Inishmagrath - Drumkeeran News

NOTICE BOARD

The schedules for

Diocesan Pilgrimages,
Blessings of Graves etc

are available on the

We congratulate Paul McTernan and Siobhán McDonagh on their marriage
in St Paul's Church, Kilmurry, Castleplunkett, Co Roscommon, on Saturday, 31st July.

Paul is the son of James and the late Marie McTernan, Drumrewey, Drumkeeran, and Siobhán is from Castleplunkett.

Siobhán's uncle, Fr Martin McDonagh, was the main celebrant, and he was assisted by Fr Peter Gilooly,(Kilmurray) and Fr Gerard Alwill (Drumkeeran).

A new book entitled
"The Religious Sisters and brothers of the Diocese of Kilmore"
was launched in the Pastoral Centre, Cavan, on Thursday, 29th July.

This book, by Gerald Smith OSF, lists 1,165 women and men from all parts of our diocese who entered religious life and between them joined 120 different religious congregations. Seventy-two percent of these women and men served outside of Ireland, travelling to Europe, Africa, Australia, Asia, and to North and South America.
The remaining 28% ministered in education, health and pastoral care in Ireland.

The author, Br Gerald Smith was born in the parish of Denn, Co Cavan. He joined the Brothers of the Regular Third Order of St Francis and made his final profession in 1967. For over 30 years he has been a teacher and administrator in secondary schools USA, Ireland and Kenya. He plans to return to Kenya in autumn of this year.

The book lists 15 nuns and 3 brothers who were born in the parish of Inishmagrath.
The majority of these women and men worked in Ireland, England and Scotland.
Four of them worked in the USA and two in South Africa.

The book costs €25.00 and is available from
Cavan Genealogy Centre, First Floor, Johnston Central Library, Farnham Street, Cavan.

The death has taken place in Manchester of Bridget Dolan, better known to all her friends as Delia, formerly of Main St, Drumkeeran.
Originally from near Tuam, Co Galway, Delia spent the war years in London where she worked in a munitions factory. She then moved to Manchester where in 1950 she met Martin Dolan.
They were married in 1953.

Always very fond of their annual visits to Ireland, they eventually came back and settled in Main St, Drumkeeran in 1980. Martin died in 1987 and four years later Delia returned to live with her own family in Manchester. Her family always came first in her life. A woman of deep faith, she also enjoyed her bingo, traditional Irish music and dancing.
She had been in failing health for a number of years and she died on Tuesday, 20th July.
She is survived by her daughter Eleanor and son-in-law John.

Her remains will be brought back to Drumkeeran, arriving at St Brigid's Church at 7.00 pm on Thursday evening, 29th July. After the Funeral Mass at 12.00 on Friday she will be laid to rest beside her late husband Martin.

We congratulate Breda Travers and Aidan McKeon on their marriage
in St Brigid's Church, Drumkeeran on Friday, 16th July.

Breda is the daughter of Mona and the late Paddy Travers, Greyfield, Drumkeeran,
and Aiden is a native of Mohercrieve, Drumshanbo.
Fr Gerard Alwill and Fr Peter Burke officiated at the ceremony.

Sean is the son of Julia and the late Donald Fidgeon, Derrinweir, Drumkeeran.
Marie is a native of Downings, Co Donegal.
Fr Torlough Baxter, Carrick-on-Shannon, officiated at the ceremony.

We congratulate Sandra Smith and Connor Woods on their marriage
in St Patrick's Church, Tarmon, on Friday, 9th July.

Sandra is the daughter of Elizabeth and Eamon Smith, Mullafada, Drumkeeran,
and Connor is the son of Mary and Hugh Woods, Sheena, Drumkeeran.
Fr Gerard Alwill and Fr John McTiernan officiated at the wedding.

Pictured above is Fr Eamonn McMahon who recently celebrated the Golden Jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood. Fr Eamonn, who was born in Sligo, spent much of his youth in the Drumkeeran and Killargue areas. Born in 1933, the son of Edward and Mary McMahon, Eamonn attended primary school in both Drumkeeran and Dromahair. After secondary school he joined the Spiritan (Holy Ghost) Congregation in Kimmage and was ordained in 1960.

His first mission was to Nigeria but he was among the large number of missionaries who were expelled from that country as a result of the Biafran War in the late 1960's. He was then sent to Brazil where he has ministered for almost 40 years in Sao Paulo.

Fr Eamonn's brother Noel was a member of the teaching staff of Lough Allen College until his recent retirement.

Pictured above are Michael Rynn and Tracy McHugh who were married
in St Mary's Church, Ballinagar, on Friday, 2nd July.

Michael is the son of Kathleen and Gerry Rynn, Knockatean, Drumkeeran,
and Tracy is a native of Tullynascreena, Dromahair.
Michael's uncle, Fr John Gilhooly, officiated at the wedding Mass, assisted by Fr Vincent Connaughton, Fr Gerard Alwill and Fr Jason Murphy.

Sadbh O'Donnell, Main St, Drumkeeran, has been selected to go forward to the X Factor Boot Camp in London. She was one of only three contestants from Ireland to be chosen at a special audition held in the National Convention Centre in Dublin at the end of June. Among the stars present at the event were Simon Cowell, Cheryl Tweedy, Louis Walsh and Katy Perry.

Sadbh, who is the daughter of Bernie and John O'Donnell, will, if successful at the boot camp, progress to one of the judges houses for further auditions and filming. The X Factor is the biggest talent show on British TV and will be broadcast to millions later this summer.

Saturday 26^th June, was the occassion of the launch in the Community Centre of a CD featuring the music of Joe Lacky Gallagher.

Barry Colwell makes a presentation to his grandmother Beatrice Gallagher, wife of Joe Lacky,
with Marion Ward (Daughter) in the background. (Photo: Sean McNiffe)

The CD consists of recordings made by Seamus Ennis in the late 1940's of Joe's fiddle playing.
The evening consisted of ceoil, caint agus craic, reminiscing on and remembering the life of Joe Lacky Gallagher and included contributions from friends and family.
The CD has been produced by the John McKenna Society with assistance from the Arts Council. The CD is for sale in the Breffni Stores, Drumkeeran and in The Dock, Carrick-on-Shannon.
Price €15.

It will be necessary to carry out major maintenance work on Tarmon Church in order to eliminate dampness from the walls of the church. It has been suggested that this work provides an opportunity to refurbish the sanctuary area of the church.
The above graphic gives an idea of how a refurbished sanctuary might look.

It is planned to allow the people of the Tarmon area to vote on whether or not to go ahead with such a refurbishment.

In the meantime, other possible designs may be viewed by clicking on this link:
Sanctuary

Friday, 18th June, was a a day of celebration at Scoil Naomh Bríde, Drumkeeran.

The day began with the formal opening and blessing of the new extension to the school. Eurovision star, Charlie McGettigan, was guest of honour for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Accompanying Charlie in the above photo: Rev Noel Regan, Mrs Josephine White (Chairperson of the Board of Management), Mrs Máirín O'Keeffe (Principal) and Fr Gerard Alwill PP.

Fr Gerard Alwill and Rev Noel Regan both joined in the Prayer of Blessing that took place immediately after the cutting of the ribbon. Seamus Gallagher, a member of the Board of Management, read the First Reading, the children sang the psalm and the hymns, and children and members of staff participated in the Prayers of the Faithful.

Among those who spoke were Mrs O'Keeffe (Principal), Andy Redican (Former Chairperson of the Board), James Feeney & Luke Fee (Pupils involved in the Green Flags Project), Chris Torsney (Parents' Association) and current Chairperson of the Board, Mrs Josephine White.

There followed about 30 minutes of musical entertainment and singing by the children of the school and the youth members of the John McKenna Society.

The children also joined in with Charlie McGettigan as he sang a few of his favourite songs, including his Eurovision winner, "Rock 'n' Roll Kids".

After the musical entertainment refreshments were served to all the guests and children.

And after the refreshments everybody moved outside for the raising of the Green Flag.

Paul Gallagher, school-caretaker, with the assistance of Dessie Wynne and some of the children, raised the recently awarded Green Flag.

There was a large attendance at the ceremonies; parents, past-pupils, former members of staff, local community representatives etc. For all, it was a thoroughly enjoyable and pleasant event and also a memorable day for all the children of the school.

Among the guests of honour were two sisters, Mrs Eileen Kelly and Mrs Bridget Wynne. Mrs Kelly is a former principal of the school and Mrs Wynne is a former teacher in the school.

David Sheridan playing at the John McKenna Monument after the Aifreann an Fhéile

The John McKenna Festival took place over the second weekend of June, beginning with the Festival Launch on Thursday, 10th June.

On Friday evening some of Ireland's finest flute players paid a special tribute to John McKenna, in the Community Centre.

Music Workshops were held on Saturday morning, with classes in playing the flute, the tin whistle, the accordion etc. On Saturday evening Michael O'Brien and friends hosted the Session in the Cottage, which was followed by a Monster Youth Session in the Community Centre.

On Sunday the Aifreann an Fhéile was celebrated in Tarmon Church. Members of the Society provided the music and singing for the Mass.
After the Mass David Sheridan played some of John McKenna's music.

Before the traditional laying of the wreath at the John McKenna Monument by local musician Michael O'Brien, Sean Gilrane gave a very moving account of the life of John McKenna.

On Sunday afternoon the Lá no nÓg was held on Main St and it was followed that evening in the Community Centre by A Unique Event, a very powerful and moving presentation based on the life of a traveller.

Pictured above are Pauric Fahey and Carmel Gallagher who were married in St Brigid's Church, Creevelea, on Thursday, 10th June.
Carmel is the daughter of Lena and Jim Gallagher, Shivdillagh.
Pauric is a native of Collooney, Co Sligo.
We wish them every blessing in their new life together.

Ten young people from Drumkeeran NS received their first Holy Communion on Sunday, 30th May, in St Brigid's Church, Drumkeeran. They are

A very large congregation attended the the Mass.
During the homily Fr Alwill introduced the children to God's Treasure Hunt, a journey which reminded the children of the Baptism font where our life as God's children began, the Ambo where we heard God's word, the altar where we join in the meal of the Eucharist and the Tabernacle where Christ is present to us at all times in the Blessed Sacrament.

After the Mass Fr Alwill thanked Mrs Dolan, the teacher who prepared the children for First Communion, and Mrs O'Keeffe, school principal, for her hard work with the school choir.
He also thanked the families of the children for the good example they give to the children.

We extend our heartiest congratulations to Mr David McEvoy, the Deputy-Principal of Lough Allen College, on his appointment as Principal of St Attracta's Community School, Tobercurry, Co Sligo.

David, a native of Portlaoise, Co Laois, graduated in Irish and Music from NUI, Maynooth, in 1992. He joined the teaching staff of Summerhill College, Sligo, that same year. Ten years later he was appointed Deputy-Principal of Lough Allen College, succeeding Mr Andy Redican.

David is well known in Sligo circles through his involvement in musical productions. He is currently the Chairperson and the Musical Director of the award winning Sligo Musical Society.

We once again congratulate David on his appointment and we wish him every success and every blessing in his new position.

Pictured above is Evelyn Scanlan and Fr Oliver Kelly, PP of Manorhamilton.
On Sunday, 23rd May, Pentecost Sunday, Fr Kelly conferred on Evelyn the Sacrament of Confirmation and received her into full communion with the Catholic Church.
The ceremony took place in St Clare's Church, Manorhamilton.

Evelyn lives in Tullynamoyle, Drumkeeran. She was born in Scotland and was brought up as a member of the Church of Scotland. When she and her late husband Stephen moved to Tullynamoyle they became members of the choir in St Clare's Church.

Many of her relatives and friends came together to celebrate this special occasion with Evelyn.
She is pictured here with her sponsor, Kitty Hickey, and their many friends on the church choir.
We congratulate Evelyn and we wish her every blessing.

Pictured above is Baby Ian James Harkin who was baptised in St Brigid's Church, Creevelea, on Saturday, 22nd May. Baby Ian James is the son of Tracey and Kevin Harkin, Treenadullagh, Drumkeeran

As part of the Leitrim County Council Band in Residence Scheme the group Dervish visited the Drumkeeran area from May 10th to May 13^th incl. Their itinerary included visits to the primary schools in the parish and also a visited Lough Allen College. They also provided music and entertainment for senior citizens in the Day Centre.
During their time here they visited John McKenna’s house for an evening’s music and chat. They also met the local musicians both young and old during their stay in Drumkeeran

Pictured above is Baby Jack John O'Brien who was baptised in Drumkeeran Church on Saturday, 15th May. Jack John is pictured here with his mother Emma, his father Eamon and his brother Cody. The family lives in Radharc an tSeipeal, Drumkeeran.

On Sunday, 9th May, three young people received their First Holy Communion in Tarmon Church.

Rachel McLoughlin, Roarke Toal and Ryan Brolly,
all pupils in Tarmon NS,
celebrated this special day in their lives with their families , friends and classmates.

Fr Alwill spoke of just how special and how important Holy Communion is in the lives of all the members of our church.

Fr Alwill also thanked the teachers, Fiona Reynolds and Jacqueline Ryan, for all their hard work in preparing the children for their Holy Communion. He also thanked them for all their hard work in the school throughout the year.

A number of the parishes that border on Inishmagrath, such as Arigna and Killenummery, are in the diocese of Ardagh & Clonmacnoise. As many of us will remember, the people of that diocese woke up on Christmas morning last to the news that their cathedral, St Mel's Cathedral in Longford, had been destroyed by an overnight fire.

The following photographs, published by Allianz, show some of the damage done by this disastrous fire. It is thought that the fire began in the cathedral's boiler house.

We wish the people and clergy of Longford and Ardagh every success as they undertake the huge task of rebuilding and restoring their cathedral.

Over the last twelve months or so the horizon around Drumkeeran has undergone a huge change as more and more windmills have been erected. The above photo of St Brigid's Church, taken from the Dowra Road, shows clearly how the windmills now dominate the landscape.

Drumkeeran, along with neighbouring Arigna and Geevagh, are at the heart of the drive for for the development of the new green technology which aims to harness the power of our natural resources. There has been a huge and rapid increase in the number of wind farms producing electricity for the national grid.

In past years the area was noted for the production of another energy source, namely coal.

However, it's now many years since the the coal-burning ESB station at Lough Allen closed.
That, in turn, brought about the closure of the Arigna mines.

The windmills have now replaced coal as a source of energy.
The first of them were installed about 8 or 10 years ago and today the hills around Arigna, Drumkeeran and Geevagh are a forest of windmills.

The new mills erected within the last year or so are even larger and more powerful than the earlier units. It has been reported that two of these new windmills can produce as much power as the old coal-burning station.

The development of these wind farms has certainly placed Drumkeeran to the fore in the harnessing of our natural resources and in the production of environmentally friendly and clean energy.

Baby Séamus Finbarr Redican was baptised in St Brigid's Church, Drumkeeran, on Sunday, 2nd May. He is pictured here with his sister Ríona and his parents Clodagh and Finian. Baby Seamus Finbarr and his family live in Curraghs North, Drumkeeran.

The death has taken place of Kate Carty, formerly of Lisacoghill. Born Kate Reynolds, she was a native of Ballinaglera. Her parents were James and Ann Reynolds.
Kate married Michael Carty in 1939 and she settled in Lisacoghill where she and Michael ran a small farm. Throughout her life she was always a great neighbour, kind and generous, and always there to help in times of difficulty. She was also a woman of great faith for whom Mass and the Rosary were the linchpins of her life.
Shortly after Michael died in 1992 she went to live with her daughter Rose in Navan, Co Meath. She died there on 17th April, aged 96 years. Her remains were brought back to Drumkeeran for the funeral Mass which took place on 19th April. She was laid to rest in Aughaloughy Cemetery.

She is survived by her daughters Rose (Navan), Kathleen (England), Helen (Glenfarne), Margaret (USA) and sons Tommy (Sligo), Larry (Kingscourt) and Joe (USA).
She was predeceased by her son Frank who died in 1993 and her other son Sean who died in England in 2008.

The local community was shocked and deeply saddened at the news of the sudden death of David O'Donnell, Corry, Drumkeeran. He died on Thursday, 15th April. He was only 36 years of age.

David was a very popular member of the local community, the kind of person who was a friend to everybody. He was a most helpful and most obliging neighbour whose generosity knew no bounds when called on for help or assistance. He enjoyed his work in the construction industry and on the family farm. He also had a great interest in and enthusiasm for machinery and cars.

David is survived by this wife Valerie, his sons Ryan, Darren and Keith and his daughter Leanne and by his parents Kevin and Nancy, and his brothers and sisters.

Huge crowds attended both the removal to Newbridge Church on Saturday evening and the funeral Mass on Sunday, 18th April. The chief celebrant at the Mass was Fr Sean Mawn, PP of Ballinaglera, and he was assisted by Fr Charlie McPadden (Glangevlin), Fr Gerard Comiskey CC(Kill, Co Cavan) and Fr Gerard Alwill PP (Drumkeeran).
After the Mass David was laid to rest in Kilbride Cemetery.

The death has taken place of Annie Guihan, Tullycorka, Drumkeeran.
Almost 84 years of age, Annie lived a very quiet and unassuming life in her native Tullycorka. An honest, decent and generous lady, Annie was a great friend to all of her neighbours. She never married and the members of her immediate family circle have all pre-deceased her.
Annie has been resident in St Phelim's Nursing Home, Dromahair, for the last fourteen years.

Her removal to St Patrick's Church, Tarmon, on Tuesday evening and the Funeral Mass on Wednesday morning was attended by many of her neighbours and friends from Tullycorka and from the wider Tarmon area.

After the funeral Mass Annie was laid to rest beside her parents
in the Guihan family plot in nearby Curraghs Cemetery.

On Saturday, 27th March, Bishop Leo O'Reilly, bishop of Kilmore, confirmed 33 young people from Inishmagrath and from our neighbouring parish of Drumlease & Killargue.

All three local schools were represented among the 13 young people from our own parish. Those confirmed were Nicole Brolly, Bronagh Doherty, James Earley, Luke Fee, James Feeney, Martha Fitzpatrick, Aileen Forde, Linda McCabe, Liam McManus, Graham McTeigue, Declan Nolan, Keith O'Donnell and John Rynn.

Drumkeeran Church was full for the Mass and Confirmation ceremony which started at 12.00 noon. In his words the bishop reminded those being confirmed that until now they had been in training to be followers of Jesus. After Confirmation they would be active followers of Jesus and they could show this through the exercise of self-control in their lives.
After the ceremony Bishop Leo met with the young people and their families and posed for photographs.

It's now a year since the cutting of the sod on the site of the new Housing Complex for the Elderly on the Black Lane, Drumkeeran.

As can be seen from these photographs the external building project is well on the way to nearing completion.

A large part of the internal work including heating, plumbing, wiring etc is also nearly complete. The main task remaining is to finalise the installation of kitchen equipment, bed room and living room furnishings, the main lift, floor coverings etc.

On Sunday, 14th March, Drumkeeran had a highly successful and impressive St Patrick's Day Parade. The parade was organised by the members of Drumkeeran Youth Club and involved huge participation by community organisations and local enterprises. The Large crowd that lined both sides of the Main St enjoyed a wonderful day.
We are very grateful to photographer Liam Malaniff for providing us with the following photos of this very enjoyable occasion.

The death has taken place of Gerard McKenna, Sheena. Gerard died peacefully on Monday morning, 8th March, in the North-West Hospice, Sligo. He was 56 years of age.

Gerard was born in Drumkeeran in February 1954, the son of Myles and Elizabeth McKenna. He worked for a while in Sligo and Dublin before going to London in 1972 where he worked in a variety of jobs including driving trucks and running his own cab company. While in London he met his future wife Christine in 1977 and they were married in St Mary's Church, Finchley, on 5th September 1981.

In 1997 Gerard suffered two strokes and, as a result, his mobility was severely restricted. Following this illness he and his family returned to Drumkeeran and settled in Sheena.
Gerard become a very active member of the local community, getting involved in the Tidy Towns, in the Credit Union and in fundraising for the North West Hospice. He had a great love of singing and always enjoyed a sing-along at parties etc. He was also very keen on tables quizzes. He was an avid reader and a loved to watch all sorts of educational and documentary programmes on TV. At the level of sports, he was a keen follower of Manchester United.

In 2008 Gerard was diagnosed with a serious illness. Not one to give up easily, Gerard fought his illness with determination. Over the past few months his condition deteriorated and, for the last six weeks, he was a patient in the North-West Hospice, Sligo.

Gerard was well known for his quick and witty sense of humour. He was also a very gentle and caring person. Above all he was a very loving husband and father, totally devoted to his wife Christine and to his daughters Emma and Aoife and to his son Sean.
He will be sorely missed by them and by his many neighbours and friends.

The huge crowd that attended the Funeral Mass on Thursday bore eloquent witness to the high esteem in which Gerard was held by the local community.
After the Mass Gerard was laid to rest in the adjoining cemetery.

As part of Lough Allen CDP's Cross-Border Project this year, members of Drumkeeran Women's Group, accompanied a group from Ederney, Co. Fermanagh, travelled up to Belfast for a weekend visit.

The Belfast Visit

The trip, which took place over the weekend of 6th/7th March, consisted of a visit to Stormont, a tour round the Northern Ireland Assembly, a bus tour with a focus on historical and political aspects to the city and a visit to St. Malachy's Church.

On Saturday, 6th March, Drumkeeran GAA Club held its Awards Night in the Ramada Hotel, Drumshanbo. The members of the various underage teams that won county championships in 2009 were presented with their medals. The presentation was followed by dinner and then by musical entertainment and dancing.

The guest of honour for the evening was Stephen O'Neill, who has won three All-Ireland medals as a forward on the Tyrone team. Stephen presented the team members with their medals. He also presented the various Player of the Year awards.

In his speech Stephen complimented the club and its young people on the tremendous achievements of the past year. He encouraged the youngsters to maintain their interest in football and not to allow peer pressure to divert their attention from the game. Speaking as a life-long Pioneer, he also urged them to avoid taking alcoholic drink until the reach the age of 18.
He stressed too the importance of having goals, both in sport and in study.

A good night was enjoyed by all.
We extend our congratulation to all who won awards and medals.

On Friday, 19th February, Drumkeeran Drama Group staged their presentation of "Widow's Paradise" in New York. The play, which had already had three very successful nights in Drumkeeran, was staged in the Chapel Auditorium of St Barnabas High School, the Bronx.

One of those who attended the New York presentation was Danny Crampsey, a resident of New York for 31 years and a relation of the Judge Family of Tullinwillan. Danny was kind enough to send us the following report of the evening:

"We attended the play in the Bronx and, needless to say, we all had a great night. Most people expected a crowd of 300 or so. Three hundred people attending the Drumkeerin play would have been a great success."

"I estimate the crowd at approx 600 - 700. The Drumkeerinfolk@yahoo.com have estimated the crowd at 900. Every pew was full. It was standing room only. What a wonderful success for all concerned. Having attended major Broadway plays with unlimited budgets, "Widows Paradise", from the Drumkeerin Drama Group on a 'restricted' budget can only be considered a great success. From the writers, players, producer, carpenters et al, it was a job very well done. The only complaint was that it was only the one performance. We all met in JP Clarkes afterwards and it was great seeing family and friends again."

The Leitrim Observer correspondent described the occasion as "an amazing experience". It described the Group's presentation as "an outstanding performance, before a wildly enthusiastic most appreciative audience". The report continues; "From the moment the curtains rolled, the response from the audience was full of laughter and appreciative applause terminating with a standing ovation." The report also expresses appreciation for the phenomenal assistance given by the local people in New York to ensure that occasion would be a success.

Parishioners planning to attend the 7.30 am Mass for Ash Wednesday got quite a surprise when they pulled back the curtains to see the countryside covered in snow.

Drumkeeran town seems to have received the heaviest of the fall, with depths of 4 to 6 inches of snow in places. On the other hand, Creevelea and Tarmon had much lighter falls.

The snow, which fell between 6.00 am 9.30 am, caused quite an amount of disruption on the roads and, at one stage, there was a total blockage of traffic through the town for a period of about 20 minutes.

The snow-covered cemetery at the Parish Church The snow-covered grounds of Drumkeeran NS

Drumkeeran and Tarmon National Schools remained closed for the day.
However, by midday temperatures had improved and the thaw had set in.

Drumkeeran Drama Group had their audiences almost rolling in the aisles with laughter with their presentation of Sam Cree's hilarious comedy Widow's Paradise.

Lucy (Paula Loughlin), Vanessa (Inez McPadden), Ruby (Margaret Hamilton) and Harry (Packie McPartlan).

The Group staged their presentation in Drumkeeran Community Hall on three successive nights, 5th, 6th and 7th February. Each evening they played to a packed hall and each evening the audience was treated to a marvellous night of fun-filled entertainment, based on the mayhem that arises when five ladies and five men discover that they have to share the one caravan at a holiday resort.

Rachel (Margaret O'Rourke), Lucy (Paula Loughlin), Ernie (Seamus Gallagher), Sylvia (Lauraine Walpole) and Ruby (Margaret Hamilton)

Presenting any drama is a challenging undertaking, but to present a comedy is perhaps the most challenging of all. The cast of Widows' Paradise took to the task with relish and result was a truly successful production which won huge applause and high acclaim from all who attended.

On Saturday, 13th February, the Group will head off to New York where they will stage the production in the Bronx. See item below for more details.

As well as congratulating the cast we also congratulate Director, Pat Duignan; Producer, Andy Redican; Stage Manager, Peggy Horan; Set Design, Thomas McHugh; and Lights and Sound; John Flynn. Make-up was by Amanda Oates and Hair by Dawn Porter.

The death has taken place of Margaret McPartlan, Lisnanerris. Margaret, or Maggie as she was known to her friends, died unexpectedly in Sligo General Hospital on Monday, 1st February.

Maggie was born Margaret McGovern in Glangevlin, Co Cavan, in 1922. After she left school she worked for a number of years in Hamilton's Hotel, Dowra, before she married Josie McPartlan and settled in Lisnanerris. While she worked hard helping Josie on the farm she also enjoyed the outdoor life and was very fond of the cattle and the animals.

Maggie was a very kind and caring person. Over the years she cared for and nursed Josie's parents, and Josie's brother Tom. She was also a kind and caring neighbour who was always willing to help others in times of crisis or need. And, of course, she was a kind and caring wife to Josie, especially in his latter years.

Above all, her neighbours recall the warmth of her welcome whenever they would call to the house. Maggie's home was always open to all who called. Right up to the time she went into hospital she would have had visitors nearly every evening. She enjoyed the company, the chat and the banter. And, of course, she always had the mug of tea ready for all her visitors. They, in turn, enjoyed her tremendous sense of humour and her quick and witty comments. Maggie and Josie may have had no children but they treated all their neighbours and friends as family.

Maggie was a woman of deep religious faith and was very faithful to attending Mass. Fr John Carney, her nephew who is based in Panama, recalls that the Mass was the driving force behind Maggie's strong love for other people and for the Lord.

She was predeceased by her husband Josie in March 1999.
The large attendances present at both the removal on Wednesday evening and the funeral Mass on Thursday bear eloquent witness to the high esteem in which she was held by the local community.
Her funeral Mass in Drumkeeran Church was celebrated by Fr Alwill. Maggie was laid to rest beside her late husband Josie in Drumkeeran Cemetery.

On Sunday, 31st January, Drumkeeran Youth Drama presented four one-act plays in the Community Centre. The cast of twenty-two, thirteen girls and nine boys, presented A Spoonful of Sugar, Rare Shenanigans, Charity Begins at Home and Buying a Turkey. The plays were directed by Camilla McDonagh, Lorraine Walpole and Gabriel Flynn, all under the guidance of facilitator, Andy Redican. The Community Centre was packed to overflowing and the large and appreciative audience thoroughly enjoyed what was a wonderful evening's entertainment.

Ciara Keaveney, Maresa McGovern, Tara Drugan and Deirdre Devitt in Charity begins at Home.

Jonathan McGovern, Mary Louise McCabe and Suzie McGovern in rehearsals for Buying a Turkey.

Speaking to the audience afterwards, Andy Redican praised the members of the cast, saying that they were a wonderful group to work with. He thanked their parents for their help and cooperation and he thanked the many others who assisted and helped in various ways.

The death has taken place in Dublin of Molly (Mary Ellen) Gilroy, formerly of Mullicashel, Drumkeeran. Molly was born in March 1915, the daughter of Francis and Maggie Gilroy. She moved to Dublin at a young age. For many years she ran a successful shop in Rathfarnham. Illness took its toll on her and she spent the last 26 years of her life in St Mary's Hospital Hospital, The Phoenix Park. She never married and was the last surviving member of her family. She died on 20th January.
The funeral Mass was celebrated in St Mary's Hospital Chapel on Friday, 22nd January. Her remains were then brought back for burial in the family plot in Drumkeeran Cemetery.

The death has taken place in Dublin of Patrick (Paddy) McPartland, formerly of Coolegraine. Born in 1924, Paddy was the youngest of the six children of Michael and Mary McPartland. His father Michael died when he was 4 years old. He left Coolegraine after the big snow in 1947 and found employment in the house building industry in Dublin. In 1956 he married Breda Mulligan, a native of Rockorry, Co Monaghan. They lived in Castleknock from 1976 until they moved to the Assisi Retirement Home, Navan Road, Dublin, in 2003. Three years later, in 2006, Breda died. Paddy was resident in Swords Nursing Home, Dublin, for the last two years of his life.
Paddy and Breda had no family.
Paddy was a man of deep faith for whom daily Mass was the most important part of his day. He was an active member of the Third Order of St Francis since his profession in 1962.
He died on Monday, 18th January. His funeral Mass was in St Brigid's Church, Blanchardstown on Wednesday, 20th January, and his remains were brought back for burial in the family plot in Drumkeeran cemetery.

The parish celebrated the first wedding of 2010 on Saturday, 10th April, when
Eimear Gallagher and Enda O'Hara were married in St Brigid's Church, Drumkeeran.
Eimear is the daughter of Geraldine and Micheál Gallagher of Lonagh.
Enda is a native of Granard, Co Longford.

Over the weekend of 20th / 21st March two children were baptised in St Brigid's Church, Drumkeeran, thus becoming the first children to be baptised in the parish this year.

Caitlin Rose McTiernan received the Sacrament of Baptism in St Brigid's Church, Drumkeeran, on Saturday, 20th March. She is pictured above with her brother Dean, her father Richard, her mother Olivia and her sister Natasha. Caitlin Rose lives with her family in Tullintowel, Drumkeeran.

The following day, Sunday 21st March, Samantha Mary Goldbey was also baptised in St Brigid's Church. She is pictured here with her parents, Derek and Breege and her brother Stephen. Samantha Mary lives with her parents in Drumbrahade, Drumkeeran.