Local Notes: Retirement function for Chris Duffy, secretary at Kilkelly and Kilmovee National Schools.
Staff of Kilkelly and Kilmovee National Schools at the retirement function which was held for Chris Duffy. Back row; Mary Jordan, Cormac Rowland, Richard Phillips, Caroline Kedian,Amanda Shevlin, Bernadette McFadden and Caitriona McDonnell. Front row: Sharon Shiel, Elaine Dempsey, Chris Duffy (retiring secretary), Sinead Murtagh and Deirdre Meehan.
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted by email to ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call/text/WhatsApp 087 7694781 (after 6pm). Deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm Wednesday.
Congratulations to Eamon Walsh, Lislackagh who won €416 in the Swinford GAA 50/50 draw.
The Killasser Parish League will take place on Sunday, July 13, at 2pm.
Swinford Tidy Towns bi-weekly meet-ups commenced for the summer months on Wednesday, July 2. The next meet up will be Wednesday, July 16, at 7pm and Saturday, July 19, at 11am at Swinford Court House. If you have some time to spare, come along. In the meantime, as always, Swinford Tidy Town committee are encouraging the community to keep outside their own properties clean and tidy and if you see anywhere that needs attention, please give it some.
Swinford AC had nine athletes across several disciplines competing over two days at the recent National Juvenile Outdoor Championships in Tullamore. Qualifying for an All-Ireland Championship is a massive achievement, and the club is extremely proud of each of the athletes who competed at this level. U14: Aoibhín McNicholas - shot putt and hammer, Holly Gallagher - hammer, Aine Lavin - shot putt and hammer, Emma Nolan - shot putt, hammer and javelin, Erin Crawford – javelin. U15: Rachel McNicholas - shot putt, hammer and javelin. U16: Patrick Cuddy - 100m. U17 Cathal McNicholas - discus and U19: Saoirse Hunter - high jump.
Results: U14 Hammer: 2nd Emma Nolan, 5th Aoibheann Mc Nicholas, 7th Aine Lavin and 8th Holly Gallagher. U14 Javelin: 2nd Emma Nolan and 10th Erin Crawford. U17 Shot Putt: 2nd Cathal McNicholas. U14 Shot Putt: 1st Emma Nolan, 5th Aine Lavin. U15 Shot Putt: 2nd Rachel McNicholas with a new pb.
The Siamsa Sraide committee and the community of Swinford are looking forward to welcoming David Cooke home to Swinford for the forthcoming Síamsa Sráide Street Festival. David Cooke grew up in Reading, although his family comes from Swinford. In 1977, while still an undergraduate at Nottingham University, he won a Gregory Award and since then his poems and reviews have appeared in many journals in the UK, Ireland and beyond. He has also published nine well received collections of his poems. In 2023, to coincide with his seventieth birthday, his Collected Poems were published by Littoral Press. He is the founding editor of the online literary journal The High Window.
On Saturday, August 2, at 11am in Swinford Courthouse, David will recite poems from his book "Finding My Footprints". This will accompany the screening of the award winning documentary "We're not making Gone with the Wind" directed by his brother Paul which follows the story of their mother Noreen Cooke from her childhood in Swinford to her later life in London.
The numbers drawn in the Swinford Community Lotto draw held on June 30, were 12, 18, 24 and 26. There was no jackpot winner. €70 vouchers were won by Yvonne Brennan, c/o Moore's and Sibby's, c/o Moore's; €35 was won by Anne King, Station Road and Matthew Devaney and Margaret Devaney, Drumshinnagh. The jackpot is now €5,600.
Monthly Creative Writing classes are starting in the Kilkelly Trimoige Centre from Saturday, July 19, at 11am. It is a supportive space to make time for your writing and achieve your creative goals. All abilities welcome. For more information, or to register a place, email info@heartfeltdrama.com.
This year’s community clean-up in Kilconduff Cemetery will take place on Saturday, July 19, at 9am. For various reasons there are many neglected and forgotten graves. It would be good if these were also attended to. Mayo County Council will supply and collect bags. If participants could bring a spade, brush and gloves it would be very helpful. Any queries contact Joe Mellett.
Vision Ireland Swinford is celebrating its 2nd birthday on Saturday, 19, July between 12-4 and extends an invitation to the wider community to join them for their celebrations. There will be tea/coffee and some sweet treats available.
Vision Ireland are looking for good quality men’s clothing, shoes and accessories, good quality furniture and if you have unopened/unused gift sets they would greatly appreciate the donation of these items. Also accepting good quality kids school uniforms. In relation to furniture donations, send images of the items via WhatsApp to +353874827468 or email swinford.retail@vi.ie.
The closing date for entries to “Time to Shine” talent competition is fast approaching and entries need to be returned by July 8. Information and entry forms are available in Ray Lambes Jewellers or by email from railwayplayers2018@gmail.com. For more information contact Ann on 087 4636841.
The annual Scoil Cheoil Siamsa takes place this year during the week before Siamsa Sráide, from July 28 to August 1. Music, singing, dancing and conversational Irish classes will take place between 2 and 7pm in the Primary School in Swinford (Scoil Muire agus Treasa). Instruments include banjo, bodhrán, button accordion, concertina, fiddle, flute, guitar, tin whistle, harp and keyboard. Classes last an hour and the cost for the week is €35. Comhrá Gaeilge (conversational Irish) will be free. Rhythm and song sessions for 4 to 6 year olds and performance group sessions for more advanced players will also be held. Booking as soon as possible is encouraged to facilitate timetabling and availability of instruments. Application forms for the Michael Davitt CCE Swinford Scoil Cheoil Siamsa are available from Ray Lambes. You can also email cceswinford@gmail.com, message Swinford Comhaltas Facebook page or contact 0877454032.
Are you going into 5th Year or Leaving Cert and want to take PE as a Leaving Cert subject outside of school? A qualified and experienced LCPE teacher is available to teach LCPE students available in Swinford and surrounding areas. Discount applies for groups. Contact 087 6927167.
An organised day trip to Fr Peyton Centre will take place on Tuesda, July 15. The bus will leave Killasser Community Centre at 11am. To book a place contact Kathleen 087 6179317, Nancy 087 6720705 or Vera 087 6354880.
The Brennan family, Cloonfinish, Swinford wanted to do something meaningful to honour the memory of their beloved son and brother, Seamus. In remembering Seamus’s strength, warmth, and spirit, they also wanted to give back to the hospice that provided him with such exceptional care and compassion. Their deep gratitude to the hospice team inspired them to create a heartfelt challenge that would reflect Seamus’s courage and the resilience of those who supported him. To that end, the family, friends and colleagues have organised a special Mayo Challenge — a tribute of endurance and community. The challenge will involve three parts: running a half marathon, cycling the scenic Mayo Greenway, and climbing the iconic Croagh Patrick. Any donation, no matter the size, is warmly appreciated, with all proceeds going to support the hospice that gave so much when it mattered most. www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/themayochallenge.
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The 2025 Moy Davitts Golf Classic takes place on Saturday, August 9, in Ballina Golf Club. Entry fee is €160 per team of 4. There will be major prizes on the day and competitions will include longest drive and nearest to the pin. To book contact Ballina Golf Club on 096 21050 or email info@ballina-golf.com. Early booking is advised.
Congratulations to Ann McGowan who won a jackpot of €565 in the Moy Davitts 50/50 draw on Saturday, June 28. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the draw, it is greatly appreciated. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by playing on the club app (Moy Davitts GAA).
Mass will be celebrated in St Joseph’s Cemetery, Bohola, on Saturday, August 2 at 6pm and in Straide Cemetery on Sunday, August 3 at 11am.
Bohola Summer Camp will be held from July 28-August 1, in Bohola Community Centre from 10am - 2pm daily, and it is suitable for children aged 3 -12. The cost for 1 child is €80 and 2 siblings €140. Half day option is available for younger tots aged 3 - 5. Contact Sandra on 086 2108089 or jivingjuniors@gmail.com.
On Friday, June 27, a Mass of Thanksgiving was celebrated in Bohola Parish Church for Mrs Teresa Mulligan who retired as principal of Bohola National School after 23 years of service. This was followed by a wonderful community celebration in the community centre where warm and heartfelt tributes were paid by parents, past pupils, staff, the Board of Management and members of the wider community. Mrs Mulligan was honoured for her years of dedicated service, her care for every child and her unwavering commitment to the life of the school. Mrs Mulligan is wished every health and happiness in the years ahead.
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Kilmovee Cois Tine heritage night is on Monday, July 14, at Kilmovee Community Centre with live music, song and dance, home-baked goods and a raffle. Doors open at 8pm and admission is free.
A lego camp is taking place in Kilmovee Thatch Cottage from July 14 – 16 for 5-12 year olds. Contact legocamp2023@gmail.com or 087 6648408 for more information.
The committee of Kilkelly Kilmovee Parish Magazine are commencing work shortly on the production of the 19th edition of the magazine. If you have any stories, events, photos or information for inclusion in this year's edition, get in touch or mail at kilkellykilmoveemagazine@gmail.com.
The Summer School of traditional music, song and dance takes place in Tubbercurry, July 13-19. Following the opening Mass and official opening on Sunday, July 13, classes, workshops, concerts and céilís will continue throughout the week. The opening concert on Monday, July 14, commences at 8pm in ‘The May Queen’ and is a tribute to musicians Bernie and Holly Geraghty. Tickets €15 can be booked in advance on www.southsligosummerschool.com.
