Local Notes: All of the latest news from Kiltimagh
Winners of the Joe O'Brien Cup at Balla Golf Club were John Hyland and Ronan Mahon, who are pictured receiving the Cup from Joe O'Brien (sponsor). Also pictured are Club President Mary Jo Cannon, Lady Captain Caroline Bourke and Captain John Walsh. Picture: Trish Forde
The met Tom Gilligan, Mayo Co Council’s Director of Services for the Claremorris/Swinford District, recently and discussed with him what he saw as the challenges facing Kiltimagh and any solutions he could deliver.
“Kiltimagh has great potential,” Mr Gilligan said, “but the access to the town is not what it should be. This is particularly an issue approaching the town from Knock, with the junction at Main Street. The town suffers hugely too, I think, because it doesn’t have a main road through it. It doesn’t get the spin off that other towns are getting as a result. But the town has great potential.
“There are quite a few businesses in Kiltimagh and there is some dereliction. This is an area of focus for Mayo Co Council and we are working to get these buildings back into use as soon as possible. As well as the buildings lying empty, there is an aesthetics issue as well, and with so much of the town looking well, derelict buildings stand out as a result. So we’d like to see these brought back into use and to regenerate some of the areas around the town.
“I think a by-pass for the town would be hugely beneficial. This is not something that the council is considering at the moment, but a relief road linking the Knock road to the Bohola road, would make a huge difference. This would obviously pick up the Kilkelly and Swinford roads too, and it would ease the congestion in the town. It is very difficult for a lorry to turn the corner at the Thomas Street junction with Main Street, at the moment. It blocks both roads completely. It is even worse if the lorry is meeting another lorry or a bus on either street. And the traffic is very heavy and backed up in the mornings, especially, with the school traffic.
“Of course, if the will was there to build the by-pass, there would be challenges to be met. There’s the railway, too, to be dealt with. But there are always challenges with these sorts of projects and work-arounds would have to be found. Another option might be a one-way system, but I think a by-pass would be best.
“Shortage of housing is an issue in every town. In October, we completed the 21-unit Carn Tulach housing development off Cloonkedagh Road. The development brings six 3-bedroom houses, eight 2-bedroom houses, six 2-bedroom apartments and one special needs bungalow into the council’s housing stock. An additional benefit from the council building houses like this is that it frees up private accommodation. But we need more projects like this and we need more private developers. Housing is an issue everywhere and will continue to dominate debate for a long time into the future.”
Jenny Roughneen was the winner of the Kiltimagh GAA Club 50/50 last week. Jenny took home a jackpot of €846. The draw was held in Ryan’s.
The club extends every good wish to all its supporters and sponsors for 2025.
Lucy Brennan, Kiltimagh, won last week's Kiltimagh Knock United 50/50 jackpot draw. Lucy won €820.
The club wishes to thank to all who played the lotto this past year and to everyone who supported the club in 2024.
Kiltimagh Scouts thank everyone who took part in the challenging, but rewarding, Christmas 13.5k hike in wet conditions.
The Scouts are grateful for all the donations towards this fundraising initiative and are proud of their youth members who organised the event.
Thanks are also extended to the members of the 1st Mayo Scouts, Castlebar, the 9th Mayo Scouts, Claremorris, and the 12th Mayo Scouts, Mulranny, for joining the Christmas Hike.
The annual Christmas Hold ’Em poker tournament, held in the Cill Aodain Hotel, attracted a big entry. Father and son, Pat and Isaac Boyle, claimed first and second prizes. Third prize was won by Keith Lydon with Martin Monaghan fourth and Aiden Cullinane fifth.
The death has occurred of Thomas Lynskey of Ballinamore House, Kiltimagh and late of Knocksaxon, Balla and Manchester, UK.
Thomas passed away on December 31st in his 100th year in the compassionate and respectful care of the staff at Ballinamore House.
Thomas was predeceased by his wife Bridie, his parents Patrick and Anne and his brothers and sisters. He will be sadly missed by his daughters Johanna and Linda and their partners, Allan and Stuart and by his nieces and nephews and many friends and neighbours.
Thomas was laid to rest in Balla Cemetery after Funeral Mass in St Cronan’s Church on Friday last.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Celine Jordan, Sonas Nursing Home, Knock and late of Cloonkedagh Road, Kiltimagh.
Celine was predeceased by her husband Frank and many siblings. She will be sadly missed by her nieces and nephews and friends.
Celine was laid to rest in Kilkinure Cemetery after Funeral Mass in the Church of the Holy Family.
May she rest in peace.
The Mayo Women's League are holding their first ever Masters League next February/March and Kiltimagh Knock United will be part of that journey. The club would like to hear from anyone over 30 who is interested in taking part.
Further information is available by messaging the Kiltimagh Knock United Facebook page, or by WhatsApp to Dee on 087-9291577.
Bridge is held in the Park Hotel every Tuesday at 7.30pm. The club is open to new members joining at any time. Casual pairs are also welcome.
Bridge classes are available for beginners and anybody interested can contact John McCrohan on 087 2422945.
The 2025 Mayo Four-A-Side Darts competition will be held next Saturday, January 11th, in the Park Hotel, Kiltimagh. The entry fee is €15 entry per player. All entries should be paid via Revolut to Joe on 083-8554284. Only paid entries will secure their place in the competition.
The Park Hotel is offering special room rates for the event. These are available directly from the hotel, quoting 'darts'.
There will be lots of side events on the night also, including the '9 darts at 9' challenge with some great prizes on offer. The proceeds will go to the Western Care Association, and all support is much appreciated.
There are a number of part-time job opportunities available for farmers in the Kiltimagh, Bohola and Midlfield areas. The work involves the caretaking of community facilities, village and countryside enhancement including maintenance of walkways, assistance in the Hospice shop, and with childcare facilities.
The vacancies are open through the Rural Social Scheme. Participants on the scheme work nineteen and half hours a week.
The scheme was set-up in 2004 as an alternative to the farmers’ dole payment of the time. The idea was to encourage farmers to go out and meet peers to combat loneliness and depression. Their work would, in the process, benefit communities throughout the country.
To be eligible for participation in the RSS, applicants must be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment and be actively farming or fishing, or be a close relative of someone who is engaged in these activities. Full details are on the Department of Social Protection website.
Anyone interested is asked to contact the supervisor for the area, Caroline Cotter, on 087-2107385 or by calling into the Mayo North East Leader Partnership office on Aiden Street.
Kiltimagh/Knock United are still seeking expressions of interest from anyone interested in the position of manager for their senior men's Super League team.
The ideal candidate will have coaching experience and be willing to lead and develop a team to compete at the highest level. Kiltimagh Knock United offers fantastic facilities and competes in the top division of the Mayo League. Prospective candidates should contact the club secretary Mary at 087-2124130 any committee member or email kiltimaghknockutdsec@yahoo.com.
KKU is a well-established Super League team with some fine players. The club also has really exciting young players. KKU players regularly feature in Mayo squads at senior and under-age level.
The Federation for Victims Assistance, (FVA), the national charity dedicated to supporting victims and individuals in vulnerable situations, has launched a draw with a brand new Nissan Qashqai on offer for the winner.
The car is the all-new 2025 Nissan Qashqai. It is a facelifted 1.3lt SV Mild Hybrid model. It delivers 140 brake horse power from a petrol engine.
Victim Assistance is a voluntary, non-profit charity, comprising fully-trained volunteers offering emotional and practical assistance to all victims of crime and those that have experienced a traumatic incident. The service is also available to family members of victims.
Tickets for the draw are priced at €20 each with three for €50 and can be purchased by calling into their offices at Aiden Street or by ringing 1800 277 477. They are also available online at www.victimassistance.ie.
