The Journeys of Some People

15/03/2026

15/03/2026

IATBA Senior Student Champion of Ireland 2026 (14th March) Heavy Weight (92kg) Destiny Dose, Longford Town, won his final against last year's winner, Representing TUDublin Blancherstown. Destiny goes to TUDublin Blancherstown, where he is in 3d level education studying Sports Management and Coaching. He started boxing 15 years ago, only a few days ago celebrating seven years. Goes to Rudiarius Boxing Club Longford Town. His mother was not entirely happy with him boxing at first, but seeing his dedication, passion and total commitment, gave in after softening over a number of years. He is hoping to represent Ireland at national level and aim for the LA28 Olympics (Los Angeles 2028). The very best of Luck Destiny, the future its all in your hands literally

Rudiarius Boxing Club Longford

St.Mel's Cathedral parish,Longford.

28/02/2026

Local man John Stokes of M & J Steel and Cladding, Clonterm, Longford Town, Father and son business over 41years and counting. You couldn't meet a more decent gentleman, John the son of M & J. I only heard by accident that not only steel fabrication John has written a book, it was a best seller when it came out first and still in the top 100 on Amazon (Link to book below). He said it came from his grandfather Joh Stokes (aka Big Daddy) who was a storyteller. I used the same name for the heading of the book as from a story he told me and the family about two dogs. His story was about magical dogs, mine is different. It was something that was always in the back of my mind, I had felt compelled to put pen to paper. I was approached by NBC when I was in my 20s, when I was writing screenplays, they wanted me to go over to America, but I stayed to join my father in the business and stay close to family. In the book I also did a lot of research, and found out the family name has ancestry in Wales and France, I incorporated this in the book. I have a sequel in my head. I would like to get that done, if I ever get the time to sit down to do it. My wife and kids bought me a pc so I could use that to write the first book. I see the story as a trilogy, hopefully in time I can finish it, but it took over a year to finish the first one with the business to look after. I left school early but always had a great love to learn. I am a self taught man when it comes to many aspects in my life. Faith, Family and business are very important to me, don't expect the sequel anytime soon, ya never know. The Jiggler and the Jailer, about a circus dancer and a ruthless ringmaster, set in 19th century France, she escapes with her two companion dogs.

https://www.amazon.ie/Jiggler-Jailer-chained-trapped-expected/dp/1036968987?ref_=Oct_d_onr_d_211758057031_3&pd_rd_w=qQtXR&content-id=amzn1.sym.8bfdd5ca-4d56-4bd5-acab-a57115df4db6&pf_rd_p=8bfdd5ca-4d56-4bd5-acab-a57115df4db6&pf_rd_r=DT5N32F05PAKBBGMG7YC&pd_rd_wg=kwFYB&pd_rd_r=abb50bab-3b72-4563-bc71-29d0b618fa17&pd_rd_i=1036968987

26/12/2025

St Stephen's Day rambling, Dec 2025, thought was hearing things, coming down Sharvogue Ballyclare road, Killashee, County Longford. But I wasn't it was a lawnmower, Eugene Mulvihill was topping off long grass, that needed a cut, thanks to the unseasonably warm weather of late, a first for me.

14/12/2025

James MacNerney 21 years a reader with St Mel's Cathedral retired today 14th Dec 2025, at the 11.30am Holy Mass, led by our Bishop Paul Connell, Thank You James. All the quiet work that James and others do we tend to take for granted, Servers, Readers, ushers and Eucahristic Ministers, all done on a volunteering basis. St.Mel's Cathedral parish,Longford. are always looking for such people, if you are one of them feel free to contact the Presbytery beside the Church, I'm sure it is a Heavenly awarded noble act, as well as a respected position in the community.

14/11/2025

A hardy County Roscommon, my own ancestral name sake Croghan home place, also family lineage. Bumped into this gentleman Frank Brennan as I was rambling about the other week, 90 years young, doing his farming duties and full of life. Chatting about life and farming, was keen to tell me about the generous and honest people of Cavan. Two stories around the Dowra Mart, travelled there thinking a garage was still open, but had since closed. Asking around where to get a drop diesel one of the mart lads got him what he needed, gave him 30euro only cash he had on him and reckons it he got more than that, got home and a day or two later got a letter, they had sent the 30euro back to him. Also at the same mart cafe another day, got change but dropped cash he thought put in his pocket, tried everywhere but could not find it after he realised it was gone. The next time he was there at the cafe he just asked out of a small chance they may have known of it, the server said hold on a minute and came back with the cash it had been left up from last time. Now for ya he said and all the things they say about Cavan people. He was to go in and get new hips he told me, hopefully he came through that and still knocking about, gentleman Brendan.

https://www.facebook.com/DowraMart/

04/11/2025

While looking and researching a story I found a new story, with Margaret Devine of Meals on Wheels Longford. The charity was set up in Longford by a determined Nun, Sister Calasanctius, (Susan Duffy) originally from Moyne, County Longford. Constantly on Albert Reynolds coattails to get funding, seeing a need for that service. Sister Calasanctuis had a hard working team of volunteers around her, Anette McDonald, who also did collections for Hospice for years, Padraic Gearty, Doctor Gerard McDonagh (Medical Officer to the hospital), Maureen Drumm, Derek Cobbe, Dessie ‘Des’ Brennan helping for many years and worked for the Longford Leader for many years. Margaret Devine, started at the begining of this group and still volunteers fifty plus years later. Fair play to Margaret, great to see such dedication to charity. Meals on Wheels founded in 1971 as part of County Longford Social Services, by Sr. Calasanctuis, who was the then Matron of St Joseph’s Care Center. They surpassed 37,000.00 meals in 2021. The building they are currently in will be soon knocked but they wont have far to go, only a stones throw in the same complex in St Joseph’s Dublin Rd. Longford Town. Well done to all involved today behind the scenes keeping this much needed service in service.

http://mealsonwheelslongford.ie/

08/09/2025

Met Tarko Poppe and partner Adriana Navarro, currently living in Longford Town, they both come all the way from Bolivia. I met them picking wild apples, told me they love the nature here and made jam from raspberries they got a few days before. Adriana is a student of architecture and graduated from prestigious University Catholic Bolivia, approved by the Vatican. Chatting to them about architecture and other things, Tarko told me that Adriana not only graduated but was also credited with a great honour and award for her Sustainable Home Design Investigation Work. She loves and respects the understanding people have here when they are constructing private and estate dwellings. She is currently working for a local architect, and has worked for County Councils before because of her sustainability outlook in designing new estates. Also works privately and is impressed by people's understanding of materials and value in newly built homes, the understanding they have for every part of construction and not just for future proofing but also keeping culture and heritage. They are a new family here and very nice people hope they get a very nice Irish welcome.

21/08/2025

Bumped into Gilbert on the royal canal where he had pitched his tent for awhile. This man has walked all the greenways in Ireland. Ever since a health scare he decided enough was enough and to do something about it. Walking all the greenways in the country and hitchiking his way around. He said that old Irish friendlyness is still there, only having lovely experiences everywhere he goes. Close to the spot where we are now he said if you were here couple of days ago, I seen the most beautiful thing, I've never seen so many butterflys at the one time. Learning a green way in Carrick on Shannon has since learnt that the butterflys really enjoy the poppy flower, reckons Ballymahon soon followed suit with planting of them. His favourite walk, Old Kenmare walk from Torc waterfall to kenmore, a beautiful 20km walk with a second waterfall also. He has many elder friends in a few different counties he calls upon seeing they are okay. Something he learnt from own family when he was young, to always look out for those most vunerable. Hitching he said is still a valid way of getting around and with the big camping gear people are more than likely to give you a lift. I have done great distances in a short time, thanks to the kindness of people. I once travelled from Ireland to Greece, hitchiking through the former Yugoslavia, my mother said would end up beaten up or in a bad way you wont make it, but I did all healthy and well. Shared a couple of tips for any hikers, buy penneys socks over dunnes, it is the way they are made the threading, suits for hiking saves you less blisters. As well as the butterflys, I was awakened at sunrise here on the canal in Longford by a great dawn chorus of nature, was so beautiful, I would love to see alot more people go camping and enjoy all the greenways and specailly the nature we have.