Letters to the Editor

The Cortoon Hall stage Dear Editor, Thanks so much for affording me space to reply to a letter which appeared in your widely read newspaper of January 12. It beats me how a man could say in that edition that I, the writer of the letter entitled Christmas in Cortoon, was at least uninformed or at best misinformed. On January 5 I wrote that growing up in Cortoon for me was special for a number of reasons, but especially at Christmas, mainly due to the play in the Hall on Christmas night, and how right I was, no misinformation there. Continuing I said the buzz and the atmosphere around the place was only mighty, the crowds that packed the hall in those days had to be seen to be believed for a whole weekend, no misinformation there, and anyway how would Mr Williams know? Next I compared two adverts, one from a play in the Hall in the 1960s, the other for a play in the Mall in Tuam for Christmas 2012 and after. Where is the misinformation there either? I then mentioned the hall from the time it was built to the present day, when a concert was held there on July 1, 2012, to raise funds for a new stage that had been bought, no misinformation there either. Taking time out during Christmas, I came across two Tuam Heralds. One dated August 4, 2011, stated in the Abbeyknockmoy, Glenamaddy, Headford, Tuam and Cortoon-Lavally district notes that the Cortoon-Lavally Drama Group  would like to hear from 'anyone interested in drama and would like to be part of our drama group, as we are at present looking at some possible shows for this year's production.' Mr Williams in his letter of January 12 stated that feelers were put out by the Hall Committee about setting up a new stage, one that could be put up and taken down as needed. He stated that the drama group were asked to submit suggestions in creating such a space, this they did, but nothing had come of it by the time of choosing this year's production, 2011. That being the case Mr Williams might like to read the notices in the Cortoon notes from May 19 to 30, and a colour advertisement on May 30, advertising a concert and Cortoon's Got Talent in Cortoon Hall. It stated that the highlight of the night would be the launch of the new state of the art stage. The concert took place on July 1, 2011. So now, Mr Williams said nothing had come of the feelers that were put out by the hall concerning a stage at the time of choosing this year's production. To put it mildly, wasn't this at worst uninformed or at best misinformed? So we are still in the dark as to why no play in Cortoon Hall for Christmas 2011, and isn't it the least that the people of the parish should know? Yours, Pa Quinn Poldoragha Lavally Tuam   Loss of Mary Raftery Dear Editor, It was with great sadness that I heard of the death of Mary Raftery. What a great loss to this world. A woman who achieved so much for so many who had no voice. She was a woman with great moral courage who could have taken the easy option and ignored the victims of Church and State. Mary was a wonderful example of courage and tenacity of the investigative journalists which is sadly lacking in a lot of organisations. A fitting tribute to Mary's memory would be for someone to continue her wonderful work. Yours etc Mary Hennelly 15 Ardnamara Salthill Galway   Tuam AC 8k Race Dear Editor, On behalf of all the members of Tuam Athletic Club I would like to sincerely thank everybody who helped in any way to make our recent road race such a huge success. The race was a real community event with over 600 people taking part and the feedback has been extremely positive from all who took part. We would particularly like to thank the residents who live on the route for their tremendous support of all the runners. It was very much appreciated and gave great encouragement to all. Sincere thanks also to Sgt Pat Hastings and all his colleagues in Tuam Gardai,  Tuam Order of Malta and Frank Dolly and colleagues in Galway County Council. We also have a very dedicated team of friends who help out with catering after the race, as marshalls on the course and the Mercy Secondary School provide first class facilities every year. Thanks also to Ray Ryan and Johnny Ryan for capturing the whole event on film and finally to the 600 athletes who took part in the race and contributed so generously to Tuam AC. Any profit from the race is used solely for the development of juvenile athletics in Tuam and thanks to the help of all involved and the continued generosity of the people of Tuam we can now provide training and competition for the rest of 2012. We look forward to seeing you all on the start line of the 2013 race. Yours in Sport, Brendan Monaghan Secretary Tuam AC   Calling Mcloughlins and Griffens Dear Editor, I am writing to ask whether any of your readers might be able to help me with my research into my family history in County Galway and County Mayo. I have been trying to trace my roots for a number of years but have reached a real brick wall. My aim is to pass on the family tree to my small grandchildren and I am hoping that the background details I have given below may ring bells with someone and that they may then contact me at the above address. I have traced the family back to: Ann Mcloughlin who married Patrick Griffen in Shrule in 1841. They had two children in Shrule: Margaret Griffen 1842 and Michael Griffen 1844. From the Church registers it seems that the family came from Tard Moyne, just outside Shrule and were Roman Catholics. Patrick Griffen had a sister Margaret who married Michael Handley in Roscommon. Patrick probably had many other siblings as yet untraced. Anne Mcloughlin had siblings who also married in Shrule: Ellen Mcloughlin who married Ned Walsh in 1835 Margaret Mcloughlin who married James Kean in 1839 Jane McLoughlin who married Stephen Scanlon 1845 A possible brother James Mcloughlin who married Mary Higgins in 1856. Anne Mcloughlin and Patrick Griffen must have left Shrule some time before 1850 as they then have two further sons in the Aghagower district of County Mayo. Their eldest daughter Margaret went to England before 1861 and worked in service there, living with her aunt Margaret Griffen/Handley in Oldham, Lancashire. In 1863 she married Thomas Deffley (Develey/Devitty/Divilly) who may have come from Galway or Roscommon. His father was also named Thomas Deffley and he was a farmer. Margaret Griffen and Thomas Deffley lived the rest of their lives in Eckington, Derbyshire where Thomas was a miner. They had children: Mary 1865, Frank 1867, Edward 1868, Kate 1872, Margaret 1874, John 1875, Thomas 1876. Please does anyone know anything of these Griffen, Mcloughlin, Deffley lines or know of anyone who has also researched these names in the West of Ireland? Most of all I would like to know who were the parents of Anne Mcloughlin and of Patrick Griffen, and what happened to this couple after the 1850s. Did they remain in Ireland or emigrate to England or the States? What happened to Anne's sisters too? Any help anyone can offer would be so appreciated. With the best of good wishes to all your Irish readers for 2012, Yours sincerely, Rev Jackie Giddings Grange End Harrowbeer Lane Yelverton Devon PL20 6EA England