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Sunday Adult Choir:- Members of the Sunday Adult Choir sing at each Sunday morning's mass throughout the year.  The group consists of about twelve members and are led by organist Mary Burke. As well as the regular weekly mass the choir also join with other choir groups in the parish and local school children, to provide music for First Communion and Confirmation. Practices are advertised in the parish newsletter and take place well in advance of events like Christmas and Easter. New members are always welcome.

Saturday Adult Choir :- The Saturday night Folk Group sings at the 8.15pm Mass each Saturday night. It consists of two members and a practice takes place prior to each Eucharistic Celebration. The singing is accompanied by guitar and harmony is regularly used.

Bridge Club:-  All players welcome to visit the Kiltullagh Bridge Club in the Griffin Inn, Cloonfad every Tuesday .

Card Games:-  25 Card game in the Griffin Inn every Saturday night, all are welcome to a friendly game.  A small group of us play a keen and savage game of 110.  Anyone interested phone 0907 46213

Community Hall

Church, St. Patrick's:- The present church of St. Patrick was erected in 1934.  Work on the foundation  began in September 1932.  The foundation stone was blessed by the Most Rev. Dr. Gilmartin in December 1932.  The completed Church was dedicated on the 12th August 1934 where, on that occasion His Grace presided at the Solemn Mass.
Alterations were made by the inclusion of Porches by Fr. Horan during his time in Cloonfad and in 1960 the Sanctuary was revised to accommodate the new Liturgy of the Mass

Extract from A message from Fr. Des on the Blessing of St Patrick's Church Cloonfad by Archbishop Michael Neary  on Saturday June 14th 1997.

Charting the evolution of a church over the course of the years is about more than merely recounting when building work began and when various alterations were carried out.  It is about the faith of the people who have worshipped in this church over the past many years.  Going back to our roots on Kiltullagh Hill to all the little churches to the old church and to this present St. Patrick's.

Generations of local families have worshipped in the churches of Cloonfad.  Today we worship in this church.  Our church is a place where God is honoured and the bonds of family and community are formed and fashioned.  It is a witness to our Baptism, First Communion, Confirmation, marriage and funeral, of our lives from start to finish, of our joys and sorrows.  It instills in us the hope of eternal happiness.  

It is important that our church should be of a worthy artistic and liturgical standard for the proper worship of the Lord, for the administration of the sacrament and for the devotional life of the people of Cloonfad.  Cloonfad was always a good church but it did need refurbishing and restyling.  

I pay tribute to the people of the parish; without your generosity and trust we could not dream of taking on this project.  Cloonfad is a place of much community activity.  You have not been found wanting in ensuring that the house God where God lives among us in one of the really beautiful churches in the Archdiocese of Tuam.

Fr. Des Walsh

Darts Club:- Saturday and Sunday nights, open to all ladies and gents.  Draw for partners... Fee £1

Development Association

Foroige Group

Kiltullagh Mentally Handicapped Association :-Our branch was founded in September 1976 leaving us the oldest organisation in the Kiltullagh parish. We are affiliated to the County Roscommon Association for Mentally Handicapped who are partners with the Brothers of Charity in providing services within our County to people of all ages with intellectual disabilities. To date we have raised in excess of £100,00 through our annual fundraising events, i.e Church Gate collections, 24 hour sponsored fasts, socials and bottle collections. Our Branch has 30 members both male and female and new members are always welcome at any of our monthly meetings rotated between, Cloonfad, Ballinlough and Granlahan.

Over the years we have built up a great relationship with the Manager, Pat O’Connor and staff and service users of the Roscara Training Centre, Castlerea and with the Principal, staff and pupils of St. Michael’s Special school, Castlerea. On the social side we take 50 adults from the Roscara Training Centre, on a yearly outing ending the day off with a full meal and entertainment. We ensure Santa pays his yearly visit with a little present for everyone. We also ensure that the children in St. Michael’s Special School Castlerea have a day out and a party at Christmas . At County level the Kiltullagh Branch of the Mentally Handicapped Association is well represented. In March 2000 Mrs Eileen Brennan, Newtown, Cloonfad, was elected County Secretary for a three year term of office, and Seamus Sloyan, Ballinlough is an executive member.

Handball/Racquetball Club:- Founded originally in the 1930's, Cloonfad Handball Club is one of the oldest sporting organisations in the parish The present alley was opened in 1980. The aim of the Club is to promote handball, one of our national games. Membership is open to all. £15 per family and £10 per individual. The Club is held in trust and is vested in the G.A.A. It is registered with County Roscommon Handball board and is affiliated to Croke Park.

Club Officials for 2001 are:

Kiltullagh Community Games:- This is a long established organisation within the parish of Kiltullagh catering for children from 8 years to 17 years for both field and track events. Over the years many children have represented Kiltullagh at the County Finals in Roscommon. In 1995 our U.10 Boys Gaelic Football team won the County title, a team that has since added many more medals to their collection at Club and School level. We have represented Roscommon in chess, rounders and choir in Mosney over the years. Our latest achievement was Darren O’Malley, Cloonfad represented the County on Cross Country running in Mosney in May 2001 securing 7th place in Ireland. In the last few years a special activities weekend takes place in Mosney where this year Kiltullagh was represented for the first time by Jason Brennan. Cloonfad We also compete in Girls U.12 Gaelic football and Boys U.13 indoor soccer, U13 Boys and Girls Handball and U15 Boys Handball competitions, handwriting, Art and Modelling competitions . Long serving Officers of the Club are Mr. Brendan Cregg Cloonfad N.S. Chairman and Eileen Brennan Secretary, Newtown Cloonfad.

N.S. Board of Management

Parents Association

Parish Council:-The Parish Pastoral Council was formed in Cloonfad in 1991 by Fr. Des Walsh, with a representative from each station area in the parish. The Parish Pastoral Council is a representative body of the faithful working in close collaboration with the priest of the parish with a view to furthering the mission of Christ and his Church in the corner of the Lord’s Vineyard. The first task of the council is to discern the needs, hopes and aspirations of our community.

The representatives are as follows for 2001:

Committee Members: Michael Brennan, Marian Cunniffe, Anne Jennings, Marion Fagan, Nan Fleming, Geraldine Jennings and Nora Costello.

Michael Brennan   19.03.01

Parish Magazine:-
Cloonfad Parish Magazine

Following the first meeting of the Cloonfad parish Pastoral Council held by Fr. Des Walsh in January 1992, it was felt that a Parish Magazine should be compiled as the history of the Parish was not being recorded and would very soon be lost. It was felt that the people belonging to the Parish who were abroad would benefit greatly from this magazine, and that it would be a keepsake for all. A sub-committee was formed to undertake this project. In December 1992 a hard working committee who has stuck together since its beginning launched our very first Parish Magazine. It has gone from strength to strength and is published on an annual basis with sales in excess of 900 per year, sold World-Wide. It contains a wide variety of interesting articles and features from all walks of life suitable for families of all ages.

In 1999 it won a National Award, a top award in the country, when it was selected the winner of the 1999 All-Ireland competition for newsletters-magazines run by the Irish Episcopal Commission for Emigrants, sponsored by Aer Rianta. The committee who was thrilled and delighted accepted a Crystal Trophy and a travel voucher for £700. The renowned writer and novelist Maeve Binchy, who selected the Cloonfad Magazine from a short-list of seven finalists, judged the competition. One of the main criteria in judging this competition was what an emigrant would like to receive about his or her homeplace. Cloonfad scored very highly on this front with a fine balance of information, stories, nostalgia, local folklore and history.

The committee would greatly appreciate any articles, stories, photographs etc. from our immigrants or locals who have an interest in the Magazine. Any photographs will be returned to their owners. Articles/photographs etc. can be forwarded to the Editor, Cloonfad Magazine or to any Committee Member.

This year the committee is running a photography competition for our 2001 cover and would welcome entries. Photograph must be a landmark or scene in the Cloonfad or surrounding area, and should not contain a person or persons. The winning photograph will be the Cover of the 2001 magazine. All entries should be submitted by 30^th September, 2001 to the Editor, Cloonfad Magazine, Cloonfad, Ballyhaunis, Co. Roscommon.

Editor – Anne Regan, Assistant Editor – Mary Regan, Treasurers – Francis Greene & John Pa Burke.

Committee Members – Eddie Birmingham, Jack Ronayne, Terry Fitzmaurice, John Dowling, Fr. Tom Cummins, Brian Flately, Ann Jennings, Willie Lowery.

Soccer Club

Social Services:- Cloonfad Day Centre was established in 1998 as an outlet for the senior members of our community. We meet in the Community Centre every Wednesday at 12 noon and enjoy a few hours of conversation and craic. There is instruction in a variety of crafts for those who are interested but nobody is pressurised to participate. A lunch is provided, followed by a game of bingo, for which there is a nominal charge. From time to time we organise outings for the members and once a year we have a day excursion which has brought us as far as Bunratty Folk Park. This annual outing is open to everyone as is our Christmas Party. The atmosphere in the centre is very warm, friendly, and very informal where everyone can relax and just enjoy the company of others and laugh a lot. The doors of the centre are always open and new comers are always welcome so if you are interested or even just curious come along any Wednesday at 12noon and see for yourself.

Tug-O-War Association : The Cloonfad Tug of War Club was formed in 2000 to give all the young people of the locality an opportunity to take part in a sport other than football or soccer. The club has over twenty pulling members and last year took part in both the Connacht and All Ireland Championships, with success at all levels. The club won gold medals in seven Connacht Championships and Silver medals in two All Ireland Championships.

We are looking forward to the year 2001 and hopefully we can continue on from our success of 2000.

Michael Brennan 19.03.01

Ladies Group:-  Cloonfad Ladies Group This is a vibrant group of ladies meeting in the Community Centre every Monday night from September to April ranging in age from 20 upwards. Our group was founded in 1993 and since its inception has continued to prosper. We are one of fifty such like groups affiliated to the Western Women’s Link Since our formation several courses of interest has been organised including First Aid, Self Assertiveness, Liquid Embroidery, Yoga, Art & Crafts, Furniture Restoration and Upholstery , Modern Art, D.I.Y Home Maintenance, Cookery, Cross Stitch, Crochet, Aromatherapy, Reflexology , Decoupage, Stained Glass and Interior Design. Demonstrations have taken place on Home Decoration, Floristry and Christmas Decorations and Cakes for special occasions. Talks have taken place on issues ranging from Health to Stress
Management. At Easter we arrange a raffle to assist with funds together with any grants we can get from Dept of Social Welfare. Our Chairperson is Mrs. Pauline Flatley, Meeltraune, Cloonfad and Secretary is Eileen Brennan , Newtown, Cloonfad.

Cloonfad Cemetery Committee: The Cloonfad Cemetery Committee was formed in 1997 to take care of the upkeep of our local cemetery. We are a voluntary group working tirelessly to help keep our cemetery clean and tidy. Each year we cut the grass every two weeks and clean up graves of people that do not have anybody left behind that can take care of them. We have achieved our targets laid down over the last three years and feel very proud of our cemetery, and of the high standard that we have reached.

We need more and more people to help out and ease the heavy workload on the small number of people involved.

Committee:

Michael Brennan  19.03.01

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