Local Notes: Kilmovee minor team celebrate at awards night.
Kilmovee minor team with their managers at the Kilmovee Shamrocks GAA Awards night which was held recently. Pic James Hunt Photography.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €15,500 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, February 16, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 9, 26, 32 and 36. The winners of the €50 weekly prizes were Laura Dunleavy and Vera Tiernan. The latest jackpot increased to €15,600 and the draw was held on Sunday night, February 23.
The East Mayo Athletics Club Couch 2 5k continues on Tuesdays and Thursdays 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/10 k 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.
Good news – an extra performance of Moll will be held in Cloonacool Community Centre this Thursday, February 27, at 8pm, with all proceeds to Tubbercurry Cancer Support Centre and Tubbercurry First Responder Group. The stage then moves to Tubbercurry and St Brigid’s Hall during the Western Drama Festival on Tuesday, March 4, also at 8pm.
Well done to Daithi Gethins, The Fairgreens, Charlestown, who was part of the Mayo U13 boys county team who captured the gold medal at the National B Cross Country Championships hosted by the Westport Athletics Club recently. Daithi is a proud member of the East Mayo Athletics Club and is one of the club’s finest young talents as he continues to thrive and flourish at a variety of long distance events. He has a terrific set of lungs on him and goes hard from gun to tape and has clocked up some memorable times and awards in what’s been a fantastic twelve months for him personally both at school’s and club level. He has a very bright future ahead of him with his attitude and application top class and these are great qualities to have at such a young age and should stand him in good stead as he moves up through and ranks and becomes exposed to higher grades of competition and events.
Well done also to Hollie Healy who acquitted herself very well in the U11 girls event and ran very creditably coming 24th out of 115 in what was a very stiff field stacked with loads of top class runners. Hollie is a also a member of the East Mayo Athletics Club and is also a very prodigious talent with a bright future ahead of her.
Tavneena NS are holding a a5k and 10k fun run/walk on Saturday, April 5 at 11am with registration from10am. The run/walk starts from the school (F12R232) and costs €10 per person/€20 per family. Refreshments will be served afterwards. For more information log onto www.tavneenans.scoilnet.ie or check out the Tavneena NS Facebook page.
Hard luck to the U12 boys who were defeated by Ballina in the U12 cup final recently. The boys went down fighting however and pushed their much vaunted opponents right to the final hooter before succumbing in a thrilling contest with the lads putting on a gallant show. They went into the game as underdogs but there was little or nothing between the two teams all through as the ball fizzed up and down the court in gripping fashion with the Charlestown boys never taking a backward step at any stage. The game had both sets of supporters on the edge of their seats as both teams continued to swap baskets at regular intervals. The cubs were right there in the final, dramatic closing stages but it was the Ballina lads who found the necessary inspiration at the death as they ran out narrow winners in what was a terrific spectacle.
The Charlstown lads can take loads from their tremendous display as they showed buckets of potential and class which augurs well for the future. They did the club proud at the manner of their spirited, never say die performance and well done to their coaches who had them in superb shape and got the best out of the talent available to them.
Well done to Charlestown Sarsfields duo Cliona Cullen and Ava Mai Casey who have been called up to the Mayo LGFA minor panel for the 2025 campaign. Both ladies are very talented players who received their call-ups on the back of some very impressive displays for the Sarsfields at their various grades of competition in 2024. They have plenty of ability and will be looking to showcase their talents at the highest level of competition with Mayo among the favourites for the Connacht title albeit they will get a stiff challenge from Galway with the rest of the counties also expected to be extremely competitive in what’s an open looking championship.
Cliona and Ava Mai are wished every good wish in their endeavours to nail down a starting place on the first fifteen with competition for the same expected to be extremely tight. Both girls are there on merit however and we will monitor their progress with interest over the coming months as the Sarsfields continue to be strongly represented at all levels in the Mayo LGFA ranks from underage up to senior.
The Charlestown Sarsfields GAA club 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 death took place at University Hospital Sligo of Padraig Lavin, Lavey, Charlestown. His remains were removed from Horkan’s Funeral Home, Lowpark, Charlestown to St. James’ Church, Charlestown, for solemn requiem Mass with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery.
Padraig is survived by his wife Eileen, daughters Suzanne and Colleen, son Padraig, grandchildren, brother Des, sisters Mary and Una, sons-in-law, daughter-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
The late Padraig, who was pre-deceased by his parents Paddy and Josie and first wife Breege, was a well known and respected member of the communities of Lavey and Charlestown respectively. He was a hard working, devoted family man who was a good provider as he forged a great bond with his wife Eileen and together they made sure the family lacked for nothing at all times. He knew the value of a good day’s work for a good day’s pay and was never one to let the grass grow under his feet with farming and tending to his livestock very much his twin passions. He was a quiet-spoken kind man with an innate sense of decency about him who was a good neighbour and friend to all in Lavey as he could always be depended upon to lend a hand in times of need or crises. Padraig forged many strong links and friendships in the community and news of his passing hit the town of Charlestown and townland of Lavey hard as he was such a steady and solid presence in both areas. He leaves many outstanding memories which his family will cherish and cling dear to in these deep dark, hours and days as Lavey has lost one its best and most prominent citizens. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
The Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club remind their members and supporters that membership for the new 2025 season is now due and can be made payable to any member of the executive cost €50. The closing date for payment of the same is March 31 and your cooperation in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
The death took place suddenly at his home Cranmore, Carracastle, Co. Mayo of Ciaran Grace. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
Re-Turn bins are now in place at Fr O`Hara Park. The Sarsfields GAA Club have installed 2 Re-Turn bins located at the front of the CBD Sports Complex for all plastic bottles and cans that can be recycled under the Deposit Return Scheme. All monies raised from the donations will go directly to the Charlestown Sarsfields underage teams and the Charlestown LGFA. Please note only cans/bottles with the Re-turn logo can be deposited in these new Orange bins. Please do not deposit glass or other rubbish thank you.
Would you have an hour to spare in the week? Adult mentors are required for Foroige`s Big Brother Big Sister Programme in your area. If you are interested in supporting a young person, this is an enjoyable way to spend your time and have a positive impact on young person’s life. They have many young people waiting to be matched to a mentor and would be delighted to hear from you. Call 086 0471420 to express your interest in volunteering or to hear more information on our recruitment process.
A local writer’s course for all levels starts on Wednesday, February 25, from 8-10pm. This is a six week in-person course. Refreshments are served each week. Contact Martin on 087 6007100.
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 12, at 8pm, and the following were the prizewinners; 1st Tom Ginty and Hilary McDonagh, 2nd Mary O`Malley and Teresa Ward, 3rd Frances and Robert Healy and 4th Charles and Mae Quinn.
The following were the winners of the 25 Drive game held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry on Tuesday night, February 18, at 9pm; 1st Colm Gallagher and Nancy Brennan, 2nd Darby and Breege Leonard shared with Miko Sheridan and Vera Scally. Raffle winners were James Cafferty, Paul Flannery and Miko Sheridan.
Activator Pole and Chair Exercise class takes place in the Charlestown Arts Centre from 12 noon-1pm on Friday, February 28. Lift access available. The cost is €2.
Bridge lessons continue in Walsh’s Lounge, Main Street, Charlestown, on Thursday evenings for the next eight weeks or so from 8-10pm. The lessons are free and open to everybody in the community.
The annual general meeting of the Charlestown Swimming Pool takes place on Thursday, February 27, at 8.30pm at the pool and all members are requested to attend with new members most welcome.
The Western Drama Festival takes place over nine nights from February 28 to March 8 (inclusive) at St Brigid’s Hall Theatre, Tubbercurry, with a fantastic line-up of plays. Tickets are on sale now by phoning 086 4553395. Further details including synopses of the plays are available on the Western Drama festival social media pages and website www.westerndramafestival.com.
The Honour of the Village competition, hosted by Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, is back with a bang as it celebrates it’s fiftieth (50th) year in existence. This is one of the few team darts competitions left in the county and dare I say province as villages and townlands in the hinterland of Charlestown fight it out to be crowned the winners of a competition that has an illustrious history dating back to its first staging in 1975. Some stellar names are engraved on the famous old trophy and this year’s renewal promises to be every bit as thrilling and dramatic as all that went before with the best part of sixteen teams lining up at the ochie and ready to fire the first arrows in what’s expected to be one of the most closely fought and keenly contested in many a long year.
Hosts Grainne and Gus Marren are geared up for some exciting matches as teams come with all guns blazing looking to create some surprises and provide plenty of talking points with the Village competition taking centre stage in the darts calendar for the next couple of months. The competition always attracts big crowds with Walsh’s a hot bed of excitement as teams go head to head hoping to create their own bit of history and bring some glory and success to their respective village and town land. The game got off to a cracking start with a number of games down for decision last week. They included reigning champions Glann/Sinolane putting their title on the line against Curry (2) with past winners Sonnagh and Hagfield going head to head in a game that is a throw back to some great clashes in the past between two of the perennial contenders. There will be a full report on both games in next week’s plus fixtures and draw news as all darts enthusiasts descend on Walsh’s for some cracking darts and matches over the course of the next number of weeks.
The pretty wedding took place at the Ashley Park House, Nenagh, Co. Tipperary of Shaun Walsh, son of Pat and Ann Walsh, Pine Grove, Charlestown, and Ashlie Elnourgi, daughter of Louise and Mike Lonergan, Nire Valley, Clonmel, Co. Tipperary. Best Man was Patrick Walsh, brother of the groom and groomsmen were Luke Colleran and Kiefer Craig, friends of the groom. Bridesmaids were Veronica Horgan, Niamh Hill and Lucy Purcell, friends of the bride. The reception was held at the Ashley Park House, Nenagh and Shaun and Ashlie are wished every good wish for the future, health and happiness and many years of martial bliss.
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 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 is something for everyone in all of the above options with the club hopeful of a positive response from the community at large as the Sarsfields look to build on the platform 2024 provided on and off the field.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €2800 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, February 17, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 4, 14, 18 and 19. The following were the winners of the €20 weekly prizes; John A Kennedy, Jack Kelleher and Martin Durcan. The jackpot increased to €2900 and the draw took place on Monday night February 24.
The March meeting of Mayo Genealogy Group will take place at Turlough Museum of Country Life on Saturday, March 8, at 11am. Everybody with an interest in family trees, genealogy, local history is welcome to come along. At the February meeting the group presented a workshop on the process involved in researching midwives in families or communities, in conjunction with an exhibition on the subject which is currently running at the museum. Many of the members present remembered Midwives, District Nurses, and Jubilee Nurses from their childhoods. Among the resources that were quoted as being valuable in research were newspaper archives, obituaries, Duchas Schools Collection, irishgenealogy.ie for births, marriages and deaths, and ouririshheritage.org.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Sunday night, February 16, as Podsie and The Magician squared off in another cracking instalment of the weekly classic. Governor Gus was imperious as always in his role as match referee and ensured common law and order prevailed throughout. There was a big crowd in situ which resulted in a very raucous atmosphere pervading throughout with both men claiming the lion’s share of the support.
Podsie exploded out of the blocks reeling off three legs on the bounce to sweep his way to the first set. Things got a whole lot darker for the magician in set two as Podsie continued his assault on the treble twenty bed which him pillage maraud his way into a two set lead with his supporters on cloud nine as they sang his name to high heaven. The Magician needed something to click for him at the start of the third set. It began brightly for McGowan as he finally broke his duck to claim the first leg but Podsie, sensing his opponent was growing in confidence, put him firmly back in his place as he clinched the second leg in eleven darts. He took the third leg as well to leave him on the cusp of victory with the Magician utterly unable to conjure anything from his box of tricks such was the paucity of his form. The champion and number one seed put him out of his misery in the very next leg, winning it comprehensively to complete a routine 3-0 victory with the Magician, while distraught and somewhat embarrassed by his poor showing, once again underlined his class and sportsmanship by offering his hand in congratulations as well as buying the victory a celebratory beer which Podsie was only too glad to swig as the two men whiled the night away deep in chat and laughter. This was Podsie`s second victory of the season and one which once again underlined his enduring class and brilliance.
