Local Notes: Swinford Athletic club present proceeds of Santa Run to Swinford St Vincent de Paul.
Dr. Hilary McCrohan accepting the proceeds of Swinford Athletic Clubs’ Santa Run on behalf of Swinford SVP. Also included in the photo are Therese Smyth, Adette Gallagher and Carmel Heaney.
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted by email to ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call/text/WhatsApp 0877694781 (after 6pm). Deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm Wednesday.
Season’s Greetings are extended to all the readers of and contributors to the Swinford notes. Wishing you all a happy and peaceful Christmas and best wishes for 2025.
The Killasser/Callow Parish Calendar for 2025 is now available. Purchase your copy for 2025 from committee members, the Turf Shed and Moores for €10. A lovely gift for family or friends at home or abroad this Christmas.
Swinford Library Book Club will meet on Wednesday, January 8 at 3.30pm in Swinford Library. New members always welcome. Liane Moriarty’s most recent book Here One Moment will be up for discussion on the day, a nice read for the Christmas break.
The numbers drawn in the Swinford Community Lotto draw held on December 16 were; 1, 4, 5 and 23. There was no jackpot winner. €70 vouchers were won by Michael Campbell, Newpark and Sheedy’s Collagh. €35 was won by John Henry, Sargura, Charlestown. The jackpot in the draw which was held on December 23, was €19,600.
Congratulations to Catriona Groarke, Ballina Road, Swinford winning €633 in last week’s Swinford GAA 50/50 draw. The next draw will take place on Saturday, December 28.
Swinford’s Donal Benson stepped down from The Mayo Football League at their AGM held on November 26, after 50 years’ service to the league as an officer and as a manager of both youth and Oscar Traynor teams.
Words on the night from chairman Seamus Hughes: ‘I’d like to single out Donal. At our last league management meeting Donal informed us that he would be stepping down at this AGM after 50 years’ service to the league as an officer and as a manager of both youth and Oscar Traynor teams. Before Joe Kelly this year Donal was the only manager to have reached the final with a representative team making the final in 1981 where they just came up short that time too. Donal has over the years held many roles including chairman and has been to the forefront with many of the initiatives implanted by the league over the years none more so than the implementation of summer football back in 1994. Donals’ contribution to our game here in Mayo can’t be measured and he has always been there ready and able to do whatever is required to help improve the game. Donal has also represented the league at Connaught and indeed at national level always working to get as much as possible for the Mayo League over the years. On a personal note, I’d like to thank Donal for all his help and advice he has passed onto me not only in my time as chairman but since I have come on the league. So, I’d just want to say a big thank you and wish you all the best for the future and remind you not to be a stranger here at Umbro Park as you are always welcome.’
Swinford Athletic Club Annual 5km Christmas Walk/Run in Midfield, Swinford will be held on Friday, December 27, at 12pm. Registration from 11.30am. There will be a donation bucket on the day. Each year a different children's charity is chosen to benefit from the proceeds of the day. This year all funds raised will go to Children’s Health Foundation Crumlin in support of Cathal Kelly's huge achievement "Kelly's Walk 2 Rome" in memory of his two sisters Alice and Sarah Kelly. For those who cannot make it on the day but would like to donate you can do so on https://www.idonate.ie/Caulfieldhoperose.
The annual Killasser Parish Saint Stephen’s Day Walk will take place from Callow Church at 12 noon with refreshments served afterwards.
A new date has been announced for Mayo Ceol an Gheimhridh and will now take place in Swinford on Saturday, January 11.
Sympathy is extended to the families and friends of Martina Murphy (nee Healy) Laughtadurcan, Meelick, Swinford and formerly of Cordarragh, Kiltimagh; William Beisty, Whetstone, London and formerly of Lisheenabrone, Swinford; John James Groarke, Ozanam Place, Swinford, formerly of Cloontubrid, Swinford and Sheffield, England; Evelyn (Ellen)Ward (nee Deacy), London and formerly of Cullen; Sheila McNulty, Castleknock, Dublin (sister-in-law of Thomas McNulty, Carrowneden). May they rest in peace.
A magical evening was had by all in Midfield on Sunday, December 8. The new Christmas Tree was lit by Eoghan Lavin direct from his triumphant fight in Waterford on the Saturday night. Many thanks to TJ Jordan Welding and Stephen for a fabulous addition to the village centre. Thanks to Joe Kelly, Paul McDonagh and TJ Kelly for assembling the lights. Santa arrived by Garda escort and a great evening was had by all. It would not have been possible without the help of all the junior and senior elves on the night. After expenses €2,645 was raised including donations from sponsors. This will be divided with the An’Dagi Foundation that runs Fr Victor’s schools in Nigeria.
A night to celebrate the 30-year reunion of the Class of 1994 Scoil Muire agus Padraig, Swinford will take place in Melletts, Swinford on Friday, December 27. DJ and dancing from 9pm.
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A night to celebrate the 30 year reunion of the Class of 1994 Scoil Muire agus Padraig, Swinford will take place in Melletts, Swinford on Friday, December 27. DJ & dancing from 9pm. Spread the word!
FACT Social Club are an independent community-based service in Foxford, Co Mayo, and they support people living with dementia or in rural isolation. They are open Monday to Friday and provide social interaction, activities and much more in a safe and supported environment. If you would like more information on the services they offer, contact at factsocialclub1@gmail.com or telephone 094 9256662.
Congratulations to Mick Walsh, Clifden, who won a jackpot of €395 in the Moy Davitts 50/50 draw on Saturday, December 14.
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Kilkelly Footsteps Childcare will hold their AGM on Tuesday, January 7, at 8.30pm. All are welcome.
The death took place suddenly of Jim McLoughlin, Carrareagh, Ballyhaunis and late of Mannin, Aughamore. He was the beloved husband of Bridget and he is survived and sadly missed by his wife Bridget, daughters Deirdre and Sinéad, sons-in-law Killian and Dave, granddaughters Clara and Sarah-Bree and grandson Ben, sisters and brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Jim reposed in Donnellans Funeral Home, Clare Street, Ballyhaunis on Thursday, December 19, and the funeral arrived at St. Patricks Church, Ballyhaunis on Friday, December 20, for Mass at 11am followed by interment in the local cemetery. May Jim rest in peace as sympathy is offered to all who mourn his passing.
The death took place of Tommy Joe Duffy, Lauralea, Aghamore, Ballyhaunis. He was predeceased by his parents Tom and Frances Duffy, and will be sadly missed and survived by his daughters Danielle (Galway) and Lynette (Galway), their mother Jackie, Danielle's partner Keith and Lynette's partner Ronan, his sister Margaret, brother-in-law Dominic, aunts, uncles, cousins, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends. Tommy reposed in Gavin's Funeral Home, Knox Street, Ballyhaunis, on Thursday, December 19, followed by removal to St. Josephs Church, Aghamore.
Funeral Mass was held on Friday, December 20, at 11am followed by interment in the local cemetery. May Tommy Joe rest in peace as sympathy is offered to all who mourn his passing.
