Local Notes: All the latest news from Swinford.
Cast of the Lisacul Play entitled 'Separate Beds' by Sam Cree are back l/r Derek Marren (Fr Mathew Griddle), Geralyn Gallagher (Madge Wirsall), Michael McCarthy (Andy Crawford), Molly Hilton(Judy Marshall), and Brendan Davis (Alan Rea). Front l/r Vannessa Anderson (Clare Marshall), Tom Coppinger (Arthur Marshall), Anna Marie Boyle (Ivy), and Cait Deane (Sarah Rea). Pic James Hunt Photography.
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted to Julie Ryan as follows: email ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call leaving a voicemail if not answered/text/WhatsApp on 087 7694781 (after 6pm). Deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm Wednesday.
Results of the most recent Golf Development Draw: €1000 Ben Murtagh, €300 Michael Murtagh and €200 Louis Monaghan.
Congratulations to Mairead Doherty who won €500 in the Swinford GAA 50/50 draw.
The numbers drawn in the Swinford Community Lotto draw held on April 20, were 2, 6, 8 and 16. There was no jackpot winner. €70 vouchers were won by Margaret Muldowney, Rabawn and T Sweeney, c/o The Post Office; €35 was won by Espcatmm, Swinford and Assumpta Loftus, Killasser. The jackpot is now €4,400.
Swinford Gardening Club will hold their next talk on Tuesday, April 28, at 8pm in the Meeting Room on Lower Main St. Horticulturist Conor Brennan will speak on flower and vegetable planting, lawn care and give tips on dealing with moss. Everyone is welcome to attend. Non-members €5.
The 42nd Siamsa Sraide Street and Arts Festival Swinford returns from July 30 to August 5 with a blockbuster brochure of a festival which will include free open-air music to Ritchie Remo, Ruaile Buaile, Stuart Moyles, Lovefest, Mike Denver and whole host of historic and cultural events. Brochure of Events will be launched in May.
Time to Shine Talent Competition, in association with Siamsa Sráide Street Festival returns this August. Applications to take part will be opening very soon. All talents and acts welcome. U16 and 16+ categories. Whether you sing, dance, perform, or have a hidden talent, the organisers want to hear from you. Keep an eye on The Railway Players and Time to Shine Social Media page for application details.
Swinford Active Retirement Club meet every Monday at Swinford Golf Club from 2-4pm with a variety of activities tea/coffee etc €5 weekly, why not come and join and bring new ideas with you. Contact Ann on 087 7459089 or Bridie on 087 9049723.
Go Getters meet in the Cultural Centre every Friday from 10.30am-12.30pm. Walking with activator poles and exercises then refreshments followed by Boccia. €5 weekly, come and join for some fitness and laughs. Contact Ann on 087 7459089 or Bridie on 087 9049723.
Pétanque games at the Amenity Park on Thursdays from 1pm-3pm, €2 weekly, spare boules available so why not give it a try. Contact Ann on 087 7459089 or Martin on 085 128 5175.
A Benefit Dance for Brenda Walsh Grealis will be held in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris on Thursday, May 7, with music by Streetwise and Friends. Music and dancing from 9 to 11.30pm. Tickets are available from Kennedy’s Eurospar, Swinford, The McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, The Connacht Telegraph, Castlebar, Mulroy’s Londis, Moneen Roundabout, Castlebar, Carrabine’s Centra, Bangor Erris, O’Hara’s Centra, Foxford, Doherty’s Costcutter, Mulranny, Mulranny Post Office and they cost €20.
Brenda, originally from Callow, was recently diagnosed with PERM Stiff Person Syndrome (SPS). This is an extremely rare, severe neurological disease that causes extreme muscle rigidity, painful spasms, and progressive loss of mobility. A gifted singer and musician, she is a wife and mother of four children. All support will be greatly appreciated.
Swinford Siamsa Sraide Street and Arts Festival returns from July 30 to August 5 bringing with it seven days of music, art, cultural, historical and family events.
The Novel Bean is honoured to have Chele Crawley and Martina Wintour launching their bestselling books kicking off on Thursday, July 30, at 10.30am in The Novel Bean. This event will be the start of an action-packed programme for the 2026 Festival.
The May Indoor Market will be held on Saturday, May 2, in Swinford Cultural Centre F12WK83 from 10.30am to 3pm. Swinford Market offers a wonderful selection of local crafts, baked goods, handmade goods, and community stalls. Cácaí Acla will be serving teas, coffee, and freshly baked treats.
Congratulations to Niamh Cunney who won €565 in the March Killasser Community Centre 50/50 draw with Paul Grogan, Tommy and Ann McManus and Marty Gallagher winning €20 spot prize each. The April draw will take place on May 10.
The annual Mayo Pink Ribbon Cycle will once again pass through Swinford via the Kiltimagh Road on Saturday next, May 2, between 10am and 12 noon. Since it was inaugurated in 2010 over €1.7m has been raised for the National Breast Cancer Research Institute. If you want to take part contact mayopinkribbon.ie. Your support will be greatly appreciated.
Mayo Roscommon Hospice would appreciate your kind assistance in helping them raise funds on National Sunflower Days for Hospice on Friday and Saturday, June 12 and 13. Sunflowers will be on sale at local stores in Mayo on both days. Any time you can give on any of those dates would be most appreciated. Contact 094 9388666 or email info@hospice.ie.
A photographic exhibition exploring rural Ireland from a skateboard is currently on display at the Courtyard Gallery in Turlough Park, in the Courtyard Gallery. It explores aspects of the lived, social and economic history of rural Ireland through a series of spaces, reflecting on a range of themes from loss and dereliction to endurance, resilience, and renewal. The images and stories were compiled in 2025 for a special issue of the Irish skateboarding publication, Goblin Magazine. Róidin is open in the Courtyard Gallery, Turlough Park. Admission is free.
Swinford Community Games will be held on Bank Holiday Monday, May 4, at Swinford Athletic Track. Registration from 10.30am with the first race at 11am. €5 per entry. U6’s Swinford competition, U8’s to 18’s qualify for Mayo competition.
With just under three weeks left to the sixth annual Colm Horkan Memorial Run which takes place on Sunday, May 17, there is still lots of time for people to sign-up and take part in the discipline of their choice be that the 5k, 10k or half-marathon options. There has been a great response to date with people booking their participation online as competitors, joggers, walkers and runners come from all parts of Connacht and beyond to take part in memory of a great man who left an indelible impression on all who knew, worked, played and socialised with him within and outside the community. If you wish to take part, the organising committee would love to have you, all you need to do is log onto the East Mayo Athletics Club Facebook page and follow the link. The date is fast approaching and you can also sign-up, place your order for a special t-shirt to commemorate the event with all details re the same also available on the Facebook page.
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Bohola.
Would you like new books without spending a cent. The Book Swap Box is now in Bohola Community Centre where you can bring a book, take a book — it’s that simple. If you are clearing out your shelves, eed a new bedtime read, love a good thriller, romance or kids’ story, then call in and have a look. You never know what you’ll find.
This year's Moy Davitts Golf Classic takes place at Ballina Golf Club on Saturday, May 30. Entry fee is €160 per team of four and there will be some major prizes on the day for all winners. Competitions on the day include Longest Drive and Nearest the Pin and the top prizes will include night away and green fees at some of the top golf courses in Ireland. There will also be a halfway house barbeque at the 9th hole for those looking for a bite to eat and a drink during their round. To book contact Ballina Golf Club on 096 21050 or info@ballina-golf.com and early booking is advised.
Are you interested in helping your community while earning extra money? Kiltimagh Rural Social Scheme are seeking people for caretaking, maintenance and social care positions in the Kiltimagh/Bohola/Midfield areas. 19.5 hours per week based on a farmer-friendly schedule. New eligibility criteria applies making it more accessible to join the team. Contact Caroline if you have any questions on 087 2107385. Strengthen your skills for gaining employment by joining the computer and office skills course.
Congratulations to Eva Clarke, Bohola, who won a jackpot of €636 in the Moy Davitts 50/50 draw on Saturday, April 18. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the draw, it is greatly appreciated. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by playing on the club app (Moy Davitts GAA).
Mayo Cancer Support, at Rock Rose House, wishes to thank all those who supported and facilitated its recent church gate collection in Bohola and Shraheens on the weekend of April 18 and 19. Special thanks to the volunteer collectors and all who donated. A total of €182 was collected at Shraheens and €74.60 was raised at Bohola. These funds will support the ongoing provision of emotional support to local people affected by cancer.
The grounds of Turlough Park are home to lots of different habitats with woodland, gardens, lake and river areas. Throughout the biodiverse grounds, you can explore plants, trees, birds and animals, big and small. Some are native and some are not. Pick up the new ‘Woodland Explorer’ activity booklet from Museum reception to learn more on a self-guided nature trail through Turlough Park. Use your keen senses and skills to complete a series of fun nature challenges to finish the trail! No booking require and the nature trail has free admission.
