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The post VIDEO: Castlerea – Our Town, Our Future appeared first on Roscommon People.

Illustrations: Paraic Newman
Words: Paul Healy

Name: Angela Webb

We know her because: She’s a Castlerea Musical Society stalwart (and involved in other community causes, including Daffodil Day)

A phrase that describes her: ‘Dedicated to the performing arts’

What sources told us: “A lovely person” and “A lady with a beautiful smile”

Did you know? Angela is a native of Clonberne, Co. Galway

What she might say: “How’s your people?”

Name: Danny Burke

We know him because: Danny has a remarkable track record of community volunteerism

A phrase that describes him: ‘Irrepressible, a character, fiercely proud GAA man’

Did you know? Danny is a former County Roscommon overall Person of the Year award winner

What sources told us: “A legend”, “A great storyteller”, “A one-off”, “Still volunteering with GAA”

What he sometimes says: “Ladies and gents, boys and girls!”

Name: Benny O’Connell

We know him because: He’s headed up Enterprise Castlerea for many years, and is a well-known businessman in the town

A phrase that describes him: ‘A man who is deeply committed to the development of the town’

Did you know? Benny was a County Roscommon Person of the Year Award winner

What sources told us: Only for Benny the Hub in Castlerea would not be there!

What he sometimes says: ‘White or brown, sliced or unsliced?’

Name: Aoife O’Rourke

We know her because: Aoife is a world class amateur boxer, already a European champion and an Olympian

A phrase that describes her: ‘Determined, focused, a champion’

Did you know? Last week Aoife’s sister Lisa brought further glory to the family, town, county and country when she too won European gold

What sources told us: Aoife is a lovely person who comes from a great family (which we knew!)

What she might say: “I’ll be back!”

Name: Breege Callaghan

We know her because: She’s a driving force behind Trinity Arts Centre and is also involved in Town Team

A phrases that describes her: ‘Very active community person’

Did you know? Breege has been a prominent spokesperson for the PNA (Psychiatric Nurses Association)

What sources told us: She’s a woman of boundless energy with a distinguished record of community involvement

What she might say (according to a source): “Sure we must be mad!”

Name: Tom Flynn

We know him because: He runs a famous, quirky, landmark shop in the town. Tom is a long-time member of the Castlerea Brass & Reed Band, and has also been involved in Castlerea Musical Society

A phrase that describes him: A unique and popular town character

Did you know? According to our sources, Tom rings Gerry Beirne once a week to order sawdust!

What sources told us: “A legend” and “A lovely man” with one source adding “I hope he lives to be 140!”

Do say to Tom: By any chance would you have some fishing tackle…and brussels sprouts?

Don’t say to him: You can’t fit any more in that shop!

What he might say: “Well lad” and “Thank you, lady!”

The post LOCAL HEROES: Castlerea community champions appeared first on Roscommon People.

Tell us a bit about yourself?

My name is Katie Drury. I’m 26-years-old and come from Ballindrimley, where I grew up on a farm in a family of eleven siblings and our very supportive parents, Ann and David. I run Bastion K2tchen in Castlerea with my sisters Josie (30) and Karen (23).

When did you open Bastion K2tchen?

We opened on January 7^th last year. It is a franchise of our sister business in Athlone, which is run by Ann Sheehy and is open the last eight and a half years. Bastion K2tchen is run by Josie, myself, and Karen and we also have a great team in Sarah, Aisling, Ellie, Shauna and Allanah.

  We felt like Castlerea needed something different. It was the height of Covid so it was a bit of a crazy time to open but at the same time it was amazing because of the support we received from people in Castlerea and around Roscommon. We only opened for takeaway initially but we received great support.

How has the lifting of Covid restrictions impacted the business?

It’s been super-busy since and we’ve been doing events outside too away from the café. But since the restrictions were lifted we have definitely seen an improvement with more people dropping in. People were still a bit apprehensive (when restrictions began to ease) and would stick to the takeaway service but now we definitely see more people sitting inside. It’s been a very positive thing.

  Even during the restrictions and following the guidelines, people actually really appreciated that we were taking their details and checking for Covid certificates. A lot of people would tell us they felt a bit safer and that was important because we do have a lot of different people coming in and so it was about making sure they were all safe.

Tell us about the menu…

Our whole ethos is home-cooked food and as locally sourced as possible. Growing up on a farm, we were used to mam’s homecooking and we also grow a lot of the produce ourselves such as the potatoes and beets and all that kind of stuff.

  We’re known for our spelt bread, our hummus, pesto, relishes, and all our fresh baked goods as well. We also do salads and wraps/sandwiches but we do a lot of different specials too. We cater for people who are vegan and gluten-free and I think that’s where we stand out a little bit in Castlerea. We suit customers who have different dietary requirements and we’ve become known for that in the past year.

  When it comes to coffee, we stock McCabe’s from Wicklow but we also do a number of alternatives. People can be apprehensive about beetroot coffee or Matcha tea but once they try it out they really enjoy it!

The post A Bastion of homemade food in Castlerea appeared first on Roscommon People.

  The Castlerea Kings are now back in full swing at The Hub, and they’re also back in familiar territory at the top of the LLR Area Board League after a slow start to the season.

  “We were allowed back training in pods of three initially and we had to sign in through Google and fill out the Covid questionnaires,” said player/coach Tomás Callaghan.

  “Once the vaccine was rolled out it started to get easier but we had to play without spectators for a while because the numbers allowed included referees and table officials, not just the players.

  “The men’s team had just three games before Christmas and the women’s team had two. We were very busy after Christmas with the games coming thick and fast. It’s been a really competitive league this year and we’re now looking forward to an exciting run-in and maintaining our position in the top four”.

  The women’s team, previously known as Castlerea Cosmos, returned in August of last year with young players from Castlerea Community School’s senior team coming on board.

  “There was a good senior team in Castlerea CS and they’re now part of the club. Some of them also play other sports like GAA and they are impressive athletes,” Tomás says.

  “Lisa and Aoife O’Rourke also play but they’re also busy with the boxing which is understandable. The beauty of basketball is that six or seven players can rock up for a game and put on a performance”.

  Despite work, study and other sporting commitments, the Kings have been successful in fulfilling fixtures since the restart, which demonstrates the level of hunger for basketball in Castlerea.

  Looking to the future, Tomás believes it’s important to develop the club’s underage structures.

  “Next year we hope to look at underage development and entering U-16 teams. I’ve taken up a leadership role and we also have Joe Henry involved with schools basketball of course. The aim is to create a really strong club,” Tomás adds.

  “Hopefully with the club teams and the Community Games there will be a lot more basketball being played and plenty of new faces”.

The post Kings back on court at Castlerea Hub appeared first on Roscommon People.

Originally from Dublin, Meaghan O’Doherty now lives near Ballinlough, where she has fully embraced farm life with her partner David. Crowned Castlerea Rose in 2015, the 28-year-old works at St. Michael’s Special School and is also a RINKA instructor in the town and at other local venues too. She recently provided Dan Dooner with a complete RINKA rundown…

Tell us a bit about RINKA?

RINKA Ireland originated in Donegal town and Sarah Gillespie is the CEO. She set up RINKA due to her past experiences of how important fitness and movement is for children. Sandra Griffin is with RINKA Midlands and she is excellent too. Sarah and Sandra are two people I look up to and it’s great to see women running a business.

  I was an Irish dancer for years and so was Sarah and there is an element of dance and free movement in the classes. It’s a fitness class for kids aged three up to eleven and we are also trying to get RINKA Toddle Dance up and running too. We have also worked with first year students in secondary schools.

Where do classes take place in Castlerea?

Classes take place at Trinity Arts Centre and before Covid I would have been doing two classes a day Monday to Friday. We had a class for ages 3-5 early in the evenings and then class for ages 6-11 later on. So around 22 children in a class and over 100 kids a week. I also did birthday parties at the weekends too. I started in February 2019 and it took off straight away. It was something new and different in Castlerea and I wanted to cater for kids who weren’t interested in team sports or the other activities that are well represented in town.

What does a typical RINKA class involve?

At RINKA, we have activities around ball skills, gymnastics, and we work on all the fundamental movements and skills. We incorporate games and activities so that all children can work on as much of these movements and skills as they can. They then find out what they like and don’t like. This then opens up pathways to other activities as they get older.

  The main focus is making sure a child smiles when they come to class and that they’re comfortable but that their confidence grows. Classes are a really positive setting and kids are met with a smiling, friendly instructor who’s willing to help them with being more physically active in a fun environment. It’s always about the kids and even during lockdown I made sure that I kept in contact with parents and that they were kept up to date with what was happening online.

How did Covid impact RINKA?

Like school, RINKA was just shut down as soon as we went into the first lockdown. The kids had their friends in school but they also had their friends in RINKA and that was a huge thing. It really affected them mentally and physically. When classes shut down we offered online classes and free workouts with Sandra and AJ from RINKA Midlands. It was great to be able to provide that but there wasn’t that physical presence in class. It was very hard to give guidance through a screen.

  When the announcement was made by then Taoiseach Leo Varadkar, the first thing I though about was the kids and how disappointed they’d be. As time went on, I really started to panic because the kids were missing out on physical activity and the social element.

When did you resume classes and what’s the plan for 2022?

I reopened in November of 2021, a year and a half since we first shut down. We had gone from one lockdown to another and I just didn’t want to be promising parents and kids a week of classes here and there. I started off with a Facebook post announcing that I was coming back at the end of October last year and the waiting list started to get longer and longer again!

  Before Covid, I had classes in a number of other places such as Ballymoe, Tooreen and Ballyhaunis, and there are still kids waiting for me to come back to those areas.

  I’m hoping that we can get back to doing two classes in Castlerea twice a week after Easter and that maybe someone else will come on board with me so we can cover those other areas again.

  There’s something special about going into a class full of kids…you just bounce off their energy! Parents have told me that their kids just don’t get as excited about other activities as they do for RINKA. It’s really nice when you get to see that side of things.

The post The Rinka Rose! appeared first on Roscommon People.

By Isabelle Flanagan

People often use the phrase “absence makes the heart grow fonder”, and I couldn’t agree more. When I was twelve, I lived in Brussels for a year and a half. I never realised how much Castlerea really meant to me until I left. Castlerea is an amazing place to live, but there is definitely a lot of potential that needs to be unlocked.

More power must be given to local authorities. We not only need County Councils, we also need Town Councils with real powers to make decisions. Currently there is virtually no public input into decisions that affect our lives. Instead they are made by faceless bureaucrats and rubber-stamped by powerless councillors.

More investments must be made into public transport and cycle infrastructure. When it comes to public transport we need more frequent services which would allow people to travel for work without the need of a car.

Adequate cycle infrastructure could transform Castlerea. Cycling is not only good for the environment but also for our health. Cycle lanes tackle pollution, reduce traffic congestion and boost the local economy. It really is a win-win!

Good quality internet connection nowadays is no longer a luxury but is essential. For people to participate in society it must be treated as essential. If everyone in Castlerea had access, more people would be able to work and study from home. The rollout of high quality broadband must be a priority.

Housing is a fundamental right. Historically, Castlerea has had relatively reasonable prices and supply was not usually an issue. However, rural places like Castlerea are now being impacted by the housing crisis. We must aim for our new housing stock to be affordable and integrated.

We need to move to a situation where 100 per cent of housing in Castlerea gets as close as possible to acceptable standards when it comes to insulation. I am aware this does not come cheap, however people must be given as much help as possible. In recent times, people have been noticing huge hikes in energy prices. From April 15th the average electricity bill will go up by 27 per cent. We should be producing our energy locally through solar panels on roofs of houses as well on schools and other public buildings. This way we can have control over costs, whereas currently we are like a cork bobbing around the ocean.

Our food should also be produced locally. Take for example Benny’s Deli in Castlerea where you can buy bread, cakes, jam, tarts, cheese, honey and many more products which are all made locally. Benny’s also stock ‘Black Donkey Beer’ which is made just out the road in Ballinlough. Another great business is Cloonconra Cheese, who produce fresh and mature farmhouse cheese from the milk of their herd of pedigree Irish moiled cows. Our money is much better spent in small local businesses as the money actually stays in our local economy instead of going to CEOs of big companies.

We are lucky to have four brilliant schools in Castlerea town. I would like to see a Castlerea where all of our schools are mixed and non-denominational. It is extremely outdated to split up children based on their gender. We live in such a diverse town, it would make much more sense for the children to learn about more than just one religion.

Biodiversity loss is a major problem for Ireland. One in every five of the species assessed in Ireland is threatened with extinction. We have a great asset in The Demesne and many other walkways in Castlerea. They, along with areas owned by the council, must be rewilded. We basically need much less mowing – not every single green space needs to look prim and proper. The use of pesticides and herbicides in public green spaces must be greatly reduced and alternatives used. We also need many more public bins to reduce litter.

Last but not least, anyone who has been ‘caught short’ will agree with the following observation. Public toilets are vital. People should not have to depend on private businesses to carry out the most basic human function. They should be seen as a public amenity. This certainly shouldn’t be treated as a luxury.

The post Castlerea: Our Town, Our Future appeared first on Roscommon People.

  ‘Somebody Else’ was produced by Stu Gray of Jealoustown Studios and mastered by Billy Farrell, and released last Friday, March 25^th. The new singles features raw and edgy vocals, bright melodies and rolling pop synths. The single has already gained the attention of radio stations such as BBC ATL, iRadio, and RTÉ 2fm.

  Keith Cassidy of BBC Radio said: “This is the first proper pop song I’ve danced around my room to for a long time!”

  ‘Somebody Else’ by Arlene is available on all streaming platforms including Spotify, iTunes, and YouTube now. You can follow Arlene on social media @arlene_music.

The post Arlene releases new single ‘Somebody Else’  appeared first on Roscommon People.

The Castlerea Musical Society was no exception of course as the pandemic forced the popular and successful local institution into an unwelcome two-year hiatus.

Secretary Mary Heaney said members were devastated when their highly-anticipated production of The Addams Family had to be postponed four weeks out from opening night back in 2020.

“Our rehearsals were called off in 2020…we made the decision ourselves just before the Government introduced the lockdown,” Mary said.

“We were due to stage The Addams Family in April 2020 and no one knew how long this dreaded virus would go on for. Initially, we postponed the production until autumn 2020 and then we had to postpone until April of last year…”

Due to the rising number of cases early last year it was decided to postpone once more until 2022 but a similar post-Christmas trend meant the show just couldn’t go on.

“The numbers rose again over last Christmas but we were hoping to return early this year. We decided to call a meeting of cast members just before Christmas and a lot of people thought back to the previous Christmas and the trouble we had in early 2021. Our decision was to postpone once more without putting a date on our return,” Mary said.

The musical society has nothing planned for 2022 so far but it is hoped that members will return later in the year with the aim of staging the long-awaited production in early 2023.

“Back in December people just felt they wouldn’t be comfortable if rehearsals were to start in mid-January, which was completely understandable with the number of cases,” Mary said.

“Social distancing was still in place back then…I mean how could you put 30 people on stage and why would you put some people in danger?”

While it might take a bit longer than first expected, Castlerea’s Musical Society will return stronger than ever, according to its secretary: “People will come back of course, and we are looking forward to that. We’re just hoping everyone will be available for our big production next year!”

The post Castlerea Musical Society ready to return to the stage! appeared first on Roscommon People.

The Roscommon Women’s Network (RWN) Training Services, Castlerea, offers such a qualification, and is now recruiting for all courses in healthcare, computers and retail skills. Call 094-9621690, call/text 087-2718118, or email training@rwn.ie for more information. Apply online at fetchcourses.ie and search RWN to see all available courses.

Roscommon Women’s Network Creative Writing Course is also open. The aim of this course is to learn simple, practical and creative writing skills that will help students identify and express feelings, as well as organise thoughts that may sometimes be too difficult to express in conversation or in a group. It is especially beneficial to anyone in recovery from substance abuse or trauma.

The eight-week, one morning per week course is open to women and men and will be delivered in RWN in Castlerea during April and May, with specific days and times to be confirmed. Participants will be supported to explore and discover their individual writing voice with others without judgment or fear, in a confidential safe space. Through the process you will become more aware of thoughts, actions and feelings.

To register or find out more, please call 094-9621690, message 086-8099154, email info@rwn.ie, or send a private message to RWN on Facebook.

The post A number of courses on offer with RWN appeared first on Roscommon People.

Tell us a bit about yourself…

I am originally from Clifden, the heart of Connemara in Co. Galway, but I have been living in Castlerea for the past 30 years, where I worked with the HSE. My husband Eamonn is from Grange in Co. Sligo. We have five children, who are all adults now, and five grandchildren.

When did your first become involved in golf and what attracted you to the sport?


My husband Eamonn introduced me to golf. Having played hockey in school, the transition was relatively easy…even though at times it was challenging and even frustrating! I got the golf bug and it was always fun.

When did you become a member of Castlerea Golf Club and what roles have you held?

I became a member of Castlerea Golf Club when we moved here in the spring of 1994 and I have served on various club committees over the years. I was Lady Captain in 2006 and Club Secretary in 2011.

When did you become involved as an official at national level?

In September 2011 I was asked by the Secretary of the Irish Ladies Golf Union (ILGU) Connacht District if I would be willing to coordinate a regional training programme for girls in the northwest during the winter months. I carried out this role for three years while at the same time serving on the Connacht District Committee a Handicap Advisor. This role led me to becoming Connacht Chair of Handicapping from 2015 to 2020. I was also on the ILGU/GUI joint Connacht Course Rating Committee and the national committees of both from 2018 to 2020.

In 2017, I joined the first joint GUI and ILGU World Handicapping System, which is used as our handicap system today. This committee was one of the first sub-committees of Golf Ireland.

In November 2020, I was elected by Connacht clubs to the first Connacht Regional Executive Committee. I was then nominated the first female President of Golf Ireland.

How did it feel to be nominated first female President of Golf Ireland?

To be named the first female President of Golf Ireland is the honour of a lifetime and one I’m extremely proud of.

What message would you like to give to fellow female golfers?

I would say that one can take up the game of golf no matter what stage of life they are at. Volunteering is also very important as it helps your club to develop strong roots and allows it to pass the game on to the next generation. Golf is for everyone to enjoy. It’s a healthy pastime and can be played for life.

What are you hoping to achieve during your tenure?

I hope to visit as many host clubs and affiliated clubs as possible to thank them all for the work they do for the good of golf.

The post Introducing… Golf Ireland’s first female President! appeared first on Roscommon People.