Kiltimagh student receives the Aidan McDonnell Memorial Scholarship
Lucy Sweeney from Kiltimagh, who is completing a degree in Global Business at Dublin City University, was awarded the Aidan McDonnell Memorial Scholarship. This scholarship was established by the telecommunications company Vilicom Ltd in honour of Aidan McDonnell from Ballina, who passed away in June 2006. The Aidan McDonnell Memorial Scholarship provides for an annual scholarship on the DCU Access Scholarship Programme for a student from County Mayo. Lucy, a former student of Scoil Muire agus Padraig, Swinford, and is pictured with members of the McDonnell family.
Kiltimagh was to the fore when the Two Johnnies Late Night Lock In comedy show was aired live on RTÉ 2 on Thursday November 16.
The Two Johnnies were joined by the well known pop icon Louis Walsh, comedian and Chaser on ITV's The Chase Paul Sinha, and singer-songwriter Mickey Joe Harte as well as Kiltimagh’s own Rebecca Farrington who the previous weekend as Festival Director had overseen Clann Machua’s successful One Act Drama Festival.
It was a fast moving enjoyable show which included a fun quiz with Mayo taking on a team from Meath where the show was televised in a rural pub. Rebecca was on the team with Louis and Paul Sinha but it was the home team who took the honours in the end.
The TV cameras had visited Kiltimagh in the days preceding the show and had called on Austin Finn, Finns Footwear, Maria O’Hora from Teach O’Hora and Sean Langan and Martin (Ginger) Blake, Langan’s Bar who all featured in the show.
An Evening of Songs of Faith, Hope and Love takes place in Knock Basilica on Friday next December 1, at 8pm, featuring John McNicholl, Margo, Philomena Begley and Marc Roberts with Una Nolan and Schola Cantorum Basilicae choir. This is a fundraising concert for Victim Assistance Charity. Tickets are €30 and available from head office and Ticketmaster.ie. For details contact Mary McNicholas, Victim Assistance Head Office, Aiden St, Kiltimagh. 094 9000 251/ 086 3938871 or Email: support@victimassistance.ie.
Victim Assistance is a registered charity supporting hundreds of victims of crime and trauma throughout the country every year. If you or someone you know is suffering from domestic violence, coercive control, bullying, or is a victim of a hate crime, burglary, scams, LGBT incidents, racism etc., do not suffer in silence. Call/text FREEPHONE 1800 277 477 or email support@victimassistance.ie or call in to the office. Visit website: www.victimassistance.ie for more information.
Comhghairdeas do CLG Coillte Mach who was presented with Gradam na Gaeilge award at the Mayo People of the Year Awards at a gala function in Breaffy House Resort on Friday, November 17, in recognition of the efforts and endeavours of the club to promote and encourage a greater use of the Irish language. For the past number of years the club has made a conscious decision to ensure that Gaeilge is central to all of its activities.
Now it’s celebrations on the double as the club is to get the Seosamh Mhic Dhonncha Fondúireacht Silver Award. Much credit must go to the Club’s Oifigeach Cultúir Aingeal Ui Maicin and her working group who have been the driving force in reigniting the love of Gaeilge in the club. This award will be presented in Croke Park on Friday next, December 1.
The death took place in the presence of his family at St Attracta's Residence, Charlestown of Tom McNicholas, Treenagleragh, Kiltimagh, on Saturday, November 11.
Tom was a well known and respected figure in the community and surrounding area and there was a deep sense of sadness when news of his passing filtered through. Tom was born in 1938 and like many of the young men at that time emigrated to England where he worked in construction in several parts of the country. It was there he met his wife and where his children were born but in 1972 they moved back to the family farm in Treenagleragh. Tom was a friendly and outgoing person who enjoyed being out and about and chatting with neighbours and friends. He loved music and dancing; card playing was his favourite pastime and he was a regular at the 25 Drives in the community centre as well as other card games around the area. He was a loving father, grandfather and great grandfather who will be missed in the months and years to come.
Tom was predeceased by his son Kevin, his parents Josie and Maryann, brothers Sean, Jimmy and P, and sister Margaret. He will be sadly missed by his son Liam, daughters Carol, Hilary and Debbie, grandchildren Nickita, Joseph, Nathan, Shantinni, Killeen, Aaron Fenton, Aaron McNicholas, Keith and Jacob, great grandchildren, son-in-law John, daughter-in-law Carmel, brother Owen, sisters Mary, Ann, Rita and Bridie, sister-in-law Margaret, brother-in-law Walter, nieces and nephews, extended family, friends and neighbours.
Reposing took place at O'Hora's Funeral Home on Monday evening with removal from his daughter Debbie’s home in Treenagleragh on Tuesday morning for his funeral Mass in the Church of the Holy Family. Afterwards Tom was laid to rest in Kilkinure Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
Mary and Liam Moran were the winners of the first prize at the 25 Drive in Kiltimagh on Thursday night, November 16, second were Seamus Larkin and Tom Begley and third were James Walsh and Paddy Carney. Last 10 prize was shared by Tom Flatley and Francis McNicholas, Mary and Richard Carney, Tom Conroy and Joe Boyle, spot prize Mary and Jimmy Doyle and winners in the raffle were Denis Regan, John Walsh, Tom Walsh and Michael Carney. Game starts at 9pm every Thursday in the Parish Centre.
Paul Walsh outlasted a strong field of twenty six players to take first prize in Round 10 of the Autumn Poker League in Teach O’Hora on Wednesday night last. The runner up was Bart Furtak, Bernard MacDonagh was third and fourth placed Michael Higgins and Gerry Groarke in fifth were the other prizewinners. The other finalists were: 6 Isaac Burke, 7 Julian Keane, 8 Thomas McDonagh, 9 Pat Boyle. Bart Furtak also won the progressive jackpot worth €150 on the night. Michael Higgins and Paul Walsh are now joint top of the league table on 194 points with long time leader Michael Sheridan third on 187. The rest of the top twelve is Thomas McDonagh 178, Gerry Groarke 168, John Reynolds 146, Julian Keane 144, Nicky Cunnane 138, Bernard McDonagh 133, Enda Ruane 133, Pat Boyle 131 and John Borza 128.
The league runs for fifteen weeks with a tournament in Teach O’Hora every Wednesday night at 8pm. Entry is €20 with one optional rebuy and late reg until 9.30pm. €5 from each entry and rebuy goes towards the league final prize pool and the rest is paid out each night. The top twelve in the league table automatically qualify for the final along with two other qualifiers from a play off for those outside the top twelve.
The final is on course to have a prizepool of approx €3,000. The next Mayo Deepstack tournament in the Cill Aodain Court Hotel on Saturday, December 9, is a sell out with all thirty six seats snapped up immediately. Anyone wishing to be placed on an alternate list should contact the organisers.
Everyone at St Louis Community School, Kiltimagh, is delighted with the news that the school has received its tenth Cycle Against Suicide award. This is a testament to all of the work that goes on throughout the school year-round on mental health awareness and the efforts put in to support and educate students when it comes to mental health. Most recently, all the Transition Year students at St. Louis received a talk on mental health from some of the wonderful workers at the Mayo Mental Health Association.
Congratulations to St Louis Community School U19 Boys Basketball team and their coach, Ms Hopkins on winning the U19 ‘A’ North West Regional Finals last week. The final score was St Louis CS 48-40 St Gerald’s. Well done to all involved.
The annual Christmas Market will be held at the Market Square, Kiltimagh on Sunday, December 10. This is the perfect way to get into the Christmas spirit and get your shopping for gifts started with a host of festive goods available from all the local stall holders. The Blessing of the Crib and the switching on of the Christmas lights will take place later that evening as well as the now traditional Tractor Run and a visit from Santa.
Former Kiltimagh Knock United player Roisin Molloy played a key role in securing Athlone Town's win over Shelbourne in the Sports Direct FAI Women's Cup final last week. It was a long battle that saw Athlone Town go home winners following a penalty shootout.
The winner of last week's Kiltimagh Knock United 50/50 draw was John McNicholas. John won himself €307 after purchasing his ticket in McDonagh's Pub, Bohola. Thank you to all who played.
Kiltimagh Credit Union has invited Santa to visit the Park Hotel on Friday evening, December 1, from 6 to 8pm where there will be face painting with Deena, your favorite characters will be there and there will be lots of fun and games for all the children to enjoy so don’t miss it.
Want to brush up on your Gaeilge? A Ciorcal Comhrá is held in Kiltimagh GAA Clubhouse on Thursday from 6.30 to 7.30pm. The Ciorcal is open to all and is an ideal opportunity to improve your cúpla focal in an informal setting with a cupán tae. Beginners welcome.
Santa is coming to Rascals Playcentre on Sunday, December 10. Bookings are now being taken, phone 094 93 74886. Weekend opening hours are Friday 3-6pm, Saturday 12 noon-6pm, Sunday 2-6pm. A Baby and Toddler group is also run at the centre every Wednesday morning from 9.30am to 12 noon.
Congrats to Katie and Conor Mallee from Kiltimagh who won the GAA club’s 50/50 draw held on November 18 and picked up a cheque for €564. The winning envelope was purchased on line. Envelopes are available in most local outlets at €2 each or three for €5; you can also play online at https://www.lottoraiser.ie/KiltimaghGAA/
The results of the weekly Bridge game held in the Park Hotel last Tuesday night were 1st Thomas McNicholas and Cait McTigue, 2nd Michael Gallagher and Leona Connery, 3rd Tom Grogan and Maeve Duffy, 4th Mary Colohan and Ray Nally, 5th John McCrohan and Bernie Byrne, 6th Martina O’Hara and Cathy McNamara, 7th Eugene and Eilish Gallagher, 8th Jimmy Morley and Sheila McNicholas.
