Local Notes: Lorraine steps down as Claremorris Scouts group leader
Lorraine Dolan, who has stepped down as Group Leader with Claremorris Scouts, is pictured with Megan Higgins.
There was a changing of the guard at 9th Mayo Claremorris Scouts last week, with Lorraine Dolan stepping down as Group Leader after a number of years in the role.
Lorraine has thanked all of the Scouters who have worked with the group over the years, along with everyone who has supported the Claremorris troop and helped it to continue providing Scouting opportunities for local young people. Megan Higgins will now take over the reins as Group Leader and begins a new chapter for 9th Mayo Claremorris Scouts.
The group has wished Megan every success in her new role while acknowledging Lorraine’s years of commitment and service as Group Leader.
Claremorris has again found itself at the centre of the debate over the future of the Western Rail Corridor following confirmation that Iarnród Éireann has agreed to facilitate the development of a greenway along the former railway between Collooney and Bellaghy in Co Sligo.
West on Track has strongly criticised the move, arguing that removing the railway infrastructure would undermine the long-term ambition of restoring a continuous rail connection from Galway through Claremorris and on to Sligo.
The controversy comes as the southern section of the Western Rail Corridor is moving in the opposite direction. Work is expected to progress on restoring rail from Athenry towards Claremorris, making the Mayo town increasingly important to the wider argument about future north-south connectivity in the West.
For West on Track, stopping at Claremorris would leave the job unfinished. The group wants the line ultimately extended northwards, serving Ireland West Airport and Charlestown before continuing to Sligo.
“We need to be clear that the destruction of the rail corridor is not progress for Sligo or for this region,” West on Track said.
The organisation accepts the value of greenways but rejects the argument that rail and cycling infrastructure must be an either/or choice. It maintains that Iarnród Éireann had been prepared to facilitate a greenway at a safe distance from the railway and argues that both forms of infrastructure should be accommodated. That position has strong backing in Mayo, where councillors unanimously reaffirmed their support for protecting the railway from Claremorris through Charlestown for future development towards Ireland West Airport and Sligo.
Local Independent councillor Richard Finn, vice-chair of the Western Inter-County Railway Committee, strongly supported the council's stance and questioned the logic of putting a greenway on the railway alignment.
“If we are to see the benefits of the opening up of Athenry to Claremorris, what is needed is to join up the two main cities in the west of Ireland and we want to put the message out that in Mayo we are in full support of our section of the railway line to Charlestown,” Cllr Finn said.
“That is important and nobody will interfere with that.”
Fellow local Independent councillor Patsy O'Brien also called for a united Mayo position in defence of the Western Rail Corridor. He expressed disappointment that public representatives would lobby for a greenway on a railway alignment and proposed that a Mayo delegation meet the Minister for Transport Darragh O'Brien and Taoiseach Micheál Martin to convey the county's opposition to the proposal. He criticised politicians and community activists in Sligo saying they lacked vision.
The Claremorris connection is particularly significant. Restoring the railway northwards would potentially transform the town from the end point of a reopened Galway-Mayo service into a key junction on a western rail spine extending through Ireland West Airport and Charlestown towards Sligo.
The Western Inter-County Railway Committee, representing eight local authorities from Donegal to Clare, has also strongly opposed removing the railway. It has called on the Minister for Transport and Iarnród Éireann to pursue a dual solution, allowing a greenway to be developed alongside the railway.
West on Track has pointed to the experience of Youghal in Cork as a warning. It argues that although greenway development on a former railway may be described as reversible, once substantial investment and new structures are put in place, restoring rail becomes considerably more difficult.
The campaigners believe the stakes extend well beyond the 35km Collooney-Bellaghy section. For them, the fundamental issue is whether the West retains a continuous piece of strategic infrastructure capable of linking its towns, cities and airport in the decades ahead.
That argument has particular resonance in Claremorris. If the Athenry-Claremorris section is restored, campaigners see the town not as the finishing point of the project, but as the gateway to its next stage – northwards to Ireland West Airport, Charlestown and ultimately Sligo.
Mayo County Council has now put its position firmly on the record, unanimously supporting the protection and future development of the corridor. For Claremorris, the outcome could ultimately determine whether the returning railway becomes an endpoint or the first stage in something much bigger.
The death has occurred of Noel Moran of Bloomfield, Hollymount. Noel died suddenly at Hollymount Nursing Home on September 15th.
Noel was predeceased by his parents Patrick and Sarah, and brothers Ivan and Tom. He will be sadly missed by his sister Dympna Byrne (Brickens), brother-in-law James, sister-in-law Angela Moran (Ballinrobe), nieces and nephews Vincent, Joan, Colette, Anne, Yvonne, Georgina, Gwen, Kevin, Evan and Anne, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Noel’s remains reposed at Fr Paddy’s House, Robeen, on Thursday evening last with removal afterwards to Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Robeen. Requiem Mass was held on Friday, followed by burial afterwards in Robeen Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Jack Irwin of Skevard, Ballindine, and formerly of Cork City. Jack died peacefully at his residence.
Jack was predeceased by his father Timothy. Jack will be sadly missed by his mother Peggy, partner Diana, son Patrick, daughter Elaine and their mother Teresa, brothers Jim and Barry, sisters Ann, Mary and Margaret, stepdaughter Cassandra, stepson Shaun, nieces, nephews, in-laws, extended family, many friends and members of Cork City Fire Station.
Jack’s remains reposed in Gilligan’s Funeral Home, Market Square, Claremorris, on Thursday evening, September 17, with removal afterwards to St Joseph’s Church, Ballindine. Jack’s Funeral Mass was held on Friday, followed by burial afterwards in Ballindine Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
Tony Tierney was the winner of the Claremorris GAA Club 50/50 draw last week, taking home a jackpot of €1,416. Tony bought his winning ticket in Hillside Service Station.
The club congratulated Tony on his win and extended its thanks to everyone who continues to support the weekly draw. Tickets are available online and from local shops and pubs, with the proceeds helping to support the club’s activities and development.
Erika Walsh was the winner of the Claremorris AFC 50/50 draw last week, collecting a prize of €531. Erika entered the draw online.
Claremorris AFC congratulated Erika and thanked all those who continue to support the fundraiser each week. Tickets are available online and through participating shops and pubs in the town, with the club expressing its appreciation for the continued support.
The death has occurred of Patrick (Paddy) Cummins of Woodstock, Ballindine. Paddy died suddenly at his home in London on September 4th.
Paddy was predeceased by his grandparents James and Annie Cummins and Michael and Brigid Moran, and uncle Pauric. He will be sadly missed by his parents Pat and Mairead, brothers Noel, James and Shane, sister-in-law Lorraine, nephews Billy and Rían, niece Ellie, aunts, uncles, cousins and his wide circle of friends in Ireland and the UK.
Funeral arrangements will be announced at a later date.
Preparations are already underway for the annual Brickens Christmas Market, which will take place in the Community Centre on Sunday, December 13th, from 10am to 3pm.
Organisers are currently looking for traders interested in taking a space at the market and showcasing their products in the run-up to Christmas. Anyone interested in booking a space or seeking further information can contact 094-9380910 or 087-6505260. The market will be held in aid of Brickens Meals on Wheels.
The Claremorris Fine Gael District Executive will meet in the Western Hotel on Monday, September 28th, at 8.30pm. Among the business on the agenda will be motions for the party’s Ard Fheis, which takes place in Cork on November 7th and 8th. All are welcome to attend.
The death has occurred of Gertie (Margaret) Tighe (née Hughes) of Hollymount. Gertie died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, following a short illness bravely borne.
Gertie was predeceased by her husband Mickey, parents Delia and Paddy Hughes, sister Nora McNally (New York) and brother Joe Hughes (New York). She will be deeply missed by her heartbroken family, son Shane, daughter Tara Joyce (Headford), daughter-in-law Fiona, son-in-law Brian, adored grandchildren Aoife, Cathal, Éilla and Tadhg, sisters Mary De Silva (New York) and Teresa Moran (Brize), brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nieces, nephews, neighbours and friends.
Gertie’s remains reposed at her residence on Tuesday evening, September 15th. Removal took place on Wednesday 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 Frank Lyons of Woodpark, Ballyhaunis, and formerly of Knockbrack and Ballindine. Frank died peacefully at Mayo Hospice.
Frank was predeceased by his parents Bill and Kathleen, brothers Gerry and Micheál, and sister-in-law Norma. He will be deeply regretted and sadly missed by his loving wife Nuala, daughter Sarah, son Gearóid, grandchildren Sean and Frankie, Sarah’s partner Tom, Nuala’s sons Tomás and Eddie and their families, brothers Liam, John-Joe, Eugene and Noel, sister Mary T., sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and many friends.
Frank’s remains reposed at Donnellan’s Funeral Home, Clare Street, Ballyhaunis, on Tuesday evening. Frank’s Funeral Mass was held on Wednesday morning in St Patrick’s Church, Ballyhaunis, followed by burial afterwards in the local cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of John Lyons of Main Street, Knock. John died peacefully, surrounded by his family, on September 12th.
John was predeceased by his parents, brothers Martin and Brendan, and his beloved son-in-law Barry. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Ann, daughter Aisling, son Cormac, daughter-in-law Aislinn, grandchildren Sadhbh, Cathal, Donnacha, Fianna and Seán, brother Noel, sister Noreen, nieces, nephews and friends.
John’s remains reposed in the Marian Funeral Home, Knock, on Monday evening, September 14th. Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday in St John the Baptist Church, Knock, followed by burial afterwards in Knock Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
