Local Notes: Presentation of cheque to Colm Horkan Memorial Pitch and Walkway, Charlestown
Fr John Doherty, Charlestown, presenting a cheque for the Colm Horkan Memorial Piitch and Walkway to the Charlestown Sarfields GAA Club Chairman Liam Breheny.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €9,800 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, January 14, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 22, 24, 28 and 31. The winners of the 2 x €50 weekly prizes were Claire Gibson and Marty Horkan. The latest jackpot increased to €9,900 and the draw was held on Sunday night, January 21.
Classes have commenced in the Town Hall Arts Centre, Barrack Street, Charlestown, on Thursday evenings from 7-8pm. The cost of a 6 week block is €75 or €14 pay as you go. To secure a spot contact Tish on 087 2906002.
A Leaving Cert Irish oral course takes place on February 16/17, and for more information or to book a place contact Siobhan via messenger on 087 6151581.
A Pink Ribbon fundraiser will take place in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Saturday, February 17. There will be a champagne reception with music, food, raffle and an auction with lots of fun guaranteed. Tickets will be available soon so stay tuned and save the date.
Flourish social prescribing service is on the lookout for a group of people to come together and read (listen to) a chapter of the ‘The Happiness Project’ book by Gretchen Rubin once a month. This will either be held in person in your local area (depending on interest) or online via Zoom. Throughout the year, we will be organising group activities such as walks, trips, etc. This is for anyone over 18 years of age and all are welcome. Contact 094 9025900/flourish@thefamilycentre.com for further details and to register your interest.
The East Mayo Athletics Club Couch 2 5k returns for 2024 and is open to men and women of all abilities from complete beginners to experienced runners. The club’s experienced coaches will provide excellent guidance and encouragement over an 8 week plan. It continues on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for the next seven weeks at 7pm. The cost is €35 which covers membership and insurance and all details on how to sign up are available on the club’s splendid Facebook page.
The death took place recently at St John’s Hospital, Castlebar, of Sean Cully, Tunnagh, Carracastle. His remains were removed from Horkan’s Funeral Home, Lowpark, Charlestown, to St James’s Church, Carracastle, and burial took place after solemn requiem Mass to Carracastle Cemetery. Sean is survived by his wife Yvonne, sons Peter and Michael, daughters Therese and Amanda, sons-in- law Kevin and John, daughter-in-law Leaghann, grandchildren, cousins, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
The late Sean was a very well known and prominent member of the community who was a good man in the true sense of the word. He was devoted to his family and was a good neighbour and friend to all in the community of Tunnagh and beyond. He leaves a good legacy which his family will cherish in these deep dark hours and days and his passing is deeply regretted. We tender our deepest sympathies to the bereaved.
Activator Pole/Chair Exercise classes continue in the Charlestown Arts Centre on Friday, January 26, at 12 noon. Tea/coffee will be served at 11.15am. Meet new people and have some fun. This class is funded by the Mayo Sports Partnership Return to Sport Initiative. For more information contact 086 8514682 or email info@charlestown.ie.
If anyone would like to receive a silver or gold pioneer pin or indeed become a member of the Diocesan Pioneer Association e-mail achonrypioneers@gmail.com or contact Thomas on 087 2344338.
Could you spare two hours a month to help the Community Coffee Morning team? You will meet new people, have some fun, all the while helping others along the way. For more information contact Patricia 086 8514682 or Sinead 087 2997049 or email info@charlestown.ie.
Salsa classes resume in the Town Hall Arts Centre on Wednesday evenings at 7pm and all are welcome.
Well done to the U14 girls who qualified for the cup final after recording a thrilling victory over a good and skilful Kiltimagh side in a high quality semi-final played recently. The Charlestown girls played brilliantly on the night and had to be at their very best to see off a resilient and tenacious opposition who pushed the Charlestown girls right to the hooter in a game that had many twists and turns throughout. The Charlestown girls had enough in the tank to get over the line with all eyes on the final which takes place in the coming days/weeks. Well done to the coaches who had the girls in tip-top shape as all their hard work got its due reward with a final place vindication for the girls application and commitment which has been terrific since the start of the year. More news next week on the confirmed date for the final and their opponents.
There was a good turnout at the weekly bridge game held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Wednesday, January 17, and the following were the prizewinners; 1st Hilary McDonagh and Tom Ginty, 2nd Paddy and Patricia Colleran, 3rd Elsie Jackson an Carmel Moffitt, 4th Michael and Pat Brennan shared with Charles and Mae Quinn, 6th Tom Dunne and Mary Lynskey, 7th Michael Dee and Teresa Ward, 8th Mary O`Connell and James Mooney, 9th Mary Conway and Margaret Kenny and 10th Ogie Moran and Michael Ryan.
The game takes place every Wednesday night at 8pm in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Chalestown, and new members are welcome.
Achonry Accord Counselling Service has re-located from Charlestown to the Bishop’s House, Ballaghdereen. It offers marriage and relationship counselling in a secure setting, facilitating couples and individuals to explore, reflect upon and work to resolve difficulties that arise in their relationships. Contact 094 9022214 or email accordcastle-bar@gmail.com.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25 Card Drive held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry, on Tuesday, January 16, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Darby and Breege Leonard, 2nd Kevin Maloney and Derek Maloney. Raffle winners were Seamus Durcan, Colm Gallagher and Ivan Maloney. The game takes place every Tuesday night at 9pm in the Yeats County Inn, Curry.
The Men’s Shed resume their weekly meetings in the CBD Sport s and Recreational Centre on Wednesday afternoons between 1-3pm and new members are especially welcome.
Art classes have resumed in the Town Hall Arts Centre on Wednesdays between 11am-2pm and all are welcome.
It’s that time of year again when the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club are asking their many faithful and dedicated members to renew their annual lotto tickets for the 2024 season. The annual lotto has been an outstanding success since its launch in 2001 and has provided the club with a steady and valuable source of income which has financed many a project and football team in the years that followed. The ticket remains a steal at €70 which covers all 52 weekly draws which represents great value hence why its proved so popular to many purchasers and subscribers over its life time.
The 2023 ticket is due to expire in the next six weeks or so with many enjoying plenty of success in the weekly draws and in some cases netting a tidy profit on their investment. The format remains the same where you select four numbers from a pot of 36 and these become your numbers for each and every weekly draw. In the event of the jackpot not being one there is a draw for 2 x €50 prizes which more often than not throw up one annual lotto ticket holder each week.
The club also offers an incentive to all annual lotto ticket subscribers by way of entering them into a draw with three cash prizes up for grabs and this too has encouraged and cajoled many to sign up and take the plunge so to speak. The club are keenly aware of the pressures people are under as we enter a new year as bills come through the door following the Christmas splurge but people have always answered the call and supported the club through thick and thin and they are hoping this year will prove no different. The club have details of how to sign up on their excellent Facebook page which contains all you need to know by clicking on the relevant link.
The club are deeply appreciative and grateful for all the support they receive from the local community with the annual lotto ticket providing some vital funds to help fund the many teams who play under the Sarsfields banner as well developing their infrastructure to provide the best in terms of facilities for the next generation of Sarsfields stars.
The officers of Bord na nÓg, the underage wing of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club extend their sincere thank and appreciation to all the local businesses who supported the club’s many underage teams throughout the 2023 season. This support is very much appreciated by all associated with the club as it provides some crucial funding which allows the club to equip and provide their teams with the best in terms of resources and equipment which allows them to compete on a level footing with all the teams they are competing with at the various levels of competition in league and championship. The generosity of local businesses ensured the teams lacked for nothing in 2023 and for this the club are extremely grateful as they continue to make their presence at all levels of competition in all genders.
Local businesses were also very much to the fore in providing food for the many events the club hosted as well as covering and helping out with transport costs with refreshments also being provided on numerous occasions which indicates the excellent relationship the club has with the local business community and long may it continue as the club get ready to embrace the new 2024 season.
Charlestown Bellaghy and Districts Development Association are holding their next community coffee morning on Friday, February 2, from 11am-1pm in the Town Hall Arts Centre, Barrack Street, Charlestown. Lift access available. All welcome for a cuppa and a chat.
The Cloonacool GAA 5km run/walk/jog takes place on Sunday, February 25, at 12 noon. Runners, joggers and walkers are all welcome. Registration from 10.15am-11.45am at Cloonacool Community Park. Entry fee is €10 for adults, €5 for children and €25 for a family. Changing and shower facilities will be available and refreshments will be served afterwards.
This is a very fast course which provides a great opportunity to set a good time. Prizes for the first three men and women home and there is also a prize for the first local man and woman across the finishing line also. There are also prizes on offer for men’s and women’s course record with a €100 on offer to the first male or female who sets a new course record in each category. Prizes also for the first junior and national school runners to cross the finish line so save the date with the event appealing to runners, walkers and joggers in all age categories and levels of ability.
The death took place at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar, of Helen Davern nee Callaghan, Lavey More, Charlestown, and formerly of Cloonmore, Carracastle. Her remains were removed to St James’s Church, Carracastle, followed by a cremation service in Lakelands Crematorium.
Helen is survived by her husband Mark, son Sean, daughters Aoife and Orla, sisters Bridget and Margaret, brother John, grandson Ryan, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends. The late Helen was a lovely lady who was devoted to her family and took great pride in their health and wellbeing at all times. She forged a good bond with her husband Mark and was a lady in the true sense of the word who lived her life in the best way she knew how. Helen left a lasting impression on all who knew and loved her and her passing robs the community of one of its best and nicest citizens. The large crowds who attended the removal of her remains and Mass was ample proof of the esteem and affection in which she was held and deepest sympathies is tendered to the bereaved.
An exhibition and talk will take place on Friday, January 26, in the Town Hall Arts Centre, Barrack Street, Charlestown at 7pm with Sinead McCoole. This special event will feature a presentation by the students of St Joseph’s Community College, Charlestown, on the experiences of the revolutionary activities of Cumann na mBan women of East Mayo and South Sligo respectively between 1918-1923.
The women of the East Mayo/South Sligo Cumann na mBan were a group of revolutionary women who dedicated their youth to the cause of Irish freedom. Their astonishing stories have remained in the realms of oral traditions, family folklore and in most cases undiscovered for the last century. The release of the Cumann na mBan files from the Military Archives has shed new light on the extent to which these local women were involved and the hardships and struggles they endured. For the first time, the stories of more than twenty five local women are being told. We have attempted to put a face to the name, unearth their pictures and preserve their memory and achievements for future generations.
This research follows on from the award winning project of St Joseph’s Community College, Charlestown in The Decade of Centenaries All-Island Schools History Competition in 2022 in conjunction with UCC and the Department of Education.
The speakers will include Seamus Bermingham, President of the Mayo Genealogy Group; the students of St Joseph’s Community College, Charlestown and their history teacher Ann Leydon and Sinead McCoole, historian, broadcaster, author and an expert on the history of women during the Irish Revolutionary period. All are welcome to come along and attend.
All players from U10 up to senior who wish to play with Charlestown LGFA for the 2024 season can now register with Charlestown LGFA by logging onto www.foireann.ie (or using the Foireann mobile app). Use the same login details as last year if you already have an account. U6s and U8s must register with Charlestown Bord na nÓg, their registration will be open soon.
Keep Fit classes with chair based exercises for the over-60s have resumed at Carracastle Community Centre on Wednesday mornings from 11am-12 noon. For more information and to book your place contact Sarah at 086 3879635.
The marriage took place at Bushfield Church, Charlestown, recently of Domnick Cassidy, Barnacogue, and Bernie Moran, Swinford. We wish them both good health and happiness in the future and many years of marital bliss.
The Active Retirement Group resumed their weekly meetings yesterday Monday, January 22. More news as it comes to hand next week.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €3,200 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, January 15, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 1, 14, 17 and 25. The following were the winners of the 3 x €20 prizes; Roisin Mulvihill, Padraic Durcan and Philip Durcan.
The jackpot in the latest draw increased to €3,300 and the draw took place on Monday night, January 22. Tickets can be bought in a number of outlets or via the online platform and also by logging onto the club’s Facebook and Twitter pages.
The Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club wish to remind their members that membership for the 2024 season is now due and can be made payable to any member of the executive or alternatively can also be paid by following the link on the club’s excellent Facebook page which gives up to minute details on offers the club have in regard to membership, annual lotto and county board draw. The cost of the membership remains at €50 and the closing date for the same is March 31.
Grow is a mental health support program based on lived experience. This means Grow groups are a meeting of peers, who are striving to develop and maintain good mental health.
If you’d like to know more, you can call your local GROW office on 1800 558 268. You can also register for ‘Welcome to Grow’, the online orientation session. This will give you an introduction to how meetings work and an opportunity to ask questions. You can also search for a group close by to you by using Find a Group and just turning up. No registrations are needed.
A meeting of the Charlestown Drama Group will be held in the Arts Centre on Thursday, January 25, at 8pm. If you are interested in joining they would love to meet you, no experience necessary.
Previously known as NCBI is currently seeking volunteers to assist in its Swinford store. The store is also accepting donations men’s and women’s shoes and clothing, handbags/purses and home ware items such as delph, curtains, glassware, etc. For further information visit the store in Swinford or call Jessica on 087 4827468.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Sunday night, January 14, as the Pillock and the Bunny locked horns in the latest instalment of the weekly classic. Governor Gus was imperious as always in his role as match referee and kept law and order with typical conviction and assurance. The Bunny, making his second appearance in the final, brought plenty of personality and humour to the ochie which seemed to unsettle his opponent as he romped away with the first set winning three straight legs in the process.
The Pillock found some form in the second set and levelled matters with a brave treble eighteen, bulls eye finish in the fourth leg getting him on the board in terms of sets. The third set was an enthralling affair which the Bunny edged as he nailed double eighteen in the deciding leg to veer in front once again as the Pillock seethed in the corner having looked in pole position to win the leg when he led two legs to nil. The Pillock took charge of the fourth set however as he bagged the first two legs in rapid fashion to puncture a hole in the confidence levels of his opponent. The Bunny hit back to win the third leg and things got really interesting moments later when the Annaghdown wonder took the fourth leg as well to leave him just one away from victory with the Pillock’s waywardness and lack of consistency leaving him on the brink of a shock defeat.
The fifth and final leg was a grind as both men found it difficult to find any kind of consistency when among the darts. The Bunny won the race to double albeit just with the Pillock hot on his heels as the underdog took aim at 58 with the crowd on tenterhooks as a shock result looked on the cards. His first dart pierced the centre of the treble fourteen baize which left him with two darts at double eight as the Pillock looked on somewhat forlornly with the fate of the match taken out of his hands. His second grazed the wire which left him with one dart for the match as the loitered in the wings with three darts at double top. The Bunny remain unfazed however and bided his time as he honed in on double eight with his final arrow. His demeanour was one of total focus as he released his final dart as it scurried towards the centre of the double 14 bed in laser like fashion. The flight path never deviated one iota as it scrunched into the corner of the bed much to the delight of the boiler who leapt high off the ground and punched the air with sheer delight as he celebrated his first ever victory in this blue riband event.
The Pillock, while gutted to lose, was gracious and sporting in defeat and was quick to hoist the victor’s arm high into air as the audience launched into a verse of the Green and Red of Mayo. A wonderful end to a cracking spectacle with the Bunny getting his name on the winner’s board for the first time which was a nice storyline to begin 2024.
