Local Notes: Winners of BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition have Kiltimagh roots.
Sisters Ciara (17), Saoirse (15) and Laoise (12) Murphy are pictured with their parents Theresa and Seamus as they returned to Presentation Secondary School in Tralee after winning the 61st BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition (BTYSTE). The girls' mother, Theresa, is daughter of Frances and the late Denis Mulkeen of Faughill, a townland between Knock and Kiltimagh. Theresa taught in Mount St Michael Secondary School in Claremorris for several years before moving to Tralee with her husband. Everyone in the area extends congratulations to the girls on their outstanding achievement. Picture: Domnick Walsh © Eye Focus Ltd.
Roddy Doyle’s ‘The Snapper,’ a full length comedy play will make its debut in Kiltimagh, on February 13, 14 and 15. The play will be performed by Clann Machua Drama Group in Kiltimagh Town Hall Theatre and this will be the first time the play has ever been performed in Mayo.
‘The Snapper’ is set in the late 1980’s. It is the story of Sharon Rabbitte, a 20 year-old living with her parents who becomes pregnant after an encounter with a man she’d rather forget. She refuses to tell anyone who the father is. She decides to keep the child and slowly starts to tell her family and friends. She quickly becomes the talk of the town and there is much discussion on who the identity of the father could be. That is until one unlikely candidate starts to come to the fore.
The central role of Sharon Rabbitte will be played by Siobhan Redmond. Sharon’s parents, Veronica and Jimmy, are played by Finola Mellett and Seamus Corry Director, Rebecca Farrington, has doubled-up on the casting of the Rabbitte children. Layla Carney and Gemma Scahill will play Tracy Rabbitte, Dareen Godfrey and Jessica Comer sharing the role of Linda Rabbitte. The part of Darren Rabbitte will alternate between Seán Horan and Caoimhin Flately.
The part of Doris Burgess will be performed by Christina Jordan, with Denis Charlton playing George Burgess. Rebecca Farrington plays Yvonne Burgess, with Maura Murphy in the role of Jackie O'Keefe.
The part of Mary Curran will be played by Elaine Regan, while Fiona Campbell will play both the Midwife and the Radiologist.
The play will be directed by Rebecca Farrington. The set designers are Tony Kelly and Seamus Corry. The lighting team is made up of Dominic Jordan, Fraser Smith and Oisin Herraghty. The sound technicians are Adrian Lavan and Ethan Jordan. Tony Kelly, Cameron Farrington, Sean Langan, Vinnie Clabby, Keith Flanagan, Eadhmonn MacSuibhne and Fraser Smith make up the stage crew.
This is Clann Machu’s entry into the All-Ireland 3-Act Drama Circuit for 2025. Over the course of the competition the group will perform in festivals in Clare, Laois, Kildare, Cork Galway and Tipperary, in their quest to qualify for the All-Ireland Finals which will be held in Claremorris in April. Early booking for the Kiltimagh shows is advisable. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
There are a number of part-time job opportunities available for farmers in the Kiltimagh, Bohola and Midlfield areas. The work involves the caretaking of community facilities, village and countryside enhancement including maintenance of walkways, assistance in the Hospice shop, and with childcare facilities. The vacancies are open through the Rural Social Scheme. Participants on the scheme work nineteen and half hours a week.
The scheme was set-up in 2004 as an alternative to the farmers’ dole payment of the time. The idea was to encourage farmers to go out and meet peers, to combat loneliness and depression. Their work would, in the process, benefit communities throughout the country.
The scheme has evolved in the twenty years since, and has been the subject of government review on two occasions. The latest review proposes a number of modifications to the scheme, to make it easier to qualify. These recommendations have not been implemented yet.
To be eligible for participation in the RSS, applicants must be in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment and be actively farming or fishing, or be a close relative of someone who is engaged in these activities.
To participate in the scheme, you must be 25 years or over and in receipt of Farm Assist, or, if you are actively farming or fishing, you may qualify for the scheme if you are in receipt of Jobseeker's Allowance, Jobseeker's Transitional Payment, Disability Allowance, One-Parent Family Payment, Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Contributory) Pension, Widow’s, Widower’s or Surviving Civil Partner’s (Non-contributory) Pension, Increase for a qualified adult under 66 years of age as part of your spouse, cohabitant or civil partner's State Pension (Non-contributory.) Participants on the scheme can retain a medical card while you are taking part in the scheme.
Applicants must provide proof that they are actively farming. To do this, they must provide a copy of their application for the Basic Payment Scheme, for the current year, including a valid herd number.
The child or sibling of a herd number owner that can certify that they are resident and, or, working on the farm, and they are getting one of the qualifying social welfare payments, they may be eligible to participate in the scheme on the basis of their parent’s or sibling’s herd number.
If someone is eligible but does not wish to participate in the scheme, their dependent spouse, civil partner or cohabitant can take the available place. Alternatively, if a spouse, civil partner or cohabitant is getting one of the qualifying social welfare payments and is actively farming, they can use the herd number to qualify for the scheme. There are other limited circumstances where someone can qualify, and full details are on the Department of Social Protection website.
Contact Caroline Cotter on 087 210 7385 or call into the Mayo North East Leader Partnership office on Aiden Street.
The Giants’ U14 boys played Ballintubber in Tourmakeady last week, narrowly losing by two points. The team were down by 23 points coming into the 4th quarter, but made a fantastic come back but were unlucky in the end. Well done to all the team and their coaches Michael and Yvonne.
Michael Kilkenny was the winner of the Kiltimagh GAA 50/50 last week. Michael won €555 in the draw which was held in The Tavern.
Congrats to this week's 50/50 jackpot winner, Michael Sweeney from Murneen North, Claremorris. The club thanks everyone who supported the draw.
Nineteen players competed in the fifteenth and final round of the Winter Poker League in Teach O’Hora on Wednesday night last, with Keith Lydon taking the honours. The runner up was Michael Higgins with Pat Boyle third and Aoife Brennan fourth. The other finalists and their finishing positions were; 5 Michael Sheridan, 6 Derry O’Sullivan, 7 Isaac Boyle, 8 Enda Ruane.
Keith’s win consolidated his positions as league leader and he wins the prize for finishing top of the table with 220 points as well as winning the most bounties prize. Michael Sheridan finished second in the table on 203 points and the rest of the top twelve is, Paul Walsh 169, Derry O’Sullivan 168, Pat Boyle 153, Enda Ruane 153, Gerry Groarke 144, Michael Higgins 144, Martin Regan 143, John Reynolds 140, AN Other 126 and AN Other 116.
These twelve players have qualified automatically for the Grand Final and they will be joined by two more from the last chance play off tournament which will be played tomorrow night, Wednesday, January 22, and is open to all other players who have played at least five rounds of the league. A regular tournament will also be held on the night and both games start at 8pm.
A date for the grand final and also the start of the new league will be fixed after this. In the Sunday Rebuy tournament held on Sunday, January 19, nineteen players generated a prizepool of €670. Tiernan Burke and Isaac Boyle shared first and second prizes with Dylan Coleman third and Dave Brennan fourth.
Everyone at Kiltimagh GAA Club wishes Donovan Cosgrove and Cian Gallagher the very best, as they head to Australia. Both have been key players for the club over the last number of years. The club wishes them safe travels, and look forward to their return to the blue and white.
Kiltimagh Knock Utd men's Masters’ team kicked off their season with a convincing win over Conn Rangers. Conn took the lead against the run of play, but KK pushed hard and Ronan Mallee got an equaliser. KK pushed on and Padraig Ivers put them in front. Ronan Mallee added his second before half time to leave the tie 3-1 to KK at half time.
Rangers were better in the early part of the second-half, but goalkeeper, Niall Walsh, was on hand to deal with anything that got through the defence. Midway through the half, Gavin Groarke added to the KK lead. Conor Heneghan added another well taken goal for KK soon after, and Ronan Malee completed his hat-trick to make it six.
It was an enjoyable first night out for the Masters.
The death has occurred in her one hundred and second year, of Rosaleen Mc Nicholas née McInerney, of Treenagleragh. Rosaleen made national news recently when she voted in the general election – her 95th election since she became eligible. These were made up of 13 Presidential Elections, 22 General elections, 1 By-election and 16 Local elections. She led the Kiltimagh St Patrick’s Day parade last year – at the age of 100.
Roslaeen, who was born in Kilnaleck, Co Cavan, always had a keen eye for fashion. Rosaleen worked for different stores including Arnotts, in Dublin. She was one of seven children, with three brothers and three sisters. The family had a bar, light hardware and general provisions business in the town. Rosaleen married Jimmy McNicholas, who was a National school teacher in Lisduff school.
Rosaleen, died peacefully at her home, surrounded by her family. Rosaleen was predeceased by her husband Jimmy, parents Eoin and Mary, brothers Paddy, Eugene, and Fr. Seamus McInerney and sisters Bridgie, Mae and Kathy. Rosaleen will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her children Anthony (Eibhlin), Mary (Peter), Aileen (Declan), Christine (Mickey), Geraldine (Roger), and Brid (Chris), her 10 grandchildren, and 7 great grandchildren, her brother-in-law Walter McNicholas (Mary), all her nieces, nephews, neighbours and friends. Rosaleen was laid to rest in Kilkinure Cemetery after Funeral Mass at the Church of the Holy Family. May she rest in peace.
