National Enterprise Week began with a flourish in Roscommon on Monday, as the County Enterprise Awards took centre stage at the Hodson Bay Hotel. Hosted by Roscommon Local Enterprise Office (LEO), the event celebrated some of the county’s most innovative and ambitious businesses across various industries.

Winners were announced in four categories – Outstanding Contribution, Smart Business, Growth and Ambition, and One to Watch – alongside the coveted Overall Winner award.

In his address at the ceremony, CEO of Roscommon County Council, Shane Tiernan, commended the role of small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in sustaining the local economy, praising Roscommon LEO for facilitating the creation of over 1,000 jobs in the sector.

“The businesses honoured here today epitomise the qualities of innovation, resilience, creativity, and ambition that are necessary to create employment and wealth for communities across the county,” Mr Tiernan said.

He acknowledged the current global challenges, including inflation and geopolitical uncertainty, but expressed confidence in the county’s business community. “The spirit of entrepreneurship in Roscommon remains strong and enduring,” he added.

Cathaoirleach of Roscommon County Council, Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice, noted that the awards, now in their 26th year, form part of a wider programme of events taking place throughout National Enterprise Week. Addressing those in attendance, he said: “Your businesses and those of similar business are the economic heartbeat of the county.”

Celebrating success

The title of Overall Winner at the 2025 County Enterprise Awards went to Euro Accessories Sales Ltd, based just outside Rooskey. Managing Director Ray Gilsenan accepted the award, accompanied by his family.

Speaking to the Roscommon People following the event, Mr Gilsenan credited the LEO’s support for his company’s growth, which started in his garage before expanding to a team of ten employees in Rooskey.

“We had an old Chinese machine and the production was quite slow,” he explained. However, with the assistance of the LEO, his production capacity “tripled.”

The Ambition and Growth Award was presented to FarmLab Diagnostics, based in Elphin. Represented by John Gilmore, the company specialises in the analysis of animal samples to monitor disease and overall animal health. Since its foundation in 2012, the business has expanded significantly.

The award for Outstanding Contribution went to Patricia O’Flaherty of Naomh Padraig Handcrafts. Based in Cloonshee, Strokestown, Ms O’Flaherty previously worked with the Sliabh Bán Handcraft Co-Operative before establishing her own business 30 years ago. The handcraft business produces all manner of traditional Irish crafts and exports two-thirds of its products to the USA.

The One to Watch Award was won by Healthy Bake Ltd, an artisan bakery founded by Timea Kovacs. The company, known for its ‘Best FREE FROM’ range, aims to make inclusive meals without compromising on quality.

“I absolutely love the support,” Ms Kovacs said of the LEO: “They are probably sick of me because I have been on for every kind of support they offer.”

The Smart Business Award was presented to Fergal Cormican of Cormican’s, a long-standing family business on Abbey Street in Roscommon Town. Originally a school book supplier, the business has expanded over its 44-year history to include an extensive wholesale operation, an online store, and a range of arts, crafts, and office supplies.

The County Enterprise Awards continue to serve as a showcase for the innovation and determination of Roscommon’s entrepreneurs. As National Enterprise Week progresses, further events and workshops will highlight the support available to local businesses looking to grow and develop.

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The scheme builds on the Increased Cost of Business (ICOB) Scheme, which has already delivered €244m to 75,000 small and medium enterprises (SMEs), including 38,000 in the retail and hospitality sectors. The Power Up Grant, backed by a €170m budget, will be available to businesses that previously received a second payment under the ICOB Scheme and continue to meet the eligibility criteria.

While Roscommon’s 657 approved businesses stand to gain from the initiative, the figure is lower than neighbouring counties such as Galway (1,022), Mayo (1,549), and Westmeath (926). Nationally, the highest number of eligible businesses is in Dublin City (4,093), followed by Cork County (2,819).

Minister Higgins stated that the grant aims to help businesses offset rising operational costs, particularly in the retail and hospitality sectors, which continue to experience financial pressure. The Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment is currently finalising implementation details, with funds expected to be distributed later this year.

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The HSE confirmed that while a lease was signed in late 2024, the developer failed to submit necessary documentation, making a new tender process necessary.

Fianna Fáil councillor Sean Moylan (Boyle MD), a member of the Regional Health Forum, sought an update on the project, first proposed in 2012. Senator Gareth Scahill called the delay disappointing, stressing that the town has been repeatedly let down. He, along with councillors Moylan and Emer Kelly, had pushed for progress, with Moylan leading due to the project’s location in his municipal district. Scahill says he plans to raise the matter in the Seanad.

Moylan noted that Ballaghaderreen’s population has grown 60 per cent in seven years, yet only two GPs serve the area. He pledged to continue working on the issue with Deputy Martin Daly, while Scahill will bring it to Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill.

The planned Convent Road development was set to replace the existing medical centre with a modern two-storey facility including a GP suite, pharmacy, and medical services over 13,300 square feet. Further delays now loom as a new tender process gets underway.

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A well-known community activist from Moore, Ms Duffy was the preferred choice of Fine Gael members at the co-option selection convention held in the Athlone Springs Hotel on Thursday night. She secured the seat after defeating Taughmaconnell’s Ger Grehan in the members’ vote.

The seat in the Athlone Local Electoral Area had remained unfilled since Cllr Naughten’s passing in October last year. The late John Naughten had been selected to run for Fine Gael in the General Election last November before his untimely passing. 

At the convention, Ms Duffy had the full support of the Naughten family. Former TD Denis Naughten spoke on behalf of the family ahead of the vote. Mr Nuaghten confirmed he had rejoined Fine Gael, having left the party in 2011 following the closure of Roscommon’s Emergency Department. He told the attendees that his late brother had selected who he wanted to replace him on Roscommon County Council if he was successful in the General Election confirming that the late councillor had pre-emptively selected Ms Duffy.

Speaking ahead of the convention, Ms Duffy acknowledged the contribution of the late councillor to the community: “Cllr Naughten made a real difference in our local communities, and I would like the opportunity to continue this good work, representing the views and issues that matter at county council level.”

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The HTB scheme, introduced to assist first-time buyers in securing a deposit for a newly-built home or self-build, offers a rebate on Income Tax and Deposit Interest Retention Tax (DIRT) paid in the previous four years. Despite its availability, Roscommon’s claim numbers remain relatively low.

Neighbouring Galway recorded 1,642 claims, significantly higher than Roscommon, while Mayo had 669. Meanwhile, Longford (104 claims) and Leitrim (99 claims) recorded some of the lowest figures nationwide, placing them alongside Roscommon as areas with the least engagement with the scheme.

By contrast, urban counties recorded much stronger uptake, with Dublin leading at 5,027 claims, followed closely by Cork (5,157) and Kildare (4,355). These counties also tend to have more new housing developments, making the scheme more accessible to first-time buyers.

Minister for Finance Paschal Donohoe, responding to the parliamentary query, reaffirmed that the scheme remains available in 2025 and continues to be reviewed for its effectiveness in improving access to homeownership. However, the data suggests that uptake remains considerably lower in counties where new housing supply is more limited, particularly in rural areas such as Roscommon, Longford, and Leitrim.

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Roscommon remains one of the most underserved counties in Ireland when it comes to IDA-facilitated site visits, with just seven recorded in 2024. While this is a slight increase from four visits in 2023 and three in 2022, it remains far behind other counties in the region and vastly lower than national trends.

The figures, released in response to a parliamentary question by Fianna Fáil TD Malcolm Byrne (Wicklow-Wexford), highlight the ongoing disparity in foreign direct investment (FDI) activity between different counties.

Then-Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) attempted to downplay the significance of site visit numbers, stating that they are “only one measure of a company’s interest in a particular location.” However, for counties like Roscommon – where FDI-backed job creation remains minimal – the lack of site visits is indicative of a broader failure to attract investment and opportunities.

Roscommon’s seven visits in 2024 pale in comparison to larger urban centres but also lag behind several neighbouring counties. Galway, for instance, recorded 34 visits, while Westmeath received 18 and Sligo had eight. Leitrim (1), Longford (2), and Mayo (1), also struggled with low numbers, remaining in a similar category to Roscommon of being largely overlooked for IDA-backed investment.

Nationally, Dublin (221 visits), Cork (41), and Limerick (38) continue to dominate the FDI landscape. While Dublin’s strategic importance as the capital is clear, the sharp contrast between site visits in the West and Midlands compared to more urban regions reflects a failure to push balanced economic development across the country.

While Minister Burke insists that 70% of IDA-backed investment comes from existing companies rather than new entrants, this does little to reassure counties like Roscommon, which lack a strong base of multinational employers to begin with. Without site visits, the chances of securing FDI-backed jobs remain slim, further entrenching economic imbalances between urban centres and rural counties.

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The new library, which will be located at the rear of the old Royal Hotel in Boyle, will be fully accessible and suitable for the delivery of innovative library services into the future. The modern two-storey design, when completed, will replace the public library currently located in the nearby King House in Boyle.

The tender notes: “This purpose-built community facility will form part of a programme of development to regenerate the centre of the town.

“It will be located in the Cultural Quarter of Boyle as Outlined in Boyle 2040.”

In 2018, Boyle 2040 – the plan to create a re-imagined, unique and interesting town centre for Boyle – was launched by the then-Minister for Communications Denis Naughten.

A key document for the town’s regeneration, Boyle 2040 regularly references the great asset that the river is to the town. The spaces of the new library that are orientated to the river will include floor-to-ceiling glazing, connecting it with external spaces.

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In 2000, then-teacher Tom Costello encouraged students to write letters outlining their lives, aspirations, and dreams for the future. These letters were sealed and placed in safekeeping at Roscommon Credit Union, with Mr Costello promising to return them 25 years later. Now retired, he has made good on that promise, with the letters set to be handed back on Saturday, 1st of March 2025, at 7 pm at Roscommon Community College.

The event will allow former students to reconnect with classmates and teachers, many of whom they have not seen in decades. The school, now operating under its new name, was also home to a physical time capsule, buried in 2000 and filled with memorabilia reflecting life at the turn of the century.

Alongside Tom Costello, Deputy Principal Jude Lohan, Principal Georgina Keena, Patricia Beirne, and Sean Mooney have played a key role in organising the event.

Speaking ahead of the reunion, Mr Costello said the event is about more than just retrieving letters – it is a chance to reflect on how lives have changed, the ambitions that were realised, and the paths that took unexpected turns.

Speaking to the Roscommon People, Mr Costello said the principal at the time, Paddy McGarry was very anxious to produce a Millennium time capsule.

At the turn of the Millennium, 200 or so students attended the school. He fondly recalled the pupils bringing in tapes and other popular items. The main time capsule was to be kept encapsulated for a lifetime and is located on the campus near the main entrance to the school, marked with a plaque.

Mr Costello told the Roscommon People that the pupils were curious about when they’d see their precious mementos again, and he reckoned it wouldn’t be in any of their lifetimes. So, a plan was afoot… in the form of a second time capsule that would be opened a quarter century later.

Mr Costello said: “We made and kept a photocopy of the original letters the children wrote. The he originals were out in the main capsule but we sealed the copies and left them in the credit union.

“One student volunteered to read out his letter at the formal gathering in 2000. It is hoped he can attend, but he is living in Australia now; he’ll join by Zoom, hopefully, if he can’t make it in person.”

Mr Costello continued: “Those who are no longer with us will be remembered in a kind way on the night. And it’s important to know that no one will be compelled to open their envelopes on the night but are welcome to.

“Some of what was written in the letters were deeply personal. Very private thoughts locked in time. Those who cannot attend will have their sealed envelopes returned to them if they are living abroad or can’t make it for whatever reason.”

Reflection and remembrance

The gathering will include tea, coffee, and a commemorative cake, baked by current students of Roscommon Community College. While the event is expected to be filled with nostalgia, it will also carry moments of poignancy, as classmates and teachers who have passed away over the years will be remembered.

While efforts have been made to contact past students, organisers acknowledge that many have moved away. Anyone who attended Roscommon Vocational School in 2000 is invited to attend, along with former staff.

For more information or to confirm attendance, contact: rosvocational2000@gmail.com.

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The figures, provided by the National Treatment Purchase Fund (NTPF) in response to a parliamentary question by Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore (Wicklow), highlight a continued decline in waiting list removals at the hospital over the past three years.

Roscommon’s figures follow a broader national trend in which outpatient waiting list removals peaked in 2023 at 115,341 patients before seeing a slight decrease to 115,311 in 2024.

The validation process, conducted by the NTPF, ensures that waiting lists are regularly reviewed, with hospitals contacting patients to confirm whether they still require their scheduled appointments. If patients indicate they no longer need the appointment or fail to respond, they are removed from the list.

Regional comparison

In comparison to Roscommon University Hospital, both Sligo University Hospital and Midland Regional Hospital Mullingar also experienced declines in waiting list removals, though their overall numbers remained higher.

Sligo recorded 3,620 removals in 2024, down from 4,619 in 2023 and 5,048 in 2022, showing a steady but less pronounced drop than Roscommon.

Mullingar, meanwhile, saw 2,032 patients removed in 2024, also down from 2,674 the previous year.

The figures indicate that while waiting list validation continues across all hospitals, the rate at which patients are being removed is decreasing in many areas. This could be due to improved list accuracy, meaning fewer duplicate or outdated entries, or a greater proportion of patients still requiring treatment.

National trends

Nationally, the number of outpatient waiting list removals remained relatively stable in 2024 at 115,311, following a peak of 115,341 in 2023.

The largest hospital contributors to these removals included Galway University Hospital (14,665), Beaumont Hospital (4,930), and St Vincent’s University Hospital (5,805).

The validation process, which was first centralised under the NTPF in 2018, aims to reduce waiting times and improve efficiency in scheduling appointments. The practice, previously handled at individual hospital level, is now a nationally coordinated system designed to ensure that hospital resources are allocated as efficiently as possible.

Despite efforts to streamline waiting lists, the continued high numbers of removals indicate ongoing pressures on Ireland’s hospital system, particularly in outpatient care. As waiting list management remains a key issue for the Department of Health, the focus will likely remain on reducing appointment backlogs and ensuring that those in need of care receive timely access to hospital services.

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  Welcoming the change, Minister for Transport Darragh O’Brien said: “This speed limit reduction will save lives because driving slower saves lives.”

  He continued: “Driving at a lower speed means that if you get into a collision, either as a driver or a vulnerable road user, death or serious injury is a significantly less likely outcome. It also means you are less likely to be involved in a collision at all.”

  Whilst the general consensus among most in the public sphere is that the move is a necessary one for road safety reasons, critics of the move have taken to social media to express their displeasure.

  One user on X.com (formerly Twitter), @Jordan_W_Taylor, said: “I don’t usually post politics, but…This month the Irish government starts reducing speed limits by 20kph across local & regional roads, to the limp-hand clapping of people who enjoy having their time stolen.”

  Another member of the public in Galway told RTÉ News last Friday that she was not in favour of the move as her experience with speed limits was that there was a lot of “hopping back and forth” and that you could be “80 one second and 60 the other” arguing that speed limits should be left as they are and that drivers should be “trusted to take care on the road.”

  Acting Director of Services with Roscommon County Council Greg O’Donnell said the local authority has been engaging with the Department in recent months in anticipation of these new changes: “In a rural county like Roscommon, we have a considerable local road network.”
  He continued: “These new measures will improve road safety, not only for motorists, but particularly residents and other road users using these roads.

  “These new speed limits will reduce incidents and the severity of road traffic accidents and inform drivers of the importance of driving at a speed that is consistent not only with prevailing road conditions, but with the status of that road. As a local authority, we welcome these changes.”

  Reducing speed limits is part of the Government’s Road Safety Strategy and is one of a range of measures intended to reduce fatalities and protect all road users. Local authorities have received grant funding from the Department of Transport to purchase and install poles and signs to display the new speed limit on the relevant roads.

  The ‘rural speed limit sign’, which is used as an alternative to numeric speed limit signs on specific single-lane rural roads, now means that a maximum 60 km/h limit is in force. 

  The Department of Transport has been working closely with An Garda Síochána and stakeholders to ensure the 60 km/h limit will be enforced.

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