Local notes: Enjoying the Tony and Bernie Towey Dance competition
At the Tony and Bernie Towey Dance Competition which was held in the Brusna Inn recently were from left Kathleen and Martina Burke with Ann McLoughlin. Pic James Hunt Photography
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted by email to ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call/text/WhatsApp 087 7694781 (after 6pm). Deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm Wednesday evening.
Coolegrane Lights were switched on Friday, December 8, and will continue to shine until January 7. All proceeds this year will go to Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Palliative Care Service.
The annual Killasser parish 25 card drive takes place on Monday, December 18, at 8.30pm in Killasser Community Centre. There will be €1,000 prize money, with raffle and spot prizes. The proceeds are in aid of Killasser Community Care and Killasser Community Centre.
Killasser parish calendar is available to purchase from committee members or from Moore’s Supermarket, Swinford, Kennedy’s in Aclare and The Turf Shed, Killasser, at a cost of €10.
The annual Nollaig na mBan social takes place in the Turf Shed on Saturday, January 6, from 4pm. Places are limited. Tickets for a 4-course meal are €20. The event is part subsidised by Killasser Community Care and Community Centre committees. Please contact a member of committees for a ticket.
Jerry O’Sullivan has recorded a new album entitled Ón Tuath. Ón Tuath, as the title implies, is a celebration of Irish traditional music from the West of Ireland, with a few Scots tunes thrown in for good measure. Jerry O'Sullivan plays uilleann pipes, small pipes, flute, and whistles and is accompanied by Galway maestro Gabe Donohue on keyboard, organ, guitar, bouzouki, etc. This recording features the music of Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Sliabh Luachra, and compositions by Martin Mulhaire, Turlough O'Carolan, Percy French, and a few by Jerry himself. The album is available from The Turf Shed and at a number of businesses in Swinford.
The Butterfly Garden has organised the Light of Love in the lead up to Christmas. All names for which lights have been sponsored have been entered into a special register and will be remembered at the Light of Love Mass on December 22, at 10am in Swinford Church. The Light of Love Christmas Tree is located at the entrance to Swinford Parish Church. All proceeds raised will benefit The Butterfly Garden Maintenance Fund.
Western Alzheimer’s Christmas Cards are available to buy in Lavins, Market Street, Swinford. Pack of eight cards €5.
Swinford Church Christmas Cards are available from the parish office during opening hours and also from Lavins, Market Street. Pack of nine cards €5.
For anyone who would like to receive their silver or gold pioneer pin or wish to become a member email achonrypioneers@gmail.com or contact Thomas at 087 2344338 before December 31.
Enjoy a weekend of Christmas carols at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, on Saturday and Sunday, December 16 and 17. The Rock ‘n’ Roses Choir – an inspirational group of cancer survivors – will perform at 3pm on Saturday, December 16. The Mayo Male Voice Choir will perform at 3pm and the Cill Aodain Choral Society will perform at 4pm on Sunday, December 17. All are welcome. Admission is free and no booking required.
Congrats to Bradan Boland, winner of €585 in the November Killasser Community Centre 50/50 draw. Tom Lavin and Michael Murphy each won a spot prize of €20. The December jackpot will be €1,000 with the draw taking place on January 6.
The Saint Stephen's Day Walk will take place from Killasser Centre at 12 noon.
Cloonacool Players are celebrating after a successful All-Ireland 1-Act Festival. They were awarded 1st place at Manorhamilton in addition to the Best Actor award for Martin McIntyre. In previous weeks at other festivals, they were awarded a 2nd and two 3rd places. Back in action, the Players thank all the audiences for their support and enthusiasm and wish everyone a Happy Christmas.
The numbers drawn in the Swinford Community Lotto draw held on December 4, were 2, 7, 19 and 29. There was no jackpot winner. €70 vouchers were won by Cody Joyce, c/o Post Office and Katie Gordon, c/o Mary Durkan, Derryronane; €35 each was won by Lena Conway, Carrabawn and Una McInerney, Sancta Maria Terrace.The jackpot is now €9,200.
Results from the game played on Thursday, November 30, in Swinford Golf Club. Card winners: 1st Geraldine Turbitt and Margaret Sweeney, 2nd/3rd prize was shared by Ann Rowley, Gerry Ronayne, Eileen Geraghty and Noreen Geraghty. Raffle prizes were won by Eileen Geraghty, Francie Rowley, Philip Irwin and Mary Higgins. The game continues every Thursday night at 9pm in the Golf clubhouse and everyone is welcome.
Congratulations to Michaela Walsh who recently received a DCUAC award in Morton Stadium marking her Irish Universities Athletics Association Indoor and Outdoor Shot-Putt records in 2023. The award was presented by Irish Hammer legend and DCUAC coach Seán Egan.
Swinford Indoor Market returns in 2024 on March 2. The market enjoyed a successful 2023 finishing out the year with their two-day Christmas Market on December 2 and 3.
Congratulations to Maria Gomes, who was last week’s winner of the Swinford GAA Club draw held in Eurospar, winning €333. The next draw will be held in Moores.
Aoife purchased her entry through SwinfordGAA.ie, entries also available through the club app on Clubspot.
Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Owen Lavin, Chorlton, Manchester and formerly of Carnaculla, Midfield, Swinford. May he rest in peace.
Results of the game played in Meelick Community Centre on Tuesday, December 5. Card winners were; John Gallagher, Michael O’Neill, Michael Ward, Paddy Gallagher, Phyllis Bredican, Maureen Morley, Michael Ryan and Francie Rowley. Raffle prizes were won by Ann Rowley, Maureen Morley, Seamus Conwell and Jimmy Lynskey. The game continues every Tuesday night in Meelick Community Centre at 9pm. All welcome.
Grow is a mental health support program based on lived experience. This mean Grow groups are a meeting of peers, who are striving to develop and maintain good mental health. If you would like to know more, call your local GROW office on 1800 558 268. You can also register for ‘Welcome to Grow’, the online orientation session. This will give you 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.
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‘The Light is on for You’ There will be a visiting priest in Bohola and Straide churches next Sunday, December 17, from 5 to 6pm to hear confessions. You are encouraged to avail of this opportunity to prepare for Christmas in the best possible way.
Church of Ireland, Foxford Carol Service with Foxford Brass Band will be held on Sunday, December 17, at 5pm. Everyone is most welcome to come along.
Congratulations to Mona Brogan, Attymachugh, Foxford who won a jackpot of €465 in the Moy Davitts 50/50 draw on Saturday, December 2. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the draw, it is greatly appreciated. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by clicking https://smartlotto.ie/Bohola-moy-davitts.
Living Well is a free HSE programme which helps people living with a long-term health condition to manage their condition and improve their overall wellbeing. Anyone with any chronic illness such as diabetes, arthritis, COPD, cardiac illness, anxiety, etc. can benefit from these workshops. The next programme in Westport commences on February 9, (or the online programme will commence on January 30). The programme is delivered over six weekly workshops (2.5 hrs x 6) by trained leaders. Advance registration is required. To find out more, contact Liam Gildea on 086 0142675 or by email at lgildea@southmayo.com.
Anam Cara Mayo, the organisation that supports bereaved parents will meet Tuesday, December 19, at 7.15pm in the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar, Co Mayo. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not. They now also offer an online support service too. Contact info@anamcara.ie or 085 2888 888 for any queries.
Home Caregivers are urgently required in the local and surrounding areas and are currently being recruited. For further information, email cara.hughes@homeinstead.ie or phone 094 9044785.
Enjoy a weekend of Christmas carols at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, on Saturday and Sunday, December 16 and 17. The Rock ‘n’ Roses Choir – an inspirational group of cancer survivors – will perform at 3pm on Saturday, December 16, and the Mayo Male Voice Choir will perform at 3pm and the Cill Aodain Choral Society will perform at 4pm on Sunday, December 17. All are welcome. Admission is free and no booking is required.
The staff and pupils of Bohola NS invite you to their carol service on Tuesday, December 19, at 7pm in the church. This is a lovely way to begin Christmas week and all are welcome.
Social bingo takes place every Monday in The Sheridan Memorial Community Centre, Bohola. Doors open at 8.30pm. There promises to lots of community fun and a cup of tea is included.
Trained facilitators conduct a weekly bereavement support meeting at the Family Centre, Knock Shrine each Wednesday at 11am. There is also a special meeting for bereaved partners/spouses on the first Thursday of each month at 11am. No appointment is necessary. For further information contact Monica Morley on 094 9375320.
