Local Notes: All the latest news from Kiltimagh
Pictured at Balla Golf Club's presentation night at The Helm in Westport were the winners of the Mixed Team 3 Ball Classic, Gus and Nora Heraty, receiving their prize from Shane Keogh, The Helm. Missing was Julie Loftus. Picture: Trish Forde
Kiltimagh GAA is encouraging young people with an interest in music, singing, dancing, drama and Irish culture to represent the club in this year’s Mayo Scór na nÓg County Final, which takes place in Ballyvary Central National School on Sunday, November 15th.
Scór na nÓg is the GAA’s cultural competition for young people under 17 years of age, providing an opportunity for club members to showcase their talents in a range of traditional Irish cultural activities. The competition is an important part of the GAA’s commitment to promoting Irish music, song, dance, language and storytelling alongside its sporting activities.
The county final will begin at 2.30pm with Tráth na gCeist (Quiz), followed by the stage competitions at approximately 4pm. There will be a wide variety of categories, offering opportunities for both individual performers and groups.
The competitions include Rince Foirne (Figure Dancing), Amhránaíocht Aonair (Solo Singing), Aithriseoireacht (Recitation), Bailéad Grúpa (Ballad Group), Rince ar an Sean Nós (Sean Nós Dancing), Nuachleas (Novelty Act), Grúpa Ceoil (Instrumental Music), Rince Seit (Set Dancing) and Tráth na gCeist (Quiz).
Kiltimagh GAA welcome expressions of interest from young people who would like to take part, whether as individual competitors or as members of a group. The competition offers an opportunity to represent the club at county level while helping to maintain and promote the cultural traditions associated with the GAA. A number of Gaeltacht scholarships will also be on offer on the day, providing an additional opportunity for young people interested in developing their Irish language skills.
Anyone interested in representing Kiltimagh GAA, or seeking further information about the competitions and Gaeltacht scholarships, should contact Aingeal Uí Mhaicín on 087-9885165.
A luxury cruise, a sunshine holiday or a well-earned break away from the daily routine could be yours for just €10, thanks to a major fundraising raffle organised by Victim Assistance, which has its national headquarters in Kiltimagh.
With €10,000 in holiday vouchers among the three top prizes, the raffle offers an opportunity to start planning that special trip, whether it is a cruise to somewhere exotic, a relaxing holiday in the sun or a chance to explore somewhere new.
The star attraction is a €5,000 cruise voucher, which could open the door to a memorable holiday at sea, visiting different destinations while enjoying the facilities and entertainment available on board. However, the winner will not be restricted to taking a cruise, as the voucher can also be used towards other holiday or travel arrangements through Kilkelly Travel in Castlebar. Second prize is a €3,000 holiday voucher, with a further €2,000 holiday voucher for the third prize winner. All three prizes offer considerable flexibility, allowing the lucky winners to choose the type of break that suits them best. There are also plenty of additional prizes to be won.
For anyone who has been dreaming of getting away, the raffle offers an opportunity to turn those plans into reality without having to find the full cost of the holiday. Tickets are just €10 each, with a special offer of six tickets for €50. The holiday vouchers are valid for five years, providing plenty of time for the winners to decide when and where they would like to travel.
Behind the holiday prizes is an organisation carrying out important work from its headquarters in Kiltimagh. The Federation for Victim Assistance is a voluntary, non-profit charity founded in 2005 which provides free, confidential emotional and practical support to victims of crime and people who have experienced traumatic incidents, as well as their families The organisation is based at Enterprise House on Aiden Street and operates a nationwide service supported by trained, Garda-vetted volunteers. Its work covers a wide range of circumstances, including domestic violence, assault, burglary, harassment, road traffic incidents and other traumatic experiences. Assistance can include a sympathetic listening ear, information and guidance, court accompaniment, referrals to other services and help dealing with relevant agencies.
Although its work extends throughout Ireland, Victim Assistance retains an important connection with Kiltimagh, where its national office is located. The fundraising raffle gives people locally and further afield an opportunity to support this work while putting themselves in with a chance of winning a substantial holiday prize.
And with tickets costing just €10, the possibility of enjoying a €5,000 cruise or holiday, or one of the other valuable travel prizes, is an attractive incentive. A ticket could be the first step towards that long-awaited break, while every purchase will help support an organisation providing assistance to people at difficult times in their lives.
The draw takes place in Ryan's Bar, Kiltimagh, on January 2nd, 2027. Tickets are €10 each or six for €50 and can be purchased using the QR code on the promotional poster. Entrants must be aged 18 or over, and the vouchers cannot be exchanged for cash.
Further information is available from Victim Assistance on Freephone 1800 277 477 or by emailing support@victimassistance.ie.
Jack Pidgeon and Philip Moore took first prize at the latest 25 Card Drive, with second place shared by Tom Conroy and Joe Boyle and the pairing of John Clancy and Pius Forde. Brian McNulty and Alo Langan collected the Last 10 prize, while Paddy Carney and James Walsh claimed the spot prize. Raffle winners were Alo Langan, Danny Doherty, Pius Forde and Jimmy Doyle.
Cian Gallagher took home €569 after winning Kiltimagh GAA Club’s weekly 50/50 draw last week.
The club extended congratulations to Cian and thanked all those who purchased tickets for the draw. Entries are available online and through local shops and pubs, and Kiltimagh GAA expressed its appreciation to the many patrons whose continued support helps fund the club’s activities.
JJ Coyne from Tooreen was the winner of the Kiltimagh Knock United 50/50 draw last week, taking home a prize of €305. The club congratulated JJ on the win and expressed its appreciation to everyone who continues to support the weekly fundraiser. Tickets are available online and through local shops and pubs, with the proceeds helping to fund the club’s activities and development.
Halloween is approaching, and preparations are well underway in Kiltimagh for the Spooky Walk and Fireworks event, which takes place in the Emigrant Park on Sunday, October 25th. The event is organised by Kiltimagh Tourism Festivals, and is a popular fixture in the town’s calendar, attracting families and children for an evening of Halloween fun, frightening encounters and a fireworks display.
There will be two separate walks to cater for different age groups, beginning with the Tots’ ‘Less Spooky’ Stroll at 4.30pm. This earlier session is intended for younger children, giving them an opportunity to enjoy the Halloween experience without some of the more frightening elements of the main event. The Spooky Walk itself begins at 7pm, when the fading daylight and darkness will help create the atmosphere for an evening of surprises.
The Emigrant Park will once again provide the setting, following the decision to relocate the event there last year. The park’s pathways, trees and natural surroundings offer plenty of scope for creating a Halloween trail, with participants making their way through different sections of the grounds. Entry will be through the Sculpture Park, with the walk finishing at the main entrance near the garage.
The organisers are hoping to make full use of the darker surroundings to add to the experience. There are plans, subject to arrangements, to switch off some street lighting along part of the route, allowing the Halloween characters and other surprises to emerge from the darkness. The setting is particularly suited to the main walk, which is aimed primarily at national school children, although older children and teenagers are also welcome.
Parents are encouraged to accompany their children, and fancy dress is very much part of the occasion. Witches, ghosts, zombies, skeletons and all manner of other Halloween characters are expected to make an appearance, with families invited to join in the fun by dressing up themselves. The event is designed to provide an enjoyable outing for children while giving parents and other family members an opportunity to share in the celebrations.
The evening will reach its conclusion at 9pm with the fireworks display, one of the most anticipated parts of the programme. The display has traditionally been a major attraction, drawing spectators from Kiltimagh and neighbouring communities, including many who come along specifically for the fireworks.
Admission to the Spooky Walks is on a voluntary contribution basis, with those attending invited to make a small donation towards the event. With large numbers expected, organisers are asking everyone to cooperate with the stewards, keep to the designated route and follow safety instructions, particularly when moving through the park after dark.
Drama groups from around the country will gather in Kiltimagh next month for the annual One Act Drama Festival, which takes place in the Town Hall Theatre from Friday, November 13th, to Sunday, November 15th. Nine groups will present productions over the three days, with a varied programme of plays competing for honours in the Open and Confined sections.
The festival is part of the national One Act Drama circuit, with participating groups seeking to earn points towards qualification for the respective All-Ireland Finals in December. Irene O’Meara will adjudicate the Kiltimagh festival, assessing the performances and providing feedback to the competing groups.
Friday evening’s programme begins at 7.30pm and features three productions. Balally Players will present ‘One For The Road’, followed by Shannonside Drama Group with ‘Aubade’ and Doonbeg Drama Group with ‘The Tinkers’ Wedding’. The opening session will bring together three groups with different productions, offering audiences an opportunity to enjoy a full evening of live theatre.
The festival continues on Saturday, November 14th, with another three plays beginning at 7.30pm. Bunclody/Kilmyshall Drama Group will stage ‘No Romance: A Desperate Business’, while local group Clann Machua will present ‘Babysitting Calvin’. Charlestown Drama Group will complete the evening’s programme with ‘The Donahue Sisters’.
Sunday’s concluding session gets underway at the earlier time of 5pm. Castleconnor Drama Group will perform ‘After’, Shed by the Road Productions will present ‘Elegy For A Lady’ and Carraig na bhFear will stage ‘Lucy In The Sky’. The festival will conclude with the adjudication and the announcement of results.
The One Act format gives audiences an opportunity to see several different productions during a single session, with each group bringing its own interpretation, acting style and approach to the stage. The competition also provides amateur drama groups with valuable performance experience and the opportunity to have their work assessed as part of the national festival circuit.
Kiltimagh has a strong tradition of amateur drama, and the annual festival is an important part of the Town Hall Theatre’s programme. The event brings visiting performers, production teams and supporters to the town, while also providing local audiences with three evenings of theatre and an opportunity to support Clann Machua and the other participating groups.
Admission is €10 per session, or €20 for a weekend pass covering all three sessions. Tickets will be available at the door. Performances begin at 7.30pm on Friday and Saturday, November 13th and 14th, and at 5pm on Sunday, November 15th.
Keith Lydon took first prize in the weekly Texas Hold’em poker tournament at Teach O’Hora, finishing ahead of runner-up Michael Higgins. Gerry Groarke claimed third place, with John Reynolds fourth. The remaining finalists were Enda Ruane (5th), Martin Regan (6th), Conor Byrne (7th), Marcella Gilmartin (8th) and Tiernan Burke (9th).
Meanwhile, the line-up for the Grand Final of the Summer Poker League has been completed, with fifteen players set to compete for the title of Kiltimagh Poker Champion and a share of a record prize pool of €3,535.
The finalists have qualified following the fifteen-week league and subsequent playoff, with their starting chip stacks determined by their performances throughout the competition.
Pat Boyle will take the chip lead into the final with 41,000, followed by Michael Sheridan on 36,700 and John Borza on 33,600. The remaining finalists and their starting stacks are John Reynolds (31,200), Enda Ruane (29,600), Paul Walsh (28,400), Michael Higgins (27,300), Marcella Gilmartin (25,900), Alan Sheridan (23,800), Andy Quinn (23,800), Keith Lydon (22,500), Derry O’Sullivan (20,800), Gerry Groarke (20,800), Martin Regan (18,100) and Conor Byrne (12,300).
A date for the Grand Final has yet to be confirmed, with the fifteen qualifiers competing for the championship title and the largest prize pool in the league’s history.
