Local Notes: Cois Tine Heritage committee at recent heritage night in Kilmovee.
Members of the Cois Tine Heritage committee at a recent Cois Tine Heritage Night which was held in Kilmovee Community Centre are from left; Sandra McCann nee Hunt, Emma Cullen, John Roddy, Toni Evans, Pat Rushe and Louise Burnett. Pic James Hunt Photography.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €15,300 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, February 2, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 2, 9, 18 and 26. The winners of the €50 weekly prizes were Brendan Towey and Dorothy White, c/o Goldie, while Ray Ross was the winner of the €50 voucher very kindly sponsored by Supermac’s. The latest jackpot increased to €15,400 and the draw was held on Sunday night, February 9.
East Mayo Athletics Club Couch 2 5k The East Mayo Athletics Club Couch 2 5k starts on Tuesday (this evening), February 11, and continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays thereafter at 7pm with St Attracta’s NS, Lowpark, Charlestown, the meeting point. All are welcome, even if you are a complete beginner, or a lapsed runner, the experienced coaches will encourage you all the way. This program will conclude the week before the renowned Kilmovee 5k/10k run, so if your ambition is to complete one of the afore-mentioned distances, now is the chance for you to achieve your ambition/objective. For more information log onto the East Mayo Athletics Club Facebook page and click the link.
Well done to the Charlestown Sarsfields trio of Siofra McGuinness, Sophie Tiernan and Mikayla McLoughlin who have made the Mayo U16 panel for the 2025 season. All three were part of the team that were defeated by Cavan in the All-Ireland U16 final last year and will be hoping to go one better in 2025 with Mayo appearing to have a strong hand at this level having won the All-Ireland U14 title in 2023 with the bulk of this team and panel.
The three girls are expected to be key cogs in the team with Mayo one of the fancied teams at this grade and they have been busy in the off season doing their gym and strength and conditioning work. The three girls are very focused individuals with deep levels of ambition and are very dedicated trainers who have enjoyed some stellar successes in their burgeoning young careers to date. They are wished every success for the coming year with Mayo expected to contest strongly for Connacht and All-Ireland honours and their progress will be monitored with interest as they look to add another chapter to what’s been a success laden adventure to dare.
A new clubbercise dance fitness class takes place in the Town Hall Arts Centre, Barrack Street, Charlestown, on Friday nights from 8-9pm . All are welcome.
Salsa dancing classes continue in the Town Hall Arts Centre on Wednesday nights from 7.30-8.30pm and all are welcome.
Side-splitting laughter? Great fun? Yes, it’s Cloonacool Players in John B. Keane’s hilarious comedy ‘Moll’, situated in a 1970s rural presbytery. At Cloonacool Community Centre on Friday, February 21, Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 at 8pm and in Tubbercurry at St Brigid’s Hall during the Western Drama Festival on Tuesday, March 4 also at 8pm.
Charlestown Sarsfields sharp shooter Paul Towey emerged as one of the few bright spots of an otherwise dismal day for Mayo as Galway handed them a ten point drubbing in what was a poor day at the office for all associated with the management and panel. Towey was one of the few to put his hand up as he kicked five points from play of Mayo’s total of 0-16, including one cracking two pointer which heralded a Mayo comeback of sorts as they came from 0-7 to 0-3 in arrears to lead 0-9 to 0-8 at half time. Towey was central to Mayo’s comeback as he showcased his accuracy and eye for a score with some excellent point taking.
The second half however proved something of an anti-climax as Mayo never got to the pitch of the game as Galway assumed control in all the key areas of the pitch with Mayo and Towey left to fend for scraps as the maroon and white kicked on and left the red and green trailing in the distance. It was a sombre showing from Mayo as they managed just seven second half points, three of which came deep into injury time with Towey kicking one of them to bring the curtain down on a deeply disappointing day for all associated with Mayo.
Paul Towey can be pleased with his contribution nonetheless as he put down a real marker for inclusion in the remainder of Mayo’s division one league outings as he was Mayo’s best forward along with another newcomer Davitt Neary who also caught the eye with some good scores. Towey long been shooting the lights out for the Sarsfields at club level and this performance surely merits a sustained run in the team as Mayo look to come back from two chastening defeats in their next outing versus Tyrone which becomes a must win game.
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 4 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 or website which contains a number of links that you can follow to facilitate online payment.
The online forum has proved particularly popular in recent years as this allows the diaspora to play the weekly lotto and lend their support to the club from far away places and shores. 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 Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club wish to remind their members and supporters that €50 membership for the new 2025 season is now due and can be made payable to any member of the executive. The closing date for payment of the same is March 31 and your cooperation in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Clann Machua Drama Group present ‘The Snapper’ in the Town Hall Theatre, Kiltimagh, this Thursday, Friday and Saturday, February 13, 14 and 15 at 8pm each night.
Charlestown Sarsfields ladies star Ella Brennan lined out with the Mayo Ladies senior team in their recent defeat to Meath in round 2 of division one of the ladies senior football league. Mayo fielded a very youthful and inexperienced team in the main with manager Liam McHale giving youth its fling so to speak and Ella acquitted herself well in the full back line and held her own in the face of a strong and slick moving Meath forward line, who had that coveted ability to score goals at crucial times which proved pivotal to the final outcome. Ella was one of Mayo’s better performers but she and her teammates can take heart from the manner of their spirited display as they never threw in the towel and battled with spirit and tenacity right to the final hooter.
Ella is a vital cog in the Sarsfields senior ladies team and always leads from the front with her attitude and commitment to training first class. She is a good role model for all the young and up and coming Sarsfields players and we wish her well in her endeavours with Mayo for the remainder of the season.
Charlestown Drama Group proudly present ‘Going Away – Echoes of Emigration’ in the Town Hall Arts Centre, Charlestown, on Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8 at 8pm (doors open 7.30pm). Tickets cost €15. For more information and to book contact 087 4657946 (pre-booking only).
There was a good turnout at the weekly bridge game held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Wednesday, February 5, at 8pm, and the following were the prizewinners; 1st Hilary McDonagh and Tom Ginty, 2nd Paddy and Patricia Colleran, 3rd Mary O’Connell and James Mooney.
The following were the winners of the 25 Drive game held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry, on Tuesday night, February 4, at 9pm; 1st Conor Gallagher and James Reidy, 2nd Darby and Breege Leonard. Raffle winners were Mary Costello, Joe Mahon and James Reidy.
Activator Pole and Chair Exercise class takes place in the Charlestown Arts Centre from 12 noon-1pm on Friday, February 14. Lift access available. All welcome and the fee is €2.
Charlestown LGFA are looking for expressions of interest for the senior ladies and the U14 girls manager positions for the 2025 season. If you are interested in either position contact charlestown.mayo@lgfa.ie.
There will be a course of bridge lessons for beginners on Thursdays from 8-10pm lasting approximately 10 weeks. The lessons take place in Walsh`s Lounge and the lessons are free and open to everybody in the community.
The annual general meeting of the CBD Complex and Recreation Centre takes place on Tuesday, February 18 at 8.30pm. All members are requested to attend as the committee reflect 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.
Congratulations and best wishes are extended to Eamon Walsh, Lowpark, Charlestown, who celebrated his ninetieth (90th ) birthday over the weekend. Eamon is a good advert for ninety as his good health continues to endure with his memory and ability to recall dates and incidents from the past right up there with a man half his age.
He was a decorated footballer with the Sarsfields and Mayo and won many awards at club and county level during a star studded career and was one of the Sarsfields finest ever footballers who excelled most notably as a half-back of some renown. He captained Mayo minors to All-Ireland success in 1953 as they overcame Clare in the final with Eamon leading the way at left half back. He had the unique distinction of representing Mayo and Sligo at county level and played in a number of Connacht finals with both counties and was a regular starter on the Mayo team who put that great 3 in a row All-Ireland winning Galway team to the pin of their collar as he held down the half back position with distinction. He gave the best part of ten years service at inter county level to Sligo and Mayo at league and championship level and also lined out for Connacht in the Railway Cup which was a huge competition at the time.
Eamon was a leading light for the Sarsfields club all through the fifties and sixties winning county junior championships in 1951, 1953 and 1963 where he served as captain. He also won a county minor championship with the Sarsfields in 1953 and won a county senior championship with East Mayo in 1967.
He was also very much involved in the entertainment business and ran the old Club Central Ballroom which played host to some of the biggest names in show business over many decades and years. Eamon remains a keen observer of the game and still holds out hope that Mayo will land the Sam Maguire in his life time as he was there in Croke Park when Mayo last lofted it high in the sky in 1951. He is one of the few survivors from the All-Ireland winning minor team of 1953 but his memories of that day remain as vivid as if it were last week. He continues to enjoy life and take each day on its merits with his zest and enthusiasm for the daily grind showing no signs of abating as he gets ready to embrace life as a nonagenarian.
Behind every good man is an even better woman and his good wide Lillian deserves lots of credit for getting Eamon to ninety in one piece with the family planning a nice quiet celebration to commemorate this most auspicious of occasions. I’m sure the girls and Eamon (jnr) had a cake at the ready to honour the occasion with all ninety candles squeezed into every conceivable part of the delicious offering which Eamon had little difficulty blowing out albeit he had to have a few goes. Here’s wishing him continued good health and happiness in the future and many more celebrations of this nature for many years to come. I’m not sure he look too kindly on his favourite nephew for these few lines but it would have been remiss of me not to pen some sort of a tribute to a man who continues to defy father time and sup out of that eternal fountain of youth. Hope you enjoyed the day Eamon!!
The death took place in Philadelphia, USA of Maureen O’Malley nee Mulligan, formerly of Kilgarriff West, Charlestown, sister of Kathleen Mulligan, John Martin and Padraig Tiernan. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
The death took place in Dagenham, England, recently of Evelyn Gibe nee McDonagh, formerly of Kilgarriff, Charlestown.
The death took place in London, England recently of Theresa Lowe nee Doherty, formerly of Tavneena, Charlestown and cousin of the Drudy family Glann, Charlestown and aunt of David Doherty, Tavneena, Charlestown. Deepest sympathies are tendered to all the bereaved.
East Mayo Athletics Club and East Mayo Special Olympics present Lip Sync Battles Ireland on Saturday, March 29, 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 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 which is a nice saving should you wish to avail of option two. 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 a number of 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 look to bolster their 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 was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot €2600 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, February 3, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 1, 7, 17 and 23. The following were the winners of the €20 weekly prizes; Una Walsh, Una Henry and James McDonagh.
Grow is a mental health support program based on lived experience. Grow groups are a meeting of peers, who are striving to develop and maintain good mental health. If you would like to know more, you can call your local Grow office on 1800 558 268. You can also register for ‘Welcome to Grow’, the online orientation session. This will give an introduction to how meetings work and an opportunity to ask questions. You can also search for a group close by to you by using ‘Find a Group’ and just turning up. No registrations are needed.
Senior Line is Ireland’s national telephone service for older people open every day of the year from10am-10pm. Freephone 1800 80 45 91. Callers may feel isolated, alone and may wish to discuss a problem in confidence, or for company during the day. Senior Line’s older volunteers are trained to listen, to support, to discuss options and to refer callers to other helpful services, if necessary. Senior Line 1800 80 45 91 is open every day of the year at the above times.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Sunday, February 2, as Podsie and The Egg squared off in another interesting instalment of the weekly classic. Governor Gus was imperious as always in his role as match referee and had little bother with the two protagonists as both towed the line impeccably. Podsie, suitably refreshed after a mid-winter break, cut quite the relaxed figure as he made his way to the ochie to begin the match and he looked like he had never been away as he blasted his way to the first set with some terrific shooting.
The Egg barely got a look at the board in set one and this didn’t change much into set two as the number one seed continued to hammer the treble twenty bed with relentless accuracy. This helped him build a two set lead in seamless fashion as the Egg struggled badly to match the levels of his opponent. Set three had an inevitable feel about it with Podsie having the advantage of the darts. The Egg was keenly aware of the need to raise his level and fast as Podsie showed no sign of stepping off the gas so to speak. The number one seed took the first leg with a crisp 88 finish and was in pole position to take the second only for the Egg to snatch in dramatic fashion as he took out 170 which had the crowd on its feet in no uncertain manner. He couldn’t back it up in the next however as normal service resumed with Podsie taking out double eighteen with his first dart to leave him one leg away from victory.
The Egg battled hard in the next leg and actually won the race to the double but his inability to hit the green patch cost him dear as Podsie stepped in and fired a single dart at double sixteen to clinch game set and match and in so doing claim his first title of 2025. The Egg was most gracious in defeat as Podsie and himself shared a warm handshake. All that was left was for Podsie to acknowledge his large band of supporters as he stepped on the winner’s rostrum and looked quite at home on it as this is familiar territory for the champion.
