Local Notes: Kilmovee NS pupils perform as 'Na Brideogi' at Kilmovee Comhaltas session.
At Kilmovee Comhaltas session in Kilmovee Community Centre were pupils from Kilmovee NS as 'Na Brideogi, with their teacher Deirdre Meehan. Pic James Hunt Photography.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €20,500 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, February 1, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 8, 9, 13, and 32. The winners of the 2 x €50 prizes were Faisal Ahmed and Sharon Egan (online).
The jackpot increased to €20, 600 and the draw was held on Sunday night, February 8. Tickets are on sale at a number of outlets in the community and they are also available online via the club’s Facebook page. The club thank everyone who support their weekly draw.
Pilate classes take place every Monday night in the Arts Centre, Charlestown, at 8pm and all are welcome.
The drama club meet on Thursday nights at 7pm in the Charlestown Arts Centre and new members are welcome.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €2200 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, January 26, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 1,10, 25 and 27. The winners of the 3 x €20 prizes were; Jean Walsh, Mary McCarrick and Margaret McKinley. The jackpot in the draw which was held on Monday, February 2, was €2300. Tickets on sale in a number of outlets and they are also available online via the club’s Facebook page.
There was a good turnout at the weekly bridge game held in Walsh’s Public House on Wednesday, January 28, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Michael and Pat Brennan; 2nd Tom Ginty and Hilary McDonagh; 3rd Nora McVeigh and Maura Kilcoyne; 4th Tom Salmon and Paddy Gallagher. The game takes place every Wednesday night at 8pm in Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, Charlestown.
A senior exercise class takes place every Friday morning in the Charlestown Arts Centre on at11am and all are welcome.
Adult art and craft classes take place in the Arts Centre on Wednesday mornings from 11am-1pm and all are welcome.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25 card game held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry, on Tuesday, February 3, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Darby and Breege Leonard. Raffle winners were; Mary Costello, Mary O’Hara and Darby Leonard. The game takes place every Tuesday night at 9pm in the Yeats County Inn, Curry and all are welcome.
Learn about marriage, matchmaking and the folk traditions in between at an upcoming talk at 2pm on St Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14, at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar. This talk will be given by the Keeper of the Irish Folklife Collection, Clodagh Doyle. Admission is free. Booking is required. Visit museum.ie or email BookingsCountryLife@museum.ie or telephone +353 94 90 31751.
A mini retreat featuring Hatha yoga sequence, gentle sound meditation, journalling, breathwork, treat Bag takes place at The Thatch, Kilmovee on Saturday, February 14, (St. Valentine’s Day) from 10am to 12 noon. The cost of the event is €25, and booking is essential. For more information call 085 1971372.
Have you ever thought about fostering? Change a child’s life by becoming a Tusla Foster Carer. Talk to Tusla Fostering today by freephone 1800 226 771 or visit www.fostering.ie to learn more.
It was a proud day for the Charlestown Sarsfields LGFA Club as three of their players made the panel for their recent comprehensive victory over Wexford in division 2 of the Ladies Lidl National League played at the Swinford Amenity Park. Ella Brennan captained the side from right-half back and turned in her usual top-class performance as she drove her side on with typical energy and commitment from her wing back position. Clodagh made her competitive debut when she came on in the second half and acquitted herself very well as Mayo put their opposition to the sword with a very commanding display. Julia Gawalkevicz was the replacement goalkeeper and took her place on the bench as Mayo played some quality football to dismiss the challenge of Wexford with ease.
Mayo, led by Ella, were on the front foot from the throw-in and had too much quality in every line of the pitch for a Wexford team that never really got to the pitch of the battle. Mayo’s display was laced with promise as they look to bounce back to the top division with this performance giving their new manager Diane O’Hora plenty to enthuse over as they look to back it up in the remainder of their games in a division they look to have a right good shot at winning.
The death took place at St Attracta’s Residence, Hagfield, Charlestown of Kathleen Brennan Cloonlyon, Charlestown. Deepest condolences are tendered to the bereaved.
The Hilarious Irish comedy of miracle and mayhem, ‘Daughter from Over the Water’, is in Cloonacool Players’ safe hands. Brilliant and fast moving the production is on for three nights; Thursday, March 9, Saturday 21 and Sunday 22 at 8pm in Cloonacool Community Centre. Great cast includes Pat Feehily, Eileen Davey, Peadar Conway, Mary Kathleem Johnson and other ace Cloonacool actors, all directed by Brid Calvey. Keep these dates in your diary, you won’t want to miss it.
An eight week Couch 2 5K programme, hosted by the East Mayo Athletics Club has started on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7pm. Suitable for absolute beginners and it’s a great way to brush off those January cobwebs and get active and get moving. The programme is an easy to follow 8-week training plan with supportive coaches available to help you every step of the way. There is a very welcoming vibe for all participants with no judgement or pressure with lots of motivation, accountability and encouragement provided for all who sign up to take part. You don’t need fancy gear and you don’t have to be fit, you just need to show up and the club and its members will help with the rest. You can register on the East Mayo Athletic Club’s Facebook page by simply following the link with week one starting tonight, February 10, at 7pm.
Yoga classes with Sophie continue every Tuesday night at 7.30pm at Carracastle Community Centre. The cost is €10 per class. There is a free taster class for newcomers. For more information contact Sophie on 087 4798831.
The annual Achonry Pioneer dance takes place at the Yeats County Inn, Curry on Friday, March 20, at 8pm. Tickets cost €40 per person. There will be a three-course meal with tea/coffee and music on the night will be supplied by The Duets. Contact Thomas on 087 2344338 to book your ticket.
The draw for the 2026 Honour of the Village Competition will take place in the coming days. There has been a great response to the competition which continues to capture the imagination like no other within and outside the community with a number of new teams entering the hat for the draw that has piqued the interest of many darts players and enthusiasts alike. There will be a full report of all first round fixtures, dates and times in next week’s column as the curtain prepares to go up on another Village competition as darts mania grips the community with Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, Charlestown, the nerve centre as is takes on an Ally Pally feel over the course of the next two months or so.
The weekly bereavement support group has resumed at Knock Shrine on Wednesday mornings at 11am in the family centre. This meeting provides an opportunity for those who have lost a loved one to meet others who are bereaved and to share and talk about their experiences of loss as well as finding hope and healing again in their lives. No appointment is needed.
The next community coffee morning takes place on Friday, March 6, in the Charlestown Arts Centre, Barrack Street from 11am-1pm. There is lift access available and all are welcome to come along for a cuppa and a chat.
The Sarsfields GAA Club have a number of deals on offer to its members and supporters for the new 2026 season. These deals include membership, annual lotto and county board tickets with a suite of options open to all who wish to avail and subscribe. Full details on what’s available can be got from the club’s Facebook and twitter pages or you can also see what’s on offer by logging onto www.charlestowngaa.com.
New and returning members are welcome to join the parish choir. No prior experience required. Practice takes place every Thursday evening at 7pm in the Parish church. For more information contact Carmel on 086 3271196.
Women’s Box Fit classes take place every Wednesday evening from 7.30pm-8.45pm at the headquarters of the Charlestown Boxing Club (old Cloonfane School). All are welcome.
Well done to the Charlestown Cubs U14 boys team who recorded an excellent victory on the road against Crossmolina in division 2 of the county basketball league with the Charlestown boys coming through on a scoreline of 39-23. The boys were full value for their victory as they bossed the game from the tip-off and dominated in every facet of the play. This victory owed much to their resilience and teamwork as it did to their skill and ability and keeps them nicely positioned in the top half of the table very much in contention for a place in the play-offs as they continue to improve with each and every outing.
The U12 boys suffered a narrow defeat to Westport in their latest outing in U12 league but they did the club and themselves proud at the manner of their fine display as they pushed the home side to the wire and left everything on the court and were unlucky not to have taken something from a rip-roaring contest as both teams threw everything at it in their pursuit of victory.
The open day at Cloonlyon National School takes place on Friday, February 13, from 9.30am-4pm. Parents/Guardians and children are invited to come and visit the school at any time during that day. If this date is not suitable, contact the school on 094 9254932 or via email at office@cloonlyonns.ie and the school would be delighted to arrange an alternative date.
Enrolment forms for the 2026/2027 are available from the school office. Forms can also be downloaded from the school website www.cloonlyonns.ie.
A silent protest against the war/famine in Gaza takes place at the N17/N5 overpass in Ballyglass East each Friday evening from 6-7pm. All are welcome.
A Legion of Mary meeting takes place every Wednesday evening at 7pm in the Adoration Chapel of St James’ Church, Charlestown. All are welcome. For more information contact Phil on 086 3946233.
Sean Keane will be in concert on Saturday, February 14, at 8pm in the Coleman Music Centre, Gurteen, Co. Sligo (F56 TF88). Admission is €30. To book call 071 9182599 or online at www.colemanirishmusic.com.
Tavneena NS are delighted to announce that enrolment is now open for the 2026/2027 academic year. Enrolment forms are available to download on the school website www.tavneenans.scoilnet.ie or by contacting the school at tavneenans@gmail.com or 094 9254910.
There was a big turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, Charlestown, on Sunday night, February 1, as The Duke and the Magician locked horns in another interesting instalment of the weekly classic. Governor Gus had plenty to occupy his mind in his role as match referee but, as ever, he wasn’t fazed at what played out before him and kept both men in check impeccably. The Duke had a real swagger about his play early doors as he surged into a two-set lead with some razor sharp throwing. He hit every treble and double that came his way with unerring accuracy with the Magician unable to keep pace such was the form being exhibited by the number two seed.
The Magician needed to look deep into his cauldron at the start of the third set in the hope of finding some sort of a response but it was slow in coming as the Duke continued on the rampage into set three. He grabbed the first two legs to leave him just one away from victory as McGowan struggled to find any kind of a response and looked odds on to be whitewashed with the Duke in no mood to offer any kind of an olive branch. From nowhere, however, the Magician found some inspiration and rattled off the next two legs to set up a single leg shootout to decide the fate of the set. The Duke, stunned at the loss of the two previous legs, took his anger out on the board as he galloped to the double at breakneck pace in the fifth and final leg to put himself in prime position to close out the match. The Magician wasn’t far behind, it must be said, but it proved futile as the Duke took out 128 with some aplomb with his final dart landing plum in the middle of the double ten bed to set in train great celebrations in his camp as he clinched his second title of the season.
The Magician was as magnanimous as ever in defeat but he can have few complaints as the Duke was a most worthy winner and remains in a rich vein of form as he enjoys his best start to the season in many a long year.
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Kilmovee.
The death took place of Tommy Regan, Egool, Kilmovee, and Kiltimagh Road, Swinford, on January 9, in Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar, surrounded by his family. Tommy was the third eldest of a family of seven born to Michael and the late Josephine Regan (nee McCormack).
The practice of his faith was very important to Tommy and he was very popular in the area. Tommy attended Kilmovee NS, and later the Vocational School in Ballaghaderreen. Following on from this he served his apprenticeship as a mechanic. At the age of 21 years he was involved in a traffic accident which resulted in life changing circumstances for Tommy but rather than bemoan his situation, he accepted and carried his cross with courage and positivity that was truly inspirational to all. Tommy was rightly described as a true gentleman, warm, generous and very appreciative, very supportive, a wonderful son, brother, and friend who loved to stay connected, and his mobile phone was very instrumental for him to keep in touch with his family and his legion of friends.
Tommy was predeceased by his mother Josephine, niece Aoife, and sister-in-law Marie. Tommy reposed in the Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen on Monday, January 13, and removal took place from his home on Tuesday, January 14, at 11.30am to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kilmovee, arriving for Mass of the Resurrection at 12 noon, followed by interment in Naomh Mobhí cemetery.
Tommy is survived by his father Michael, brothers Hubert, Gerry, Michael and Vincent, sisters Kathy and Eileen, aunt Sr. Eileen, nephews, nieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours and friends. May Tommy rest in peace as sympathy is extended to his family relatives and to all who mourn his passing.
Kilmovee NS are now accepting enrolments for the school year 2026/27. Forms are available from the school. Contact school principal Caitriona McDonnell, kilmoveens1@gmail.com for further details.
Bingo is held in Kilmovee Community Centre every Sunday evening at 8.30pm. There is a jackpot of €650 on 46 calls or less, the house is €360 on 4 correct numbers and also a 50/50 draw with a guaranteed winner every week.
Kilmovee Comhaltas would like to thank all those who attended the recent St Brigid’s Day session in particular, thanks to the special guests Na Brídeoga from Kilmovee NS and their teacher Deirdre Meehan, as well as Martin Woods from Swinford Comhaltas. Kilmovee Comhaltas are looking forward to their next session on St. Patrick’s Day after 10am Mass.
Classes are taking place in Ballaghaderreen Resource Centre on Mondays from 10 till 11.30 am for fun and exercise and to revive some of the traditional figure and ceili dances. Contact Phil for details on 086 136 015.
The following events are taking place in Kilkelly Trimoge Community Centre - The Circle of Security 8 week parenting programme is commencing on February 26, from 10.30-12pm. This is a lovely programme for parents/carers of children aged from 0 to 6 years. This course is free of charge and is a lovely way of meeting other parents in the area. There is a limited number of places available so booking is essential; the Parent, Baby and Toddler Group meet in Kilkelly every Wednesday from 11am to 12 noon. They welcome all parents and carers to the group. The group is facilitated by local PHN in Kilkelly. Refreshments are available and the cost is €3 per family.
If you or a family member is in hospital and would like a visit, contact Fr Joseph Gavigan on 086 1605373.
The lotto numbers drawn on Saturday, January 24, were 12, 13, 18 and 19, and there was no winner of the jackpot.
Mayo Cancer Support Assoc, at Rock Rose House (www.mayocancersupport.ie), will be holding their annual church gate collection in Glann and Kilkelly areas on the weekend of February 14, and February15. If anyone can volunteer to assist with the collections, contact Rose on 083 489 0754. Your support is much appreciated.
St Brigid’s Crosses made by the children of Kilkelly NS are now on sale in local outlets around Kilkelly. All proceeds go directly to Kilkelly NS. The event was organised by the Parents Association. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Learn about marriage, matchmaking and the folk traditions in between at an upcoming talk at 2pm on St Valentine’s Day, Saturday, February 14, at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar. This talk will be given by the Keeper of the Irish Folklife Collection, Clodagh Doyle. Admission is free. Booking is required. Visit museum.ie or email BookingsCountryLife@museum.ie or telephone +353 94 90 31751.
Mayo teachers in primary and second level schools, whose pupils take part in the annual Texaco Children’s Art Competition, are reminded that the closing date for receipt of entries this year is Friday, 27th February next.
Now in its 72nd year, the Texaco Children’s Art Competition is widely acknowledged as the longest running arts sponsorship in Ireland. Details are available at www.texacochildrensart.com.
Strenghten your skills for gaining employment by joining the computer and office skills course. QQI Level 4/5. If you or someone you know has an additional support need and are registered with the Department of Social Protection you are entitled to free upskilling. Contact Centre Manager Mary Hanlon on 087 361 1096) or Castlebar@nln.ie. NLN, Breaffy Road, Castlebar.
