Local Notes: Plans advancing for new centre in Claremorris
Cllr Richard Finn, Catriona Doherty and Jarlath Sweeney at the public information session about plans to develop a new community recreational centre for Claremorris.
A public information session about plans to develop a new community recreational centre for Claremorris took place recently at the McWilliam Park Hotel.
Joint chairpersons Catríona Doherty and Jarlath Sweeney introduced the members of the committee and shared the ambitious vision of a best-in-class, inclusive 'Community Recreational Centre for All' - young and old - that will serve the growing community of Claremorris for generations to come.
Attendees got a full overview of the activities to date and project plan for the proposed development. They also had the chance to ask questions, provide input, and view the initial architectural drawings to get a clear sense of the scale and scope of what such an amenity can provide.
The meeting included a presentation from independent consultants Padraic and Nollaig McGuinness of PMG Consult, who will be conducting a feasibility study to assess the demand, beginning in December. This will quantify the economic, social and health impact, the report will also incorporate insights from an extensive engagement and consultation process with the community, including: the launch of a ‘citizen survey’, consultation with stakeholders (sports and community groups), engagement with the agencies involved in the planning and funding of such a development and a series of thematic workshops to capture additional cross-sections of the community.
The committee highlighted that key to the realisation of this project is to be ready to apply for State funding when the relevant opportunity arises. That means being ‘shovel ready’ (planning permission granted) and having the needed match funding available. This calls on the entire community, including businesses, to get behind the project and support all fundraising activities. The first major fundraising event will be the Lip Sync Battle, taking place on February 22nd.
Corrib Oil is the sponsor of this event, underscoring their commitment to the community of Claremorris and its hinterlands, while Sensational Kids is the chosen charity partner. Sensational Kids operates out of Claremorris and serves the entire province of Connacht, providing affordable and accessible therapy to children and adolescents with additional needs.
The charity was chosen because of its mission to give all young people an opportunity for a better future, to realise their full potential, and because of its location in the heart of Claremorris. Information about the project can be had on email: claremorrisrecreationalcentre@gmail.com or by visiting www.claremorrisrecreationalcentre.ie.
Claremorris and District Lions Club will hold their annual food appeal on Friday and Saturday, December 13th and 14th, in the lobby of SuperValu.
“We welcome food donations,” Melissa Walsh, the president of the club told the , “but if someone wanted to donate money, we would take that too. One hundred percent of everything we collect goes to good causes. We pay all admin expenses ourselves as members.
“We work with other charities and good causes in the area. We get tremendous support from the community and this is a very worthwhile cause, and we ask people to please come out and support us once again. Your donation could make a huge difference to someone’s Christmas.”
La Casa Tapas and Wine on Dalton Street will host a coffee morning with delicious sponsored goodies in aid of ‘Daisy Lodge for Mayo’ on this Friday morning, December 6th, from 10am to 12 noon. All are welcome.
The ‘Daisy Lodge for Mayo’ project is operated by Cancer Fund for Children - an all-Ireland charity providing emotional support to children diagnosed with cancer. Their mission is to support each child and family, so they are better able to cope in the knowledge that they are not alone.
At present, Daisy Lodge operates in Newcastle, Co Down, but plans and fundraising is at an advanced stage to construct a similar 19-room unit at Cong, on a 30-acre site donated by professional golfer Rory McIlroy. The project is out to tender at present, with the completed building and fit-out estimated to cost around €20m.
“We’re well on the way with money,” Mary McHugh-Murphy, who is the Community Fundraiser for Connacht, told the . “We have the site, we have planning permission and we have the groundworks done. We are very close to the €20m at the moment. We received €7.5m from the Government - €5m of this came from the Department of Health and the other €2.5m from the Shared Ireland Fund. We qualified for this fund because we are an all-island charity.
"Daisy Lodge is not a hospice – it is not medical. What we provide is emotional and therapeutic support. The reason Cong was chosen is it is a natural restorative space with a woodland and it is by Lough Corrib.”
Mary said that Rory McIlroy had helped the Co Down project too, but he isn’t involved beyond that.
“We can only support one in seven families currently, and this is why a second Daisy Lodge is needed. We ask the public to please support this wonderful cause,” the Garrymore woman added.
La Casa Tapas and Wine, which won the ‘Best Emerging Business/Best Start up Award 2024’ at the Mayo Business Awards, was launched in December 2023 by husband and wife team Caroline Boyle Dimitrova and Alex Dimitrov. Both have vast experience in the hospitality industry and have ran numerous establishments over the years.
The couple have a particular interest in tapas and are delighted to present their interpretation of Spanish tapas to the Claremorris community and surrounding areas. They have worked together for over 12 years in Dublin, winning numerous awards, notably ‘Best Mediterranean Restaurant in Ireland’ four years in a row and overall ‘Best Restaurant in Ireland’ in 2019.
Peter Murphy Snr, of Crossboyne, won the Claremorris GAA 50/50 last week. Peter picked up €900 from a ticket sold in PJ Byrne’s.
The Hamper winners were Amelia Moore (Eur-A-Saver hamper,) on a ticket which was sold in O'Brien’s Bar, Tom Keane, Cloontoa (Centra hamper) also sold in O'Brien’s, and Regina Gavin (Foodstore hamper) sold online. The club extends thanks to all who support their weekly draw and the sponsors of the hampers.
The 2024 Mayo Schoolboys and Youth Association Football Under-16 League Cup has been won by Claremorris AFC. They secured the title after a thrilling penalty shootout in the County Final against a fancied Westport United side, winning 5-4 on penalties.
The match was played at Mayo Football's HQ at Umbro Park, Milebush, Castlebar, and both sides gave it everything, covering every millimetre of the astroturf surface.
The game was scoreless at the end of extra time. In the penalty shoot-out, Nojus Gudaitis scored first for Claremorris, Evan Heneghan got the second and Claremorris ’keeper David Walsh saved the corresponding Westport kick. Keenan Mortimer put Claremorris in the lead, and Daniel Healy and team captain, Ross Connolly, slotted home the winning goal. Aidan Brogan was awarded Player of the Match.
The Claremorris squad was: David Walshe, Aaron Gill, Ross Connolly, Keenan Mortimer, Faustas Gudaitis, Mark Warde, Evan Heneghan, Nojus Gudaitis, Daniel Healy, Aidan Brogan, Sean Corcoran, Charlie Hanley, Emmet Burke, Jake Moran, Jason Garvey, Daniel O’Keefe, Sasha Perez, Hugh Lenihan, Oisin Sweeney and Matthew Gilligan.
Colman Warde managed the side. He was assisted by coaches, Kevin Walsh, Brian Lenihan and Jarlath Sweeney. In a further honour for the club, Nojus Gudaitis has been selected for the Mayo U-16 team.
The peaceful death has occurred at Mayo Hospice in Castlebar of Margaret Brogan (nee Kirrane) of Logalisheen, Ballindine.
Margaret was predeceased by her parents Paddy and Nora and sister Mary. She is deeply regretted by her husband Jimmy, sons, Aidan and Brian, daughter Cathy, brothers Tommy and Patrick, sisters Anne, Bernadette, Helen and Monica, seven grandchildren, her son-in-law Brendan, daughters-in-law Steph and Marie, brothers-in-law Tommy-Joe, John and Eoin, sisters-in-law Teresa, Peggy, Mary and Patricia, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Margaret was laid to rest in Ballindine Cemetery after Funeral Mass in St Joseph's Church, Ballindine.
The peaceful death has occurred of Teresa Brady (nee Kilkelly) of Cruach Na Gréine, Ballindine, at the Claremount Nursing Home Claremorris.
Teresa was predeceased by her husband Peter, sister Mae and brother Noel. She will be sadly missed by her sisters Phil (Dorset, England), Sheila (Sheffield, England), Angela (Ballindine), nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Teresa was laid to rest in Ballindine Cemetery after Funeral Mass in St Joseph's Church.
May she rest in peace.
The Harmony Hub is a mindfulness and mental health support programme for teenagers.
Gretta MacManus offers mindfulness and stress management workshops specifically designed for teenagers.
The programme provides an opportunity for teenagers to learn how to take care of their mental and emotional health. The Hub will commence in 2025, and to participate fill out the form available at the Claremorris Family Resource Centre reception.
For more information, email info@claremorrisfrc.ie.
Claremorris Family Resource Centre will close for holidays on December 23rd and will reopen on January 6th.
The brilliant local artist Lanna Heyrman is the tutor for the art classes at Claremorris Family Resource Centre every Thursday.
Lanna will help attendees to explore their creativity and enhance their artistic skills.
There are two time options. The first class is held from 10:30am to 1pm, and the second option is from 2 to 3.30pm. The classes are for adults only and the cost is €20 per session. For further information, contact the centre on 094-9377838.
If Garrymore GAA Club is anything, it is inclusive. The club is holding its third annual Kids Christmas Tractor Run on Sunday, December 15th, at 6pm around the walkway at Garrymore Pitch.
Anything on wheels goes, including tractors, go-carts, prams, scooters etc. Just light them up and drive them round.
All are welcome to attend. To register, please text your name and number of vehicles to 087-6763242.
Davitts GAA Club’s 50th anniversary celebrations ended in style in the clubhouse with the launch of their impressive book to mark the milestone. A large crowd assembled as the publication was officially launched by Mayo Ladies football legend, Cora Staunton.
The 260-page book was compiled by the club’s PRO Joe Reapy, in collaboration with the publisher, Pádraig Corcoran.
The book covers the club’s history, including brief accounts of pre-1974 events and reports on approximately 380 games over the past five decades, which should bring back memories for many ‘older’ readers. It will give some younger readers, and future generations, a better idea of Davitts’ proud history.
It also features contributions from 28 people from the club, sharing personal anecdotes and reflections. Those contributors were Alan Roche, Pete Warren, Val Glynn, Pat Ronayne, Aidan McTigue, Bertie Penny, Colm Boyle, David McDonagh, Eilis Ronayne, Ferghal McGrath, Frank Fahey, Frank Hyland, Josh Ronayne, Kevin Griffin, Dr Ken Egan, Michael Conroy, Martin Connolly, Larry Daly, Mark Diskin, Liam Kearns, Jim Treacy, Michael Waldron, Paul Carey, Sean Higgins, Ronan McNamara, Breda Waldron, Thomas Trench and Ronan Kirrane.
Other articles included are on Ballindine handball, Scór na nÓg winners, Mayo representatives and All-Ireland winners, alongside a wealth of photographs of teams, players, volunteers and supporters.
MC for the night was Angelina Nugent who kept things running smoothly. There was an enjoyable and nostalgic Q&A session featuring Dr Ken Egan, Frank Hyland, Martin Connolly, Liam Nyland, Alan Roche, Rebecca Waldron, Eilis Ronayne and Colm Boyle, which went down very well with the audience. Others to speak were Vincent Neary and John Prenty, chairman and secretary of the Connacht Council respectively; Mayo GAA County Board secretary Ronan Kirrane; Joe Reapy and Cora Staunton.
Several copies of the book were purchased at the launch. It is priced at €30 and as big demand is anticipated, especially as there is a limited number of copies printed, so people would be advised not to delay in getting one. There will be a link on the club’s website, davittsgaa.com, and social media, to enable online purchases. The book will also be on sale in the Spar and Centra shops and Healthcare West Pharmacy in Ballindine; and Daly’s Newsagents, Hillside Service Station and SuperValu in Claremorris. The club would like to sincerely thank those businesses for their help.
Despite an incredibly busy schedule, Santa has confirmed to the that he will make a visit to Ballindine Community Centre on Sunday, December 15th.
“This is my busiest time of the year,” Santa said, “But I’ll still manage to fit a visit to Ballindine, in. I’ll be there between 3 and 5.30pm (local time).”
Santa has also confirmed to this newspaper that he will be available for photographs on the day. There will be music by the incredible DJ PJ, and refreshments too. And each child, naughty or nice, will receive a gift. There’s a small charge of €5 per child, which we are informed will go towards reindeer food.
Niall Hurley was on the winning University College Dublin team which defeated the University of Limerick in the Freshers Division 1 League Final last week. Niall, from Kilnagower, is a key member of Claremorris GAA, and he scored 0-7 in a 2-14 to 1-16 win, on a cold night in Belfield.
The 14th edition of Roundfort, Robeen and Carras Parish Magazine is on sale now. The magazine is only €10, which is great value and a lovely gift for Christmas.
An open evening will be held for interested parents/guardians of future school-going children in Taugheen National School and Taugheen Playschool (Eircode: F12 H2V5) on Tuesday, December 10th, from 5.30 until 7.30pm. A facilitator for Breakfast Club and after-school services will be available on the evening.
Refreshments will be provided and all are welcome. For enquiries, contact Taugheen National School at 094-9362420.
