Rooskey – a village on the comeback trail!

Rooskey village has had its setbacks in recent years, but as 2007 nears its end and a new year dawns, there is much to be enthusiastic about in this beautiful part of County Roscommon.    The closure of the Glanbia factory and ongoing decline in the number of anglers visiting are two ‘negatives’ of recent years – the former has had a huge impact on many families – but there are a great many positives to life in Rooskey too.    Despite the factory closure Rooskey has experienced a population rise and a huge amount of houses have been built in the area. There are major plans for expansion of the Shannon Key West Hotel. During 2007 LEAD Partnership announced that the company had purchased the factory site and the Roscommon People exclusively revealed that LEAD, headed by the Cox family, had major plans for the development of the site, including factory space, retail units, apartments, etc.   The LEAD Partnership plans for the now redundant Glanbia site represent a very exciting prospect of development for the Rooskey area. The Cox family are to be commended on this excellent and ambitious undertaking.    Meanwhile Kevin Campbell has re-opened the Waterview Restaurant at the Kon Tiki to glowing reviews. Strokestown man Kevin is a businessman with vision and determination and he has exciting plans for the Kon Tiki, which he sees as the potential centrepiece for a holiday village type development in the coming years.    Rooskey is on the march again – there’s no doubt about that – and the success enjoyed by Kilglass Gaels this season is evidence of that. The Gaels, who are developing new facilities at their grounds outside the village, had an all-conquering season in ladies football and also enjoyed success at men’s level.    Gaels chairperson Aidan Tully told the Roscommon People that everyone at the club is very proud of their representatives who have brought such success to the club in 2007.    The roll of honour is quite spectacular: Kilglass Gaels ladies won county titles at U-14, U-16, minor and intermediate level; the club also triumphed in boys U-12 and minors grades and in the U-21 competition.    All in all then, Rooskey is looking forward to Christmas and the New Year with renewed confidence!