John Garvin

Kilfian's Legendary Cyclist

Kilfian's Legendary Cyclist

The late John Garvin, Cartonrathroe, is easily the greatest athlete ever to emerge from Kilfian and was one of the best known cyclists from the West of Ireland in the 1940’s and 50’s. At one stage in his illustrious career, John was the master cyclist in the province holding all the championship titles of Connacht at distances greater than the half-mile. He won four All-Ireland medals, 10 Interprovincial medals and 15 Mayo Championship Medals. Considering that he did not enjoy the benefit of a cycling club and that all his training was done on the roads of North Mayo, it makes his achievements all the more impressive. John had a quiet unassuming manner and rarely spoke of his fame. It was indeed fitting that he was honoured in 1978 with the "Hall of Fame" at the "Western People" Mayo Stars Dinner. The presentation was made by the then Minister for Sport, Jim Tunney and Kerry football trainer, Mick O'Dwyer.

The following is an extract from an article in the "Western People" 1978

"When Cyclist John was King"

"Great ability and a dedicated interest were the prerequisites of by-gone cycling champs who almost inevitably made their way to success at Provincial, National and even International level. One such man was John Garvin, Kilfian, Killala who was once beseeched by the Lord Mayor of Sligo, Mr. Tolan, a Crossmolina man to call it a day after winning the three opening races when he seemed to be punishing his slight physical frame beyond endurance. He battled on bravely and an hour and a further two events later he won the 2-mile Pursuit Championship of Ireland. The meeting in Sligo in 1942 was a personal triumph for the 9stone, 17 year old wonder, winning four Interprovincial gold medals. John also broke the Irish record for the mile, in his time and it was this as well as his exceptional ability and track record which led to him  being picked on the Irish N.A.C.A. team for the World Championship at Helsinki. However, on account of the War, the games had to be cancelled.

Training for John consisted of two twenty-mile road trips each week which he did on a regular basis

His most satisfying win ever was in Sligo one year at the O'Duffy Cup games between Connacht and Ulster. He was involved in the one and a half mile when he suddenly tumbled to the ground only to remount and in sensational style catch the other cyclists who had opened up quite a considerable gap, to win in a storming finish.

His most disappointing run came about in equally sensational circumstances in the National Championships at Dundalk in 1944. Coming from behind in the mile event he was prepared to overtake the leader in a sprint finish 15 yards short of the line when a bracket axle broke and denied him of almost certain victory.

Following his win in the 2-mile Pursuit Championship of Ireland in 1942 he added to his collection in subsequent years the 10,000 metre Championship of Ireland at Boyle in 1943, the 3-miles Championship of Ireland at Sligo in 1948 and the 6,000 metre Championship of Ireland at Tubbercurry in 1949.

This year John Garvin was presented with "The Western People" Hall of Fame Award at the Mayo Sports Stars function at the Downhill Hotel in February. It was an award that this "Hero of the Cycling Track" richly deserved.

                                      Aileen Gilroy

           Aileen Gilroy

Aileen Gilroy is one of the most promising athletes Kilfian has produced for many years. At the age of  just 12 years she has already achieved success at a national level on several different occasions. She has shown to be a major talent in numerous sporting disciplines, ranging from the long-jump to long-distance running. Aileen's parents are both natives of the Parish, her father Martin is from Barranarran and her mother Mary (nee Carroll) hails from Ballyduane.

Aileen is currently a member of the Ballina Athletics Club, St. Brigid's U-12 Ladies' Football team, the Mayo County U-12 team and the Killala Soccer team.

The following a list of some of Aileen's achievements in 2004;

All-Ireland Cross Country Championships, Mullingar.   Under 12: Bronze with County & Region.

All-Ireland Outdoor Track & Field Championship, Tullamore. 1st: Under 12 Long Jump

All-Ireland Indoor Track & Field Championship, Nenagh.       1st: Under 12 Long Jump

Connaught Outdoor Track & Field Championship, Sligo.        1st:: Under 12 Long Jump

Connaught Indoor Track & Field Championship, Nenagh.      3rd: Under 12 Long Jump

Connaught Cross Country Championship, Sligo.                     8th:  Under 13  Individual

Mayo Cross Country Championship, Ballina.                          2nd:  Under 12 Individual

Mayo Outdoor Track & Field Championship, Ballina.    1st: Under 12 Long Jump, 2nd: 800 metres, 3rd: 80 metres, 3rd: Relay race.

Mayo Indoor Track & Field Championship, Nenagh. 1st: Under 11 Long Jump, 2nd: 60 metre sprint, 2nd: 600 metres, 3rd: Under 13 Relay.

Aileen was awarded the "Connaught Telegraph" Sports Star of the week

Achievements to date for 2005:

All-Ireland Indoor Track & Field Championship, Nenagh.       1st: Under 13 Long Jump

                                          Parish Priest

         Fr. Peter O'Brien

Fr. Peter O'Brien is a native of Culleens, Co. Sligo. Born on 12th September 1941, son of Peter O' Brien & Kathleen (nee O'Connor). Ordained to the Priesthood by Bishop McQuaid on 18th June 1967. . Received a Higher Diploma in Education at University College Galway.                                                                                                        1967-1968    Chaplain at Galvia Hospital, Castlegar, Co. Galway                             1968-1971    St. Muredach's College, Ballina.                                                          1971-1974    C.C.   Binghamstown.                                                                           1974-1976    C.C.   Dromore West.                                                                              1976-1987    C.C.   Ballina.                                                                                     1987-1994    Adm.  Ballina.                                                                                            1994-1997   Army Chaplain, the Curragh.                                                                  1997 to Present  P.P. Kilfian.                                    

Fr. Alan Munnelly.

Fr Alan, son of Lena and the late Paddy Munnelly is a native of Drinaghan, Kincon. He received his early education locally at Mount Palmer National school and St Patrick's College Lacken Cross and later at: St John's College Waterford 1987 - 1989 Our Lady of Angela's Brooklyn 1989 - 1990 Maynooth College 1990 - 1994 Ordained 12th June 1994 in Sacred Heart Church Kilfian He has served in the following Parishes St Patricks Ballina 1994 - 1996 Kilglass 1996 - 1997 Crossmolina 1997 - 2001 Geesala /Kiltane 2001 - 2004

Fr. Joe Walsh.

Fr. Joe Walsh is a native of Cloonaleedin , Kincon, Ballina. He studied for the priesthood in All Hallows College, Drumcondra, Dublin and was ordained there on the 13th June 1982, for the Dioceses of Northampton in the English midlands. His first appointment was as curate in Slough,where he ministered for six years with Canon Michael Hazell P.P. In 1989 he was transferred to the parish of Corby and spent four years with Canon Dan Ronin P.P. He was appointed Parish priest of Little Chalfont in 1993 and he served there until 1995 when he was made Parish Priest of Rushden where he ministers at present. His Web Address: St PETER APOSTLE CHURCH RUSHDEN http://web ukonline.co uk/st petersrushden

Father Ambrose Bryce

The Reverend Father Ambrose Bryce, a native of the Parish of Kilfian, Co. Mayo, Ireland, was ordained to the Catholic Priesthood in Ireland on June 18, 1961. He began his studies at St Muredach's College Ballina, Co. Mayo, and from there progressed to St Patrick's College at Maynooth, Co. Kildare. From thence he moved to St John's Seminary at Waterford where he was ordained to the Priesthood for the Diocese of Camden, New Jersey, U. S. A. His first appointments were as follows : Associate Pastor of Blessed Sacraments Parish at Margate, 1961 - 1963 St Mary Magdalene, at Millville, 1963 - 1966 St. Vincent Palotti, at Haddon Township 1966 - 69 and Our Lady Queen of Peace , at Pitman, 1978 - 1980.

As well, Fr. Ambrose served on the diocesan Tribunal for ten years, 1969 - 1979 in several capacities including Officials or Presiding Judge, as Advocate and Procurator,, Defender of the Bond, and as Vice Officialis. He also served on the Priest's Council of Camden Diocese. In 1980 he became Pastor at Mullica Hill, at the Parish of the Holy Name of Jesus and he served there for sixteen years, from 1980 -96. During the sixteen years as Parish Priest of Mullica Hill, Fr. Ambrose saw a tremendous development of population in his Parish. His beautiful small Parish Church built in 1901 to seat 125 people was no longer adequate and there was no teaching facility for the teaching of the Catholic faith to a growing and increasing number of catholic children. With the help of his parishioner's Fr.Ambrose made a decision to build a Parish |Centre that would include a Chapel to set 500 people and would include eight classrooms, each capable of accomodating 30 children.

Father Bryce laboured hard night and day and his people responded very generously. This Magnificant Parish Centre was finally ready for opening at Christmas 1993. In 1996 Fr. Ambrose was appointed to a new Parish of St. Anthony at Waterford, Camden, New Jersey. There he laboured again to repair and refurbish an old church building. Finally he retired in the year 2000. On the occasion of his official retirement, the chairman at this function, the local Catholic Medical officer described Fr.Ambrose as follows - "He came to our Parish of St. Anthony's, he looked it over and he cleaned it up." Yes Fr. Ambrose has retired 'officially'- but in reality he is working for God's Church as faithfully as ever. Every weekend he is on the road visiting Parish Churches and doing all manner of priestly work when needed. We wish him many years of good health and happiness doing such splendid work in the Lord's vineyard.

Angela Josephine Ruddy

Born second daughter of John and Elizabeth Ruddy of Ratheskin, attended the primart school of Ratheskin and later Stella Maris Secondary school in Ballycastle run by the Sisters of Mercy. Four years later she qualified as a Religious Educator from the Mater Dei Institude in Dublin. That same year she left to teach in Cameroon, West Africa, as a candidate with the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary, Killeshandra, Co Cavan, spending two years among the delightful young people of Nchang on the Nigerian border.

Returning to Ireland she entered the Novitiate of the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary in Killeshandra and after first profession left to teach in a secondary school for religious Sisters in Tanzania. Many Sisters in Tanzania had not received a secondary education and the Tanzanian Bishops set up a secondary school to provide the opportunity ofsecondary studies forsisters of various Tanzanian Congregations. Angela worked there for one year while she waited foe her visa papers to be processed for South Afriica.

In January of 1981 Angela arrived in South Africa where she became involved in the training of catechists and deacons in the diocese of Tzaneen, a large diocese bordering on Zimbabwe. To reach her mission she had to cross the Tropic of Capricorn. This involved many miles of travelling over dirt and gravel roads to reach the various parts of the vastdiocese. But it was wonderful to see ths Christian Communities grow and develop and take root. The shadow of apartheid still hung over that beautiful land but the people were warm, welcoming and wonderful co-workers. In 1982 Angela was requested by her congregation to return to cameroon. Being an international and intercultural congregation, all young Sisters from the various countries and cultures met for one year in community before they took final vows. The intercultural community experiencewas being held in Cameroon that year. During that year she taught religion in schools and visited prisons and hospitals as a chaplain.

Returning to South Africa again she continued her work in the Diocese of Tzaneen for some time but was then requested by her congregation to be the Vocations Promoter and work with young people who were interested in the Missionary vocation. This ministry once again involved many hours on the roads as she met with young people in colleges, universities and work situations in five dioceses throughout South Africa.

Work as Vocations Promoter lasted for three years and Angela then left for further studies in Rome where she was awarded a licentiate in Theology from the Pontifical Angelicum University. Returning to south Africa she took up vocations promotion work once again, giving retreats to young people andbeing involved in spiritual direction with seminarians in the seminary in Pretoria.

This lasted for a short time only as Angela was recalled by her congregation to Ireland to work as Vice-Postulator for the Cause of Canonisation of their founder, bishop Joseph Shanahan C.S.Sp. Thisprimarily involves meeting with various people who knew Bishop Shanahan during his lifetime, including Holy Rosary Sisters and collecting his letters and other documentation pertaining to his life and missionry activity. Further information on Angela's present work will be available when the congregational website is in operation in the Autumn of 2004. In the meantime for more information on the Missionary Sisters of the Holy Rosary log on to www.holyrosarysisters.com

Sr. Ellie Devine

Sr. Ellie Devine was born in Ballygowan, Killala, in 1925. She joined the Order of the Sacred Heart in Mount Anvill Convent, Dundrum, in 1949. In 1952 she was Professed and in 2002 Celebrated her Golden Jubilee.

Karen McAndrew

Karen McAndrew ,an Art and Design student, lives in Creevesmore. From her earliest years in Ratheskin National School she had a keen interest in creative activities. In secondary school in Gortnor Abbey she competed in the Texaco Children's art competition, under fourteen category. Her winning picture an autumn scene featured in the Texaco Art Calender 2000. Presently Karen is studying to achieve her Diploma and Degree in Art and Design. She follows this course at the Cluain Mhuire Campus in School of Art and Design, Film and Television . G/M/I/TW www.gmit.ie Following this she hopes to pursue her studies in L.I.T. College of Art and Design to gain a higher diploma. This will enable her to teach Art and Design at secondary level.