Local Notes: All the latest news from Claremorris
Members of the All-Ireland winning Mount St Michael Secondary School football team at the Western People 2025 Mayo Sports Stars Awards in Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar. Picture: Michael Donnelly
Claremorris Handball Club recorded four victories from five appearances at the Connacht Singles Finals last week, underlining the club’s strength across a range of grades.
The club’s first title of the weekend was secured by Niall Joyce, who produced a commanding performance to defeat Galway’s Séamus Connelly in the Intermediate Singles Final. Niall was in control throughout and finished a convincing winner to claim the Connacht crown.
Paddy Murphy added to Claremorris’ success in another tightly contested final, overcoming Galway’s Oisín Ó Cúláin in straight games. Paddy edged the opening game 21–18 before maintaining his composure to win the second, 21–17, securing another provincial title for the club.
In the Diamond Masters A Final, Tom McCormack delivered a strong display to defeat George Miller in two competitive games. Tom won the opening game 21–17 and followed it up with a narrow 21–20 victory to take the title, showing consistency and resilience under pressure.
Martin Kelly was also in winning form, claiming the Emerald Masters B Final after a closely fought contest with Roscommon’s Martin Conroy. With the match going to a tiebreaker, Martin held his nerve to win 11–3 and secure the Connacht title.
Overall, the weekend’s results represented an excellent return for Claremorris Handball Club, with four Connacht titles from five finals appearances. The performances highlighted the depth of talent within the club and its continued competitiveness at provincial level across a wide range of age groups and grades.
Claremorris Boxing Club enjoyed a strong showing at the Connacht Championships, with five of its young boxers in action at the Boy/Girl 4, Junior 1 and Junior 2 finals held at The Hub in Castlerea.
The club saw three of its competitors qualify for the All-Ireland series following impressive performances in their respective bouts.
James O’Laighin opened the day for Claremorris with a convincing victory to secure his place in the next stage of the national championships.
Michael Mullaney delivered one of the standout performances of the competition. He recorded a decisive victory to progress to the All-Ireland series.
Joshua Ward received a walkover in his bout and will also move on to the All-Ireland stage.
Officials at Claremorris Boxing Club thanked the coaches and parents who travelled to Castlerea to support the young athletes, saying their encouragement and dedication played an important role in the team’s success. The club described the weekend as a positive one and wished their three All-Ireland qualifiers the best of luck in the next phase of the competition.
The death has occurred of Nancy (Annie) Morley (née Coen) of Carrowcur, Bekan, Claremorris.
Nancy died peacefully, surrounded by her loving family, in the wonderful care of the staff at Mayo Hospice, Castlebar.
Nancy was predeceased by her parents Delia and Thomas Coen, sister Mary (Doran), brother Pat (Coen), daughter Dolores (Walsh) and grandson Shane (Langan). She will be deeply missed by her devoted husband Michael, loving children Alacoque, Bernadette, Monica, Carmel and Brendan, grandchildren, sister Kathleen (Bradford) and brother Jim (Melbourne), daughter-in-law Fiona, sons-in-law Tómas, Tommy, Robert and Connie, sister-in-law Anne, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Nancy’s remains reposed at the Marian Funeral Home, Knock on Sunday evening with removal to St John the Baptist Church, Knock. Her Funeral Mass was held on Monday with burial afterwards in the local cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Mary McNamara of Clarelodge, Old Knock Road, Claremorris, and late of Roundfort. Mary died peacefully at her home on February 14th. She was predeceased by her parents William and Delia McNamara and will be sadly missed by her loving family.
Mary’s remains reposed at her residence on Monday evening. Her Funeral Mass was held on Tuesday in St Colman’s Church, Claremorris, with burial afterwards in Roundfort Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
Claremorris native Gerard Cassidy has seen the company he founded, TouchStore, acquired by Irish pharmaceutical group Uniphar in a major deal for the pharmacy sector.
Cassidy, who was born and educated in Claremorris, comes from a family long associated with the pharmacy business in south Mayo. His parents, Colm and Kathleen Cassidy, operated chemist shops in Claremorris and Ballindine before expanding to Shannon, Limerick and Ennis. He has often credited those early years in Claremorris with shaping his understanding of community pharmacy.
After running several successful pharmacies, later sold to Boots and McCabes, Gerard founded TouchStore in 2001. Based in Limerick, the company has grown to become Ireland’s fastest-growing provider of pharmacy and retail management software, now serving more than 700 customers nationwide.
Gerard maintains close ties to Claremorris, where his family remains deeply connected to the town and to Mayo GAA.
The Claremorris and District Lions Club asks for your support for its annual tree appeal on Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14, in the lobby of SuperValu.
The club holds its Annual Tree Appeal every March to coincide with National Tree Week. Silver birch saplings can be brought home and planted, or a donation can be made, and the trees planted by students from the two secondary schools, in public spaces around the town.
Barnacarroll Area Development CLG, which operates the Barnacarroll Community and Sports Centre as well as local childcare services, will hold its annual general meeting this evening, Tuesday February 24th, at 8pm in the centre.
Claremorris will have a very special Guest of Honour leading its 2026 St Patrick’s Day Parade, with organisers confirming that local man Eamonn Keaveney will take centre stage on March 17th.
Eamonn has attracted international attention over the past year for his remarkable barefoot walk across Europe, a journey that has already seen him cover more than 6,000 kilometres. He set out from Istanbul on March 4 last year and has travelled through Turkey, Bulgaria, Romania, Hungary, Austria, Germany, France, England, Wales and across Ireland in an effort to break the Guinness World Record for the world’s longest barefoot walk.
Alongside the record attempt, Eamonn has also been raising funds for two causes close to his heart - Jigsaw, which provides mental health support for young people, and Friends of the Earth, which works to protect the environment. Parade organisers say they are hopeful he will arrive back in Claremorris in time to lead the town’s St Patrick’s Day celebrations, providing an inspiring focal point for the day.
This year’s theme ‘Where Luck Meets Dreams’ was chosen to reflect both the spirit of St Patrick’s Day and the aspirations of the local community. The organising committee is inviting schools, clubs, community groups and local businesses to take part, either by entering floats, marching groups or through sponsorship.
A participation form is now available online for those wishing to get involved, and local businesses are also being encouraged to support the event, with the committee confirming that sponsors will be promoted in the lead-up to the parade.
Anyone interested in taking part or supporting the parade can contact Nina on 087-7392543 or email claremorrisparade@gmail.com.
Women’s Collective Claremorris will host an information evening on general health and wellness for women on this Thursday, February 26th from 7pm to 9pm at Cúram Family Centre.
The event will feature guest speaker John Lalor, Nutritional Therapist, who will cover a range of topics including general health, improving sleep, nutrition, supplements and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The event is free to attend.
The death occurred on February 4th of Cameron English of Cornfield, Hollymount, and Prescott, Arizona, USA.
Cameron will be sadly missed by his loving wife Fiona, sons Nathan, Garrett and Nicholas, newborn grandson, parents Tony and Marlyn, sisters Stephanie and Lauren, brothers Tony and Ryan, parents-in-law Pat and Mary Biggins, brother-in-law John, extended family, friends and all who knew and loved him.
A memorial service was held at Calvary Chapel, Prescott, on Saturday, February 21st.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Bridget (Bridie) O’Brien (née Connolly) of Friars Hill, Thomastown, Co. Kilkenny, and formerly of Davris, Hollymount.
Bridie was predeceased by her parents Michael and Mary Delia Connolly, husband Billy, brothers Joe, Seán and Patrick, sister-in-law Ita and nephew John. She is mourned by her sisters Kitty, Freddie, Mary and Teresa, brothers Miko and Willie, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, cousins, friends, neighbours and carers.
Her funeral took place in Kilkenny.
May she rest in peace
Clare Slattery was the winner of Claremorris GAA Club’s 50/50 draw last week, taking home €1,006. Clare purchased her winning ticket in Blue Thunder.
The club congratulated Clare on her win and expressed sincere thanks to all who supported the draw. Every ticket sold helps fund coaching, facilities and youth programmes for the club and the community.
Tickets remain available online and in local shops and pubs throughout the town.
Aidan Butler claimed the Claremorris Soccer Club 50/50 jackpot last week, winning €472 with an online ticket. The club extended congratulations to Aidan and thanked everyone who participates in the weekly draw.
Proceeds contribute directly to the running of local teams and the development of players. Tickets continue to be available both online and from outlets across Claremorris.
The ‘Somebody Special’ charity concert will take place in Claremorris Town Hall on this coming Saturday, February 28th, at 7.30pm.
The concert will feature a line-up of All-Ireland winning performers coming together to share songs and music in a spirit of warmth, friendship and community.
All proceeds from the evening will go towards providing medical and humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza.
The sudden and untimely death has occurred of Majella Cahill (née Grier) of Lenanaboll, Taugheen, Claremorris, and formerly of Coolroe, Claremorris.
Majella was predeceased by her father Martin (Matt) Grier and will be deeply mourned by her heartbroken and loving family, her husband Brendan, young children Grace and David, mother Mary, sister Ann (Duggan), brothers Seamus, Fergal and Peter, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, aunts, uncles, cousins, extended family, nursing colleagues in the HSE, neighbours and friends.
Majella’s remains reposed at Gilligan’s Funeral Home, Claremorris on Thursday evening with Funeral Mass on Friday in St Michael’s Church, Taugheen, followed by private cremation.
May she rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Kathleen Burke (née Walsh) of Bloomfield, Hollymount. Kathleen died peacefully at her residence on February 18th, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Jim, brothers Jack, Tony, Michael, Paddy, Tommy Joe and baby Denis, sister May Heaps (UK) and son-in-law David Walsh.
Kathleen will be deeply missed by her daughters Marie Walsh (Cloongowla), Therese (Tommy Dixon), Bernadette (Gerald Farragher) and Paula (Brendan Campbell, Bloomfield), 19 grandchildren and 28 great-grandchildren, especially Sienna, Leah, Cadence and Isabella Campbell, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Kathleen’s remains reposed at Fr Paddy’s House, Robeen on Friday evening with removal to her residence. Requiem Mass was held on Saturday in Our Lady of Sorrows Church, Robeen, with burial afterwards in Robeen Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
