Local Notes: All the latest news from Claremorris
One of the 12 pieces that makes up the series of new sculptures in Irishtown. Picture: John Corless
Mayo County Council Arts Service and Irishtown Community Development Company Limited will launch Briathra Talún / Words from the Land - a public art commission by visual artist Noah Rose - at Páirc a Tobair, Irishtown, on Easter Monday, April 21st, at 2pm.
Guest speaker Dr Andrew G. Newby will give a talk on the tenants' rights meeting at Irishtown in April 1879. The artwork will be officially launched by Cllr Damien Ryan, Cathaoirleach Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District. The launch will be followed by a guided tour and talk with artist Noah Rose.
All are welcome to attend. Refreshments will be provided.
Noah Rose said he was delighted to be selected to create the sculptures.
“There are twelve pieces in all,” Noah told the . “They are representations of newspaper reports of the 1879 Irishtown tenants' rights meeting that took place in the village on April 20, 1879.”
Noah said that meticulous research went in to the creation of the pieces. This involved examining newspapers of the time.
“I looked in , , , and . You have to know what’s there before you can decide what to include and what to leave out. I have reproduced some text as it appeared in the newspapers which is a time-consuming and tricky job.
"All the papers are credited and the text appears in English on one side of the sculptures and in Irish on the other side.
"I also researched in and the , both of which used illustrations to capture authentic scenes – photography not being used much in newspapers at that time.”
The Irishtown meeting was the catalyst for the later establishment of the Land League of Mayo on August 16, 1879. The Irishtown community has recreated ruins of Famine cottages, a community shelter, a Mass rock and Famine roads on the site in the village.
A Londoner, Noah Rose is an accomplished artist based in Headford, Co Galway with extensive experience in public art across Ireland, the United Kingdom and internationally. Through comprehensive research and consultation with the local community, the artist eventually focused on the historical significance of the 1879 Irishtown tenants' rights meeting.
"Noah’s interest in archival research, the Irish language, and history all informed this project. These interests are reflected in the final artwork Briathra Talún / Words from the Land, a sculptural installation consisting of Corten steel columns with laser-cut quotations in Irish and English from newspaper archives.
“Corten steel is an interesting material to use,” Noah said. “A chemical is added to the steel in the mill, and this allows the surface to rust, without the rust penetrating into the inner parts of the steel, which would then disintegrate over time.”
Corten steel is used extensively in the marker signs along ‘The Wild Atlantic Way’ and the sculptures at Eyre Square in Galway.
Dr Andrew G Newby, Senior Lecturer in Transnational and Comparative History at the University of Jyväskylä in Finland, specialises in the land question in Victorian Ireland and Scotland. He has many published works to his name including a book on Michael Davitt.
This commission is part of Mayo County Council’s Public Art Programme, funded by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage under the Per Cent for Art Scheme. This funding enables the council to commission high quality and ambitious contemporary art for the public to experience and enjoy in everyday settings throughout County Mayo.
‘Somebody Special’, a CD of songs by Robeen-man, Pat McGovern and Friends, in aid of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust, was launched on Friday last, in The Kirk in Hollymount.
The Trust is an organisation that brings children and young people with additional needs on a week-long pilgrimage holiday to Lourdes each Easter. This trip is free for the guests, as volunteers fundraise to cover the costs. Separately, the volunteers pay for their own trip.
The title track on the CD was written by Don Stiffe, and the CD also features two Shane McGowan songs – ‘Rainy Night In Soho’ and ‘The Broad Majestic Shannon,’ as well as two from the pen of Phil Coulter, ‘Scorn Not His Simplicity’ and ‘The Old Man’.
The album also includes the classic, ‘Hard Times’, written by Stephen Foster. There’s a pair of reels on the CD too (‘The Bucks of Oranmore,’ and ‘Miss McLeod’s’) as well as The Sawdoctors’ classic, ‘Will You Meet Me On Clare Island'.
The album also iincludes the traditional standards, ‘Katie Daly,’ and ‘Will You Go Lassie Go’.
The CD is available from Hollymount Stores, The Store in Ballintubber, while in Ballinrobe it's available from Martin Murphy’s, Mace, Corrib Oil, Treacy’s Pharmacy and The Bowers Restaurant. In Claremorris, you can purchase it at Hunt’s Hillside Service Station, Centra, and Gala Store, and you can also purchase it from Pat on 085-1742082. A digital download of the album is also available through the online music distribution platform, 'Bandcamp'.
Pat and friends have a concert lined-up too. They will play the Townhall in Claremorris on Saturday, August 23rd.
Claremorris has two nominees in the Hi Style Rémy Martin Irish Man of the Year Awards 2025.
Lukas Kodl, manager of the McWilliam Park Hotel, has been nominated in the Hospitality Trailblazer category. Lukas has revolutionised the McWilliam since he took over a few years ago.
Luke Gibbons, a current PhD candidate in Law at Trinity College Dublin and Research Ireland Scholar, has been nominated in two categories. In the Community Champion 2025 category, Luke is in the company of fellow Mayo man Alan Clarke, as well as Keith Duffy, Brian McFadden, comedian David O’Doherty, Donncha O’Callaghan, Paul Mescal and Ronan Keating.
Luke has also been nominated for the Rising Star Award, a category that includes Daniel Wiffen – Olympic Swimming Champion 2024, Ballina man Mark Birrane of EatWondr and actor Paul Mescal.
The black tie event will be held on Friday, May, 23rd, at the Radisson Blu Hotel & Spa, Cork.
Photographer Marek Petrovic will open the Claremorris Camera Club exhibition of photographs in Claremorris Townhall on today (Tuesday, April 15th) at 8pm.
The exhibition is entitled ‘Magic Moments 2025’ and will run from April 15th to May 12th to coincide with the All-Ireland Drama Finals. All are welcome.
Claremorris Musical Society will hold its annual general meeting on Monday, April 28th, at 8pm upstairs in The Dalton Inn Hotel, Claremorris. The society encourages all past and present members, and anyone with an interest in joining the society, to attend.
Ann Marie Kelly was the winner of the Claremorris GAA 50/50 jackpot last week. Ann Marie won €1,064 with a ticket bought in Killeen’s.
JP Kilcourse was the winner of the Claremorris AFC 50/50 draw last week. JP won a jackpot of €565.
Claremorris-based Upstage Players will be on stage in All-Ireland Drama Finals on Saturday, April 26th, in Claremorris.
The group’s production of Conor McPherson’s ‘The Weir' will be joined in the finals by St Patrick’s Drama Group from Westport and Clann Machua Drama Group from Kiltimagh, bringing to three the number of qualifiers from Mayo. Another two groups, Glenamaddy Players and Phoenix Players from Tubbercurry, bring to five, the number of finalists from Connacht.
The draw for the running order was made in Claremorris last week. Festival director, Peter McCallig, said it was good that there were three Mayo groups in the final and he was looking forward to it.
“Ticket sales are strong this year," Peter said. “There are a lot of logistics involved in staging the finals with visiting officers from other festivals and the two national organisations. Plus, there’s the gala dinner and awards ceremony which will be live-streamed from the McWilliam Park Hotel.
"So there’s a lot involved but it is a great event for the town. We have a 'Buddy' system in place where a single member of our committee is dedicated to a particular group, so they have a point of contact for any issues that arise and it shares the work amongst our committee.”
Cúram Family Support Service is a service for parents having difficulty in managing their children’s behaviour, parents experiencing a crisis which impacts their children, and families experiencing communication and relationship difficulties.
A family support drop-in clinic will run every Tuesday morning, between 9.30am and 12.30pm, in Cúram Family Centre. For further information, contact Maria Cribbin, Family Support Project Worker, on 087-9119714.
Tai- Chi classes started yesterday and another class will be held today Tuesday, April 15th, at 10am in the Cúram Family Centre.
The Monday evening classes are at 6.30pm. Booking is essential. Call Cúram on 094-936 2096 for further information and to book your place.
An Easter Basket Flower Arranging Workshop will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, April 16th, in Cúram Family Centre at 8pm. Booking is essential. Call Cúram on 094-9362096. The cost is €10.
The next block of art classes will start in Cúram Family Centre in Claremorris on Tuesday, April 29th. Classes will run for six weeks.
Contact Seán on 085-232 0402 for more information and to book a place.
Claremorris GAA is offering boys and girls aged eight to 15 an opportunity to train with Mayo senior footballers Enda Hession, Paul Towey, Jack Carney and David McBrien this Easter.
The club is running a Level Up Camp at St Colman's College. The programme will include elite coaching, performance and recovery programmes, and runs between April 21st to 25th from 10am to 2pm with early drop-off and late pick-up available.
The cost is €100 cash or Revolut. Family discounts are available. For more information or to book a place, contact the organisers on 087-3696408.
Congratulations to Jason Conroy and Michal Walczak who have qualified for the Mayo GAA Handball Under-14/Under-15 team. The boys will be competing this Saturday, April 19th.
Well done and best of luck lads.
Mayo Karate Academy is holding a free trial class at Claremorris GAA Sports Complex on Monday, April 28th, from 7 to 8pm. The class is for children aged five and upwards.
The key benefits of karate are discipline, respect, self-defence, confidence and self-development. The contact number for further details is 087-4636841.
Garrymore GAA Club will hold an Easter Camp in Garrymore from Tuesday to Thursday, April 22nd to 24th.
The camp will run from 10.00 to 1.30 each day and is open to all boys and girls from Junior Infants to Sixth Class. The cost of the camp is €45 for one child, €80 for two or €100 for three (children must be from the same family). There are limited places available.
To book your child's place, contact Pauline Jennings on 086-8607374 or book online at the Clubforce website.
Art classes are now taking place every Saturday in the Claremorris Family Resource Centre.
The classes run from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 12.30pm to 2pm. Beginner, intermediate and advanced levels are catered for. Contact Lanna on 089-4091820 for full details and booking.
Training for Claremorris Camogie Club will begin this evening, Tuesday, April 15th, at the Convent Pitch, and will run from 6.30pm to 8.pm.
New members are welcome, and anyone interested is asked to contact Rebecca on 085-1179069 or Sile on 087-9284142 for more information.
Congratulations to Aoife Heaney, of Claremorris Colts, who has been selected for the Ireland Under-18 Women's Six Nations squad.
The club has described Aoife’s inclusion as “a huge achievement and well-deserved recognition for her hard work, talent, and dedication".
The club sends good wishes to Aoife and the entire squad as they prepare to represent Ireland on the international stage.
Hollymount LGFA Club also extends congratulations to Aoife. All of Ireland’s matches will be played in Wellington College and will be broadcast live on irishrugby+.
Claremorris AFC and the Western Region Drug and Alcohol Task Force will combine to provide an awareness meeting in the McWilliam Park Hotel this evening, Tuesday, April 15th, from 6 to 7.30pm.
The meeting will explore local Claremorris prevalence and trends of substance use among young people and will provide information on protective factors, supports and signposting. There will be a questions and answers section and resources will also be provided. The event is aimed at parents of young teens; however, all are welcome.
The death has occurred of Seán Tierney, of Ballynew, Claremorris. Seán died peacefully at home surrounded by his loving family.
Seán was predeceased by his father John Pa and father-in-law Vincent Joyce and is deeply regretted by his heartbroken wife Kathleen, adored children Jamie, Megan and Hannah, mother Mary Jo and mother-in-law Mary Joyce, brother Kevin, sisters Marie, Josie, Martina, Patricia and Irene, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, neighbours and friends.
Seán’s remains reposed at St Colman’s Funeral Home on Thursday evening, April 10th, from 5pm with removal from his residence on Friday to St Colman’s Church for Funeral Mass followed by burial afterwards in St Colman’s Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
