Local Notes: All the latest news from Charlestown
Pictured at the official opening of Kilkelly Community Centre were, from left: Deputy Rose Conway-Walsh, Cllr Gerry Murray and Anne Dunleavy. Picture: James Hunt Photography
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Lotto jackpot of €15,100 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, January 19th, when the four numbers drawn were 7, 12, 19 and 31.
The winners of the two €50 weekly prizes were Yvonne Hillier and John Goldrick.
Next week's jackpot will increase to €15,300.
Tickets are on sale in a number of outlets in the town and are also available on the online platform which can be accessed via the smart lotto or the club's Facebook page. The club would like to thank all who played and supported the weekly lotto and congratulate all who won the weekly prizes.
The death took place at St Attracta's Residence, Hagfield, Charlestown of Carmel Crean, The Square, Charlestown.
Her remains were removed from Horkan's Funeral Home to St James' Church and burial took place at the Cemetery of the Resurrection in Charlestown after Requiem Mass.
Carmel is survived by her son Alan, daughters Laura and Audrey, sisters Claire and Geraldine, brother Martin, daughter-in-law Annette, sons-in-law Brian and Fidelis, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
The late Carmel, who was pre-deceased by her husband William, was a lady in the true sense of the word and was much admired and respected in the community of Charlestown and beyond.
She was a hairdresser of some renown and ran her own business for a number of years and established a terrific rapport with her customers who always commented on the warmth, cordiality and friendliness she displayed in all her dealings with them.
Carmel had an innate sense of decency and generosity about her and forged many strong links and friendships in the town as she was a people person with a very magnetic personality. She helped her son Alan in the early years with the establishment of Crean Mosaics following her husband William's death and was a steadfast source of support and guidance to him as he built on the business established by his late father.
Carmel always had a friendly smile and a warm greeting on display whenever she encountered people and this endeared her to many in the community. She was a good neighbour and friend to all in Barrack Street and on The Square and was devoted to her family and did a terrific job ensuring their needs were met at all times having been widowed at a young age.
Carmel was a good person who brought joy and happiness to each and every day and these qualities stood her in good stead as she navigated her way through the many challenges she faced and encountered on a daily basis. Her death has caused widespread regret and sorrow throughout the community but she leaves a great legacy of memories which her family will cherish and cling dear to in these deep, dark hours and days.
We tender our deepest sympathies to the bereaved.
As well as staging the John B Keane classic play 'Moll' in Cloonacool on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 21st, 22nd and 23rd respectively, Cloonacool Players have been invited to appear at St Brigid's Hall in Tubbercurry during the Western Drama Festival on Tuesday, March 4th.
The cast and crew are delighted and look forward to entertaining audiences in both venues with laughs galore guaranteed.
Adult basketball continues in the CBD Recreational Centre on Tuesday evenings from 9pm to 10pm (adults only please) so come along if interested.
The death took place at her home at Bellaghy, Charlestown recently of Sallie Burke (nee Stenson).
Her remains were removed to St James' Church, Charlestown and burial took place in Bunncrannagh Cemetery after Requiem Mass.
Sallie is survived by her sons Jimmy, Charles, PJ, Damien and John, daughters Mary and Helen, sister Nellie, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends.
The late Sallie, who was pre-deceased by her husband Martin, was a much-loved and respected member of the communities of Bellaghy and Charlestown. She ran the old Post Office in Curry for many years and was most helpful, supportive and courteous to the general public in all her dealings and interactions with them.
Sallie knew the value of hard work and was never one to let her grass grow under her feet as she tackled every day with determination, zest and no little spirit. She did her best by her family and was a good provider who ensured their needs were met at all times.
Sallie was a lady of great energy and dynamism who faced down all that life threw at her in her own inimitable fashion. She was a lady of deep faith with the daily mass playing an important part in her schedule. Her relish and enthusiasm for life never dimmed with her life revolving around her family and her daily and regular interactions with them.
The large crowds who attended the removal of her remains and subsequent burial were ample proof of the esteem and affection in which she was held as Bellaghy said goodbye to one of its nicest and most popular citizens. She leaves many great memories that her family will cherish in these deep, dark hours and days.
We tender our deepest sympathies to the bereaved.
Caiseal Gaels Hurling Club are holding their dinner dance in the Yeats County Inn, Curry on Saturday, February 8th, with doors opening at 7pm. Tickets cost €35 and they can be booked by contacting Gerry on 087-9705488 or Finbarr on 083-1852310.
The club has been steadily rising through the hurling ranks at underage and junior level in the county in the course of the last decade or so and is a real force at all levels with their junior team continuing to make great strides as they look to build on the successes they have enjoyed at underage level since their formation. The dance is sure to draw a large crowd to the Yeats County Inn as Caiseal Gaels have a strong membership and support base who are sure to turn out in big numbers as they look back on another successful year at all levels in a club that continues to grow and flourish and attract players from all corners of the community.
The Charlestown Sarsfields GAA club wish to remind their many annual lotto ticket holders that their tickets are up for renewal in the coming weeks. The ticket continues to be a huge boon for the club and provides them with a valuable and crucial source of income as they look to meet and pay the many bills which come to their doors at the start of every new year.
The ticket price will remain at €70 for the coming season which makes for terrific value as with the weekly ticket retailing at €2 the annual ticket holder gets the ticket for far less than the retail value - hence why they have proved so popular over the years.
The same format applies where you select any four numbers out of 36 and these become your numbers for each weekly draw with a significant number of weekly winners coming from the annual ticket cohort. The ticket has been a very important part of the club's revenue stream for any number of years and the club's executive are hoping for a big uptake on the 2025 version and very much appreciate all who sign up and subscribe as they look to increase the number of ticket holders for the new season.
Anyone interested in purchasing a ticket can do so by contacting any member of executive or log onto the Charlestown Sarsfields Facebook page or website which contains a number of links that you can follow to facilitate online payment.
The club are keenly aware of the demands that are placed on households at the start of any year with bills coming through the doors and prices sky-rocketing but they have always gotten fantastic support from the community and general public with regard to their annual ticket and greatly appreciate all support they receive as they continue to provide the best in terms of facilities and coaching for the many players who come through their doors at all grades and genders.
The new Vincent De Paul charity shop opening in Ballyhaunis later in January is looking for volunteers. Would you be interested? if so, could you spare a few hours a week to help this important charity in the community?
The organisers would like to hear from TUS and RSS scheme workers willing to volunteer. Email vincents.ballyhaunis@svp.ie.
The Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club wish to remind their members and supporters that membership for the new 2025 season is now due and can be made payable to any member of the executive at a cost of €50.
The closing date for payment is March 31st and your cooperation in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Accord Catholic Marriage Care is seeking facilitators to volunteer to train as presenters for marriage preparation courses. If you feel you would like to help, contact Aisling at the Accord Centre, Maynooth, Co Kildare on 01-5053112 or email marraigecourses@accord.ie.
There was a good turnout at the weekly bridge game held in Walsh's Bar, Main Street, on Wednesday, January 22nd, and the following were the prize winners: 1st, Mary O'Malley and Teresa Ward; 2nd, Mary O'Connell and James Mooney; 3rd, Paddy and Patricia Colleran; 4th, Carmel Moffitt and Hilary McCrohan.
The weekly game continues on Wednesday nights at8pm in Walsh's Bar with new members most welcome.
The following were the winners of the 25 Card Drive game held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry on Tuesday night, January 21st: 1st, Paul Flannery and Kevin Maloney; 2nd, James Reidy and James Cafferty.
The game takes place every Tuesday night at 9pm and all are welcome.
Activator pole and chair exercise class take place in the Charlestown Arts Centre from 12 noon to 1pm on Friday, January 31st. Lift access available. All welcome. The fee is €2.
Charlestown, Bellaghy and Districts Development Association will hold a Community Coffee Morning on Friday, February 7th, in the Charlestown Arts Centre from 11am to 1pm. Lift access available.
All are welcome to come along for a cuppa and a chat.
Charlestown Ladies Gaelic Football Association are looking for expressions of interest for the senior ladies and the under-14 girls' manager positions for the 2025 season. If you are interested in either position please contact charlestown.mayo@lgfa.ie.
There will be a course of bridge lessons for beginners on Thursdays from 8pm to 10pm lasting approximately 10 weeks. The lessons will take place in Walsh's Bar on Main Street, beginning on February 5th. The lessons are free and open to everybody in the community.
The death took place recently of Paddy McVann Rathmagurry, Curry, Co Sligo. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
The annual general meeting of the East Mayo Athletics Club took place in the Town Hall Arts Centre on Friday night, January 17th.
There was a good crowd in attendance and the following officers were elected for the coming year: Chairperson, Gemma Higgins; Secretary, Siobhan Durkan; Treasurer, John Carney; Assistant Treasurer, Fiona Casey; PRO, Peter Gallagher; Children's Officer, Anneka Wynne; Competition's Secretary, Sharon Egan; Women in Support Officer, Anita Dooney; Inclusion Officer, Rebecca Ryan; Registrar, Eilish Duffy.
The club was in the happy position to report on another very successful year as their membership continues to grow at a rapid rate. They recorded many successful milestones at junior and adult level with some serious talents flying the club colours in all grades, genders and cohorts.
The club are flourishing in all areas and facets and great credit must go to a committee that has boundless supplies of energy as they draw and attract members from all corners of East Mayo and beyond.
The club launched their very ambitious development plans on New Year's Day last which was referenced in this column in the last number of weeks.
The committee have a number of fundraising projects in place to bring their developments to fruition and the highlight of which is a Lip Sync event scheduled for the Park Hotel, Kiltimagh on Saturday, March 29th, with elaborate plans being put in place to make this a huge success with the acts and those taking part all signed up and ready to commit. It promises to be a night to remember with the whole community very much behind the Athletics Club and their endeavours to provide the community with a first-class athletic facility and one which will cater for and allow the next generation of talented athletes to flourish and develop their potential to the maximum.
The committee is brimming with people with ambition and a vision for the future which sees the club being one of the best and most progressive in the county with a training centre and facility which aligns with their dreams and aspirations. The committee members are well aware of the size of the task that lies ahead but, buoyed by the substantial lotto funding they received from the last Sports Capital Programme, they are united in their desire to bring the project design to completion with determination, resolution, tenacity and alacrity very much their mantra as they bring a terrific work ethic to all matters connected to the club.
They have a splendid Facebook page which provides up-to-date details of all matters pertaining to the club with a number of links available as to how you can support financially or otherwise. The club and its executive are extremely grateful for all the support they receive.
The build-up to the Lip Sync night takes pride of place at the moment with more updates on this and other matters relating to the club being carried in this column in the coming weeks.
The annual general meeting of the CBD Complex and Recreation Centre takes place on Tuesday, February 18th, at 8.30pm.
All members are requested to attend as the committee reflects on a busy and progressive year where a number of impressive initiatives have been put a place as the complex continues to reach out into all areas of the community.
Life after bereavement can feel very lonely. Trained facilitators conduct a weekly bereavement support meeting at the Family Centre, Knock Shrine, each Wednesday at 11am.
There is also a special meeting for bereaved partners and spouses on the first Thursday of each month at 11am. No appointment needed. Further information from Monica Morley on 094-9375320.
East Mayo Athletics Club and East Mayo Special Olympics present Lip Sync Battles Ireland on Saturday, March 29th, in the Park House, Hotel Kiltimagh at 8pm.
This promises to be a cracking night of fun, music, laughter and entertainment with both organisations very keen to make it a night to savour for all connected and involved. More news in the coming weeks but save the date and make sure you clear your diaries for what should be a cracking night of jollity and hilarity and one not to be missed under any circumstances.
The Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club wish to remind their members and patrons that they have a number of deals available regarding annual lotto tickets, County Board tickets and membership available for the new 2025 season. You can purchase membership, County Board and annual lotto tickets for the princely sum of €150, which is a snip considering the full value of all three would set you back €220.
Anybody who would like to buy membership and annual lotto can do so at the bargain price of €100, which represents a saving of €20. The third option involves stand-alone membership which is available for €50 and this remains one of the cheapest available in the county and has remained at this figure for several years.
All options are available for purchase on the Charlestown Sarsfields social media outlets with the website and Facebook pages providing you with all the necessary links and information as the club looks to bolster its funds in order to meet the weekly/monthly bills that come through the door at the start of any new season with monies also needed to equip and kit out the many teams who will represent the Sarsfields brand at all levels and gender as the numbers coming through the gates continues to increase which indicates the good space the Sarsfields currently occupy at the moment.
There's something for everyone in all of the above options with the club hopeful of a positive response from the community at large as the Sarsfields look to build on the platform 2024 provided on and off the field.
There was one winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €2,400 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, January 20th, when the four numbers drawn were 2, 3, 16 and 24.
The following were the winners of the three €20 weekly prizes: Darby Leonard (jnr), Bridie Brady and Theo Kennedy.
Next week's jackpot will increase to €2,500 and the draw will take place on Monday night, January 27th. Tickets can be bought in a number of outlets or via the online platform and also by logging onto the club's Facebook and Twitter pages respectively.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh's Bar, Main Street, on Sunday night, January 19th, as Podsie and Boom Boom fought it out in the latest instalment of the weekly classic. Governor Gus was back in his role as match referee and did his usual top-class job ensuring good sportsmanship prevailed throughout.
This was the umpteenth clash between the two protagonists in the final with Podsie holding much the better record in terms of the win-loss ratio.
Boom Boom made the better start sweeping his way to the first set with some clinical finishing. However, Podsie found his level in sets two and three and grabbed a 2-1 lead on the back of some consistent scoring and assassin-like finishing with Boom Boom barely getting a look at a double such was Podsie's dominance.
Things improved for the number three seed in set four as he snatched a 2-1 lead with a bull finish in the third leg thwarting Podsie who looked to have the leg on his arrows - the three arrows in his quiver and double eighteen at his mercy.
Boom Boom was one leg away from forcing a fifth set decider but things didn't quite pan out the way he hoped as Podsie once again displayed his ruthless streak by winning two legs on the bounce to take the game away from his opponent and seal his first victory of the season in dramatic fashion.
Boom Boom bore the look of a haunted man but he had seen this script unfold on many an occasion and all he could do or muster was a smile and a handshake which Podsie was more than willing to accept with both men finishing the night deep in conversation as Podsie once again underlined his class and brilliance when the gun was put to his head.
A wonderful end to another gripping final between the two rivals as the number one seed gave a timely reminder that his class continues to endure with his game continuing to scale new heights and set more records.
