Local Notes: Claremorris students take part in tree-planting initiative
Members of Claremorris and District Lions club with students from Mount St Michael Secondary School as they prepare for the annual tree planting at Clare Lake. Picture: John Corless
Students from Mount St Michael Secondary School in Claremorris joined members of the Claremorris and District Lions Club for a tree-planting initiative as part of ongoing environmental work in the area last week.
The event brought together Transition Year students and volunteers to plant native trees, continuing a long-running project linked to National Tree Week. The initiative also reflects a growing collaboration between schools and community groups on environmental awareness.
Martina McNicholas, Green Schools Coordinator at the school, said the involvement of students was an important part of extending environmental work beyond the classroom.
“We’re here to work with the Lions Club to plant trees,” she said. “We want to get out of the school and involve the whole community in our Green Schools initiatives.”
Ms McNicholas said that the programme in the school focuses on a range of environmental measures.
“We’re working big time on recycling, waste and composting,” she said. “We’ve also introduced a return and reuse bin.”
Ms McNicholas said the introduction of the new bin had already made an impact.
“The day we put it out, we had so many plastic bottles in it,” she said. “We’re now looking at how we can return those and get the deposit back. The idea is to put that money back into the school.”
She added that the school is examining how other local groups have managed similar schemes. She said they hope to develop a system where students can return bottles and reinvest the funds in school projects.
Ten students took part in the planting on the day, representing the school’s Green Schools committee. Ms McNicholas said the initiative is open to wider student involvement.
“We extend it to the whole school population,” she said, “and participation can vary depending on availability.”
Alongside her coordination role, Ms McNicholas teaches business and mathematics and has recently completed further studies in special education. She said that working closely with students in different settings, including outdoor activities, plays an important role in their development.
James Preston, President of the Lions Club, said the tree-planting project has a long history in the area. He explained that the initiative dates back to 2006 when it was first introduced by club member, Seán Heneghan.
“The idea was to plant trees to coincide with National Tree Week,” he said.
He outlined how the project has evolved in recent years.
“During Covid we couldn’t sell the trees through our traditional outlets, but in 2021 we moved to selling them online,” he said. “The idea of involving students in planting them came after that.”
Mr Preston admitted he had initial doubts about the approach.
“I thought students wouldn’t be interested,” he said. “But I was convinced otherwise, and it has worked very well.”
He said the involvement of schools has added an educational dimension to the project.
“It gives the students a chance to learn about the environment,” he said. “They hear about native species like silver birch and issues like ash dieback. It’s an education for them as well as being hugely beneficial for the community.”
The Lions Club has worked with two schools in the area, the other being St Colman’s College, in delivering the initiative. Mr Preston said large numbers of trees have been planted in a short period of time with the help of students.
“They planted 150 trees in a matter of minutes,” he said.
The project is supported by forestry partners Heneghan Forestry, which provides both the trees and guidance on planting and maintenance. Mr Preston said this support has been in place since the early years of the initiative.
“They give advice on how the trees grow and the background to the species,” he said. “It wouldn’t be possible without them.”
Now in its 50th year overall, the tree-planting initiative remains a key part of the Lions Club’s annual programme. Mr Preston said the continued involvement of young people is central to its success.
“It’s a joy for us to be involved with the schools,” he said. “It’s a great way for students to engage with the environment.”
Congratulations are extended to Patsy Ring, founder of Ring Quarries, who celebrated his 80th birthday on April 29th, marking a significant milestone for a well-known figure in the Claremorris area.
Now residing in Newtown, Patsy originally hails from Ballydesmond, Co Cork. His cousins operate the highly successful Munster Joinery business, a supplier of windows and doors across the country. Patsy has been known to let it slip in conversation that he is from the Rebel County.
Patsy established Ring Quarries, building a long-standing business that has operated at a number of locations over the years, including Ballinsmalla and Derrowel, Balla. The company continues to operate quarries outside Kilkelly, maintaining its presence in the region.
He was also an early supporter of local sport, becoming the first sponsor of Claremorris AFC when the club was founded in 1985.
Patsy’s late wife, Mary, née Masterson, was from Ballycroy. She passed away at home following a short illness in July 2020. The couple shared a love of country music and were regular attendees at dances across the country. Together, they raised a family of seven.
Despite reaching his 80th year, Patsy continues to remain active in daily life. He marked the occasion in a characteristically practical way, spending the day working, driving a lorry and delivering sand and gravel.
His contribution to business and community life over many decades continues to be recognised locally.
GROW Mental Health peer support meetings continue at Claremorris Family Resource Centre.
The group meets every Wednesday from 11am to 1pm, providing a supportive space for people to share experiences and connect with others.
Further information is available on 094-9377838 or by email at info@claremorrisfrc.ie.
An acrylic painting workshop will take place over four weeks at Claremorris Family Resource Centre, beginning on May 15. The course will run from 10am to 12 noon and is open to beginners and those wishing to develop their skills. The fee is €60.
For registration or further details, contact 094-9377838 or email info@claremorrisfrc.ie.
The Dementia Dance Memory Group continues to meet weekly at the Cúram Family Centre.
The group meets every Wednesday from 11.30am to 1pm and offers a space for those caring for people with dementia to meet, talk and spend time in a relaxed setting. Music, refreshments and social interaction form part of each session.
Further information is available by contacting Irene on 087-1080650.
Seán Begley was the winner of the Claremorris GAA Club 50/50 draw last week, collecting €2,000. Seán bought the winning ticket in O’Brien’s.
The club, which now guarantees a minimum jackpot of €2,000 every week, congratulated Seán on the win and thanked all who continue to support the draw. Proceeds play an important role in funding coaching, facilities and youth development, with tickets available online and in local shops and pubs.
Serena Raftery was the winner of the Claremorris AFC 50/50 draw last week, taking home €450 with an online ticket. The club extended congratulations to Serena and expressed its appreciation to everyone who supports the weekly fundraiser. Funds raised go towards the running of teams and the ongoing development of the club, with tickets available online and through local outlets each week.
Claremorris South Community First Responders is seeking new volunteers to join its team.
The group attends local emergencies, including cardiac arrest, stroke and choking incidents, providing early assistance before ambulance crews arrive. No prior experience is required, as full training and equipment are provided.
Volunteers also have access to ongoing training and progression opportunities. Further information is available from Mayo Volunteer Centre on 096-71444 or by email at vincent@volunteermayo.ie.
The TA Group-sponsored competition took place at Claremorris Golf Club from April 24th to 26th.
In the Ladies 18-Hole Stableford, Louise Grant secured first place with 39 points, while Catherine Brennan won Category Three with 38 points. Finola Mellett took first place in the Ladies 9-Hole Stableford with 25 points.
In the Men’s 18-Hole Stableford, Peter Totten claimed first place with 45 points on a back nine countback. Liam Feeley won Category One with 38 points, while Paul Biggins topped Category Two with 43 points. John M Donnellan won Category Three with 40 points on countback, and Robert McCormack took Category Five with 39 points.
The McWilliam Park Hotel will continue its sponsorship of the Mid Week Open at Claremorris Golf Club for the 2026 season.
The competition runs from Tuesday to Thursday each week until the end of September, with entry at €7 for members and €25 for visitors. Ladies and gents compete together, with weekly prizes on offer.
All weekly winners will qualify for the Grand Final on September 26, where the top prize is a two-night stay at Dunboyne Castle Hotel.
Mayo Sports Partnership is supporting sprint training sessions at the Claremorris Athletic Track.
Run by Mayo Athletic Club, the sessions are open to adults of all levels and focus on speed, technique and fitness. They take place each Saturday from 10.30am to 11.30am, with a fee of €3 per session.
Further details are available from Declan on 086-0731365.
Mayo Sports Partnership continues its weekly 'Buggy Buddies' group for parents of babies and toddlers in Claremorris.
The group meets each Thursday at 9.30am at McMahon Park, Clare Lake, for a walk followed by light exercise. Tea and coffee are available afterwards at Hegarty’s Centra.
Further information is available on 094-9377838.
Brickens Meals on Wheels is seeking a weekend and summer relief carer and Meals on Wheels assistant.
A good level of fitness is required, and the role may suit a student in healthcare. A Level 5 qualification, or work towards it, is desirable.
Contact Lorraine on 094-9380910 for further details.
