Local Notes: Swinford boy enjoys a very special day at Leinster House
Honorary Garda James Ryan, son of Geraldine Loftus-Ryan and Derek Ryan, Swinford at Leinster House on Wednesday, December 17th. As part of the Little Blue Heroes initiative, honorary gardaí were joined by their families and carers along with members of An Garda Síochána. Three roads in Dublin city centre were shut down as a motorcade escort led them into Leinster House joined by Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill. They were welcomed on the steps by Ceann Comhairle Verona Murphy and then met with members of the Oireachtas including Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan. Thanks to Senator Mark Duffy for hosting James and providing him with such a memorable day. Picture: Sam Boal/Collins Photos
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted to Julie Ryan as follows: email ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call 087-7694781, leaving a voicemail if not answered. You can also text/WhatsApp 0877694781 (after 6pm).
The deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm each Wednesday.
Swinford GAA Club extends their best wishes and success to the newly appointed senior management team for the 2026 season ahead: Aidan McLoughlin (joint manager and coach), Paul McDonagh (joint manager and coach), John Dunne (selector and coach), Ignatius Haran (selector and logistics), Sylvester Ruane (stats), Brian Galvin (selector, coach and physio).
Swinford Athletic Club membership for 2026 is now due. You can renew online.
New training schedule commencing January 2026. Full details of the updated training schedule are available at www.swinfordac.com.
The following officers were elected at the recent annual general meeting of Swinford GAA:
President, Michael Campbell; Chairperson, Alan Heaney; Assistant Chairperson, Paddy Cunney; Secretary, Connie Hanley; Assistant Secretary (Fixtures), Gearoid Brady; Treasurer, Vinny Roughneen; PRO, Dylan Toner; Assistant PRO, Megan Durkin; Registrar, Trish Keane; Children’s Officer, Tony Fahy; County Board Delegate, Peter Geraghty; Club Development Officer, Padraig Owens; Coaching Officer, Mick Murtagh; Assistant Coaching Officer, Michael Daly; Designated Liaison Person, Regina Mullaney; Cultural Officer, Mairin Noone; Safety Officer, Eamon Horkan; Players Representatives, Paul McNicholas and Jack Ferguson; School Liaison Officer, Paul Cunney; Community Liaison Officer, Billy McNicholas; Executive Member, Pat Coyle.
Congratulations to Kevin O’Hara who won €520 in the Killasser Community Centre 50/50 Monthly Draw. The €20 spot prize draw winners were Paul Grogan, Gerry Cronnolly and Ian McHugh.
The December draw will take place on Sunday, January 4th, for a minimum jackpot of €800 and two spot prizes of €100.
Congratulations are extended to Joe Mellett on the launch of his book St Anne's Steam and Electric Laundry 1925-2025.
For a century, St Anne’s Steam and Electric Laundry stood at the heart of Swinford life – an industry built not for profit but for people. Founded in 1925 by the Sisters of Mercy to stem the tide of emigration and offer dignity through work, the laundry became a lifeline for generations across East Mayo.
In this richly illustrated and lovingly assembled history, Joe Mellett gathers the voices, memories and photographs of those who worked within its warm, steamy walls. From the thunder of the calender rollers to the rattle of the van keys on weekly delivery routes, from the laughter in the sorting room to the ingenuity that kept the boilers running through war and scarcity, these pages bring to life an institution that shaped a community.
More than an account of an industry, this book preserves the legacy of an institution that shaped countless lives - and ensures its story will be remembered for generations to come.
Joe Mellett was born in 1951 over the renowned Mellett’s Emporium in Swinford. For fifty years he managed the pub, newsagency, launderette, travel agency, and auctioneers and valuers. He was also an elected representative of Mayo County Council from 1999 to 2014, delivering many projects for the town.
Since he retired in 2020, he has concentrated on archiving the history of the town, its historical structures and also compiling the history of the Mellett family, who in 2027 will celebrate 230 years in Swinford.
He is an active member of numerous local clubs and organisations and he has been chairman of Síamsa Sráide for the last 15 years.
Joe has published two other books, , renowned local handballer, and , recollections and memories of his own life.
His latest book is available for purchase in The Novel Bean, Eurospar and Moore's Supermarket, priced at a very reasonable €10.
Congratulations to Padraig Owens who won €460 in the Swinford GAA 50/50 draw.
Scoil Muire agus Pádraig, Swinford is setting up an Alumni Association.
If you are a past pupil of St Mary's Secondary School Swinford (day pupil or boarder), St Patrick's College Swinford (amalgamating in 1985 to form Meán Scoil Muire agus Pádraig) or Swinford Vocational School (amalgamating in 1993 to form Scoil Muire agus Pàdraig), the school would love to hear from you. If you want to learn more or get involved, please email Damien McGraith at principal@scmap.ie.
Coolegrane Lights New Year's Eve Ball will take place from 5pm until 8pm with lots of music and singing, light refreshments and their famous raffle with lots of prizes.
Thank you is extended to all the people who have donated spot prizes. All proceeds from the raffle will go to Down Syndrome Mayo.
Congratulations to Breege Rowley on the recent success of her film , which was named Best Documentary Feature at the Boston Indie Film Festival, an IMDb-qualifying competition.
Swinford Killasser LGFA Club is hosting a coaching workshop on January 21st at 8pm for all current and prospective coaches and is open to everyone, regardless of experience - new to coaching, returning, or experienced, your involvement matters.
You can register online.
At the recent annual general meeting of Swinford Killasser Ladies Gaelic Football Association, the following were elected to the executive committee for the coming year:
Chairperson, Therese Smyth; Vice-Chairperson, Patricia Smyth; Secretary, Michelle Filan; Vice-Secretary; Nicola Murtagh; Club Coaching Officer, Michelle Filan; Registrar, Philip Durkin; Assistant Registrar, Niamh Casey; Treasurer, Mary Roughneen; Assistant Treasurer, Patricia Brennan; Children’s Officer, Nicola Muldowney; PRO, Anna Tierney; Delegate to County Board, Vanessa Crawford; Senior Player Delegate, Laura McLoughlin; Club Culture and Language Officer, Melissa Devaney.
The Killasser Book Club will meet for good conversation and great company on Sunday, January 18th, from 6.30 to 7.30pm in the Turf Shed, Killasser. Everyone welcome.
A new defibrillator has been purchased to replace the one at Killasser Community Centre and is now in place. This was possible due to the generosity of previous fundraisers and in particular Natasha and Vinnie Ginty and their family in memory of Mia for the Mini Tractor Runs in recent years.
The Golf Club Development Draw took place on Saturday, December 20th, in the clubhouse.
The top prize of €1,000 was won by Brid O'Connell, while €300 was won by Adette and Rory Gallagher and €200 by Shane Duffy.
The next draw will take place on January 3rd.
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Kilmovee
Members of the Kilmovee Ladies Club recently presented a substantial donation to Kilmovee Meals on Wheels, a gesture that has been warmly welcomed by the dedicated team behind the vital community service.
The donation has been described as invaluable by the Meals on Wheels team, who believe the new equipment will enable them to work more efficiently and potentially take on additional clients. This means that more elderly and vulnerable residents across Kilmovee and the surrounding towns and villages will be able to receive the nutritious meals and friendly contact they need.
The Kilmovee Meals on Wheels service provides an essential lifeline to older people and those who are housebound, delivering hot meals and offering a vital welfare check to some of the community's most vulnerable members.
Bingo is held in Kilmovee Community Centre on Sunday evenings at 8.30pm.
The current jackpot is €2,200 on 53 calls or less. The house lotto is €320 on four correct numbers and increases by €40 per week until it is won.
There is also a 50/50 draw with a guaranteed winner on the night.
The organisers would to thank the committee who work on a voluntary basis all around the year to provide bingo every week. They also wish to to thank Kilmovee Housing Ltd for the use of the Community Centre to enable them to hold weekly bingo.
Thanks to the loyal patrons for their support of the bingo during 2025. Season's greetings to you all.
Lotto and membership packages are now on sale for Kilmovee Shamrocks.
There are three packages available: Standard costs €50 and offers a year's entry to the weekly lotto draw. The jackpot is currently standing at €6,000 and increases any week it’s not won. The silver package costs €70 and also includes club membership for the year, as well as entry into the weekly lotto draw. The gold package at €150 includes the lotto, club membership and entry into the County Board Draw where there are some top prizes on offer.
The Badminton Club welcomes new members to join them in Kilmovee Community Centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 7.30pm.
A strength and balance programme of pre-set exercises with progression guidance will take place over a ten-week period in 2026.
Booking and registration is online through Mayo Sports Partnership Eventbrite page, search for 'Kilkelly'. Booking opens on January 5th and classes start on Thursday, January 15th, at 11am in Kilkelly Community Centre. Places are limited.
The death took place on December 8th last of Emily Hayden (nee Duffy), Selly Oak, Birmingham, England and late Moyne, Ballaghaderreen.
Emily was predeceased by her husband Michael and is survived by her daughter Frances, sons Michael and Brian, grandchildren Richard, Matthew, Rebecca, Thomas, Alfie, Eugene, and Lonnie, extended family, neighbours and many friends.
Emily reposed in the Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen on Friday, December 19th, with removal to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Fairymount.
Mass of the Resurrection took place on Saturday, December 20th, followed by interment in Fairymount's old cemetery.
May Emily rest in peace as sympathy is extended to all who are bereaved by her passing.
