Local Notes: All the latest news from Kiltimagh
The overall winner of the Joe Leavy Memorial Trophy at Balla Golf Club recently was Billy O'Donnell, who is presented with his prize by Una Leavy Kirrane and Mary Kirrane Carney. Picture: Trish Forde
The redevelopment of Gilmartin Park, home of Kiltimagh GAA Club, is nearing completion and is set to open in the summer. The project includes a new 242-seat cantilever stand, two floodlit training areas, and a realigned main pitch.
To help reduce its debt, the club has launched an innovative fundraising initiative, the Sponsor a Seat campaign. For a sponsorship fee of €350, individuals can have a seat in the new stand named in their own name, their family’s name, or in memory of a loved one. The sponsorships are offered on a first-come, first-serve basis, with a random allocation through an open draw.
This ambitious project aims to transform the club’s facilities, providing top-tier amenities for both players and supporters. Years in the making, the development reflects the dedication and vision of the club’s members, coaches, and the local community. It has been a collective effort, with players, coaches, and volunteers all playing an essential role.
The total cost of the redevelopment is expected to exceed €500,000. Some of the funds have been raised through previous initiatives, while the club has also secured €182,000 from two sports capital grants and €39,000 from the Connacht GAA Council.
Kiltimagh GAA is in a unique position, facing challenges due to a small catchment area and fewer local businesses compared to nearby towns. The surrounding clubs of Moy Davitts, Balla, Mayo Gaels, Claremorris, Swinford and Aghamore draw from much larger areas. Despite these challenges, the club offers football to players of all ages, from under-4s to senior level, catering to both male and female players.
In addition to sports development, the club recently adopted a ‘Healthy Club’ policy focused on promoting well-being, mental health, and healthy living. Led by health and wellbeing officer Karen Forkan, the club is actively discouraging smoking and vaping on its premises, setting a positive example for young athletes.
When Gilmartin Park was unavailable during the works, the club collaborated with local schools to provide training spaces. St Louis Community School and the National School made their pitches available during the summer months, which eased pressure on the club’s own facilities. The club has expressed its gratitude to the schools’ principals and boards of management for their ongoing support.
Anyone interested in sponsoring a seat in the new Kiltimagh GAA stand should contact the club via email at kiltimaghgaaseats@gmail.com or reach out to any member of the executive.
Roddy Doyle’s ‘The Snapper,’ a full-length comedy play, will make its debut in Kiltimagh, on February 13th 14th and 15th. The play will be performed by Clann Machua Drama Group in Kiltimagh Town Hall Theatre and this will be the first time the play has ever been performed in Mayo.
‘The Snapper’ is set in the late 1980s. It is the story of Sharon Rabbitte, a 20-year-old living with her parents who becomes pregnant after an encounter with a man she’d rather forget. She refuses to tell anyone who the father is. She decides to keep the child and slowly starts to tell her family and friends. She quickly becomes the talk of the town and there is much discussion on who the identity of the father could be. That is until one unlikely candidate starts to come to the fore.
This is Clann Machu’s entry into the All-Ireland 3-Act Drama Circuit for 2025. The group will perform in festivals in Clare, Laois, Kildare, Cork Galway and Tipperary in their quest to qualify for the All-Ireland Finals which will be held in Claremorris in April.
Early booking for the Kiltimagh shows is advisable. Tickets are available on Eventbrite.
Kiltimagh Pickleball Club is looking for new members and people to try the game. They play in Barnacarroll Sports Complex on Saturday mornings, from 10.40 am to 11.40am.
Pickleball is a paddle sport played on a badminton-size court that combines elements of tennis, badminton, and table tennis. Players use solid paddles and a plastic ball with holes. The paddles are usually made from wood or composite materials. Pickleball is typically played to 11 points, and a team must win by two points. Points can only be scored by the serving team. It can be played as singles or doubles, with doubles being more common. Playing pickleball can improve cardiovascular fitness, hand-eye coordination, and social interaction, making it a fun way to stay active. If you’d like to give pickleball a go, you can contact Teresa on 089-4841267.
Knock volleyball player, Arron Hughes, was part of the Irish team that fought back from being 0-2 down in sets against Northern Ireland to win the bronze medal at the 5 Nations tournament in Kettering, England, last week. The 23-year-old plays for Mayo Volleyball Club and has appeared for the Kiltimagh/Knock United soccer team in the past. The Mayo club trains in Barnacarroll and Aghamore community centres and have been playing for the past three years.
Aaron’s next opportunity to play for Ireland will be a tournament on St Patrick’s Day and an international competition later in the year.
Geri Sidhu was the winner of the Kiltimagh GAA club’s 50/50 jackpot last week. Geri won €588 in the draw which took place in O’Hora’s.
The Kiltimagh Women’s Group will hold a social evening in the Park Hotel, on Monday, January 20th, at 6pm. All are welcome.
Kiltimagh GAA Healthy Clubs are excited to participate in the annual Ireland Lights Up and Irish Life Steps Challenge for 2025.
A weekly group walk will take place on Mondays from 7.30pm at Kiltimagh GAA Pitch. Everyone is welcome to join and can walk at their own pace, get some steps in and have a chat along the way. The club wisely advises participants to wear Hi-vis clothing and dress appropriately for the weather.
The club asks people to sign up on the MyLife digital app, by downloading the MyLife App, opening it and selecting select Social, then Challenges, then Pending. After that select Connacht - Every Step Counts 2025 and Join. Select Kiltimagh GAA and LGFA as your club. Any club that hits the 4,000km distance over five weeks will be entered into a draw to win a share of €30,000 - there'll be three donations of €2,500 towards club funding in Connacht up for grabs as well.
The Mayo Women's League is holding its first Masters League next February/March and Kiltimagh Knock United will be part of that journey. The club would like to hear from anyone over 30 who is interested in taking part. Further information is available by messaging the Kiltimagh Knock United Facebook page, or by WhatsApp to Dee on 087-9291577.
Bridge is held in the Park Hotel every Tuesday at 7.30pm. The next session will be in early January. The club is open to new members joining at any time. Casual pairs are also welcome. Bridge classes are available for beginners and anybody interested can contact John McCrohan on 087-2422945.
The winner of the Kiltimagh Knock United 50/50 lotto draw last week was Carole Duffy from Aghamore. Carole won a jackpot of €225. The club thanks all who supported the draw. Tickets are available online and from most local retail outlets.
The fifteenth and final round of the Winter Poker League will be played in Teach O'Hora this Wednesday night, January 16th, after which the top twelve players qualify for the Grand Final.
There will be a last-chance play-off tournament on January 23rd for all other players with the top two also going through to the final. In last Wednesday night's tournament, the winners were Gerry Groarke and Martin Regan who shared first and second prizes. Third prize was won by Enda Ruane.
Anne Dingerkus (nee Howley) of Ardacarha, Bohola and formerly of Market Street, Swinford, who died peacefully last week at Mayo University Hospital, was a former German and English teacher at St Louis Community School. Anne was surrounded by her loving family and was predeceased by her brother Michael and sister Mary.
Anne will be sadly missed by her loving husband Herbert, daughters Isolde and Karina, sister Margaret, son-in-law Richard, Isolde’s partner Martin, four grandchildren, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nephews, nieces, neighbours and friends.
Anne’s Funeral Mass was held in the Church of the Immaculate Conception and St Joseph, Bohola.
May she rest in peace.
St Louis Community School has announced a programme of evening classes to commence this month.
Hobby courses offered are as follows: Bridge for Beginners on Tuesdays from 6.30 to 8.30pm, which will run for 10 weeks and the cost is €90. Photography on Wednesdays from 7 to 8pm for six weeks (€70).
English as an Additional Language will run on Wednesdays from 7 to 8pm for six weeks (€70); Conversational Irish on Tuesdays from 6:30 to 8.30pm for six weeks (€70).
A Level 5 QQI award course in Care Skills and Care of the Older Person (two qualifications) will be offered online. The course fee is €420. An SNA level 5 online course is also on offer. The fee is €350.
A Palliative Care Support and Infection Prevention and Control (two qualifications) online course is available with a cost of €350. A Level 5 online course on Bookkeeping, Manual and Payroll Manual Computerised (two qualifications) is on offer with a course fee of €350.
A 10-week, Level 6 QQI SNA in-person class will start on January 28th running from 7 to 9:30pm. The cost is €380. Courses will run subject to demand.
Further information is available by ringing the course co-ordinator on 089-4952090 or by email at adulteducation@stlouiscs.com
The death occurred on January 6th of Mary Durkan (nee Ward), of Lusk, Co Dublin and formerly of Carrandine, Balla.
Mary died peacefully in Hamilton Park Nursing Home after a long illness. Mary was the former principal of St Teresa’s NS, Balbriggan, and was predeceased by her husband Gerry and her brother Paddy Ward. Mary will be sadly missed by her sons Garrett, Mark, Michael and Jarlath, six grandchildren, and her brothers John and Michael, sister Kathleen, daughters-in-law Donna, Tiffany, Mitzie May and Amy, nieces, nephews, extended family and friends.
Mary was laid to rest in Whitestown Cemetery after Funeral Mass in St MacCullin’s Church, Lusk.
May she rest in peace.
