A collection of old family photographs which were found on Battery Road in Longford Town over Christmas has been reunited with its rightful owner, thanks to the efforts of a kind stranger and eagle-eyed readers of the Roscommon People.

Last week, we published a selection of the photos along with a short appeal, sparking a wave of responses from readers – some even recognising their younger selves. The appeal led to the discovery of the owner, Catherine Carrig, who was “100 per cent delighted” to have them back.

Ms Carrig explained that the photos, belonging to her late mother, Lena Carrig (nee Mannion), were lost from her father’s car while in Longford to buy a car light.

“Around New Year’s, somebody put up a few on Facebook. I got those back, but I assumed the rest were lost for good,” she said.

Thanks to the ‘Good Samaritan’ who found them and posted them to this newspaper, the treasured photos have now been safely returned. We are contacting the finder to let them know their efforts were a success.

The only clue to their origins was the photographer’s mark, ‘M.A. Farrell, Roscommon’. Despite this, readers helped trace them to the Mannion family of Ardkeel, Roscommon, and with a little detective work, they finally made their way home to a very thankful owner.

Ms Carrig concluded: “I cannot thank the person who found them and all those who helped reunite them with me enough.”

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Now in its 25th year, the campaign encourages individuals, communities, schools, and businesses to take part in local clean-ups and help maintain a litter-free environment.

Roscommon County Council has highlighted the importance of the initiative, recognising the efforts of volunteers who contribute to keeping the county tidy. National Spring Clean is operated by An Taisce in collaboration with the Department of Environment, Heritage & Local Government and local authorities.

Groups that register for the initiative will receive a clean-up kit from An Taisce, including colour-coded plastic bags for recyclable and non-recyclable waste, protective gloves, and Hi-Vis vests. Roscommon County Council can also provide a limited supply of bags, gloves, and litter pickers and will facilitate the collection of litter gathered during clean-ups.

Participants must ensure that only litter waste is collected in designated green and clear bags, as household waste, grass cuttings, and construction materials will not be accepted. Clean-up bags should not be placed beside public bins.

For more information or to register for National Spring Clean, visit nationalspringclean.org or contact Roscommon County Council’s Environment Department at environment@roscommoncoco.ie or (090) 6637260 during office hours.

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The reading guide is a collaboration between Foras na Gaeilge and Children’s Books Ireland, with the support of Love Leabhar Gaeilge and featured titles range from boardbooks to picturebooks, non-fiction, poetry collections, comics, middle-grade fiction, all the way up to young adult fiction. Copies are available for free to families in 91 participating bookshops and 36 libraries nationwide, including Roscommon County Library in Roscommon.

The guide is also free to download on www.childrensbooksireland.ie  and www.loveleabhargaeilge.ie.

Speaking about the reading guide, Forde said: “Treoirleabhar Léitheoireachta 2025 is filled with 100 brilliant recommendations, encouraging young readers aged 0–18 to pick up a book as Gaeilge. Working with Children’s Books Ireland, in my role as Laureate na nÓg, I believe that one of the best places to start when learning a language, is to pick up a book. Within its pages, we can explore new words with the help of illustrations or rhyming text while enjoying the excitement of a brand-new story.

“These 100 books are the perfect way to make the Irish language accessible, to start or continue a young person’s Irish language journey.”

Elaina Ryan, CEO of Children’s Books Ireland said: “In Ireland, we are incredibly fortunate to have such a rich seam of talent in the artists who write and illustrate books for young readers in both our national languages. As Seachtain na Gaeilge approaches, we have a wonderful opportunity to celebrate and showcase leabhair Ghaeilge for children and young people, from vibrant picturebooks through to graphic novels for teenagers. We hope this selection of 100 great reads acts as a helpful signpost for families and teachers, to guide them on their reading journey.”

Seán Ó Coinn, CEO, Foras na Gaeilge said: “Foras na Gaeilge is responsible for the promotion of Irish-language publishing and reading in Ireland. Collaborating with Children’s Books Ireland has been such an effective way of amplifying the importance of this new reading guide which features 100 great reads as Gaeilge. Our shared vision of promoting the breadth of high-quality Irish-language books available for children and young people allows us to come together to showcase an excellent selection of Irish-language writers, translators, publishers and illustrators through these fantastic books.”

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Since turning 50, Tommie Kenoy always got an annual PSA check up and in 2019, his PSA levels were raised. He was sent for a biopsy which found there were abnormal cancerous cells.

Upon his diagnosis, Tommy called the Irish Cancer Society’s Support Line. “When I received my diagnosis, I was given two options: surgery to remove my gland or brachytherapy (internal radiotherapy). I called the Irish Cancer Society because there were things I wanted to ask, for example about opting for surgery or brachytherapy, and what the dangers around incontinence might be. I found the support very helpful, and it was very solid friendly advice.”

Tommy, now in his 70s, also wants to highlight the importance of early detection. “I think men in particular need to be more proactive about their health. My cancer was detected very early and I went in for that one procedure and that’s all I needed, thankfully. The quicker we act, the better chance of a cure.”

He’s calling on his Roscommon community to get behind Daffodil Day this year: “Every euro raised on Daffodil Day is crucial and makes a real lasting difference to patients like me, fuelling life changing cancer research and vital support services. When I needed that extra reassurance and support, the Irish Cancer Society was at the end of the phone for me. I would encourage everyone across Roscommon and the north-west to please get out there on Daffodil Day, March 28th, and show your support for those affected by cancer in your local community.”

The Irish Cancer Society is there to ensure that every person affected by cancer has a place to turn to, the support they need and the hope that there will come a day when no one in Ireland dies from cancer.

Thanks to the amazing generosity of the Irish public, the Irish Cancer Society invests in groundbreaking cancer research and delivers crucial free support services for people affected by cancer, throughout Roscommon. In 2024, your generous support provided:

• Almost 340 free lifts to bring Roscommon-based cancer patients to their treatment
• Over 260 free counselling sessions to people living in Roscommon
• Almost 210 nights of free Night Nursing care to allow cancer patients in Roscommon to die at home surrounded by loved ones
• Our Cancer Nurses had 180 conversations with people living in Roscommon on our Support Line and in our Daffodil Centres.

Irish Cancer Society CEO Averil Power said: “One in two of us will hear the words ‘You’ve got cancer’ in our lifetimes. There isn’t a family in Ireland that hasn’t felt the impact of a cancer diagnosis. Right now, a child is hearing the words ‘It’s cancer’. A parent is holding on to hope for a treatment that hasn’t been discovered yet. And a researcher has an idea that could turn that hope into reality. Your support on Daffodil Day fuels life changing cancer research and vital free services and supports. We really need this year’s Daffodil Day to be the biggest yet to ensure we can be there for those who need us most in 2025. And we cannot do this without you.

“Your generosity on March 28th means patients and their families will have free supports like Counselling, Transport to treatment and Night Nursing services. Every year, communities across Roscommon show up and paint the town yellow in support of cancer patients and their families. We’re urging you to stand with cancer patients once again, by going all in against cancer and getting involved or donating this Daffodil Day 28 March. Your generous support means everyone affected by cancer in Roscommon will have access to the support they need, when they need it most.”

Where the donations go:

• €30 can help provide transport for a patient to and from their chemotherapy treatment using the Irish Cancer Society’s Transport Service.
• €50 can help provide vital clinical equipment for an Irish Cancer Society Night Nurse.
• €55 will help pay for the cost of one hour of Night Nursing, providing end of life care to a patient in their own home.
• €60 will cover the cost of a counselling session to help a person cope with a cancer diagnosis in their life.
• €455 will help cover the cost of one night of Night Nursing, providing end of life care to a patient in their own home.

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The Natterjack Toad is Ireland’s only native toad species and found in just a handful of mostly coastal locations in Kerry.

At Derrynane House and Historic Park, the Natterjack relies on shallow, artificial ponds for breeding, but due to coastal erosion exacerbated by climate change, one of those ponds has become at risk of being overwhelmed by the Atlantic Ocean.

In partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) the OPW created a new pond over the winter, in a location less prone to erosion, for the toads to migrate to and breed in the early spring.

This represents a significant step in the conservation of an endangered species, part of OPW’s commitment to sustainably manage important heritage sites and integrate biodiversity across all of its operations.

Chris O’Neill, Parks Superintendent at OPW, expressed the significance of this project, stating, “the Natterjack Toads are very special because they’re only found naturally in a handful of places in South West Ireland and is very restricted in its northern range in Europe.”

“By creating this artificial pond we’re hoping to achieve an improved outlook for the Natterjack Toads at Derrynane, which can potentially be used as a stepping stone to spread to other areas in the locality.”

As part of its Biodiversity Action Strategy 2022-2026, the OPW appointed JBA Consulting Engineers and Scientists Ltd to undertake a Biodiversity Audit and Action Plan on ten Historic sites which included Derrynane.

The Derrynane Biodiversity Audit & Action Plan outlines its biodiversity significance which is located within the boundary of two European (Natura 2000) protected habitat designations, the Special Area of Conservation, Kenmare River and the Special Protection Area, Iveragh Peninsula.

A baseline survey was undertaken along with recommendations to further improve the sites important biodiversity. The report concludes that the good management at Derrynane National Historic Park is resulting in the overall good health of the habitats and protected species at the site.

For more information on OPW’s conservation efforts and work in managing heritage sites, please visit www.opw.ie.

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• Under the partnership, €250,000 per year will be allocated for 2025 and 2026, to support restoration projects identified by Lions Clubs. They will manage the restoration of the wetlands and will be guided by Tóchar’s expertise. There is knowledge and expertise within the Lions Club memberships to deliver on these projects. One club which has already demonstrated this leadership is the Tullamore Lions Club, who undertook nature restoration works at Clonbeale More Bog in 2024.

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Officers elected for 2025 are:  Honorary President, John Lyons, Cloonerra, Strokestown; Chairman, John O’Connor, Tully, Fourmilehouse; Secretary, Michael Farrell, Curraghroe; Treasurer, Bernie Kearney Jnr., Grange, Fourmilehouse; P.R.O. Henry Owens, Lismehy, Strokestown; and Safety Officer, Paul Gill, Corbohill, Strokestown. Votes of sympathy were extended to the following; the relatives of Councillor Anthony (Tony) Waldron, Castleplunkett, Castlerea; the relatives of Gussie Dolan, Fourmilehouse; and the relatives of John Joe and Padraig Kearns, of Clooncagh and Carnaska. Padraig was the motorcyclist who led many tractor runs in our region over the last few years.

The club members will be partaking in St. Patrick’s Day and Easter parades in the following weeks. Membership is open to all people who have a love or fascination with vintage cars or machinery. Anyone wishing to join the club can do so by contacting any of the above officer board or Tel: 087 9074869 or 086 3458601 or email: midroscommonvintageclub@gmail.com Membership fees for the coming year are now due at the slightly increased rate of €35.

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