Local Notes: Kevin O’Brien Quiz in Claremorris a huge success
Mike O’Brien (centre) pictured presenting the trophies to the winning team in the Kevin O’Brien Memorial Sports Quiz last week.
Claremorris AFC has thanked everyone who supported two highly successful quiz nights recently held at the McWilliam Park Hotel, honouring both community spirit and the memory of Kevin O’Brien.
The Kevin O’Brien Memorial Sports Quiz attracted a large turnout, with Michael Bracken, Joe Killeen, Graham Murphy and John Glavey emerging as overall winners. The club expressed its appreciation to all participants and supporters who helped make the event a fitting tribute.
Main sponsors were Claremorris Credit Union, who provided the cash prizes, and O’Briens, who sponsored the trophies and made a €100 donation. Additional thanks were extended to The Square Café and Daily’s, who each contributed €100, along with a number of other local businesses.
The club also hosted a Junior Sports Quiz, which proved equally popular. The winning team on the night was Lorcan Grehan, Toby Mullin, Ted Walsh and Liam Murphy. Special thanks were given to Maria Keane, Sophie Doyle, Grace Mullins and Olivia Connolly for raising funds for the Sensational Kids fundraiser, and to JG Sports for sponsoring the prizes.
Claremorris AFC thanked all involved and said both events highlighted the strong community support for the club and local causes.
The death has occurred of Bridie Mulkeen (née Kilkenny) of Claremorris Road, Ballindine, and late of Cloonrane, Ballindine.
Bridie died peacefully at her home on January 21st, 2026, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her parents John and Julia, brothers Pat, John, Matt, Jim, Pete and Willie, and sisters Mary and Julia.
Bridie will be sadly missed by her deeply loved husband Tom, sons Derek and Ivan, daughter Karen (Carney, Kiltimagh), and her adored granddaughters Caoilinn and Síomha, daughter-in-law Joan, son-in-law Paul, sister Nora Keville, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
Bridie’s remains reposed at Carey’s Funeral Home, Ballindine on Friday evening, January 23rd, with removal to St Joseph’s Church, Ballindine. Funeral Mass was held later that evening, followed by private cremation.
May she rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Sean Burke of Drum, Knock, who passed peacefully on January 23rd, 2026, in the care of the staff of Claremount Nursing Home, Claremorris.
Sean was predeceased by his beloved wife Mary (née Flatley), his parents John and Nora, his brothers Toby, Mick and Paddy, and his sister Kathleen.
Sean will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by his daughters Cathy, Breda, Ursula and Louise, son Seán, cherished grandchildren Omar, Sabrina, Sarah, Tom, Fintan, Seán and Cian, nieces and nephew Mary, Angela and John Burke, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Sean’s remains reposed at the Marian Funeral Home, Knock, on Tuesday evening, January 27th, with removal to the Church of St John the Baptist, Knock. Funeral Mass took place on Wednesday morning, followed by burial afterwards in the local cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
Claremorris Historical Society will host a public talk by historian Dr Michael O’Connor on this Wednesday, February 4th, in the Town Hall Studio at 8pm. The event is open to all, and the talk will focus on 'Mayo County Prison and the Famine, 1845–1852', exploring an important and often overlooked aspect of local and national history.
Dr O’Connor is a Mayo native, lawyer and independent researcher who has published widely on legal and social history, with a particular focus on County Mayo. His research interests include public institutions, slavery, women and the law, and the lives of ordinary people.
He is the author of several books, including , , and .
The talk is expected to provide valuable insights into the role of Mayo County Prison during the Famine years, drawing on Dr O’Connor’s extensive research.
Melanie Doyle was the winner of the Claremorris AFC 50/50 draw last week, taking home €608. Melanie bought the winning ticket in Gilligan’s and was congratulated by the club on her success.
Claremorris AFC expressed its thanks to everyone who continues to support the draw, with funds raised helping to support teams and improve club facilities. Tickets remain available online and in local shops and pubs throughout the town.
The death has occurred of Bernie Sheridan (née Vahey) of Hollymount, and formerly of Farmhill, Claremorris. Bernie died peacefully in the care of the staff of Galway University Hospital, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her parents Bridie and Joe Vahey.
Bernie is deeply regretted and will be sadly missed by her heartbroken husband Tom, daughters Vanessa, Melissa and Bernadette, her son-in-law Seán, her sisters Marion, Teresa and Anne, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Bernie’s remains reposed at St Colman’s Funeral Home, Claremorris, on Sunday evening, January 25th. Removal took place from her residence on Monday morning to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Roundfort, for Funeral Mass, followed by burial afterwards in Roundfort Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Joe Higgins of Cnoc na nlúr, Mayo Abbey, Claremorris, and formerly of Knockaunakill.
Joe died peacefully at the Mayo Hospice, Castlebar, surrounded by his loved ones. He was predeceased by his parents Michael and Bridget, his beloved wife Kathleen, infant daughter Patricia and son Michael.
Joe is deeply regretted and will be sadly missed by his daughters Mary and Breege, son John-Joe and his partner Michelle, sons-in-law Ned and Seán, cherished grandchildren Alexander, Thomas, Conor and Niamh, brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Joe’s remains reposed at Gilligan’s Funeral Home, Market Square, Claremorris, on Saturday evening. Removal took place on Sunday morning to the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace and St Gerald, Mayo Abbey, for Funeral Mass, followed by burial afterwards in the local cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
Kevin Foy was the winner of Claremorris GAA’s 50/50 draw last week, taking home €1,010. Kevin purchased the winning ticket in O’Brien’s and was congratulated by the club.
Claremorris GAA expressed its appreciation to all who entered, noting that each ticket sold supports underage coaching, team development and club facilities. Tickets continue to be sold online and in local shops and pubs across Claremorris.
The Autism Parent Peer Support Group in Claremorris continues to meet on the third Wednesday of every month in Cúram Family Centre. The group offers parents, guardians and grandparents a welcoming space for peer support, conversation and a cup of tea.
Meetings take place at 7pm and cost €2 per person. New members are always welcome.
The next block of Art Classes in Cúram will begin today, Tuesday, February 3rd. Classes will take place from 4pm to 6pm and again from 7pm to 9pm. Anyone interested in taking part can contact Seán on 085-2320402 for further information and to book a place.
The Parent and Toddler Group continues to meet every Friday morning in Cúram Family Centre from 10.30am to 12 noon. The group is open to parents, guardians and grandparents, along with their babies and toddlers, and provides a relaxed and friendly environment for socialising and play.
An evidence-based Parents Plus Children’s Programme, focused on promoting confidence, learning and positive behaviour in children aged six to 11, will take place in Cúram Family Centre from Wednesday, February 18th to Wednesday, March 25th. Sessions run weekly from 10am to 12.30pm.
For further information or to register, contact family support workers Maria on 087-9119714 or Geraldine on 086-0470587.
Dyslexia assessments continue to be available in Cúram Family Centre by appointment. The service is provided by Claire Riordan, a qualified Educational Psychologist, who offers a relaxed, individualised and encouraging approach. For further details, Claire can be contacted at info@londubhdyslexia.ie.
The death has occurred of Shane Canavan of Cuilmore, Claremorris. Shane died peacefully at Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda, surrounded by his loving family. He was predeceased by his father Seamus.
Shane will be sadly missed by his heartbroken wife Josie, sons Kieran and Cathal, mother Angie, sisters Audrey and Nicola, brothers-in-law, Angie’s partner Joe, nieces, nephews, godson James Guiney, extended family, neighbours and many friends.
Shane’s remains reposed at St Colman’s Funeral Home, Claremorris, on Tuesday evening, January 27th. Removal took place from his residence on Wednesday afternoon to St Colman’s Church, Claremorris, for Funeral Mass, followed by burial afterwards in St Colman’s Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Michael Cleary of Farmhill, Claremorris, and formerly of Birmingham, United Kingdom. Michael died peacefully in the wonderful care of the staff of the Mayo Hospice, surrounded by his loving family. He was predeceased by his parents Peter and Elizabeth, and his sister Kathy.
Michael is deeply regretted and will be sadly missed by his loving wife Margaret, daughter Emily and her partner John, cherished granddaughter Lisa Mae, sister Caroline, mother-in-law Mary and father-in-law William, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Michael’s remains reposed at St Colman’s Funeral Home, Claremorris, on Thursday evening last. Removal took place from his residence on Friday morning to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Crossboyne, for Funeral Mass, followed by burial afterwards in Crossboyne Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Mary Naughton (née Egan), better known as May, of Riverside Drive, Knock. May died peacefully in the loving care of the staff of St John’s Unit, Castlebar. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Gerry, parents Eugene and Norah, and her brothers Pat, Tom, Eugene, Michael and Jack.
May will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.
May’s remains reposed at the Marian Funeral Home, Knock, on Friday evening, with removal to St John the Baptist Church, Knock. Funeral Mass took place on Saturday morning, followed by burial afterwards in Knock Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
