Local Notes: Claremorris students take to the stage
Mount St.Michael Secondary School students, in collaboration with St Colman's College, are presenting the musical Matilda at Claremorris Town Hall Theatre next week. Pictured are the cast members. Picture: Trish Forde
Mount Saint Michael students, in collaboration with St Colman’s College, will stage the popular musical, Matilda, in the Town Hall on October 22, 23 and 24.
Matilda Wormwood, portrayed by Emma Heffernan, is a brilliant and imaginative young girl with a love for books and a flair for mischief. Despite the indifference of her neglectful parents and the tyranny of Miss Trunchbull (played by Katie Foody), Matilda uncovers her extraordinary powers and finds the courage to stand up for what is right.
With an unforgettable score by Tim Minchin, this inspiring tale celebrates the magic of childhood, the importance of kindness, and the triumph of the underdog.
Last year’s production was sold out well in advance, and this year’s production filled with heart, humour, and spectacular performances, is bound to sell quickly too. Tickets are available from the Town Hall Box Office on 094-9310999 and online at www.townhall.ie.
Adult tickets are priced at €17.50 and children's tickets cost €12.50, both including processing fees.
Lorraine Dolan and Kenneth Mortimer were the joint winners of Claremorris GAA’s 50/50 draw last week. The winning ticket was sold in Gilligan’s and the winners will divide €880 between them.
Davitts GAA club is teaming up with Croí to bring a Croí In Your Community event to Ballindine on Friday, October 18th.
The Croí Mobile Health Unit will be offering free blood pressure and pulse checks, along with valuable information and advice on stroke prevention and heart health. It takes place from 11am to 3pm at the clubhouse. The event is sponsored by St Colman's Credit Union.
Croí is a West of Ireland-based registered charity on a mission to conquer heart disease and stroke. You can help too by attending this event on Friday, October 18th.
There is great news this week, for anyone thinking of building, extending or renovating their own home, with the announcement that the SelfBuild exhibition will be held in the GAA Airdome in Bekan, on Saturday, November 2nd and Sunday 3rd. The show is aimed at people who wish to have the work done themselves, as opposed to buying a ready-made home. It doesn’t mean that they are expected to physically do the work themselves.
SelfBuild has held huge exhibitions around the country for over 20 years. Venues have included the King’s Hall and the Titanic Centre in Belfast, City West Hotel and Exhibition Centre in Dublin, Punchestown and Millstreet arenas, and at the Galway Racecourse.
Visitors to the exhibition will benefit from the advice of local and national companies, be introduced to new products and processes and will have the opportunity to discuss their own project with experts in a one-to-one setting. Free admission tickets are available online.
Claremorris Colts Rugby Club has rapidly evolved into a vibrant club for rugby enthusiasts of all ages since it was established in 2009. With a focus on youth development and community involvement, the club has made significant strides over the past 15 years.
The club is holding two registration nights on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 15th and 16th, from 7 to 9pm, upstairs in the Dalton Inn Hotel. Cash and Card payments will be accepted for registration fees.
The club’s opening fixture in the Bank of Ireland Division 1C, vs Ballina 2nds, didn’t go ahead last week, as Ballina were unable to field a team. Unlike other sorts, this doesn’t mean that the league points are awarded to the Colts.
“This will have to go before the Connacht fixtures committee for a ruling,” Club chairperson Fergal Byrne told the . “It isn’t just a straightforward walkover.”
The Colts will compete against Tuam 2nds, Corrib, Galwegians 2, OLBC, Loughrea and Carrick on Shannon, as well as Ballina 2nds, in the division over the winter. Some of the games will be played on Sunday afternoons and some will be played under lights on Saturday nights.
“The club was initially founded to foster a love for rugby among young players,” Fergal said. “The club has expanded significantly since it was formed. We now have teams for all ages - from under-6s to under-18s.”
The Claremorris Colts cater to both boys’ and girls’ teams.
“We started off with under-6 teams and now we have around 430 members. We’ve had a tremendous response from the community. Our mini rugby section has over 150 kids participating each week, and we’re seeing more and more interest in our girls' teams as well.”
This growth not only highlights the club's success but also reflects the rising popularity of rugby in the region.
The Claremorris Colts' men's senior team has made headlines by earning promotion from Junior 2 to Junior 1 after being unbeaten last season.
“It's a remarkable achievement for the lads,” Fergal said. “It’s down to dedication and teamwork. The transition to senior rugby is a significant milestone for any club, and the Colts have approached it with enthusiasm and determination.
“Many of our young players balance rugby with college and personal lives, so getting them back to the club can be challenging,” Fergal explained. “However, we’ve been fortunate to see a number of players return and contribute significantly to our senior team.”
Each year, six or seven players progress from the under-18 ranks to the senior team, showcasing the club's effective development pathways.
In addition to the men's team, the club has made strides in women's rugby, with the girls' senior team achieving impressive results, including winning local leagues and cups.
“Our girls have played really well in the past few seasons, and we're proud of their achievements. The girls' game is growing, and we’re committed to supporting that growth,” Fergal said.
The club actively encourages female participation in rugby. The success of the girls' teams not only reflects their talent but also the hard work and dedication of the coaches and players involved.
“Having successful teams has helped us attract more girls to the sport, and we're looking forward to expanding our offerings even further.”
The Colts Rugby Club is primarily funded through membership registrations and sponsorships, with a dedicated group of local businesses supporting the club's initiatives.
“It costs around €30,000 to run the club annually,” Fergal said. “We’re very grateful for our sponsors, including local businesses that help provide jerseys and support our operations.”
The community's involvement plays a crucial role in sustaining the club's activities. Parents, local businesses and rugby enthusiasts contribute not only financially but also through volunteer work and engagement at events.
“We often host events to raise funds and engage with the community, and the response has been fantastic,” Fergal said.
Safety is a top priority for the club, especially in light of the physical nature of rugby.
“We take concussions very seriously, with strict protocols in place for player safety. Our players know the importance of reporting any symptoms,” Fergal said. “We conduct regular training for our coaches to ensure they are well-equipped to handle any injuries or emergencies that arise during games or training.
"This proactive approach not only enhances the safety of the players but also instils confidence in parents and guardians regarding the club’s commitment to their children's well-being.”
Looking ahead, the Claremorris Colts aim to enhance their facilities and provide even more opportunities for their players.
“We’re hoping to develop our pitch and possibly add a stand for spectators. It’s all about creating a better experience for players and fans alike,” Fergal said.
Such improvements would not only enhance the quality of play but also foster a stronger community atmosphere during matches.
The club is also exploring initiatives to promote player retention and development, recognising the challenges many young athletes face in balancing sports with other commitments.
“We want to create an environment where players feel supported, both on and off the pitch,” Fergal explained. “We want everyone who comes through our doors to feel welcomed and part of the family.”
Claremorris Lions Club, in conjunction with the local branch of the Red Cross, tested 95 people for blood sugar levels in an open event last week. The event was held in The Square, and was free of charge to participants.
James Preston was the organiser for the Lions, and he was assisted on the day by fellow Lions, Andy Bibby, Melissa Walsh, Declan Reidy, John Whittle and Paddy Burke.
“The testing was carried out as part of the Lions’ Diabetes Awareness Campaign,” James Preston told the . “The testing couldn’t be carried out without the capable services of Rose Ward and Rachel Delaney from Claremorris Red Cross ambulance crew and we are very grateful to them.
"The blood test is an initial test to alert people if they need to seek further medical attention in relation to the possible onset of Type 2 Diabetes. This is the second year that we have carried out these tests in Claremorris and the number of tests has trebled. We’re delighted with the uptake. The vast majority of attendees had no issues. We received donations on the day and we were very grateful for that.”
Claremorris Leisure Centre is now taking bookings for an eight-week course of adult swimming lessons. The new term will be starting tomorrow, Wednesday, October 16th.
A Beginners and Improvers class will be available on Wednesday mornings at from 9am to 9:45am. An evening Beginners and Improvers class will be available on Wednesdays from 7.15pm to 8pm. The fee is €80.00 for members of the Leisure Centre, and €100 for non- members.
For more information, or to book a place, call the centre on 094-9371313.
Liz McMahon (nee Walsh), of Acocks Green, Birmingham, England, who died on September 4th, was formerly Liz Walsh of Ballydaff, Taugheen.
Liz was predeceased by her parents, Vincent and Josephine Walsh, and will be sadly missed by her heartbroken family, husband Patsy, children John (Rachel), Lesley (Vicky), Steven, Charlene (Stewart); grandchildren Jaime, Vincent, Thomas, Matthew and Niamh; sisters Maureen, Helen and Phyl; brothers Jimmy, Tom, and Michael; brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, numerous nieces, nephews and cousins.
Liz’s Funeral Mass took place on October 11th at Sacred Heart and Holy Souls Catholic Church, Acocks Green, Birmingham, followed by committal service at Robin Hood Crematorium.
The fascinating life of the late Robert Stanford, a native of Ballinastanford, Claremorris, will be the subject of an illustrated presentation by the historian Dr Ciarán Reilly in the Town Hall Studio on this Thursday night, October 17th, at 8.15 pm.
The event, entitled ‘An Irishman at the Cape: Robert Stanford of Ballinastanford’, is being hosted by Claremorris Historical Society and admission is free.
Dr Ciarán Reilly is a lecturer on 19th and 20th-century Irish History at Maynooth University. He is also the assistant director of the Centre for the Study of Historic Irish Houses and Estates, which is based at Maynooth University.
Dr Reilly is author of several books including (2014), (2014) and (2012). He has also co-edited of a number of books including (2022), (2018) and (2017).
All are welcome.
Clare Lake playground in Claremorris was successful with its CLÁR application, securing €49,500. The money will go towards resurfacing the last section of the playground and additional equipment. The project is promoted by Claremorris Chamber of Commerce.
The grant is part of €617,000 in CLÁR funding for Mayo projects. Grants of between €5,000 and €50,000 were awarded through the Department of Rural and Community Development and are aimed at providing support for the development of community and sports facilities, youth clubs, playgrounds, sensory gardens, walking tracks, etc. This measure is administered by Mayo County Council in consultation with each of the communities.
The women’s section of last week’s competition, sponsored by Glynn's Homevalue, was won by Sara Creighton with 41 points. The men’s section was won by John O'Mahoney with 44 points. Niall McCarthy won Category 2 with 32 points. Category 3 was won by Peter Collins with 37 points, Category 4 by Kevin Bacchus with 36 points, while Janny Pilbrow won Category 5 with 32 points.
Cluain Aoibhinn residents are the inaugural winners of the SuperValu/Claremorris Tidy Towns Residents Estates Competition. The competition was organised by the Tidy Towns committee, and attracted a huge entry.
“Independent external judges selected the winners,” Yvonne Keaveney, from Claremorris Tidy Towns, told the . “The decision was based on three criteria: Litter and overall cleanliness, biodiversity initiatives like bird houses, biodiversity-friendly plants and insect hotels – things like that, and the third one was flower beds and things that add colour.”
Yvonne said it was the organisation’s first year holding the competition and they might extend it next year to include streets and roads.
“SuperValu – our sponsors - were excellent. They put up a cash prize and a plaque that the winners can display at the entrance to their estate. They have been great supporters of Tidy Towns. We hope that this will encourage other estates to form committees to work to improve their estates, which will not just have a benefit for the estate but for everyone in the community."
GROW mental health support
A meeting of GROW mental health peer support group will be held in Claremorris Family Resource Centre every Wednesday evening from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
This group is for people who may be diagnosed with a mental health challenge or simply feel they cannot cope with what life throws at them. For further details, please contact Cecilia on 086-1074695.
The Harmony Hub (mindfulness and mental health support programme for teenagers) with Gretta MacManus offers mindfulness and stress management workshops specifically designed for teenagers.
This programme provides an opportunity for teenagers to learn how to take care of their mental and emotional health. To participate, contact Claremorris Family Resource Centre at 094-9377838.
An upcycling workshop opens up possibilities to turn old things into new. The workshop is facilitated by Anna Doyle and will teach participants how to creatively and sustainably give new life to old pieces.
Participants are encouraged to bring their own pieces and create something new. At the end of each session, the students will take their own piece home.
This is a great opportunity to learn new techniques while contributing to a more sustainable world. The workshop starts on this Thursday, October 17th, and runs from 7 to 9pm. The workshop will be held at the Claremorris Family Resource Centre and costs €50 for six sessions. Further information on 094-9377838.
Sympathy
Sympathy is extended to Annmarie McMorrow on the passing of her father, Tommy Joe Stenson, of Carrowscoltia, Aghamore.
Tommy Joe was predeceased by his wife Ann and their son Thomas Junior. He is survived by his son Michael John, daughter Annmarie, son-in-law James, three grandchildren, sister Mary Grady (Ballaghadereen), brothers-in-law Michael and Luke, sister-in-law Bridie, cousins, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Tommy Joe was laid to rest in Aghamore Cemetery after Funeral Mass at St Mary's Church in Tooreen.
Congratulations to former St Colman’s College student, Thomas Morley from Knock, on his selection for the Ireland Under-19 squad for three games against Greece, Croatia and Mexico. He made his Irish debut against Greece last Wednesday.
The midfielder currently plays for the Sligo Rovers Under-20 team and recently was awarded man of the match in their Enda McGuill Cup final loss after extra time to UCD.
