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.”

The post Reunited: Lost family photos find their way home appeared first on Roscommon People.

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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Roscommon has reached a significant milestone in its education and training provision, with the Galway and Roscommon Education and Training Board (GRETB) unveiling a state-of-the-art hairdressing training salon at its Further Education and Training (FET) Centre on Lanesboro Street in Roscommon Town.

The facility, which was officially launched on Tuesday, January 21st, has already begun hosting the county’s first ever hairdressing apprenticeship programme.

The launch was attended by GRETB senior management, staff, board members, community leaders, and members of the local hairdressing industry. Cllr Michael ‘Moegie’ Maher cut the ceremonial tape.

GRETB’s Director of Further Education and Training (FET), Sinéad Morgan, stated that this initiative not only showcases the board’s dedication to enhancing vocational training but also brings vital opportunities to aspiring hairdressers in Roscommon.

In acknowledging the collaborative effort behind the training salon, Sinéad Morgan extended sincere appreciation to former GRETB board member and former councillor, Kathleen Shanagher, for her support and commitment to GRETB and in particular to Education and Training in the Roscommon region.

The salon boasts cutting-edge equipment, modern styling stations and an array of top-quality hair products. The state-of-the-art facility mirrors the ambience and functionality of a professional salon.

Industry expert Elizabeth Flynn has been appointed as the tutor for the Hairdressing Apprenticeship Programme, with support from GRETB Apprenticeship Coordinator Maeve Parker. The programme welcomed its first cohort of apprentices in November 2024.

GRETB will run both the hairdressing apprenticeship as well as a range of part-time and community-based hairdressing courses, with plans for barbering courses beginning later in the year.

If you are interested in finding out more about pursuing a career in hairdressing or if you are an employer wishing to employ an apprentice, please contact nharoscommon@gretb.ie.

The post Apprenticeship opportunities as hairdressing training salon is officially opened appeared first on Roscommon People.

In a heartfelt announcement, Rosmed Pharmacy on Golf Links Road, Ballypheasan, is set to say goodbye to its longtime community pharmacist. After more than three decades of dedicated service, the beloved figure in the town’s healthcare landscape has confirmed plans to retire due to health reasons. Starting his pharmaceutical journey in 1987 with Guerin’s Pharmacy in Castle Street, he has become a cornerstone of support for the local community, providing not just medical advice but also friendship and care. As he takes this significant step, he reflects on his rewarding career and expresses deep gratitude to both his loyal customers and the exceptional healthcare staff who have supported him throughout his health challenges. As he embarks on this new chapter, we extend our best wishes for his health and happiness in the future.

A thank you to the people of Roscommon

Dear friends,

I would like to take this opportunity to confirm that I am retiring from my role at Rosmed Pharmacy, located at Golf Links Road, Ballypheasan, Roscommon.

I am taking this measure for practical reasons, i.e. on health grounds, namely open heart surgery and an amputation.

I started out in business in Roscommon town in 1987 when I assumed ownership of Guerin’s Pharmacy in Castle Street.

It has been my great privilege and pleasure to have served the community as a pharmacist in the years since.

In relation to the health issues that have led to my decision to retire, I want to extend my deepest thanks to and admiration for the standard of care afforded me by all the staff of UCHG during my heart surgery and amputation. One could simply not pay the nursing staff enough for their care and compassion!

The staff of the dialysis unit in No 7 Merlin Park Hospital, and the staff of Merlin (Unit) 4 also deserve credit and immense thanks and gratitude for their continuing care for all their patients. They do amazing work and should get due recognition for this.

Staff and public

As I announce my retirement, I would like to take this opportunity to sincerely thank all my co-workers over the years. My thanks to each and every one of them for their professionalism, courtesy and friendship.

In particular, I would like to thank my co-worker Marie Kelly, who has remained a loyal friend and support over the years, standing by me through thick and thin.

I also wish to take this opportunity to thank all the people who were loyal to me and my co-workers over the years, going back to 1987 and ever since. Your support and loyalty is much appreciated and will never be forgotten.

Finally, it with regret that I take this decision to retire from Rosmed, but the time to do so has come! However, I will still be available for consultation, on 087 9683287.

In the meantime, my thanks again to everyone for their support, and very best wishes to all my friends in Roscommon.

Signed: Charlie O’Brien

The post Charlie O’Brien announces his retirement appeared first on Roscommon People.

The six part Irish language series explores the lives of seven Irish farming families as they try to navigate the unpredictable challenges of the past 12 months. Set against the backdrops of Armagh, Antrim, Clare, Galway, Laois, and Roscommon, the series delves deep into the lives of farmers managing tillage, dairy, beef, sheep, and vegetable businesses.

In the lowlands of Roscommon, sheep farmer Matty Carroll tends to 120 ewes. He has a deep respect for tradition and the land which was passed down from his father and grand uncle. A proud member of the Galway Wool Co-Op, he is passionate about preserving the value of wool, ensuring nothing goes to waste. Keeping heritage alive, he also raises a few Galway sheep, a rare native breed.

The post Roscommon farmer to feature in new RTÉ series of Saol na Feirme appeared first on Roscommon People.

In his maiden speech in Seanad Éireann on Wednesday afternoon, Senator Scahill paid a moving tribute to the late independent councillor Anthony Waldron.

Scahill, who was first elected to Roscommon County Council just last June, said the appointment came as a surprise, but he now intends to make full use of the opportunity.

“The Seanad wasn’t on my radar at all,” Scahill admitted: “I had expected to serve out my term on Roscommon County Council, so it is a great honour to be asked to serve in the Seanad by party leader Simon Harris.”

While stepping into national politics, Scahill has not ruled out a future Dáil bid, stating that he sees his role in the Seanad as a stepping stone rather than a final destination.

“I don’t believe anybody gets appointed to the Seanad to stay there or to be a fly on the wall,” Scahill said. “If there is a general election, I will put myself before the delegates (for prospective selection as a Fine Gael candidate), and I believe I would be in a good position to take a seat – but that decision will be for the party members.”

Tributes and transition

Scahill paid tribute to outgoing Fine Gael senator Aisling Dolan, who was unsuccessful in her bid to secure election to the Seanad Agricultural Panel.

In 2020, Dolan was appointed as one of then-Taoiseach Leo Varadkar’s nominees to the Seanad.

Scahill said that Dolan had done fantastic work for the constituency and Fine Gael, and she had the full support of him and all the Fine Gael councillors in Roscommon in her attempt to get elected in recent weeks: “The result of a Seanad Election is no reflection on the work done in the constituency.”

Scahill also acknowledged the contributions of the late Cllr Anthony Waldron. The Independent councillor from Ballintubber sadly passed over the weekend.

“Before I was ever a councillor, Anthony invited me to the first meeting of the three municipal districts – Ballinasloe, Athlone, and Roscommon – to spearhead the Suck Valley Way development,” he said: “He has left a lasting legacy, and I was privileged to work closely with him over the years.”

As Treasurer and Secretary of the Suck Valley Way Development Co-Op, Scahill said he hopes to continue the work begun by Cllr Waldron as its Chairperson.

A new vacancy

Scahill’s move to the Seanad now means his council seat will need to be filled. He said the decision will be made by his party’s district executive and delegates, adding that there is plenty of talent within the party to step into the role.

He also paid tribute to Cllr John Naughten, who tragically died last October. Cllr Naughten’s replacement will be selected at a selection convention due to take place in the Athlone Springs Hotel on the evening of February 20th. Scahill expressed his hope that his own successor will be selected as soon as possible.

Despite the local elections having been held just over eight months ago, there are now three seats to be filled on Roscommon County Council, following the sad passing of Cllr Anthony Waldron last weekend.

Challenges

Asked about his priorities, Scahill highlighted the development of an apprenticeship training centre in Roscommon town, a project he has worked on alongside councillors from all parties.

Former senator Eugene Murphy wished Scahill luck in the Seanad this week, noting: “Gareth has a genuine interest in developing the county and I know one of his goals will be the opening of an apprenticeship college in Roscommon Town.”

Scahill also says he intends to stay deeply connected to Roscommon-Galway despite working in Leinster House: “One of the biggest challenges will be balancing life in the Seanad with life in Roscommon and not becoming disconnected from the constituency.”

Storm Éowyn 

Reflecting on the impact of Storm Éowyn, which left many in Roscommon without power, Scahill praised the resilience of local communities: “The way people pulled together to help one another has been incredible.”

He added: “Community groups have done fantastic work across the county, and they deserve to be supported.”

Our interview had been delayed into the evening as Scahill was still out assisting those without power, a role he said he was more than happy to take on.

He also stressed the importance of having strong representation in Dublin to ensure local groups can access available funding and recover effectively from events like Storm Éowyn and develop in general.

Lemass? What?

Ending on a lighter note, Scahill chuckled when recalling a remark made recently by a colleague who pointed out that he may be “the first person to get into the Seanad with no electricity since Lemass was in power”.

Scahill only had his power reconnected late last week, and got power back contemporaneously with the news that he was being given a different kind of power in the Oireachtas.

The post Scahill appointed to Seanad, eyes future Dáil bid appeared first on Roscommon People.

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Earlier this week, my colleague Michael Finan and I took to the roads of Roscommon. Twelve days had passed since Storm Éowyn swept through, yet its impact still loomed large. Some communities remained without power, while others were left grappling with damage to local infrastructure. As we drove, we reflected on the devastation, and the resilience of the people.

In Ballyleague-Lanesboro, we met local community activist and well-known shop owner Joe O’Brien. Joe gave us a sobering account of the destruction wrought upon the local sensory garden, a project that had been poised for transformation. The garden, initially kitted with temporary equipment for children with autism, was set to become a permanent fixture thanks to a recently approved council grant. But before the planned upgrades could be made, Storm Éowyn made landfall.

What remained was little more than debris. Greenhouses, pods, and canopies lay scattered. A fallen tree blocked access near LanesBrew Coffee House. The once-inviting space was now a ruin, its centrepiece – a sensory rock – surrounded by uprooted trees and shattered pots. As we stood in the wreckage, we could hear children playing in the yard of the adjoining school, which has two dedicated rooms for children with autism. This garden was meant to serve them. It was meant to serve the wider community. Now, all that remained was a stark reminder of how quickly progress can be undone.

Back in Joe O’Brien’s shop, Joe welcomed us as we took shelter from the biting cold. Michael, a contemporary of mine but a few years younger and from the other side of the county, gestured towards a towering structure and asked, “What’s that big building?”

“That’s the decommissioned, peat-powered power station,” I told him. “It used to burn the peat to generate electricity. Now it’s being dismantled”.

This exchange seemed to capture something fundamental about the conversations we were having all day: the changing landscape of energy, the push towards sustainability, and the unintended consequences that came with it.

When I asked Joe O’Brien what lessons had been learned from Storm Éowyn, he didn’t hesitate. “Not many,” he said, bluntly.

Joe spoke of how, despite the storm’s clear warnings, the local authority had pressed ahead with its plans to renovate a cottage in the village, removing its range and stove and planning to seal its chimney in the process. This, he pointed out, flew in the face of what had just happened. Over the past fortnight, countless families had relied on solid-fuel to stay warm. Without them, he quite rightly said, people would have frozen in their homes.

Joe then told me about his son, who lives in Roscommon town in a fully electric-dependent home – electric heating, electric gates, electric cars. A model of modern energy efficiency. But when the grid was struck, his home went dark. For hours, he was without power, but for anyone still without power 12 days on there is little doubt the dependency would be disastrous.

Joe’s son was lucky. The power in Roscommon town was restored quickly. But the question remains: as we continue to build homes without chimneys, as regulations increasingly push us towards all-electric solutions, are we setting ourselves up for a vulnerability we don’t yet fully understand?

Ballinameen emerges into the light

As we pressed on through the roads of Roscommon, our next stop was Ballinameen, where we visited the local national school. Principal Mr McDermott, a native of the area, had spent the past decade teaching in Dublin before returning home in September to take up his new role. When we met him, there was a quiet pride in his voice as he spoke of the joy and excitement the children had felt upon their return to school that morning. Yet, looking back on the past week, he reflected modestly on the effort he and the wider community had put into ensuring that essential services were available to those left in the dark – both figuratively and literally.

While much of North Roscommon was without power, Ballinameen National School, and many others, became a lifeline. Over the weekend, the school opened its doors as a community hub, offering people a place to boil water, charge their phones, and access Wi-Fi. This was no small gesture. For many, it was a critical link to the outside world during a time of prolonged disruption, particularly for those who didn’t have any local links.

Beyond the school itself, the storm had left its mark. Fallen trees surrounded the grounds, and the school’s main power line had narrowly escaped being taken out by one particular tree. Now, the focus was on securing emergency funding from the Department of Education for the removal of the damaged trees.

Added cost for communities

On day twelve after the storm, in the Lavagh area of Ballinameen, residents were still without power.

We met Florence Kearney, originally from Roscommon Town but now living in Lavagh. Seated beside her Stanley stove – the warmest room I had entered that day – she welcomed us in. Her home, with its hand-moulded, lime-rendered walls, was a reflection of authentic Ireland. But the comfort of a stove and a well-built home did not mask her growing frustration.

Four adults and one child lived in her house, and she was acutely aware of the inequities exposed by the storm. While she had nothing but praise for the ESB and Irish Water crews working tirelessly on the ground, she was deeply disappointed by the response from agencies and authorities at a national level: “Every company has a disaster relief plan, and whatever happened, those plans either weren’t or couldn’t be executed”.

In 2025, in Ireland, one would hope never to hear what Florence told us next. For the first three days following Storm Éowyn, many houses had no running water. For some, the problem persisted well into the following week. Florence was fortunate – her water was restored relatively quickly. But what about the elderly, she asked? Those who, without power, had to travel to the shops daily because they had no fridges, no freezers. The empathy for those on fixed and limited incomes was a common trend throughout the day.

This is the side of the storm’s aftermath that often goes unnoticed. We speak of fallen trees and power outages, but we rarely think about the quiet struggles – people forced into daily treks for essentials, parents trying to comfort children in cold, dark houses, the elderly left to cope without the basic utilities many of us take for granted.

Boyle Family Resource Centre – an example of ’meitheal’

Our next stop brought us to the Boyle Family Resource Centre. Here, we met with Louise Moran, the centre’s manager and a key figure on the Community Storm Response Group led by Roscommon County Council.

Louise painted a picture of both devastation and resilience. Across the county, 37 community organisations had mobilised to support those without power. The resource centre itself had become a lifeline. For expectant mothers. For newborns. For entire families. For elderly residents in need of warmth and safety.

Though many had their power restored over the weekend, pockets of North Roscommon remained without electricity as we went to print.

Neighbours helping neighbours

From Boyle’s rural hinterland, we met Mags Cryan, who spoke with deep compassion about the struggles of those around her. She told us of the true community spirit in evidence locally.

That same spirit was evident everywhere we went. From GAA clubs to schools to local businesses, the communities across North Roscommon had rallied to ensure that the most vulnerable were not left behind.

Patience dwindles 

As the recovery pushes into its third week for some, patience is wearing thin.

“I do what I can to stay out of the house as long as possible,” Mags Cryan admitted when I asked how she was coping with the long, dark evenings. With a wry smile, she quipped that her farmer’s hat, equipped with a light, had become essential for night-time reading.

The frustration wasn’t with the ESB crews themselves. If anything, their efforts had been met with widespread praise for their dedication. The anger, however, was directed elsewhere – towards a government that most feel failed to plan and whose response for many in North Roscommon felt was severely lacking.

Time and again, we heard the same sentiment: this would never be tolerated on the east coast. Several people told us they had previously lived in Dublin or along the commuter belt and had never experienced such prolonged power outages.

What now?

As Louise Moran and her team at the Boyle Family Resource Centre continue their daily engagement with Roscommon County Council and the Storm Response Group, their focus remains on those still waiting for power. Hopes are pinned on restoration efforts being completed by this weekend.

But beyond this storm, beyond this recovery, a larger question looms. How many more times will rural communities in the west be left waiting in the dark? How many more storms will it take before the necessary investments are made to fortify our infrastructure?

The silver lining in the storm cloud of Éowyn has been the unbreakable spirit of the people of Roscommon.

A young perspective

At the Boyle Family Resource Centre, amidst the storm response efforts and community outreach, we had the opportunity to speak with Amélie Frazer, a third-year student at Abbey Community College in Boyle.

Amélie is in the thick of her mock exams, a crucial milestone for any student. But studying under normal conditions is one thing – preparing for exams by candlelight is quite another.

Thankfully, she has the refuge of the Boyle Family Resource Centre during the day, along with the support of her school. But the disruption caused by Storm Éowyn extended beyond electricity.

Telecommunications were also down for a while, which brought an unexpected mix of consequences. On the one hand, Amélie admitted that being cut off from certain apps and devices may have helped her focus. On the other, it significantly hindered research and project work – something that would have been unthinkable a generation ago but is now an integral part of modern education.

For many of us, the idea of completing schoolwork without internet access isn’t all that foreign. We grew up in an era where research meant flicking through encyclopaedias and making do with whatever books the school library had to offer. But for today’s students, digital access isn’t a luxury – it’s a necessity. And when it’s taken away, the impact is real.

Amélie, for her part, is getting on with it. Studying in whatever way she can. Making use of whatever resources are available. And, perhaps most importantly, appreciating the simple act of going to school – something that so many of her peers have been deprived of in recent weeks.

The post Anger, frustration and resilience as communities grapple with storm fallout appeared first on Roscommon People.

Almost a week on, the people of County Roscommon and the people of Ireland are still dealing with the fallout of Storm Éowyn.

Early last Friday morning, January 24th, a Status Red wind warning came into effect for the whole island of Ireland as the nation braced for what was predicted to be the worst storm to hit the island on record.

According to meteorologists at Met Éireann, the storm was the worst on record going by every metric since meteorological records began. Ireland’s western seaboard and midland counties, including Roscommon, bore the brunt of the force of the storm.

Roscommon has been one of the most badly affected counties in the country. Taoiseach Micheál Martin visited the county on Tuesday to meet members of the public and emergency responders.

Deputy Martin visited the Emergency Response Hub (ERH) set up to provide the public with access to basic services in D’Gaff Community Centre on Barrack Street in Castlerea, met with firefighters in Ballaghaderreen and also visited the ERH at St Brigid’s GAA Centre in Kiltoom.

Storm Éowyn struck with gusts measuring up to 183 km/h and caused widespread damage to property including homes, businesses and community facilities. Sadly it also led to the loss of one life, with 20-year-old Kacper Dudek in Donegal being killed when his car was hit by a falling tree as he returned home from work on Friday morning.

Widespread power outages and mass disruption to telecommunication services continue across the county and the country as the Roscommon People goes to print on Wednesday evening.

There was extensive property damage reported across Roscommon and in surrounding counties with damage to family homes, farm buildings, businesses and community facilities being widespread. The 300-year-old Elphin Windmill was damaged, with its iconic sails being ripped from the structure in the high winds.

Extensive damage

The storm also downed hundreds of trees across the county with extensive damage reported at the Demesne in Castlerea, Loughnaneane Park in Roscommon Town, Mote Park outside of Roscommon Town, and at Roscommon Golf Club, where dozens of trees were damaged.

According to Club Captain Robert McConn, Roscommon Golf Club saw between 70 and 100 trees being downed on the course and in the woods. But there has been a massive volunteer response and thankfully there was no major structural damage to the course infrastructure such as greens and tee boxes. It is hoped to have a limited number of holes playable on a restricted basis by this weekend.

According to Eilish Feeley of the Mote Park Conservation Group, Coillte began work on harvesting damaged trees at Mote Park on Tuesday morning.

Castlerea Towns Trust said it was devastated to witness the huge amount of damage to the town’s Demesne in the wake of Storm Éowyn.

“Surveying the damage on Friday morning was truly heartbreaking,” said Trust Chairperson Liam Scahill.

In Ballyhaunis, the €3.1m Connacht GAA Air Dome was destroyed by the storm.

In Roscommon Town, there was significant damage caused to a family home on the Athlone Road (see separate story).

Across Roscommon, roofs were blown off farm buildings. The Irish Farmers’ Association said that the storm had “wreaked havoc across the country”.

Disruption and initial response

Roscommon County Council, ESB Networks, Uisce Éireann and Irish Rail have been working around the clock since Storm Éowyn hit on Friday to undo the disruption caused to local power supplies, water supplies, road networks and rail networks.

Nationally, ESB Networks reported 768,000 customers had been hit with power outages. Virtually all local and regional road networks were affected by fallen trees.

Mobile phone customers across Roscommon, East Galway and West Longford continued to report disruption to phone and internet services as the Roscommon People went to print on Wednesday evening and approximately 9,000 customers in County Roscommon and surrounding areas remain without power. The majority of these are scheduled to have power restored by Friday, January 31st, but some customers in more remote areas are being given estimates as far out as February 5th in relation to when they can expect to have power restored.

In the initial days following Storm Éowyn, restoration efforts were slowed significantly by damage to the telecommunication networks, with phone and broadband services taking multiple days to be restored across the country. Over the weekend, continued severe weather also slowed the initial response.

On Friday, Roscommon County Council’s phone services were down and many thousands of residents were left without phone or internet service to check for updates.

Ireland West Airport Knock was non-operational from 4 am until 1 pm on Friday with normal service not being restored until later that day, as the knock-on effects of the storm continued to impact on flight schedules.

Community hubs

Monday saw the scheduled monthly meeting of Roscommon County Council going ahead. Members of the council were advised that the local authority was at the time working with approximately 15 community groups (this number has since more than doubled) around the county to set up hubs where people can access basic services such as water, food, phone charging, broadband access and showering facilities.

The groups involved will be assisted financially by the local authority.

On Tuesday, it was announced that power restoration efforts were receiving an international boost as it was confirmed that the European Commission would supply 17 power generators to Ireland and support crews from the Netherlands, Austria, Norway, Finland and the UK began arriving to support ESB Networks’ power supply restoration efforts.

Rail services in the west continued to be affected through to Tuesday with the Ballina/Westport routes impacted due to ongoing widespread power outages.

As we go to print on Wednesday, the number of organisations providing community hubs for those affected by ongoing power outages in Roscommon has grown to over 30. That’s according to Roscommon County Council’s website where a full listing of the hubs and the services available at each one are detailed. Many of the hubs are offering showering facilities and Wi-Fi access to the public free of charge.

Local communities rallying together

As residents of Roscommon and surrounding areas continue to reel from the effects of Storm Éowyn, communities and businesses across the country have rallied to support those most impacted.

A Local Co-Ordination Group led by Roscommon County Council and including input from community organisations has seen communities the length and breadth of Roscommon rally together to ensure those worst affected by Storm Éowyn can access basics such as water, hot food, showering facilities, and broadband access.

Towns, villages and townlands across west Roscommon and East Galway such as Loughglynn, Castlerea, Ballaghaderreen, Glenamaddy, Creggs and Williamstown have been some of the worst-hit areas, many of them facing days-long water and power outages. Over the weekend, local group water schemes worked tirelessly to get generators in place at water scheme pump stations to restore water supplies to rural areas.

As water outages continue across the region, alternative water supplies have been deployed in Williamstown, Ballinameen, Boyle, and Castlerea with boil water advisories. Additionally, boil water notices remain active in numerous areas across west and north Roscommon in the aftermath of the storm.

Local volunteers, in conjunction with Roscommon and Galway County Council crews, worked to clear trees from the local road networks on Friday and through the weekend.

Hospitality

Hannon’s Hotel in Roscommon Town offered free accommodation to staff working at Roscommon University Hospital on Thursday and Friday.

When contacted by the Roscommon People, Damien Hannon told us that they accommodated approximately 25 hospital employees on Thursday night but suffered total loss of power, gas, heat and phone service following the storm and had to close on Friday night. They reopened on Saturday following the restoration of power and like many hotels in the county have been providing accommodation to ESB Networks crews and essential workers.

Geraldine Grealy, Marketing Manager at the Abbey Hotel located in the Abbeytown area of Roscommon Town, noted that the hotel was fortunate to have had a generator in place and could provide services to the public throughout the storm and recovery periods. While their phone and internet services were impacted temporarily, they were able to continue to trade.

“We were glad to be able to provide local healthcare workers, remote workers and families with small children with a warm, safe haven during the storm and in the days since. Members of the public are welcome to charge their phones, medical devices, store medicines and avail of meals,” Ms Grealy told the Roscommon People. “We have to acknowledge the tremendous support of our hard-working staff, without whom we would not have been able to provide these essential services during the storm and in its aftermath”.

Ann Dalton (90) left her home in Knockcroghery on Sunday and checked into the Abbey Hotel to avail of the comfort.

“There’s great comfort… I was living by candlelight at home after the storm. No electricity, no phones, no television, no internet. Every hotel in the town was booked out Friday and Saturday”.

Speaking to the Roscommon People, Ms Dalton said she hoped to be able to return home as soon as possible but quipped that she wouldn’t mind hotel living for a month if she had to, as long as her friend didn’t mind feeding her four adopted cats!

Businesses impacted 

Across the region, dozens of businesses faced prolonged power outages with the disruptions causing longer than expected closures. The impact of extended closures is being felt mainly in rural areas with some suburban areas also affected.

The Abbeytown area of Roscommon Town endured some of the most prolonged power outages in the county town with power being restored to the main commercial area of the suburb on Tuesday.

Declan Molloy of Molloy’s Bakery spoke to the Roscommon People and despite being without power until Tuesday, he highlighted the exemplary effort and work of ESB workers, some of whom he had been speaking with over the weekend. Mr Molloy added: “Thanks to the hard work of staff we were able to fulfil essential pre-orders ahead of the weekend but unfortunately we lost out on the weekend’s trade and a fair bit of stock”.

Mr Molloy noted that because storms and power outages are becoming more frequent, they will have to “seriously consider” acquiring an industrial-scale generator to run the substantial bakery operation during future power outages: “We reckon a 110KVA would be the minimum we’d need, and we have started seeking tenders”.

In Dromod, Cox’s Steakhouse was temporarily closed following damage caused to their gas tanks by falling trees during Storm Éowyn and continued power outages. However, the establishment was due to reopen today (Thursday) following restoration of power on Wednesday. The Cox family has directed local people in need of charging facilities to their nursing home, Shannon Lodge, in Rooskey.

The Brandywell and The Copper Still restaurants have reopened following the storm and are providing charging facilities to the public.

Elphin Mart was closed on Monday, again due to an ongoing power outage. Multiple schools across Roscommon that are impacted by continued power outages have also remained closed in the early part of this week.

GAA Air Dome

Connacht GAA’s Air Dome was destroyed by the high-speed winds, as the destructive Storm Éowyn levelled the €3.1m facility near Ballyhaunis, Co Mayo.

The Air Dome was officially opened in January 2022 and has hosted GAA games at inter-county, school, club and college levels. The venue is used extensively by teams around Connacht. Mercy College Roscommon won a Connacht title there the day before the storm (see page 36).

Connacht GAA members had checked the site at 2.30 am on the night of the storm; however, Connacht GAA confirmed that there were thankfully no members of staff onsite when the damage occurred, and no injuries had been reported.

Connacht GAA said: “Thanks to everyone for their support. It is our full intention to rebuild this magnificent facility as soon as possible”.

The Roscommon People remains committed to supporting all those affected by Storm Éowyn and we hope all businesses and community groups can get back to operating at full capacity as soon as possible.

If you have a story to share about the impact Storm Éowyn has had on you or your business/community group, please contact news@roscommonpeople.ie.

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The scheme, announced by Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary, provides financial support for essentials such as food, clothing, household items, and structural repairs.

Dr Daly emphasised that over 700,000 homes were initially left without power and urged residents to seek support.

“Recovering from an event like this takes time, and it is important that those impacted know practical help is available,” he said, providing details of a designated helpline for urgent cases.

Deputy Fitzmaurice outlined the three-stage approach of the scheme, ranging from immediate emergency payments to long-term assistance for home repairs.

He added, “This scheme prevents hardship by ensuring those whose homes have been damaged can access financial help when they need it most”.

Updating constituents via Facebook, Roscommon-Galway Sinn Féin TD Claire Kerrane has been providing updates concerning the financial support available to those in need and the locations of emergency response hubs throughout the county.

Residents requiring assistance are encouraged to contact Community Welfare Services at 0818 60 70 80 or the weekend emergency line at 087 2895001.

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