Local Notes: All the latest news from Kiltimagh
Members of Bohola Foróige Club at Mayo Foróige Prom Ball 2025 in the Castlecourt Hotel in Westport. Picture: Alison Laredo
Renowned Kiltimagh-born poet Terry McDonagh will officially launch his newest poetry collection for children, ‘I Write Because…’, in his hometown on Friday, next, May 23rd. The event takes place at Kiltimagh Library at 11am and will feature participation from 5th-class pupils at St Aidan’s Primary School. The launch is open to all and promises to be a celebration of words, imagination, and youthful creativity.
Published by The Calendar Road Press, ‘I Write Because…’ is Terry’s 16th book and marks a new chapter in his commitment to engaging with younger readers. Written with children aged seven and up in mind, the collection draws on his decades of experience working in schools both in Ireland and abroad.
“I’ve been going to schools in a lot of different countries,” Terry explained. “Poems speak to kids an awful lot. I listen to children, and when I hear what they’re saying, I kind of write notes as they talk, and then turn them into little poems.”
One of the poems in the new book was inspired by a memory from his teaching days in an international school in Hamburg. Passing a particularly noisy classroom, he overheard the teacher jokingly shout “feral ragamuffins” at her delighted students. That teacher, he later discovered, was almost completely deaf but captivated her class through storytelling and lip-reading.
“Her class had a great atmosphere,” he remembered.
The book is priced at €10 and has been designed to be lightweight and easy to post - an intentional choice, as Terry plans to share it with schools abroad, including the international school in Bonn. He believes the collection will resonate with young readers there, just as it does here.
For Terry McDonagh, poetry is about people - not prestige. His work seeks connection, whether in a lively classroom, a quiet corner of a library, or a memory shared in verse.
The community is warmly invited to attend Friday’s launch and celebrate this new addition to Terry’s rich literary legacy.
Kiltimagh Knock United’s CMS Park is set to host another exciting summer of football as JC Coaching prepares to return for an eight-week Football Academy programme. Following the strong response over the last two years, the Academy will once again offer top-class coaching for young players during June, July and August.
The sessions will be delivered by UEFA and FAI-qualified coaches and are open to both boys and girls in the U10, U12 and U14 age groups. The initiative aims to help young players develop their skills, improve fitness, and enjoy the game in a fun and supportive environment.
To help gauge interest and tailor the programme to suit local demand, JC Coaching is inviting parents and guardians of players in these age brackets to complete a short online survey. The club is encouraging as many families as possible to take part in the survey to ensure another successful summer of football.
Full details of the academy, including dates and registration information, will be announced in the coming weeks. In the meantime, Kiltimagh Knock United and JC Coaching thank all parents for their continued support and look forward to another great season at CMS Park. The link to the survey can be found on the KKU social media pages.
There was a lively evening of cards in Kiltimagh last week as the latest 25 Card Game drew another great turnout.
Top honours on the night were shared, with four pairs finishing joint first: James Walsh and Paddy Carney, Flor Higgins and Colette Lavelle, Philip Moore and Jack Pigeon, and Martin Regan and Danny Doherty, all ending the night level on points.
The prize for the Last 10 was also shared between three pairs: John Gallagher and Brian McNulty, Ann Rowley and Geraldine Turbitt, and Kathleen Gill and John Walsh.
Mary and Jimmy Doyle took home the spot prize, while the raffle winners were Owen Maughan, Terence Maughan, Ciaran McDonnell and Seamus Larkin.
Local nature enthusiasts have been invited to Kiltimagh’s Emigrant Park for a River Moy catchment revitalisation event.
The event will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, May 21st, from 6.30 PM to 7.30pm, and is for all those with a love for the natural world to join in a conversation about the future of the River Moy Catchment.
The event, which will be held in the Willow Classroom at the Emigrant Park, aims to connect passionate individuals, fostering a shared vision for protecting and restoring this vital waterway. Participants will explore how a revitalised River Moy Trust can serve as an umbrella organisation, accessing funding and educating the community to work towards a common goal. This is an excellent opportunity to learn about water quality, biodiversity initiatives, and how people can contribute to the health of the River Moy and its surrounding environment.
To ensure a smooth event, please register via Eventbrite. The event is free to attend and presents a unique opportunity to join the conversation about revitalising the River Moy Catchment.
Kiltimagh Knock United has confirmed the withdrawal of its Men’s ‘B’ team from the Mayo League as the club contends with a challenging season both on and off the pitch. The decision, while not taken lightly, follows a difficult period for the club’s ‘A’ team and reflects broader issues that have impacted player availability and management capacity.
The club has struggled to field two competitive teams this season, with the Super League side currently sitting second from bottom in the table. While in most seasons this would signal automatic relegation, a reprieve might be on the cards. Under the current format, the team in that position may still retain its Super League status via a play-off against a Premier Division side.
A series of heavy defeats in recent weeks has underlined the pressure facing the first team, and the decision to withdraw the ‘B’ side was made in the interest of consolidating resources and focusing efforts on stabilising the senior squad.
A significant turnover of players in recent months is a key factor in the club’s current position. A number of experienced players, including Ronan Mallee and Niall Walsh, have retired, while others have emigrated or moved to different clubs. Adding to the difficulty, several promising younger players who might have made the step up have joined academy setups with Mayo FC, Sligo Rovers, and Longford Town. The club was simply unable to maintain the kind of numbers and consistency needed to run two senior teams.
As part of the restructuring, Alan Gough has stepped down as manager of the ‘A’ team. His place will now be taken by John Tarpey, who had been managing the ‘B’ side.
A spokesperson for the club thanked Alan Gough for his work with the club, describing him as courteous, easy to work with and very professional. The club extends best wishes to Alan in his future endeavours.
Gerry Groarke timed his run to perfection last week, claiming victory in the 15th and final round of the Spring Poker League at Teach O’Hora, and in doing so, secured the 12th and last automatic qualifying spot for the Grand Final.
Gerry’s win came against a strong field and capped off an intense few months of midweek action. Pat Boyle finished runner-up on the night, with Mossie O’Connell third and Dave Brennan in fourth. The other finalists on the evening were Paul Walsh (5th), Derry O’Sullivan (6th), Martin Regan (7th), Michael Higgins (8th), and John Reynolds (9th).
After almost four months of play, Isaac Boyle emerged as the league’s top performer. He finished with a total of 218 points, just one clear of Martin Regan, and will take the chip lead into the Grand Final. Enda Ruane (215), Michael Higgins (210), Keith Lydon (209), Michael Sheridan (205), Nicky Cunnane (203), Derry O’Sullivan (199), Paul Walsh (193), Pat Boyle (191), AN Other (177), and Gerry Groarke (171) make up the rest of the top 12 who will battle it out for the title and the prize pool of almost €2,200.
Two final spots remain and will be contested this Wednesday night, May 21st, in the last chance play-off, which is open to any player who has competed in at least five rounds of the league. A regular tournament will also take place on the night for all other players, both games getting underway at 8pm.
Looking ahead, the Summer League begins on Wednesday, May 28th, and will follow the usual 15-week format. Entry each night is €20, with one rebuy or add-on permitted for a further €20. Of each entry and rebuy, €5 goes towards the end-of-league prize pool, with the balance paid out nightly.
The Claremorris and District Lions Club is inviting senior citizens from Kiltimagh and surrounding areas to attend their annual Spring Party this Sunday, May 25th from 2.30 to 5pm at the Cúram Family Centre, Claremorris.
With music, refreshments, and a community raffle planned, the afternoon promises good company and a warm welcome. Admission is free, and the event is open to all.
The Lions Club is encouraging anyone with elderly friends, family or neighbours in the Kiltimagh area to help spread the word and ensure no one misses out on what is always a much-enjoyed community occasion.
Kiltimagh GAA’s 50/50 draw was won last week by Ruaidhrí and Nuada Corcoran, who shared a top prize of €704.
The club extended warm congratulations to the Corcorans and expressed its thanks to all who continue to enter the weekly draw. Whether online or in local venues, ticket sales are vital in keeping the club’s facilities and teams well supported.
Kiltimagh Knock United’s 50/50 jackpot was won last week by Siobhán Geraghty, who claimed €275. The club thanked Siobhán and all those who take part in the draw each week for their continued support.
Tickets remain on sale both online and through local sellers and businesses in the area. Proceeds from the draw go directly to the upkeep of the club and the development of its underage and senior teams.
A young footballer with strong Mayo roots has been named in the Republic of Ireland squad for the upcoming June friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg.
John Joe Patrick Finn, better known in football circles as John Patrick, has been a regular attendee at Kiltimagh Knock United’s CMS Park over the years and was part of an FAI summer camp at the venue a few years ago. He has been included following a string of impressive performances in France. The 21-year-old midfielder has made 14 appearances for Ligue 1 side Stade Reims since signing in January and is one of four new faces called into the Irish panel.
John Patrick’s connection to Mayo runs deep. His father, John Finn, who was from Ballyhaunis, emigrated to Madrid, where he met his Cameroonian wife. The couple raised their family in the Spanish capital, where John Patrick and his brother grew up.
Ireland will face Senegal at the Aviva Stadium on June 6, followed by Luxembourg on June 10, as part of their preparations for upcoming competitive fixtures. A spokesperson for Kiltimagh Knock United said the club was delighted with the news and expressed congratulations and best wishes to John Patrick in his Ireland career.
Kiltimagh will once again host the popular Race2Glory on Saturday, July 12th. Participants can choose between a 20km sprint course or the more demanding 40km full course, both featuring scenic trails, hills, river crossings, and a mix of running and cycling stages.
There are prizes across multiple categories, and the event promises fun for all ages, with food stalls, an epic BBQ, ice cream, coffee, and face painting at the finish line. Athletes will be well looked after too, with ice baths and physio support available. Whether you're racing or cheering from the sidelines, it's set to be a great day out!
To register, log on to www.race2glory.com.
Kiltimagh-based national organisation, the Federation for Victim Assistance, is holding a special draw for a €300 voucher to Center Parcs.
This is a bonus draw for anyone who buys a ticket for their main fundraising draw, which has a prize of a brand new Nissan Qashqai. The car draw will be held before Christmas.
To enter the draw for the Center Parcs voucher, simply buy a ticket for the car draw before June 1st. Tickets are €20 each or three for €50. Two draws for the price of one!
Center Parcs is an international holiday organisation and its only Irish location is set in 400 acres of beautiful historic forest, just five kilometres from Ballymahon, Co Longford. The Parc has plenty of activities, restaurants and accommodation options tucked away amongst the trees, offering everything you need for a perfect short break for all the family.
You could win on the double, and by supporting the draw, you are helping a really worthwhile cause in the process. Tickets are available from the Federation offices at Aiden Street, Kiltimagh, and online at www.victimassistance.ie.
The death has occurred of John Edward Regan of Cultibo, Claremorris, who passed away peacefully at home on Friday, May 9th, surrounded by his loving wife and children, following a brief illness.
John was predeceased by his parents Edward (Neil) and Mary, and his brother Tony. He will be greatly missed by his devoted wife Mary; sons Neil (Natalie), Seán (Ewa) and Anthony (Colette); daughters Caitríona (Lech), Rosaleen (Brendan), Siobhán and Aoibhe; brother Martin (Jerardine); sisters Christina Connor (the late John) and Marian Mulholland (Frank); sisters-in-law Janet Hunt and Anne Prendergast; his adoring grandchildren, nieces, nephews, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
John’s remains reposed at O’Hora’s Funeral Home, Kiltimagh on Sunday evening, May 11th. His Funeral Mass took place on Monday morning, May 12th, at 12 noon in the Church of Our Lady, Barnacarroll, followed by burial in Barnacarroll Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Sylvia Smith of Thornhill, Kiltimagh. Sylvia passed away peacefully after a brave battle with illness.
Sylvia will be deeply missed by her family and friends in Ireland, the UK and New Zealand, all of whom cherished her warmth, compassion and deep love for animals.
As per Sylvia’s wishes, a private and intimate farewell will be held with close family and friends.
May she rest in peace.
The death occurred on May 8th of Pauline Colman (nee Brennan), of Tower View, Meelick, Swinford and formerly of Kiltimagh.
Pauline will be deeply missed by her three loving daughters Cara, Kezia and Juliet, her beautiful grand-daughter Avaha, her brothers, sisters, family circle and friends.
A private cremation will take place at a later date.
May she rest in peace.
