Local Notes: Major concerts coming up in Claremorris
Stephanie Hogan with members of TeenTurn, who have won numerous awards this year, at the Mount St Michael Secondary School Celebration Day in May. Picture: Trish Forde
A fundraising concert entitled ‘Somebody Special’ will take place at the Town Hall Theatre in Claremorris on Saturday, August 23, at 8pm.
The event is in support of Group 109 of The Rise and Shine Trust (formerly The Irish Pilgrimage Trust), a Mayo-based voluntary group that facilitates supported holidays for children and young adults with additional needs. These trips take place in Ireland and in Lourdes each Easter, and offer participants a memorable experience while providing a short period of respite for families and carers.
The concert is based on an album of the same name, which was released earlier this year by Pat McGovern and a group of friends. Many of the same musicians who contributed to the recording will take part in the live performance. They include Paul Clesham, Sharon McCabe, Michelle Rhattigan, Maria Hughes, Niall Hughes, Aisling McGovern, Luke Coffey, Molly Hughes, Shane Wixted and Pat McGovern. The performers, most of whom are from Hollymount, have significant experience in traditional and folk music and have won multiple All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil medals.
The concert will include music, song and dance across a wide range of genres including Irish traditional, folk, bluegrass, gospel and contemporary. It will also feature a segment of Irish dancing. The event will be compered by Michael Commins of Midwest Radio.
Tickets are available through www.townhall.ie, by calling 094-9310999, or from the Town Hall Theatre box office during office hours.
The ‘Somebody Special’ album features a range of well-known tracks, including songs by Shane MacGowan, Don Stiffe and Phil Coulter, as well as traditional and instrumental tunes. It remains on sale locally at outlets in Hollymount, Ballintubber, Ballinrobe and Claremorris, or directly from Pat McGovern at 085-1742082. The album is also available as a digital download on Bandcamp.
A special fundraising concert in aid of the proposed Claremorris Community Sports and Recreational Centre will take place at the Town Hall Theatre, Claremorris on Friday, November 21. The event, part of Tony Christie’s ‘Farewell to Amarillo’ tour, is being hosted with the support and dedication of the Fitzgerald family as a contribution to the development of this new local facility.
Tony Christie, whose family has long-standing roots in the area, will return to Claremorris for what is his only Irish concert outside Dublin. The performance will form part of his final tour, marking over five decades in the music industry. The concert will feature many of his best-known songs, including ‘Is This the Way to Amarillo’, ‘I Did What I Did for Maria’, and ‘Avenues and Alleyways’, alongside newer material and selected covers.
The singer and entertainer, born Anthony Fitzgerald in Doncaster in 1943, is the grandson of Martin Thomas Fitzgerald, originally from Carrowkilleen, Hollymount, who later lived in Claremorris before emigrating to Yorkshire. Christie’s musical interests developed early, with influences drawn from both traditional Irish music and American vocalists heard on his father’s records.
Now managed by his son Sean under the family-run Mayo Music Ltd, Tony Christie continues to perform across the UK and Europe. On previous visits to Mayo, he has acted as Grand Marshal of the Claremorris St Patrick’s Day Parade and was presented with a Cong ‘Hands of Fame’ Award.
Ticket sales from the Claremorris concert will support the development of the new community sports and recreational centre. Doors will open at 7pm, with the concert beginning at 8pm. Standard tickets are priced from €45 and premium tickets at €100 (plus booking fees). Premium ticket holders will receive front-row seats, a gift bag with signed memorabilia, and access to a meet-and-greet session with Tony Christie after the performance.
Tickets are available at www.townhall.ie. Accommodation offers for the concert weekend are being provided by the McWilliam Park Hotel, with bookings available directly on 094-9378000.
A number of players from Hollymount LGFA were recognised at Croke Park over the weekend as part of a special jubilee celebration to mark the All-Ireland winning Mayo LGFA teams of 1999 and 2000. Sabina Bailey, Marcella Heffernan, Sinead Costello, Orla Casby, Christina Heffernan, Yvonne Byrne and Michelle Corcoran were among those honoured for their role in Mayo’s historic victories during that period.
The presentation was made by Uachtarán Cumann Peil Gael na mBan Trina Murray, and acknowledged the contribution of both players and management to what remains a significant era in Mayo LGFA history.
Claremorris AFC recently announced the prize winners from its 40th anniversary competition, which attracted strong local interest. The competition formed part of the club’s wider anniversary celebrations, and ten winners were selected from those who entered.
Ciarán Quigley took first place, with Mary Stretton and David Keane finishing second and third respectively. The remaining winners were Angela McDonnell, Paddy Higgins, Joe Freeley, Tony McGing, Kenny Cosgrove, Frank Clarke and TJ McHugh. The club extended thanks to all who took part and encouraged supporters to look out for further events and competitions in the near future.
Claremorris GAA Club held a double 50/50 draw over the bank holiday weekend, and there were two lucky winners. Gerry Smith and Ollie Brennan shared a prize of €1,266 with a ticket purchased in O’Brien’s, while Celine Byrne took home €1,276 with her online entry.
The club extended its sincere thanks to all who supported the draw.
Megan McDermott was the lucky winner of the Claremorris AFC 50/50 draw last week. Megan’s winning ticket, purchased in The Ranch, earned her a prize of €830.
Claremorris AFC thanked all who entered, and continues to encourage supporters to get involved through local outlets or online.
Claremorris Tidy Towns have announced the return of the SuperValu Residents’ Estates Competition for 2025. Now in its second year, the community-led contest invites local estates to enter by emailing claremorristidytowns1@gmail.com. Judging will take place in September, with results announced later that month.
Last year’s competition saw strong participation, with Cluain Aoibhinn crowned the inaugural winner. Judging focused on cleanliness, biodiversity efforts, and floral displays, assessed by independent experts. The organisers thank SuperValu Claremorris for their ongoing support.
Plans are underway to possibly include streets and roadways in future competitions, encouraging more residents to enhance their local environment. Recently, the group also unveiled a new insect information sign at Clare Lake, created in partnership with the Clare Lake Committee and funded by Pobal.
Residents are encouraged to get involved and showcase their estates this year, promoting community spirit and environmental care.
The death has occurred of Ethel Balfe of Newcastle, Galway and formerly of Convent Road, Claremorris. Ethel died unexpectedly at University Hospital, Galway. She was predeceased by her parents May and John, brothers Eamonn and Seánie, and sister Maura.
Ethel will be sadly missed by her sisters Anne and Noreen, brother Liam, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, great-grandnieces, and many dear friends.
Ethel’s remains reposed at the O’Flaherty Funeral Parlour, Munster Avenue, Galway on Thursday evening last with Requiem Mass on Friday morning in St James’ Church, Bushy Park. Burial took place afterwards in St Colman’s Cemetery, Claremorris.
May she rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Mary Judge (née Cullinane) of Kinnard House, Enniscrone, Co Sligo, and formerly of Churchfield, Knock. Mary died peacefully in the care of the staff at Sonas Ard na Gréine Nursing Home, Enniscrone, surrounded by her loving family.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Eamonn and parents James and Julia Cullinane. She is deeply mourned by her children PJ, Marceline, Ann, Eamonn, and Breda, sons-in-law Henry and Nick, daughters-in-law Mary and Rowena, grandchildren Áine, Conor, Karen, Brian, Sinéad, Niall, Naoise, Travis, Ashton and Olivia, great-grandchildren Siobhán, Kyle, Leighton and Darragh, brothers Harry, Bernard and Seamus, sisters Sr. Ann (Celia) and Bridie, in-laws, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Mary’s remains reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Wednesday evening last with removal to the Church of Our Lady Assumed Into Heaven, Enniscrone. Funeral Mass took place on Thursday last, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May she rest in peace.
Peter Spelman of New Road, Galway City, whose death has occurred, was a brother of Dolores Keaveney, Claremorris. Peter, aged 43, died unexpectedly on Sunday, August 3r, at Galway University Hospital, with his family by his side.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Joan Grennan (née Rushe) of Greenfort, Cairns Road, Sligo Town, and formerly of Ballindine. Joan died peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her infant daughter Dervla.
Joan is deeply mourned by her husband Joe, sons Justin, Niall, Cathal and Fiachra, daughters-in-law Alma, Audrée and Jean, grandchildren Marc, Aideen, Nathan, Aimee and Clodagh, brothers Seamus, Ben and Liam, sisters-in-law Margaret and Bridie, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Joan’s remains reposed at the Foley and McGowan Funeral Home, Market Yard, Sligo on Friday evening, August 1. A funeral service took place on Saturday, August 2, at McGowan’s Crematorium and Funeral Home, Collooney, followed by cremation.
May she rest in peace.
