Local Notes: Claremorris to host festival of song and songwriting
Adam and Cassie Maher enjoying the heritage Lego event at Claremorris Library as part of National Heritage Week. Picture: Trish Forde
Claremorris is set to host a series of cultural and artistic events from September 25th to 28th, culminating in the Hi-Doh Festival of Song and Songwriting. This festival promises a rich blend of performances, workshops, and exhibitions that celebrate local talent and community spirit.
The festival begins on Thursday, September 25th, at 7:30pm, with an evening of song and storytelling at Claremorris Library featuring Joe Byrne and Colmán Ó Raghallaigh. The following night, at Warde’s Pub, the Circle of Song invites the community to join The Hi-Doh Collective for an evening of live music and shared melodies.
On Saturday, September 27th, the festivities continue with a Youth Open Mic at Insomnia Coffee Shop at 11.30am, offering a platform for young performers to showcase their talents. Later, at 5pm the Dalton Inn hosts a documentary screening titled ‘Twenty Feet From Stardom', giving viewers an intimate look at the lives of backup singers.
Sunday’s activities include a Vocal Technique workshop at Gallery Mount Street at 3pm, led by Aoife Clesham, and an exhibition of local books on singers and song-writing running throughout the festival at Claremorris Library.
Throughout the weekend, the community is also encouraged to participate in various workshops and classes, including a printmaking info session, art classes, and a knitting group, fostering creativity and connection among residents of all ages.
Buggy Buddies is a free social meetup for parents, childminders, grandparents etc., to take part in with their little ones. It caters for all fitness levels and allows participants to work at an intensity which is appropriate to them. It is also a great way to get out and meet other parents in an environment which is safe and fun for both parent and baby/toddler.
Buggy Buddies consists of a stroll around Clare Lake, Claremorris, on Thursday mornings at 9.30am. This is a great opportunity to meet friends and make new ones. The initiative is funded by Mayo Sports Partnership. If you are interested, contact Claremorris Family Resource Centre on 094-9377838.
A new Irish traditional music group for young people aged 10 to 18 will begin this Friday, September 5th, at the Family Resource Centre. Sessions will run from 4 to 5pm each week under the banner Club Ceol. Participants are asked to bring their own instruments and join in this fun, creative way of exploring Irish musical heritage.
Every Friday from 2 to 4pm, over-55s are warmly invited to gather at the Family Resource Centre in Claremorris for Friday Friends. This social group provides a welcoming space for tea, conversation, and connection in a relaxed setting.
Con Prendergast was the lucky winner of last week’s Claremorris GAA Club 50/50 draw, taking home a jackpot of €1,001.
Con’s winning ticket was purchased in O’Brien’s.
The club extended sincere thanks to everyone who continues to support the weekly draw, reminding supporters that each ticket sold helps fund facilities, youth development and the running of the club. Tickets remain available both online and in local pubs and shops.
Claremorris AFC’s 50/50 jackpot last week went to Sandie Hession, who collected €488 on a ticket bought in Warde’s.
The club congratulated Sandie on her win and expressed appreciation to all who continue to buy tickets weekly, whether online or in local outlets. The proceeds provide vital backing for the club’s ongoing work with teams of all ages, and the support of the community is warmly acknowledged.
The Claremorris and District Lions Club will hold its annual table quiz on Thursday, September 19th, in the Dalton Inn.
Teams of four can register from 8.30pm, with the quiz beginning at 9pm. Entry is €40 per table, with plenty of spot prizes on the night.
Funds raised will support the ‘Dance Memory Club’ in Cúram, which provides music, dancing and companionship for people living with dementia or Alzheimer’s. Ethan Jordan will once again act as quizmaster.
Later in the month, on Saturday, September 27th, the Lions Club will partner with Claremorris Red Cross for a free diabetes and blood pressure awareness event in the Square from 12 noon to 3pm.
A fundraising concert in aid of the planned Claremorris Community Sports and Recreational Centre will take place on Friday, November 21st, at the Town Hall.
The event will feature Tony Christie on his ‘Farewell to Amarillo’ tour - his only Irish date outside Dublin. Doors open at 7pm, with the concert starting at 8pm. Tickets are priced from €45, with premium tickets (€100 plus booking) offering front-row seats, signed memorabilia, and a meet-and-greet.
Tickets are available at www.townhall.ie, while accommodation offers are available at the McWilliam Park Hotel (094-9378000). Proceeds will go directly towards the new community facility.
The Claremorris Drama Group is set to bring Walter Macken’s classic play ‘Home is the Hero’ to life this autumn, offering audiences a powerful and poignant story of family, redemption, and the challenges of returning home.
The play follows Paddo O’Reilly, who comes back to his home in Galway city after a spell in prison, only to discover that both his family and the world around him have changed in ways he could not have imagined.
Set in 1950s' Ireland, ‘Home is the Hero’ delves into themes of belonging, reconciliation, and the quiet struggles that unfold behind closed doors. The production is directed by Pat Doyle, a long-standing member of the Ballyhaunis Drama Group and a key contributor to Claremorris Drama Group in recent years. Pat also appears on stage in the role of Trapper, lending both leadership and experience to the performance.
Padraig Hegarty takes on the challenging role of Paddo O’Reilly, navigating a character torn between his past mistakes and the hope of rebuilding his life. His wife, Daylia, played by Karen Hahessy, balances love, betrayal, and the responsibility of holding the family together, while their children Willie (Karl Coyne) and Josie (Rachael Comer) grapple with long-buried truths, shifting loyalties, and generational tensions.
Dates and venues will be finalised soon.
The death has occurred of Michael O’Malley of Stephen’s Grove, Clonmel, Co Tipperary, and formerly of Claremorris.
Michael passed away peacefully at home on Monday afternoon in the presence of his wife Catherine and daughter Gráinne. He was predeceased by his sisters Ann, Máire, Kathleen and Noreen, and his brother James.
Michael will be sadly missed by his loving wife Catherine, daughter Gráinne, grandchildren Síofra and Conan, son-in-law Seán (Mangan), brother Luke and his wife Patricia, stepsons David and his wife Juanita and their daughter Ellen, Alan and his wife Claire, and P.J. and his wife Lesley, together with all of Catherine’s grandchildren and great-granddaughter.
Michael will also be missed by his brothers-in-law Pat (Walsh), Donal (Murphy), Pat (Finnegan) and John (Hogan), sister-in-law Vera (O’Leary), nephews, nieces, extended family and friends.
Michael’s remains reposed at Condon's Funeral Parlour, Clonmel on Wednesday evening, with removal on Thursday to St Mary’s Church, Irishtown for Funeral Mass at 12 noon. Private cremation took place afterwards.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Ann Waldron (née Walsh) of Redhill, Tulrahan, Claremorris.
Ann passed away peacefully in the loving care of her family and the staff of Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. She was the beloved wife of Eugene, and will be forever in the hearts of her sons Luke and Brian, daughters-in-law Szilvia Fekete (Budapest) and Amy Lynch (Clonakilty), and her cherished grandchildren Alexandra, Neansaí and Tadhg.
Ann was the daughter of the late Michael and Kathleen Walsh, and was predeceased by her sisters Cathy (Swift) and Loretta (McHugh). She will be deeply missed by her brothers and sister, Michael, Vincent and Máire (McNicholas), in-laws, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives and many friends.
Ann returned to her home in Redhill on Wednesday for neighbours and friends to call. Her remains reposed at Donnellan’s Funeral Home, Clare Street, Ballyhaunis on Thursday evening and her Funeral Mass took place in St Mary’s Church, Logboy on Friday at 12 noon, followed by burial in Tulrahan Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
