Local Notes: Kiltimagh woman competes in National Final
Kiltimagh woman Jo Kelly in action at the National Brown Bread Finals at the National Ploughing Championships on Tuesday last.
In a packed marquee at the National Ploughing Championships and Exhibition in Tullamore last week, Kiltimagh woman Jo Kelly competed at the National Brown Bread Finals.
“It was actually lovely when I gott here,” Jo told the afterwards. “You know, it’s all the lead-up to it that has you stressed out and nervous. But you’re making bread, I’m doing it for 50 years. The organisers were a great help and they showed us how to use the oven!”
Like all competitors, Jo had to bring her own ingredients and equipment, mix the ingredients and bake the bread in the electric ovens provided on site.
“I was a bit anxious about the oven, but the organisers showed us how to use it and it was fine,” Jo said.
Jo and her husband Pete travelled to Athlone the day before the competition, before continuing on to Tullamore.
Despite the competitive atmosphere, Jo took comfort in sticking with her usual recipe.
“I do it in a longer tin at home, but that’s the size tin they wanted. So I did it exactly, I didn’t change one thing.”
The experience, she said, was as much about the people as the bread.
“It is a great experience qnd meeting the organisers and the other competitors is lovely too.”
Jo’s journey to Tullamore and the National Brown Bread Finals started in Claremorris when her daughter Sinead encouraged her to enter the competition in Mayo, which was being run by Kean's in Claremorris.
Jo brought her creation to the Claremorris shop and “forgot all about it". When she received a text message the following week to tell her she had qualified, she didn't tell anyone because she was afraid it might be a scam.
“You know, those messages where you can't reply to the text,” Jo said. “So I said nothing. But the girl rang me from the promotion company that's running it from Dublin, and she asked me, would I send her on a picture? And that was it, that's the story.”
Kiltimagh GAA Club’s 50/50 jackpot of €722 was won last week by Declan Clinton from Crossmolina.
The club congratulated Declan on his success and thanked the many supporters who continue to purchase tickets in local shops, pubs and through the online platform. Each week’s draw, the club noted, plays a vital role in providing resources for players at all levels.
The Race2Glory Kiltimagh committee is calling on dedicated individuals to get involved with one of the town’s biggest annual events. Volunteers are essential to help deliver a fantastic, community-based experience for Kiltimagh.
An AGM will be held on Wednesday, October 1st, at 8pm in the Cill Aodain Court Hotel where those interested can learn more about volunteering and how to contribute.
Anyone interested in joining the committee or volunteering for this exciting event is encouraged to attend the AGM or contact Ciara at 087-4050271 for more information.
Further details can also be found at www.race2glory.com.
Kiltimagh GAA Club had another winning ticket in the Mayo GAA Club Development Draw last week when Alanna Tierney and Sinead Guinnelly’s joint ticket won €200. This brings to 18 the number of winners Kiltimagh GAA has enjoyed in this year’s draw, yielding an impressive €13,400.
This countywide fundraiser provides vital income for clubs across Mayo, with a significant portion of ticket sales staying at local level once the club’s initial target is reached. For Kiltimagh GAA, the draw is an important part of funding day-to-day operations, player development, and long-term improvements to club facilities.
The club extended its congratulations to the winners and sincere thanks to all who purchased tickets, whether online or through local sellers.
The newly realigned Gilmartin Park with its impressive cantilever stand will be officially opened by GAA President Jarlath Burns on Saturday October 11th at 10.30am.
The club’s senior men’s team will be in action in the quarter-final of the Mayo Junior Championship this Saturday in the COE in Bekan.
Kiltimagh duo, Mike Ryan and Mark Jennings, will take part in a unique event when 100 people will abseil 150ft from the roof of Croke Park in Dublin on October 10th. Abseiling is the controlled descent of a steep slope, and the two Kiltimagh men have responded to the call, and will undertake the event.
To raise awareness of its services, Mayo Cancer Support has organised the event and Claremorris resident, James Preston, is treasurer of the organisation.
“For more than two decades, Mayo Cancer Support has been offering emotional support to people affected by cancer in Co Mayo,” James told the . “All of the services we provide are available free of charge to service users who can visit our centres in Castlebar, Ballina and Achill in confidence, knowing that they will be met by someone who understands what they are going through and can offer comfort and help.
“This is the major fundraiser for us, but it's also about building brand awareness. So many people actually don't know what Mayo Cancer Support is and it is often confused with other supports. So this event is also about brand awareness.
“Mayo Cancer Support is based at Rock Rose House in Castlebar. We rely on donations for 90% of our funding. The remainder comes from various grants that we get. But it's mainly through fundraising.”
James described the response to the abseiling event as “absolutely amazing".
“It is fantastic that Mike and Mark and all the others from across the county have signed up and we know that Kiltimagh is a fantastic town famous for its generosity, and we ask the community to support their effort.”
The weekly 25 Card Drive once again brought together a fine turnout of players and an enjoyable evening of competition.
First place honours on the night went to the pairing of Francis McNicholas and Tom Durkin, who shared the top spot with Jack Ryan and Ciaran McDonnell after a close contest.
Third place was divided four ways, with Paraic Joyce and Austin Callaghan, Brian McNulty and Seamus Nevin, Tom Begley and Seamus Larkin, and the team of Michael Carney and Michael Costello all finishing level.
The prize for the Last 10 went to Tom Conroy and Joe Boyle, along with Patricia Hyland and Patsy Flatley. Teresa Coleman and Alo Langan claimed the spot prize.
Raffle winners were Aidan McDonagh, Tom Begley, Brian McNulty and Paraic Joyce.
The Summer Poker League playoff tournament at Teach O’Hora saw Martin Regan and Nigel Maughan claim the final two qualifying places for the Grand Final. They now join 12 other players in the concluding event where 14 competitors will play for a prize pool of €2,540 and the title of Kiltimagh Poker Champion. The date of the final has yet to be confirmed.
Alongside the playoff, a regular tournament was also held on the night. Gerry Groarke and Derry O’Sullivan shared first and second prizes after a close finish, while Daniel Kennedy secured third place.
Attention now turns to the start of a new 15-week league, which begins this Wednesday evening in Teach O’Hora with cards in the air at 8pm. Weekly tournaments remain open to all, with entry set at €20 and an optional rebuy or add-on available at the same price.
Looking further ahead, Saturday, October 18, has been confirmed as the date for the 2025 Culchie Poker Open. This €100 tournament will be staged in the Cill Aodain Hotel, with further details to follow in the coming weeks.
An exciting opportunity for young people in Kiltimagh will launch next month. The Youth Theatre programme will begin on October 15. The eight-week programme is open to 12 to 18 year olds and will include weekly workshops, theatre visits and specialist masterclasses.
The project is a collaboration between Clann Machua Drama Group and Mayo Arts Council, with a subsidised fee of €40 for the full term. Numbers are limited, and early booking is recommended by contacting Adrian Lavan on 086-8676737.
Clann Machua Drama Group itself continues to prepare for a busy season. Rehearsals for the 2026 Three-act Festival production, ‘Greta Garbo Came to Donegal’ by Frank McGuinness, will commence soon. And plans are well underway for two one-act comedies to be staged in November.
CLG Coillte Mach has announced a parish-wide schools’ art competition to mark the visit of GAA President Jarlath Burns, who will officially open the renovated Gilmartin Park this October.
The theme of the competition is the illustration of a seanfhocal (proverb), which should also be clearly written on the artwork. Entries, up to A3 in size and in any medium, will be judged in four categories: First to Third Class, Fourth to Sixth Class, up to Junior Certificate level, and post-Junior Certificate level. Each piece should carry the pupil’s name and class on the back, countersigned by a teacher.
There is no entry fee, and prizes will be awarded for first, second and third place in each category. The deadline for entries is Wednesday, October 1st. Winning pieces will be displayed during the official re-opening of Gilmartin Park on Saturday, October 11th, when prizes will be presented in the clubhouse.
Further details are available from Aingeal Uí Mhaicín, Oifigeach Cultúrtha, CLG Coillte Mach, on 087 988 6165 or by email at aingealuimhaicin@gmail.com.
The death has occurred of Michael Regan, formerly of Kiltimagh, who died peacefully in his sleep in Leeds, following an illness borne over the past three months.
Michael was the youngest in his family and was predeceased by his wife Lynn and his sister Maureen. He will be sadly missed by his brothers Tommy (UK) and John (Kiltimagh), sister Katherina (Northampton, England), relatives, neighbours, friends and former colleagues in Coillte.
Michael’s Funeral Mass will take in Leeds, with burial in Leeds Catholic Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
