Local Notes: 2025 Diamond Ladies Lunch presentation of cheques.
The 2025 Diamond Ladies Lunch rasied €19,846 and this was divided evenly between Pallative Care at North West Hospice, Sligo and SHOUT (Sligo Hospital Oncology Unit Trust). Rachel Wilson, Moya Wilson and Louise Kilcullen present the cheques to Simeon Whittington and Martha Cosgrove on behalf of SHOUT and Jess Kelly on behalf of North West Hospice.
The death took place of Una Walsh nee Queenan, Woodlawn, Enniscrone, peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family on January 2 last. Una was predeceased by her mother Katie and father Jimmy.
Una will be forever loved and sadly missed by her daughters Amanda and Lorraine, son Gerry, sisters Breedge and Mary, son-in-law Noel Greer, daughter-in-law Lorraine Battle, grandchildren Dean, Iefan, Kelly, Kyle, Sammy, Oran, Noah and Choria, nephews, nieces, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
Una reposed at Gallagher’s Funeral Home, Bonniconlon, on Sunday evening, January 4, from 5 to 6.30pm and her remains arrived at the Church of St Joseph, Castleconnor, on Monday morning for requiem Mass at 11am followed by burial in Killanley cemetery. May she rest in peace.
SafeTALK (Suicide alertness for everyone) training where people will learn the four basic steps to recognise when people have thoughts of suicide and to connect them to suicide first aid resources, will take place on Wednesday, March 25, from 10am to 1.30pm in the Clayton Hotel, Clarion Road, Sligo. This training is for anyone over the age of 18, it is not suitable for anyone bereaved by suicide within 12 months. Training is free of charge. Booking is essential via darlene@breakingthrough.org.
2025 has been a year to remember for West Sligo Athletics Club from welcoming Anam Pharmacy as their main sponsor to hosting both the Sligo County and Connacht Cross Country Championships in Enniscrone, to finishing their track to tarmac finish.
The club enjoyed a successful 3km and 5km run series, followed by a fantastic O’Dubhda Challenge in partnership with @umarketinglabs, and they rounded off the year by raising vital funds for North West Hospice through their St Stephen’s Day Beach Fun Run.
‘Congratulations to every single athlete who went to training, took part in events and ran their own race. Well done to all who competed in Sligo, Connacht and National championships winning many county and Connacht medals, we are incredible proud of each and every one of you. We also had our first every senior cross country men and women’s teams competing’, said a spokesperson for the club.
The club extend thanks to their amazing coaches who volunteer their time, passion and knowledge week in week out and to their dedicated committee who keep the show on the road behind the scenes. West Sligo Athletics Club are very excited for 2026, with the completion of the running track and surrounding facilities on the horizon.
Enniscrone Kilglass GAA Club extend congratulations to everyone who participated in the clubs two Christmas events in aid of MS Ireland. Over 80 tractors took part in the Tractor Run on December 21, while up to 50 players togged out for the charity football match on December 27.
Between the two events, a significant total was raised in aid of MS Ireland, with the final figure to be confirmed in due course. The club thank all those who helped organise and to those who donated so generously to a great cause.
The clubhouse at Enniscrone Kilglass GAA Club was full to capacity for their annual awards night on December 27 last. It was particularly special occasion for the 1975 minor team as they gathered together 50 years on to commemorate their success of winning that year’s championship. Team manager Joe Quinn delivered a wonderful speech before the players from the team were presented with a commemorative award to mark a momentous achievement.
The U13 team of 2025 were also presented with their league and championship winners medals after a stellar season.
After many years of loyal service on and off the field, club stalwart Mixie Jacob was inducted into their Hall of Fame, while Derek Tuffy was a very deserving winner of the Club Person of the Year award. Gavin Duffy won the Intermediate Team Player of the Year award, while Eoin Finnerty scooped the Young Player of the Year award. Congratulations is extended to all the winners and thanks to everyone who came out to support.
Enniscrone Kilglass GAA Club was pleased to ratify the appointment of Padraig McGourty as the new Intermediate football team manager over the Christmas period. Padraig will bring vast experience to the position having worked extensively at various grades in Sligo and Leitrim over a number of years. Greg Regan will also bring plenty of know-how in his role as team coach and selector, having served in a similar capacity with the Sligo U20s and ATU Sligo in recent seasons. Padraig, Greg and all the players are wised every success for the coming season.
The numbers drawn in the Easkey and Eoghan Rua combined lotto which was held on January 4 last were 3, 10, 33 and 35. There was no jackpot winner and the five consolation prizewinners were Liam and Mary Weir, Daniel Battle, Thomas Cawley, Rathlee Tidy Towns and Michael Dunphy. The jackpot in the latest draw which was held on January 11, in The Castle Inn, Easkey, was €10,600.
The first club competition of the year saw the Western Gaels U21 hurlers taking part in the Donal Kirby Cup. The competition was played off as a blitz at the Centre of Excellence at Scarden on Saturday, January 3, with participants from Calry St Josephs, Naomh Molaise Gaels, Tourlestrane GAA, Naomh Eoin Hurling Club, Drumcliffe Rosses Point GAA and LGFA, Coolers Strandhill GAA LGFA Camogie and Western Gaels Hurling and Camogie Club.
After a round robin competition Western Gaels and a combined Tourlestrane/Drumcliffe Rosses Point/Naomh Eoin team faced off in the cup final with the combined Calry St Josephs and St Molaise Gaels meeting Coolera Strandhill in the shield final.
Western Gaels emerged as winners in the cup final on a 2-6 to 0-9 scoreline while Calry St Josephs and St Molaise Gaels to the shield by 2-3 to 0-5.
A Dementia Awareness workshop will be held in West Sligo Family Resource Centre, Enniscrone, on Wednesday, February 18, at 11am, 1pm and 3.30pm. Dementia is not simply a health issue but a social issue that requires a community response. A dementia inclusive community is one in which people living with dementia, their families and carers can live their lives well in an understanding and supportive society. By participating in one of the Dementia Awareness Workshops, this will give people an insight into how organisations, sporting clubs, businesses or individuals can help to build a Dementia inclusive community in their area. Contact Heather Cassidy on 087 6496670, or email heather.cassidy@alzheimer.ie.
The numbers drawn in the Enniscrone combined football clubs blotto draw which was held on Sunday, January 4, were 23, 24 and 31. There was no jackpot winner. The €25 prizewinners were Bridie Tivnan, Val Colleary, Patrick Brennan and Tony Murphy. The jackpot in the latest draw which was held in Hopkins Bar on Sunday, January 11, was €10,400.
Kilglass Parish Community Centre and Digital Hub is open 7 days with access code for Hub users. Open for call in inquiries on Monday and Tuesdays from 10.30am to 1pm and on Wednesday and Thursdays from 1 to 3pm. The centre is located next door to the Church of the Holy Family Kilglass. Eircode: F26K20. To book a hot desk/office space, go to the connected Hubs website https://connectedhubs.ie, https://www.kilglassparishcommunitycentre.com.
****************.
Castleconnor
Sligo Rovers announced last week that Ava Hallinan has signed her first senior deal with the club. ‘We’re delighted that Ava has committed to the club. She has been outstanding since joining us, with a fantastic attitude and a real desire to improve. Ava is another academy player stepping up, reflecting the club’s commitment to promoting from within. We also acknowledge Kilglass Enniscrone Utd FC and the Sligo Leitrim League for their work with Ava’, said Conor O’Grady, Sligo Rovers.
This is an incredible achievement and a proud moment for Ava, her family, and her coaches. Her dedication, talent and hard work is paying off and this is only the beginning.
Castleconnor GAA Club congratulate Stephen Rogan who received a Connacht GAA Higher Education Bursary Award at a presentation in the Centre of Excellence, Bekan, on Saturday, January 3. Congratulations also to Patrick Walsh, Easkey GAA, Tom Bailey Tourlestrane GAA, Aine Harte, Coolera Strandhill GAA LGFA, and James McDermott and Rian O’Callaghan, both Drumcliffe Rosses Point GAA and LGFA, who also received bursaries.
Castleconnor GAA Lights Up is back and will run every Tuesday and Thursday evening from 7-8pm. Everyone is welcome to come along and bring a friend and join in whether it is a walk or a jog. It’s a great way to exercise in a safe, well-lit space, especially during the long winter evenings.
The Lights Up ties in with Ireland Lights Up and the Irish Life GAA Healthy Clubs Every Step Counts Challenge 2026, running from January 7 to February 11. The club are delighted to be taking part in the challenge. The aim is to make exercise more accessible during dark winter nights while bringing communities together in a healthy social way. Castleconnor GAA is aiming to complete 4000kms as a club to be in with a chance to win €2500 for the club.
Castleconnor GAA Awards and presentation night will take place on Saturday, January 24, in Muddy Burns at 9pm. All are welcome to come along and enjoy a night celebrating the club.
