Local Notes: All the latest news from Claremorris
Margaret Prendergast from Claremorris is presented with 1st place in the Bord Bia National Potato All-Ireland Final by Bord Bia's Michal Slawski with (from left) Irish Show Association's (ISA) Catherine Gallagher, John Donoghue, Tullamore Show Horticulture organiser; Tom Maher, judge; Freda Kinnarney and Martina Jameson from ISA and at the Bord Bia All-Ireland Quality Potato Championship at the Tullamore Show and FBD National Livestock Show. Picture: Jeff Harvey
Mayo Abbey residents have been urged to continue making their voices heard as three separate planning applications relating to a proposed wind farm and associated electricity infrastructure progress through the planning system.
The call was made at a public meeting in Mayo Abbey Community Centre, organised by Cunlaghfadda Mayo Abbey Voice, where local residents were briefed on the latest developments and the procedures for making submissions.
The meeting followed the refusal by Mayo County Council of planning permission for the proposed seven-turbine Cunlaghfadda Green Energy wind farm. The developer has since appealed that decision to An Coimisiún Pleanála.
The original proposal involves seven turbines, each reaching approximately 160 metres in height, across a site of around 165 hectares. The development would also include access roads, concrete foundations, underground cabling and other associated infrastructure.
Paul Derrig, one of the main speakers at the meeting, congratulated the community on the level of participation in the original planning process, when more than 170 submissions were made to Mayo County Council. He encouraged residents to make further submissions during the appeal process.
“Your local knowledge is key,” he told the meeting, pointing to issues including ecology, flooding, heritage and the impact on residential amenity.
Mayo County Council's refusal had cited concerns about the landscape and the setting of Mayo Abbey, as well as the potential impact on nearby homes. The council found that the height and scale of the proposed turbines would have a significant negative effect on the landscape and could adversely affect the historic character of Mayo Abbey. Concerns were also raised about shadow flicker affecting nearby properties.
The developers have appealed the council’s decision, and Mr Derrig explained that members of the public are entitled to make observations on the appeal.
The meeting also highlighted that two other applications are progressing in connection with the same general area.
A Strategic Infrastructure Development application has been lodged directly with An Coimisiún Pleanála for a 110kV electrical substation and associated grid infrastructure at Cloonbaul. The proposal includes a substation compound, control buildings, a telecommunications tower, electricity masts and underground cabling.
A further application for a battery energy storage facility has also been lodged with Mayo County Council, following the erection of site notices.
Speakers at the meeting stressed the importance of considering the three developments together when making submissions, while recognising that they are being dealt with as separate planning applications.
The archaeological significance of the area was also discussed, with reference to Mayo Abbey's early medieval heritage and archaeological features identified in surveys of the proposed development area.
The community was encouraged to provide documentary evidence where possible, particularly in relation to issues such as flooding. Photographs showing local flooding or other relevant conditions, with dates included, were suggested as useful supporting evidence.
Residential impacts were another subject raised during the meeting. The planning material identifies numerous homes in the vicinity of the proposed infrastructure, with the original planning documentation indicating that shadow flicker could affect nearby properties. Mayo County Council cited residential amenity as one of the reasons for refusing the wind farm.
The meeting also heard concerns about the cumulative impact of energy infrastructure in the area and the potential for further development in the future.
The community group emphasised that expert submissions are being prepared on technical matters, but that individual observations from local residents remain important because they can provide information about the area that may not appear in professional reports.
A number of speakers also addressed the wider implications for the community, including the potential impact on the landscape, heritage, farming and future residential development.
The original wind farm application attracted significant local participation, with the community group describing the council's refusal as an important stage in the campaign. The council's decision specifically identified landscape, cultural heritage and residential amenity concerns.
The meeting was told that assistance would be available for anyone who was unsure about making an online submission.
“A workshop can be organised at Mayo Abbey Community Centre to help residents navigate the relevant online planning systems and upload their observations,” Paul Derrig said.
Rose Conway Walsh TD and Cllr Patsy O’Brien (Independent), both congratulated the local residents for the quality and volume of their campaign, and expressed their continued support. The understands that a number of other TDs and councillors sent apologies for their absence.
The community group said the high level of participation in the original application had demonstrated the strength of local interest and urged residents not to assume that their previous submission was sufficient. The message from the meeting was that residents can continue to contribute by making their own observations, drawing on their knowledge of Mayo Abbey and the surrounding area, and providing factual information and evidence relevant to the planning applications.
The wind farm appeal means that the original refusal by Mayo County Council does not bring the planning process to an end. Meanwhile, the separate applications for the substation and battery storage facility mean that planning matters relating to the proposed energy development remain active in the Mayo Abbey area.
The Great Mayo Bake Off returns this autumn, inviting amateur bakers from across the county to create their ultimate chocolate cake in support of charity.
The competition will form part of the launch of the 2027 'Plates for Dates' calendar, with prizes worth €500. Entry costs €10 and places are limited, with registration open until October 1st.
Cakes must be delivered to the McWilliam Park Hotel between 4.30pm and 6pm on October 9th, with judging taking place later that evening.
For registration and further information, contact Phil on 087-3528953 or Carmel on 086-3032401. All proceeds will go to charity.
Claremorris Musical Society will celebrate its 20th production with 'Calendar Girls – The Musical', featuring music and lyrics by Gary Barlow and Tim Firth.
Based on the true story of a group of Yorkshire women who create a charity calendar, the production combines comedy, drama and music while celebrating friendship, community and resilience. Mayo Roscommon Hospice will also benefit from the society’s 20th-anniversary celebrations.
Auditions, open to existing members and newcomers, will take place on Tuesday, September 8th and Wednesday, September 9th in the Dalton Inn, Claremorris. Rehearsals will begin shortly afterwards, with performances scheduled for Claremorris Town Hall from January 27th to 30th.
The production will be directed by Donna Ruane, with Deirdre Lee as musical director and Jay Molyneux as choreographer.
Anyone wishing to audition must register in advance through the society’s social media platforms or by emailing claremorrismusicalsoc@gmail.com. Businesses and individuals interested in sponsorship or patronage are also invited to get in touch.
Claremorris Family Resource Centre has announced a range of activities and courses beginning in September, with opportunities to explore photography, textured art and traditional Irish music.
A four-week Smartphone Photography Course begins on Wednesday, September 16th, with participants choosing between a morning session from 10am to noon or an evening session from 7pm to 9pm. The €25 course will cover camera settings and hidden features, composition, natural light, portraits, landscapes, everyday photography and simple phone-based editing.
A Textured Paste Art Course with Dani Bueno begins on Friday, September 11th, from 10am to noon. Participants will learn creative techniques and explore different textures while creating their own artwork. The course is suitable for beginners and anyone looking to develop their creativity. Places are limited.
Club Ceol also returns in September, inviting people to bring their instruments and learn, play and share traditional Irish music together.
For further information or to book a place on any of the courses, contact Claremorris Family Resource Centre on 094-9377838 or info@claremorrisfrc.ie. For Club Ceol, contact Brid on 087-9408967.
Gráinne Halligan was the winner of last week’s Claremorris GAA 50/50 draw, with a ticket bought in Warde’s securing a prize of €1,235.
The club congratulated Gráinne on her success and expressed its appreciation to everyone who continues to enter the draw. The weekly fundraiser remains an important source of support for the club’s work at all levels.
Michael Staid collected €544 after his ticket was drawn in the latest Claremorris AFC 50/50. Michael bought his winning ticket in The Shamrock.
Congratulations were extended to Michael by the club, which also thanked its supporters for the continued backing of the fundraiser.
The death has occurred of Mary Joyce McCarthy of Lohan Park, Brickens, and formerly of Backfox, Taugheen, and Currykirwin, Mayo Abbey. Mary died very peacefully at Mayo University Hospital on August 17th. She was predeceased by her parents Edward and Ellie Joyce (née Vahey).
Mary will be sadly missed by her beloved husband Paul, cousins Tina and Patsy Brennan, Johnny Vahey and Christy Vahey, extended family members, very good neighbours and many friends.
Her remains reposed at Lohan Park Group Home, Brickens, on Wednesday evening, August 19th. Removal took place on Thursday to Brickens Church for Funeral Mass, followed by burial afterwards in Tulrahan Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Helen Forde (née Conneelly) of Lower Salthill, Galway, and formerly of The Country Club, Forde’s Pub, Hollybrook.
Helen died peacefully in the early hours of Wednesday, August 12th, surrounded by her loving family, in the care of the staff of Bon Secours Hospital, Galway.
Helen will be deeply mourned and very sadly missed by her beloved husband Malachy Forde, daughter Karen, son Andrew and her six cherished grandchildren Bodhi, Indie, Levi, Saoirse, Donnacha and Laoise, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Helen’s remains reposed at O’Flaherty Funeral Parlour, Munster Avenue, Galway, on Sunday, August 16th. Requiem Mass was celebrated on Monday in the Church of Christ the King, Salthill.
May she rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Olive Lichtblau (née Smyth), formerly of Mount Street, Claremorris. Olive died peacefully in hospital in Chicago, USA, on August 19th, 2026, after a short illness.
Olive was predeceased by her husband Wolfgang, parents Pat and Mary Smyth, and brother P.J., formerly of Mount Street, Claremorris.
She will be deeply missed by her daughter Christa, son Hagen, son-in-law Jeremy, grandchildren Desmond and Delia, sisters Chris Smyth (Castlebar), Nora (James) McHale (Castlebar), Eva (Vincent) (London) and Mary (Tony) (London), brother John Noel (Geraldine) (Galway), nieces, nephews, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
Olive’s funeral took place in Chicago.
May she rest in peace.
