Wed May 6th 2026
Bereaved:
We send sincere sympathy to the Casserly families in Cashel and Ballinahinch and their extended families on the recent passing of Bridie McGrath (nee Casserly) Keel, Moydow and formerly of Ballinahinch.
Bridie passed away peacefully, at her home, surrounded by her loving family, she was a lovely lady with a great sense of humour, and will be sadly missed by her family and friends.
Her funeral Mass took place today, Wed at the Church of the Sacred Heart, Carrickedmond, with burial afterwards in the local cemetery. May her gentle spirit rest easy.
Birthday celebrations:
We send congratulations and birthday wishes to Sean Kenny, Derrydarragh on his recent 80th birthday which was celebrated in style with family and friends.
Anyone who is lucky to have known or worked with Sean will agree, you wouldn’t meet a nicer man on this planet earth, he had a smile and a word for all, and you were assured of a bit of craic while in his company, here’s to many more Sean.
Cashel GAA Lotto Results:
Lotto draw held on Monday 4th May 2026 No's drawn: 08-09-14-19 No jackpot winner.
Draw winners: €30 €5 envelopes to Sean McArdle. €30 to Lisa Gilmore. €20 each to Farrell Family ClonmeeClonme, and Fiona Lyster.
Next weeks draw will be held in The Local on Monday 11th May and the Jackpot is €2,300.
Lotto team on next week's draw is Bernard Casey, Brid Hanley and Linda Merrigan. Thanks for your support.
25 Card Drive Results:
The following is the results of Monday nights card game in The Local.
Winners: John Merrigan and Seamus Bermingham.
Joint Runners Up: Kathleen Clarke and Eoin Casey/ Danny Ganley and Tim Fox.
5 tables of 6, fantastic to see the old art of card playing alive in Cashel.
“Beltane” ( May Day) Friday last:
Beltane is a Pagan holiday, and one of the eight Sabbats. It falls about halfway between the spring equinox (Ostara) and the coming summer solstice, Litha. The holiday celebrates spring at its peak, and the coming summer. Beltane, whose past and present significance is deeply steeped in ritual rites of sexuality and fertility. Beltane or Bealtaine is the Gaelic May Day festival, marking the beginning of summer. It is traditionally held on 1 May, or about midway between the spring equinox and summer solstice. Historically, it was widely observed in Ireland, Scotland, and the Isle of Man. Spirits of Beltane: The aos sí (often referred to as spirits or fairies) were thought to be especially active at Beltane (as at Samhain), and the goal of many Beltane rituals was to appease them. Most scholars see the aos sí as remnants of the pagan gods and nature spirits. “Song of Beltane” I am the calm, I am the quickening, I am the intoxication and the force, I am the silence, I am the singer, I am the stallion galloping to its source. I am the bright pavilion and the feasting, I am the wedding couple and the bed, I am the morning chorus and the heartbeat, I am the goal to which all paths are led. May life be yours abundantly!
To mark and celebrate the occasion, last Friday a concert was held in Ballymahon Library, featuring many artists, including the “Songbirds”, a group of ladies who performed many old favourites with the audience singing along. The Songbirds have some local members namely, Anita Finnegan, Kathleen Delaney, Yvonne Kenny and Sandra Cassidy.
The possibility of further concerts featuring the Songbirds are at planning stages and we will let you know where and when, as information comes to hand.
New Mains Water Line:
Today Wed, sees the commencement of the installation of a new mains water line from the pumps at Ballagh to the Reservoir behind The Local. While it will be an inconvenience for many during the installation, it should provide a proper and problem supply of water to the west side of the parish, something well overdue. Syl Healy has done trojan work over the years, but can’t do miracles with an old, antiquated pipe system. We look forward to a quality supply in the near future.
Townland Trivia:
This week we look at Lightfield, pronounced as written. First recorded in 1629 as Aghaloghan. Official Irish name is Achadh an Locháin. The Ordnance Survey map was the first to use ‘Lightfield’, the only previous name was the one recorded on the Cotton map, which is now the official Irish and has no connection with light. Lakelet field, even though it is not close to a lake, or seems to have contained one at any time.
Recent Passing:
As I forward these notes this evening, word has broken about the passing of Marian Fagan (nee Bermingham) of Derrydarragh and Cross. Sincere sympathy to her husband Tom, daughter Maureen, sister Antoinette and the extended Fagan and Bermingham families. For many years Marian and Antoinette worked in Mike Fylnns shop and she was well known for her great work ethics and manner. She will be greatly missed by her family and friends; may her gentle spirit rest easy.
Funeral arrangements later.
Crime Prevention:
Saturday, the 9th of May, Cashel GAA will be hosting Longford Community Safety Partnership alongside An Garda Siochana for a Property marking and crime prevention day from 12 to 4pm.
Anyone that has tools, equipment or machinery that they would like marked are encouraged to bring it along where there will be a machine available that will help identify it in the event of theft.
There will also be some members of the community policing section of An Garda Siochana available to answer questions and give advice on the day.
Put it in your diary, a great community effort to help locals.
Liam Finnegan.