Roscommon Mart was a busy spot on Tuesday morning last as local farmers gathered to see off 40 in-calf heifers who were making the first leg of a journey to Rwanda. At 11 am the trucks pulled out of Roscommon, to bring the cattle to Roscrea and and on Tuesday night, they cattle were boarded on a ten hour flight to the central African country. Before leaving, the 40 heifers were blessed by Canon Eugene McLoughlin, PP, Roscommon and Rev Sandra Lindsay. Also present for the occasion was John Watson, Chairperson of the Roscommon IFA Supporting Bóthar Committee, and Adrian Leddy and Noelle Rogerson of Roscommon IFA. Also on Tuesday, a presentation was made to Mairead Nicholson of Creggs in recognition of the work done for Bóthar by her late husband Tony. The departure of the 40 heifers on Tuesday brought to a conclusion a very successful year for Roscommon IFA Supporting Bóthar, which saw 52 heifers being exported to needy families in developing countries. This week John Watson, Chairperson of Roscommon IFA supporting Bóthar, thanked everybody who donated heifers this year. They include: John and Maureen Carty, Tullyroe, Ballygar; Rhona and Tony Barrett, Killeenmore, Craughwell, Co. Galway; Patrick and Kathlee Walsh, Knockcroghery; Brendan and Lilyl McDonnell, Coolegarry, Curraghboy; Michael and Pauline Healy, Four Roads; Martin and Eileen Mannion, Castlestrange; Brendan J. Kelly, Taughmaconnell (donated six in-calf heifers), Noirín Conway, Glinsk. On November 6th last, heifers from the following farms were sent to Rwanda: Christy and Mona Devine, Cremully; Michael and Ita Brennan, Ballygar; Michael and Margaret Giblin, Cashel, Glenamaddy; Sean and Pauline Whelan, Moore; Paul and Ethel Kelly, Moore; Martion and Siobhan Hjealy, Carnakit, Tulsk; Marie Tiernan, Tobberoe; John and Ann Gunning, Knockadaniel, Ballymoe. The following people who took heifers for rearing were also thanked: Michael and Noreen Duffy, Moore, Paddy and Margaret Shaughnessy, Lecarrow; Michael and Vera Collaren, Moore; Vincent and Margie Collins, Beechwood; Kieran Duke, Aughagad; Pat and Mary Higgins, Ardkeenan; Patrick and Noreen Feehily, Moore, Jimmy and Clare Curley, Moore, John and Patricia O’Beirne, Lisroyne; Kathleen Kelly, Ballinaleg, Castlecoote; John and Fiona Gallagher, Castlecoote; John and Mary Mullooly, Lavally, Strokestown, John and Martina Farrell, Cloonakilla, Strokestown, Tommy Nolan, Ruane, Ballygar, John and Eileen Collins, Scregg, Kilkerrin, Michael Egan, Ballygar; Anthony and Joseph Naughton, Cloonruff, Ballygar; Joe and Madeline McCormack, Steil, Tulsk, Benny and Dorothy Mulrennan, Lisnanane, Tulsk; Chris and Brid Whyte, Kilbegnet, Creggs; Damien Naughton, Cloonruff, Ballygar; Paul and Cecelia Darcy, Collougher, Castlerea; Joe and Ann Silke, Banagher, Co. Offaly, The Kelly Family, Toberavaddy, Athleague. A number of farmers from Glinsk were also thanked (see separate article), as were all who supported fundraising efforts, including mart staff, AI men, Joe Higgins, Frances Curley and Michael Oliver who scanned the heifers free of charge, hauliers PJ Doyle, Tony McEvilly and John Kelly. Of the 52 cattle exported this year, 51 went to Rwanda and one to Kosovo.
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