been a remarkable career.

Liverpool are going well and their front three attacking players are superb to watch. They seem to be improving with every game and they may well have a good chance in the Champions League. Over two legs they can beat anyone.

City have to be in with a huge chance in the Champions League too. Chelsea will struggle to make it any further as Barcelona will be almost impossible to beat at the Nou Camp.

Manchester United are driving their fans (including yours truly) to distraction with their sterile style of play.

They were brutal against Sevilla and were lucky to have emerged with a nil-all. Having said that, the win against Chelsea last Sunday was a vital one. It shows that the team can actually play if they are allowed to.

Spurs are also going well. Harry Kane improves with every outing. They look good for at least the last 8 in the Champions league and a top four place too.

Snow sign of new GAA era Will there be a new era in the GAA after last weekend’s Congress? I doubt it somehow. We will have a new president and a new Director General shortly but the problems will remain the same.

As I write this column on Tuesday there is a possibility that there could be wipe-out of fixtures this coming weekend because of the weather and if that happens there will be chaos. I warned months ago that the new fixtures regime would lead to serious problems and

that’s what will happen. It is hard to believe that we are about five weeks away from the start of our own local football championships, yet Roscommon still have three rounds of the National Football League to play.

On a more positive note, congratulations to Brian Carroll who was appointed to the powerful CCCC committee in Croke Park at the weekend. Is the Kimore man the first Leeds United Supporter to sit on that committee? I wish him the best of luck.

Wenger out? Arsene Wenger is under pressure following Arsenal’s League Cup final defeat to Man City last Sunday.

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Roscommon People Friday 03 March 2017

Creggs RFC Report

THE GAIN LINE

A bonus point win from the title!

Senior Rugby Connaught Junior 1 League: Creggs 17 NUIG 3. With just one game left to play, Creggs need a bonus point win in Corrib on Sunday to guarantee top spot and automatic promotion to Division 1A next season. Anything less means they could technically be overtaken by Castlebar who remain in second place, six points behind but with a game in hand.

Creggs were listless in the first half last Sunday and a malfunctioning lineout combined with uncharacteristic handling errors kept the game scoreless for the first half hour.

The students were first off the mark with a penalty goal after 33 minutes and that separated the sides at the interval.

Creggs responded early in the second half. A blistering run from centre Elliot Jennings set up his full-back Kevin Gavin for an unconverted try.

Creggs pressure ultimately yielded a second try for scrum-half Andrew Callaghan after 23 minutes with Mark Brandon adding the conversion.

Winger Chris Duignan then pounced on a loose ball to cross for a third and wrap up the scoring with six minutes remaining.

All told it was a so-so performance with few stand-outs, Jennings always looked dangerous and in the pack Kevin Brandon and Tom Fleming got through an immense amount of work with Peter Lohan injecting a much needed intensity throughout.

All roads now lead to Headford where

Creggs can hopefully finish the job!

Connacht Junior 2 League: Oughterard 36 Creggs 2nds 12. Creggs suffered a heavy defeat away to Oughterard in last Sunday’s J2 League game.

With a home Connacht League SemiFinal already in the bag, Creggs failed on this occasion to continue their great recent winning form.

The home team were on top from the early stages and led 3-0 with a penalty after ten minutes. In the first half, the normally tight Creggs defence was opened up by some slick handling and strong running which resulted in three tries, leaving the scoreline at 24-0 at half-time.

Creggs hit back on 53 minutes with a well worked try from winger John Scroope before Oughterard broke through for two excellent tries to halt any hopes of a Creggs revival.

Creggs grabbed a consolation through Enda Tully in the closing stages, with Michael Farrell adding the conversion.

Creggs must now put the loss last Sunday behind them as they prepare for their home Connacht J2 League Semi-Final against the winners of the quarter-final between Galwegians and Tuam. That semi-final will be played on Sunday, March 11th in Creggs at 2.30 pm.

Youth Rugby Creggs U-13s lost their cup game away to Corinthians last weekend.

They will now prepare for a Connacht U-13 Plate Quarter-Final v Gort. This game is down for Saturday, April 7th in Gort at 1.30 pm.

Following a big win over Oughterard in the Connacht U-14 Cup last time out, Creggs U-14s will now play league champions and cup favorites, Corinthians, next Saturday in Galway in the quarter-final at 12 pm.

The U-15s had a comfortable 50-7 win in their first round Connacht Cup game at home to Claremorris last Monday night in Creggs.

Creggs were dominant throughout the game as they proved too strong for the Mayo side.

Tries from Eoin Ward, David Gacquin, Shane Connaughton, Darren Gately, Matthew Ryan and Anthony Gorman helped Creggs cruise to victory.

The U-15s now play Sligo away in the cup quarter-final on Saturday, March 10th at 2.30 pm.

Following their big win over NUIG last Saturday week, Creggs U-16s return to Galway this Saturday to play Galwegians in the quarter-final of the U-16 Cup at 2.30 pm.

This is a tough fixture but Creggs have the quality to win this game and have topped Pool 1 in the Connacht U-16 League.

Connacht Under-17 Cup: Sligo RFC 21, Creggs RFC 19.

Despite a gallant effort from Creggs U-17s last Sunday, they bowed out of the Cup away from home to Sligo in Strandhill on a scoreline of 19-21.

Sligo started strongly and broke from their own 22 to score first under the posts.

Creggs lost full-back Ryan O’Keeffe shortly after to injury and were struggling to get into the game. Jack Keegan, returning after a long lay-off, made a big impression when he came on and Creggs scored two tries either side of half-time from Rory Callaghan and Keegan, Mark Purcell added one conversation.

With Creggs in the ascendancy and Keegan getting in for his second converted try things were looking good when they led by five points.

However it all changed fifteen minutes from the end when Jack Keegan sustained a knee injury and had to go off. Sligo stepped up a gear and scored what proved to be the winning converted try five minutes from time.

Creggs will now go into the Connacht Plate as one of the favourites to lift that title. They play Westport in the Preliminary Round on Sunday week in Creggs, with the winners going on four weeks later to play a home quarter-final against Oughterard.

Creggs U-18.5s play a tricky Con-

nacht Cup quarter-final away to Westport on Sunday next.

Having won the Connacht League last season and topped the league table again this year, Creggs should be favourites for this away game. However with a couple of injuries, and a resurgent Westport having finished the league campaign in good form, it will be a tough game in Westport.

If Creggs win this quarter-final, there will then be a break of three weeks ahead of the cup semi-final.

Mini Rugby Creggs Mini Rugby teams travelled to Claremorris RFC last Saturday and had a very successful outing.

This coming Saturday, the U-12s are due to play in the Connacht Blitz in Ballinasloe.

The U-7s, U-8s, U-9s, U-10s, U-11s will be training in Creggs this Saturday. Both events will be subject to weather texts will go out on Friday afternoon. New players always welcome in every each age group.

Connacht J1 League Pos Team 1 Creggs 2 Castlebar 3 Tuam 4 Corinthians 5 NUIG 6 Ballinrobe 7 Corrib 8 Dunmore

Pld 13 12 12 12 12 11 13 11

W 10 8 6 6 5 5 4 1

D 1 1 2 0 1 0 1 0

L 2 3 4 6 6 6 8 10

Pts 120 97 73 37 12 -49 -190 -100

Diff BP 5 7 8 6 6 4 1 6

Pts 47 41 36 29 28 24 19 9

SICK AS A PARROT/OVER THE MOON ROSCOMMON & DISTRICT LEAGUE NEWS

This week’s awards Performance(s) of the week There were a number of performances that caught the eye from last weekend’s round of matches: Shiven Rovers’ 3-0 win over Boyle Celtic, Kilkerrin United’s 6-1 win over Hodson Bay Athletic and Cam Celtic’s 6-0 win over Glen Celtic.

Team of the week St. Peter’s FC are still unbeaten in the Premier Division following their 4-1 win away to Ballaghaderreen last weekend which saw them go top with a game in hand.

Weather Warning!

While I was completely off the mark with some predictions last week (See Glen Celtic v Cam Celtic), I’d be surprised if many RDFL games aren’t postponed this weekend due to ‘The Beast from the East’. Fixtures Secretary Conor Fahy has advised clubs to check before travelling. Take care on the roads!

Soccer Results

Dooner’s weekend predictions The Connacht Cup moves to the quarterfinals stage this weekend with Boyle Celtic and St. Peter’s taking on Mervue United and West United respectively.

Home ties for both so hopefully plenty of Roscommon representation in the last four.

Friday, March 2nd Herald Premier Division Moore United v Ballaghaderreen FC. 8 pm Moore were easy winners the last time these sides met and would be fancied to take all three points this weekend.

Prediction: Moore United Norio’s Takeaway Division One Ballinasloe Town B v Lough Harps. 8 pm The hosts badly need the three points as Strokestown close in.

Prediction: Ballinasloe Town B

Saturday, March 3rd Herald Premier Division Ballinasloe Town v Cloonfad United.

7.45 pm The hosts have been scoring for fun of late, which is bad news for a Cloonfad side which has conceded 40 goals so far this season.

Prediction: Ballinasloe Town Norio’s Takeaway Division One Strokestown United v CP Ajax. 7.45 pm Strokestown are heavy favourites.

Prediction: Strokestown United Killeen Sportsgrounds Division Two (7.45 pm) Castlerea Celtic B v Cam Celtic Cam will be too strong.

Prediction: Cam Celtic Shiven Rovers B v Boyle Celtic B Boyle were comfortable winners the last time these sides met in the league.

Prediction: Boyle Celtic B

Sunday, March 4th TP Brennan Connacht Cup QuarterFinals (2 pm) Boyle Celtic v Mervue United Boyle will need to bounce back from last weekend’s defeat at the hands of Shiven.

Prediction: Boyle Celtic St. Peter’s FC v West United The Athlone side have shown very few signs of weakness this season. Prediction: St. Peter’s FC TP Brennan Connacht Shield Quarter-Final (2 pm) Hodson Bay Athletic v Swinford Home advantage could prove vital.

Prediction: Hodson Bay Athletic RDFL Challenge Cup Round 2 Rahara Rovers v Kilkerrin United.

11 am The Division One leaders get the nod.

Prediction: Kilkerrin United Herald Premier Division Ballymoe FC v Dysart FC. 11 am A mixed bag for Ballymoe so far this season but they are favourites to record their seventh win this weekend. Prediction: Ballymoe FC Skyvalley Rovers v Castlerea Celtic. 2 pm Only one winner here as Celtic look to regain top spot.

Prediction: Castlerea Celtic Norio’s Takeaway Division One Ahascragh United v Dunmore Town.

2 pm The home side to edge this.

Prediction: Ahascragh United Killeen Sportsgrounds Division Two Skyvalley Rovers B v Moylough ’79 (11 am) The visitors are heavy favourites.

Prediction: Moylough ‘79 Roscommon United v Cloonfad United B. 2 pm There could be plenty of goals here.

Prediction: Roscommon United

Herald Premier Division Cloonfad United v Skyvalley Rovers, postponed.

Shiven Rovers 3 Boyle Celtic 0 Ballaghaderreen FC 1 St. Peter’s FC 4 Ballymoe FC 0 Ballinasloe Town 4 Dysart FC 3 St. John’s Athletic 1 Norio’s Takeaway Division One Kilkerrin United 6 Hodson Bay Athletic 1 Killeen Sportsgrounds Division Two Glen Celtic 0 Cam Celtic 6 Boyle Celtic B 1 Roscommon United 1 Castlerea Celtic B 3 Shiven Rovers 1 Cloonfad United 1 Moylough ’79 3 Rahara Rovers 4 Skyvalley Rovers 1 RDFL Challenge Cup Round 1 Castlerea Celtic B 0 Moylough ’79 7 Dunmore Town 1 CP Ajax 2

43

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

SPORTING WORLD WITH DAN DOONER

@dan_dooner

No need to panic in March!

THE LEAD STORY Dan Dooner Donie Smith dominated the headlines last Sunday as Roscommon hammered Louth in Drogheda to flip the Division Two league table upside down and raise hopes of an immediate return to Division One. Donie started from the

History is made!

Glenamaddy Golf Society recently held its AGM and the new captain for the year is Chris Keane from Williamstown, who made history by becoming the first lady Captain of the Glenamaddy Golf Society.

Congratulations Chris and best of luck for the year!

substitutes’ bench in sunny Drogheda despite his recent scoring form as some supporters took to social media to express their surprise.

As we now know, the Boyle forward didn’t sit quietly in the dug-out for long and contributed 0-7

from frees and play when called upon, including a couple of long-range crackers.

Many supporters have raised the ‘Where’s Donie?’ question already this season, and while it might be frustrating for Smith to play the super-sub role at times, the management team must be trusted to shuffle the pack in order to get the best out of the entire panel. It is only March after all and it’s far more

important to have a talented player like Donie Smith fit, fresh and focussed for big tests later on this year.

Never mind seven points off the bench against Louth during a facile victory in March and imagine a couple of game-changing scores when it matters most in a Connacht final.

There is a lot of club and inter-county football to be played over the next few months so let’s not panic until the summer!

Roscommon forward Donie Smith has been in terrific form recently. Pic: Andrew Fox

In the sporting diary ....

We have Lift-off!

(subject to weather!)

‘Off The Ball’ comes to Athlone Newstalk Radio will broadcast their popular ‘Off The Ball’ sports programme live from The Bounty, Athlone next Wednesday (March 7th) from 7 pm. There will be guests from the sports world and Athlonian Adrian Barry is orchestrating the show which will run for circa 90 minutes. All welcome to come along on the night.

Anti-Racism workshop The committee of the Roscommon and District Football League have arranged for Des Tomilson from the FAI to host an Anti-Racism workshop in Hannon’s Hotel this Friday from 7 pm to 9.30 pm.

All are invited to attend this important workshop, which highlights the importance of the Anti-Racism campaign within sport.

Captains’ Drive–Ins Boyle Golf Club Captain Terry Canning hits a well-struck drive as he and Lady Captain Marie Hanmore-Cawley got the 2018 season up and running last weekend.

Two clubs are hoping to host Captain’s Drive-Ins this weekend. Castlerea will go first at 2 pm while Athlone Captains Padraig O’Connor and Margaret Egan tee-off later that day at 4 pm.

The sporting brief Handball

World Collegiate Championships

Fiona Tully and Maedhbh Ni Dhalaigh won the Ladies USHA Open Collegiate Doubles title recently while Fiona also claimed singles glory.

St. Coman’s’ Fiona Tully continues to burn brightly as she won both the World Collegiate Ladies Open Singles and Doubles titles in Springfield, Missouri last weekend.

Fiona beat three Americans Leah King, Laura Blackmanship and Taylor Rumping by big margins before facing her doubles partner Meadhbh Ni Dhalaigh in the final. Fiona won the decider 21-8, 21-4. The pair teamed up in the doubles tournament and comfortably beat all American opposition culminating in a 21-7, 21-2 final win over Missouri State’s Rumping and Peacot.

Lisacul’s Denis Creaton won the 40x20 Junior Singles Connacht title when he beat Ciaran Burke of Mayo recently in Collooney, Co. Sligo 21-11, 21-11. Denis faces a long trip to Glenbeigh, Co. Kerry to take on Jack O’Shea in the All-Ireland semi-final this weekend.

Denis Creaton picked up where he left off after his Connacht final win when he and Sean Jennings beat St. Coman’s duo Darren Beatty and Oisin Naughton in the 40x20 Junior Doubles County final in Lisacul last Sunday. The Roscommon town lads won 21-19, 21-11, 21-3.

Fairymount’s James Duffy and Michael Carroll were impressive winners of the 40x20 Junior ‘C’ Doubles County final played in St.

Coman’s last Saturday. They beat Curraghboy’s Peadar Kelly and John McDermott 21-6, 21-17.

Lisacul U-13 pair, Shauna Corrigan and Allanah McGreal, won the Cumman na mBunscoil doubles title in Salthill, Galway, beating teams from Mayo and Galway along the way.

Golf

competition was won by Bernie Taylor with 12 points.

The Glenamaddy Golf Society AGM took place in Divilly’s Lounge on recently. The new captain for the year is Chris Keane from Williamstown, the new President is Tommy O’Grady, the secretary is Louis Earls, Peter Shiels is the new treasurer and John Molloy is the new PRO.

Recent winners We tee-off in Athlone where recent winners include Anna O’Brien, who won the ladies’ 12-hole competition with 19 points; Eleanor Larkin, who won the recent 97 Club competition with 24 points; V Connaire, who won the AWGS with 34 points and T Campion, who won the Veteran’s 12-hole with 24 points.

To Boyle next, where this year’s Captain’s Drive-In took place in perfect conditions last Sunday. Captains Terry and Marie hit two wellstruck drives up the 1st fairway to launch the golfing season. A 9-hole scramble followed and the team of Brendan Gaffney, Paul Connolly, Margaret Loftus and Owen Garvin finished first.

This weekend, Vincent Egan, Moira Egan and Brendan Gaffney will be hoping to hang onto their lead at the top of the Spring League as it reaches its conclusion.

In Strokestown, Martin Kelly won the recent seniors’ competition with 30 points, which just pipped Ray Hogan on 29 points. The ladies’

Darts

Down to the wire!

The Roscommon Darts League continues this weekend and The Holly Tree will be hoping to hang onto top spot when they travel to Flanagan’s. Elsewhere, The Forge entertain Creaton’s, The Hollywood Bar host McDermott’s and An Bothar Rua travel to Molly’s.

The Roscommon men’s team travelled to Ennis last weekend for the INDO All-Ireland Inter-Counties where they took on Cork and Kildare in the group stages. The Rossies finished bottom of their group following a 10-2 defeat to Cork and a thrilling 6-6 draw with Kildare. They were therefore placed into the Shield competition on Sunday where they lost 7-5 against Westmeath.

The organisers have thanked the panel, Matty Connelly, Gary Concannon and Martina McKeown for all their hard work.

44

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

SportsPeople

BREAKING BALL Hurlers’ promotion hopes dented Comerford’s men by four points. It was a very disappointing defeat and now Roscommon play top of the table Warwickshire at Dr Hyde Park next Sunday needing a win to make the final.

Damien Casey scored Tyrone’s

Allianz NHL Division 3A: Tyrone 1-16 Roscommon 1-12

Tyrone stalled Roscommon hurlers’ promotion hopes in Omagh last Sunday when they defeated Ciaran

goal after only a minute but Daniel Glynn was once again very accurate from the placed ball for Roscommon.

In the 21st minute Robbie Fallon flicked home a Roscommon goal but three Tyrone points helped them to a 1-10 to 1-6 half-time lead. Roscom-

mon were better in the third quarter and two fine points from Gearoid Keenan reduced the margin to two.

But Tyrone never looked like losing the game and they held on to win.

Roscommon: J Keane; A Moore, P Kellehan, P Nolan; M Beirne, P

Doory’s extra-time goal wins ‘B’ title matched in extra-time until Éire Óg man Doory flicked to the net late on to give Nathy’s the win.

St. Nathy’s: A Davey; M Dillon, J Lunt, D Casey; S O’Hara, B Molloy, B O’Hanlon; D McBrien, L Connor;

Connacht Colleges SF ‘B’ Final: ST. NATHY’S, BALLAGHADERREEN 2-12

SCOIL MHUIRE, STROKESTOWN 1-13

O Hester, J Doory (1-0), K Callaghan (1-4); O Phillips (0-1), K Phillips, J O’Hara (0-6). Subs: M Coyle, A Dillon, D McHugh, M Coyle, L Hester, C Groarke, M Finan.

Scoil Mhuire: C Feehily; A Gleeson, C

Moylan, D McGuire; D Carbin (0-1), L Cribbin, F Moylan (0-1); G Galvin, T Lavin (0-2); T O’Rourke (0-8), N Moran A Fannon; F Cusack (1-0), M Kavanagh (0-1), A Convey. Subs: N Beirne, J Fox, R Gibbons, A Shanagher.

(after extra-time)

A goal from Jason Doory in extratime saw St. Nathy’s snatch the provincial ‘B’ title from Scoil Mhuire in a thrilling decider at Ballyhaunis on Saturday. There was never much between the sides and with Thomas O’Rourke accurate from frees and a well-taken goal from Fionn Cusack, Scoil Mhuire led by 1-6 to 0-6 at half-time.

Kuba Callaghan and James O’Hara were the outstanding performers for the Ballaghaderreen side. Callaghan’s goal in the third quarter saw the sides level and they traded points from Callaghan and Dylan Carbin late on to send the final to extra-time on a score of 1-10 each. Indeed the sides were evenly

The St. Nathy’s team which beat Scoil Mhuire to claim the Connacht Colleges Senior Football ‘B’ Final at Ballyhaunis last Saturday.

Pic: Mick McCormack

Kenny, J Kilkenny; S Curley, K Hardiman; D Glynn (0-9), C Kelly (0-1), G Keenan (0-2); E Flanagan, R Fallon (1-0), J Murray. Subs: P Dolan for Keane, C Egan for Murray, R Kilcline for Curley, J Brennan for Hardiman.

Facile win opens camogie campaign Littlewoods Ireland Camogie League Division 3: Roscommon 6-21 Tyrone 0-1 Roscommon’s Camogie league season under new management began with a rout of Tyrone at Pairc an Piarsiagh last Saturday. One wonders what this mis-match would do for either side as Roscommon were in total control for the entire game. Indeed Tyrone’s only point came from a free early in the second –half as Roscommon ran riot. They led by 4-11 to 0-0 at half-time and recorded a 38 point victory at the end with 11 players on the score sheet.

Roscommon: C Connaughton: E McNally, N Farrell (1-5), M Tiernan; S Coyle, J Beattie, E Coyle; N Coyle (02), L Fleming (1-0); N Watson (0-2), S O’Brien (1-3), S Spillane (0-3); J Healy (1-0), F Connell (0-2), R Fitzmaurice (1-2). Subs: R Dolan for Connell, K Kenny for Healy, K Keenan (1-0), for Fitzmaurice, A McGrath for Fleming, L Dolan for e Coyle, C Whyte for Tiernan, A Dempsey (0-2) for O’Brien.

Ladies fall to Wexford Lidl Ladies NFL Division 3 WEXFORD 2-7 ROSCOMMON

Kieran Byrne presents the Connacht Colleges ‘B’ cup to captain of Colaiste Chiaráin, Paul McManus. Pic: Mick McCormack

1-6

Roscommon’s promotion hopes were dealt a severe blow with this four-point defeat in Enniscorthy last Sunday. A disastrous start was costly as the home side scored 2-2 without reply early in the game. After two early points goals

from Aoife Sheil and Fiona Bennett saw the Rossies eight points down.

Roscommon points from Rebecca Finan (2), Jenny Downey and Jenny Higgins meant the half-time gap was seven: Wexford 2-5 Roscommon 0-4.

Two quick points on the restart stretched the lead to nine and it looked all over for Roscommon. But Michael Finneran’s charges never gave up and a Jenny Downey goal towards the final whistle was a super

score but too late to affect the outcome. Roscommon play Longford next weekend at a Longford venue.

Roscommon: H Cummins; H Ennis, R Mullaney, R Wynne; N Feeney, A McLoone, S Kenny; J Higgins (0-1), J Cregg; L Fleming, J Downey (1-1), S Brady; R Fitzmaurice, R Finan (04), L Brady. Subs: S Lavin, S Dowd, C Cauneen, N Fleming, A McAuliffe, F Beirne, A Gavin, R Brady, A Kelly, M McHugh.

Colaiste Chiaráin claim ‘C’ title Connacht Colleges SF ‘C’ Final: COLAISTE CHIARÁIN, ATHLONE 1-17 ST. PAUL’S, OUGHTERARD

2-10

(after double extra-time)

Colaiste Chiarain, Athlone are through to the All-Ireland ‘C’ semi-final following a pulsating win in the final played at the Connacht Centre of Excellence last Saturday. The Athlone school led by 1-7 to 1-5 at half-time their goal coming from the boot of Darragh Murray.

But the Galway lads scored a goal in the 10th minute of the second half to tie-up

the scores and it was nip and tuck after that. But with Callum O’Brien and Paul McManus outstanding, Chiarain survived the four periods of extratime to emerge the four point winners.

Colaiste Chiarain: A Francis; J Duignan, E Harney, A Harney; R Moran, D Duff (0-1), R Hardiman; D Murray (1-0), D Sumner; J Finlass, C O’Brien (0-8), S Ryan; L Kelly (0-2), P McManus (0-5), C Fallon/McGowan (0-1). Subs: N Macken for Fallon/ McGowan, C Macken for Hardiman, R Ryan for N Macken, N Murray for A Harney, Fallon/McGowan for C Macken.

The Roscommon Ladies team which was defeated by Wexford in the Lidl Ladies NFL Division 3 last Sunday.

45

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

GAA PEOPLE

Your weekend starts here

Rossie firepower can burn the Banner Allianz National Football League Division 2 (Round 5) Clare v Roscommon at Cusack Park, Ennis on Sunday at 2 pm  SEAMUS DUKE

Trying to predict what’s going to happen in Division Two of the National Football League from week to week is about as useful as deploying an ashtray on a motorbike, as the formbook is thrown out the window every weekend. With the exception of Louth, the teams seem to be very evenly matched and anything can happen. However, it is fair to say that whoever wins this match in Ennis on Sunday will be looking at promotion as a very achievable goal.

The unpredictability of the campaign is epitomised by Roscommon’s journey so far. By far the best team Kevin McStay’s men have faced so far have been Tipperary, yet the Rossies defeated them! Down and Meath were very mediocre but Roscommon only managed one point from those two games. It all defies any logic.

Clare are no world beaters but are a dangerous side, especially at home.

Roscommon fans will not need me to remind them of the last time we faced the Banner, a totally forgettable afternoon at Pearse Stadium in Galway when they dumped the Rossies out of the championship in the quali-

fiers in the summer of 2016.

It is also worth noting that Colm Collins’ men have drawn with Tipperary, and last Sunday they went to Newry and beat the home side by two points which is not bad form at all. The game last Sunday saw Down kick a total of 16 wides and they also missed a penalty but it was a good win for Clare considering that they had defender Ciaran Russell sent off after 54 minutes.

Clare have some very accomplished players in their team and they will be looking at a win against Roscommon on Sunday for sure. Jamie Malone, David Tubridy, Eoin Cleary, Gary Brennan, Keelan Sexton, Sean Collins and Cillian Brennan have all tasted victory against Roscommon in the past and they will not be overawed by the challenge of the Connacht champions.

Roscommon were much changed in Drogheda last Sunday and of the ‘newcomers’ Peter Domican, Conor Daly, Seanie McDermott and supersub Donie Smith were all outstanding. It was good to see Shane Killoran and Cathal Compton back and they will be in contention this week as well.

Will Donie Smith start for Roscommon this weekend in Ennis? Pic: Andrew Fox

Roscommon will have to be strong in the middle of the field where Gary Brennan is a huge influence for the home side. Eoin Cleary is also an excellent free-taker so any Roscommon defensive indiscretions will be punished.

Roscommon played some scintillating stuff at times last Sunday but they must start to finish the goal chances that they are creating when they are

on top. Against Louth on Sunday last it didn’t matter, such was the poverty of the opposition but it is an on-going worry.

Roscommon have the firepower to win this game but it will not be an easy ride. A win will put Kevin McStay’s men in a great position with two home games to come but they will have to play well to win. The general slackness and mistakes that

Ennis, where hope and history rhymes for Rossies  PAUL HEALY

here are Roscommon playing on Sunday?

“They’re in Ennis”.

Ennis? Ah, we’ll take that!

W

The freshest memory is from last August.

Roscommon’s sparkling U-17s defeated Kerry in the All-Ireland semi-final. In Ennis.

These days, when it comes to the GAA and Roscommon, Ennis rhymes with ‘Happy memories, good times’.

On one level (that U-17 win apart), the special place reserved in Roscommon hearts for Ennis relates entirely to one game, one day.

September 23rd, 2006.

But in many ways it was more than one day, one game, one special outcome. Because, when you think about it, we can say that almost every great strand in Roscommon’s proud GAA history came together – a reunion of sorts – on that magical day!

Roscommon minors won a memorable, classic match that day in 2006, defeating Kerry in the All-Ireland Minor Football Final replay.

The scenes in Ennis were amazing, Roscommon fans in the capacity crowd outnumbering Kerry supporters by perhaps seven or eight to one.

That in itself was quite good enough. But think now of the manner in which ‘Ennis

2006’ linked just about all the great Roscommon GAA stories.

In the crowd, were many or most of the Roscommon players who won Connacht senior titles in 1990, 1991 and 2001.

In the crowd too were many or most of the great Roscommon team which won four successive Connacht titles, from 1977 to 1980.

Present as well were some of the stars of the Roscommon teams which won All-Ireland U-21 titles in 1966 and ’78, and indeed members of other feted Roscommon teams, from the 1950s into the ‘70s. imagine that Gerry O’Malley (RIP), the prince of Roscommon footballers, was surely there too; certainly the victory would have warmed his heart.

Then there was Dermot: When the victorious Roscommon team and management returned to the dressing room in Ennis, there were incredibly emotional scenes as a fiercely proud Dermot Earley – considered our greatest ever player and ambassador – shed tears of joy as he celebrated with all involved.

When the team finally left Ennis, the most evocative of a number of special stop-offs was the one in Knockcroghery, where the father of Roscommon football, the late Jimmy Murray, welcomed the returning heroes. Here, the greatest link of all: the man who captained Roscommon to our only (two) senior AllIrelands – over sixty years previously – wel-

I

coming the Markham Cup and Roscommon’s wonderful young team into his embrace, into the pages of history.

There was a final great link with the past within minutes, within six golden miles.

In front of thousands of fans in Roscommon’s Main Street – the town throbbing with joy – the players and management were feted on a podium in the Town Square. And amongst the special guests present was Barry Molloy, the man who captained Roscommon to their then most recent All-Ireland Minor win, back in 1951 (Roscommon also won All-Ireland minor titles in 1939 and ’41).

So, reflecting on Ennis on that great September day in 2006, we can justifiably say that most of Roscommon’s great GAA days came together in a unique way: the All-Ireland triumphs of the 1940s, the minor glory of ’51, the U-21 successes of ’66 and ’78, our feted senior teams of recent decades, and our legends…people like Murray, O’Malley and Earley.

‘Ennis’ was remarkable, on many, many levels. It was a great game, it’s a venue that we now associate with magical memories, and the entire day – culminating with those amazing celebrations in Roscommon town – will live long in the memory.

So Ennis, do what you must this Sunday; whatever story you reveal, no matter…you can never leave our hearts, we’ll always have Ennis!

were a feature in the games against Meath and Down will be punished by Clare.

At the time of writing there is a very severe weather forecast so hopefully the game will go ahead. It has been a very topsy-turvy league so far but if Roscommon apply themselves to the task properly they can get the two points on offer.

Prediction: Roscommon

Elsewhere in Division Two  SEAMUS DUKE Cavan v Down on Saturday night at 7 pm Cavan have been a revelation, and they can put one foot in the final if they can account for a disappointing Down outfit at Breffni Park. As we have seen in this league anything can happen, but Cavan look the better bet.

Prediction: Cavan Tipperary v Louth on Sunday in Thurles at 12.30 pm Tipperary got their act together last weekend against Meath and they can get another two points here against a poor Louth outfit.

Prediction: Tipperary Meath v Cork on Sunday in Navan at 3 pm This was a once fierce rivalry but both sides are struggling now. Cork are still without the Nemo Rangers players while Meath seem to be on a downward spiral.

Prediction: A draw Allianz NFL Division 2 Table P Cavan 4 Roscommon 4 Tipperary 4 Cork 4 Down 4 Clare 4 Meath 4 Louth 4

PD 21 9 12 4 3 -12 1 -38

Pts 7 5 5 4 4 4 3 0

46

Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018

Roscommon People Friday 03 March 2017 36 Allianz NFL Division 2 (Round 4): Roscommon 1-21 Louth 0-12

Roscommon improve in ‘Wee’ demolition T

Conor Daly (pictured in action earlier this year) put in a man of the match performance last Sunday against Louth in Drogheda.

Pic: Andrew Fox

his was better, much better.

Roscommon shook off their inhibitions in the second half of this one-sided clash in Drogheda last Sunday to record a badly needed win and now Kevin McStay and his troops can look ahead to the rest of the league with confidence after this morale boosting victory.

The Roscommon team was much changed from that which took to the field against Down, and against an admittedly very poor Louth side, there were plenty of positives as harder tests approach.

Peter Domican was excellent at full-back and Niall Daly performed solidly at centre half-back. It was a pity that Ross Timothy had to go off early with a leg injury but he will get another chance I’m sure.

Roscommon started really well at midfield with Enda Smith and Conor Daly on fire, which was very positive. Enda tired visibly as the game went on but Conor Daly put in a massive shift and was the ‘man of the match’ on the day - and deservedly so too.

Not far behind him was team captain Conor Devaney, who worked his socks off all through and scored three excellent points.

Diarmuid Murtagh looked sharp once again and Ciaráin Murtagh also had a few good moments.

I don’t know what else I can say about Donie Smith. He was only on the field for 30 minutes on Sunday yet he managed to score seven points in what was a sensational performance. He has performed miracles off the bench for Roscommon in this league.

He must be the best sub in the game at the moment!

Overall it was a satisfactory performance but there were a few things that gave cause for concern too. Roscommon kicked eleven wides and some of those

were of the very poor variety.

Roscommon also missed at least two easy goal chances when they were on top and they have to start being more clinical when they are in on goal. Against better teams they will pay dearly for those misses. There were also some very poor passages of play where Roscommon lost the ball when in good positions but all those things can be ironed out on the training field.

To win by twelve points will give the players and everyone involved a big lift ahead of the three tough games that lie ahead.

Clare in Ennis on Sunday is not going to be as easy as this game was, but it is still one that Roscommon should win.

After the doom and gloom of the Down game the train is firmly back on the tracks and while no one should get carried away, the rest of the league campaign should be very interesting.

Teams and Scorers Roscommon: James Fetherstone; Seanie McDermott, Peter Domican, David Murray; Ronan Daly, Niall Daly (0-1), Ross Timothy; Enda Smith (0-2), Conor Daly (0-2); Ciaráin Murtagh (0-2, frees), Niall Kilroy, Conor Devaney (0-3); Diarmuid Murtagh (1-3), Ciaran Lennon (0-1), Cathal Cregg. Subs: John McManus for R Timothy (12), Donie Smith (0-7, 3 frees) for C Cregg (40), Cathal Compton for D Murray (53) Fintan Cregg for C Murtagh (63), Ian Kilbride for E Smith (67), Shane Killoran for D Murtagh (69).

Louth: Craig Lynch; Darren Marks, Emmet Carolan, James Craven; Derek Maguire (0-1), Bevan Duffy (0-1), Anthony Williams (0-1); Tommy Durnin (0-1), Andy McDonnell (0-1); Eoghan Lafferty, Conor Grimes, Ronan Holcroft (0-1); William Woods, Declan Byrne, Ryan Burns (0-3, frees). Subs: Ross Nally for W Woods (b/c ht), James Stewart for T Durnin (h/t) Gerard McSorley (0-3) for R Holcroft (ht), Fergal Donohoe for A Williams (b/c 57) Eimhin Keenan for D Maguire (63).

Referee: Liam Devenney (Mayo)

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018 Roscommon People Friday 03 March 2017 36 Allianz NFL Division 2 (Round 4): Roscommon 1-21 Louth 0-12

Key Moments

Seamus Duke

First half On a beautiful day, Roscommon hit the ground running and blitzed the home side with five super points from play in the opening seven minutes. Enda Smith (2) Conor Daly and Conor Devaney (2) all on the scoresheet.

Indeed it should have been 1-5 to 0-0 after 9 minutes when Ciaran Lennon shot wide when in a super position. Louth came into it after that and aided by some good free taking from Ryan Burns they narrowed the gap to three points on two occasions in the opening half.

Diarmuid Murtagh (2), Niall Daly, Conor Daly, and a Ciaráin Murtagh free all contributed to Roscommon’s first-half tally of 0-10. At the break they led by four but on the balance of play it should have been far more.

Half-time score: Roscommon 0-10 Louth 0-6

Second half Donie Smith arrived on the field as a sub in the 41st minute and it coincided with some marvellous attacking play from Roscommon. The Boyle man wasn’t on the pitch a minute when he rifled over the black spot from 25 metres, and a Ciaráin Murtagh free a couple of minutes later was followed by another Donie Smith beauty from 30 metres out.

Louth were just about hanging on, and sub Gerard McSorley kicked three good points after being introduced as a sub.

But the goal that saw Roscommon race away into the distance arrived on 48 minutes. Conor Daly was once again involved and he fed Ciaráin Murtagh, and his clever pass was converted with aplomb by brother Diarmuid for an excellent team goal. It was now 1-13 to 0-8 and the game was over as a contest.

Louth kept plugging away but another burst of Roscommon scoring which saw Ciaráin Murtagh (free), Conor Devaney and Donie Smith all on target meant that Roscommon were not going to be caught.

Donie Smith and Ciaran Lennon (a fisted effort) added to the Rossies total and the game ended with three converted frees from Donie Smith who ended the game with 0-7 to his name. Not too bad for a sub!

Final score: Roscommon 1-21 Louth 0-12

Conor Devaney (pictured in action earlier this year) was full of running in Drogheda last Sunday.

TIME ADDED ON… McStay: ‘Results have gone our way’  SEAMUS DUKE

Roscommon manager Kevin McStay was happy to be leaving Drogheda with a vital two points last Sunday and was also pleased that results elsewhere had gone the Rossies’ way.

“It looks like the results have gone our way again and that’s good but I am really happy to get the two points here and our score difference got a bit of a boost too so it was a good day all around.

“We have to forget about today and everything moves on to Ennis now and that’s the nature of this league; it’s week on week and everything moves on.

“We didn’t play that well today after the first ten minutes. At ten points to six at half-time it looked like we were in a bit of a dog-fight and we

had struggled in a few areas of the field. We were really revved up for a battle in the second half and thankfully we got the early scores. But it was a great reaction for our lads in the second half. We are in decent shape on the way to Ennis after that.

“We had a few players out as you know so we had to make a few changes (and we have) a situation where we have a big panel of players who are very even in terms of their ability. One week someone shows a bit of form and they get in (to the team) and then the next week it’s someone else. I was very happy with James Fetherstone today. Cathal Compton has great potential and it’s good to see him get his chance too.

“I thought today would be the big day for us to ensure safety but the results have changed all that again,

and now if we can get another positive result next weekend, and we will be going for it, we would be in a very powerful position heading into two home games.

“But I just said to the players that today was great and it has done our position no harm at all but it’s over now. We have to go again this week and see who is available. I was glad to see Shane Killoran back today and that’s another positive.

“I am happy but I have to say that I am totally frustrated at some of the stuff we are doing. I cannot believe that with the talent we have some of the fumbling and missed passing we are showing at times.

It is dreadful and it’s almost sinful, because of their ability but look, our second half reaction was very good and we move on now,” he concluded.

Stat Attack Wides: Roscommon 11 (6 first half ), Louth 6 (2 first half ) Red cards: none Black cards: Roscommon 0 Louth 2 (William Woods 35, Anthony Williams 57) Yellow cards: Roscommon 3 (Davy Murray, Cathal Compton, Donie Smith) Louth 5 (James Craven, Bevan Duffy, Andy McDonnell) Conor Grimes, Ronan Holcroft) Scores from play: Roscommon 1-16 Louth 0-9 Attendance: 1,800 Man of the Match: Conor Daly

Match Day Tweets St. Croan’s G.A.A @Croans We wish @rosstimothy1 and co all the best of luck today as they take on Louth in the NFL #rosgaa #croansman Roscommon GAA @RoscommonGAA 38mins 2nd half Roscommon: 1-20(23) Louth: 0-12(12) Donie Smith with his sixth

Roscommon manager Kevin McStay

Club Rossie @clubrossie Final score here in Drogheda: Ros 1.21 Louth 0.12 Good win on the road and 2 points picked up. On to Clare next weekend.

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Roscommon People Friday 02 March 2018