Local Notes: All the latest news from Swinford
At the official opening of Kilkelly Community Centre were, from left: Mary Caulfield, Jamie Hunt, Mary Teresa Duffy, Minister Dara Calleary TD and Cllr John Caulfield. Picture: James Hunt Photography
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted by email to ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call, text or WhatsApp to 087-7694781 (after 6pm).
The deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm each Wednesday.
As well as staging the John B Keane classic in Cloonacool Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 21st, 22nd and 23rd, Cloonacool Players have been invited to appear at St Brigid's Hall in Tubbercurry during the Western Drama Festival on Tuesday, March 4th.
The cast and crew are delighted and look forward to entertaining audiences in both venues. Laughs galore are guaranteed.
A seven-a-side tournament is being run in conjunction with Swinford FC’s Jungle Fundraiser to help raise funds for the club. This will be held on Bank Holiday Monday, February 3rd.
Please contact Peter at 087-9048284 or Aiden at 089-2493997 for further details.
Congratulations to Joe Parsons who won €800 in the Killasser Community Centre 50/50 Draw in December.
Iseult Kerviche and Sarah Scully won spot prizes of €100 each.
The January draw takes place on Friday, January 31st.
Weekly active retirement meetings have resumed in the Golf Clubhouse on Mondays from 2 to 4pm. New and existing members are always welcome.
Swinford Go Getters/Activator Pole Walking in the Cultural Centre on Thursdays at 10.30am. All welcome.
Isabel Gallagher’s ‘Artistic Impressions of Mayo and Beyond’ exhibition will run from February 1st to February 26th in the Clew Bay Hotel, Westport.
The official opening on Saturday, February 1st, at 7.30pm, will be performed by film director Breege Rowley, and 25% of all sales will go to CJ’s Rainbow Charity (Oscars Kids and Helping Hands).
Isabel Gallagher is a passionate artist who has been painting for over 20 years. Originally from Dublin, Isabel moved to Swinford with her family in 1995 where she found her love for painting.
With no formal training, her talent blossomed as she captured the breathtaking landscapes, seascapes, sunrises, and sunsets that surround us. Her work often blends vibrant colours in unexpected ways, bringing the beauty of nature to life.
Isabel also enjoys exploring abstract art, allowing her creativity to flow wherever inspiration takes her.
This exhibition showcases a mix of Mayo’s iconic scenery and Isabel’s imaginative creations, reflecting both her deep connection to the local landscape and her boundless artistic spirit. For further information, contact isabelish1@gmail.com.
Isabel is wished every success with the exhibition.
The next meeting of Swinford Book Club will take place on February 19th at 3.30pm in Swinford Library. The book by Abraham Verghese, will be discussed. New members always welcome.
The Connacht Ceol an Gheimhridh will take place on Saturday, February 15th, in Swinford. Best of luck to all who qualified.
Congratulations to Michael Davitt Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann branch members John Greene, Emily O’Brien, Roisin Sheerin and Beth Ní Neachtain.
The annual general meeting of Killasser Community Centre will take place on Friday, January 31st, at 8pm. All welcome.
Swinford GAA membership registration is now open for players and non-players on www.foireann.ie. All players must register ahead of restarting training without exception.
Any problems, contact Swinford GAA registrar, Trish at Registrar.Swinford.Mayo@gaa.ie.
In conjunction with the Swinford FC Jungle Challenge, Paul Halligan will climb Croagh Patrick on Sunday, February 23rd, at 10am. Paul would love it if as many people as possible joined him for the climb.
Donations can be made on www.idonate.ie, search 'PaulHalligan'. All support will be greatly appreciated.
Congratulations to Dylan Murphy who was last week's winner of the Swinford GAA 50/50 draw, winning €541.
The winner of the recovery session at Galvin Holistic Health was John Grady.
Thanks to everyone for your continued support.
Congratulations to Tom Hanley, Dun na Rí, who was the jackpot winner in the Swinford Community Lotto Draw held on January 20th when the numbers drawn were 2, 5, 19 and 21.
Vouchers valued at €70 were won by Martin O'Brien, Castleroyan and John Henry, Charlestown; €35 was won by Padraig Noone, Swinford; Shane Gallagher, Cloonfinaune; Marie Mellett, Swinford; Luke Kilroy, Carrownacross; Evelyn Tuohy, Castlebar; Shauna Sheedy, Collagh; Anthony Hanley, Killasser and Deborah Convey, Killasser.
The jackpot is now €3,000.
The results from the card game played in Swinford Golf Clubhouse on Thursday, January 16th, was: 1st, 2nd and 3rd was shared between Margaret Sweeney, Noel Feeney, Gerry Ronayne, Philip Irwin, Michael O’Neill and Peter Geraghty.
Raffle prizes were won by Phyllis Bredican, Noel Feeney, Francis Rowley and Ann Rowley.
The game continues every Thursday night at 9pm.
Sympathy is extended to the families and friends of Martin Sheerin, Culmore; Nora Sheridan, Letterkenny (mother of Ellen Moran, Kilkelly Road); Kathleen O’Connor, Tralee (sister of Mary McLoughlin, Ashgrove); Anne Morris (nee Brogan), Oxford, United Kingdom and formerly of Carracanada; Paddy Doherty, Foxford (brother of Mairead Brady, Cloonygowan).
May they rest in peace.
Killasser Parish Bingo will be held on Sunday, February 9th, in the Turf Shed. First house at 8pm. All welcome.
The Rosary will be recited at Cloonfinish Shrine on the first Saturday of each month starting on St Bridget’s Day, Saturday, February 1st, at 3pm. All welcome.
After nearly a year out due to injury, Michaela Walsh was back in action at the AAI Games in the National Indoor Arena in Dublin, winning first in the Shot Putt. Well done and welcome back, Michaela.
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Kilmovee
Kilmovee Shamrocks GAA Club is setting up a Bord na nÓg wing to oversee the running of underage football in the club.
Input from parents/guardians of children involved in the club is vital for this committee to be successful.
A meeting will be held in the Clubhouse on Tuesday, January 28, at 8pm. The club is urging as many as possible to attend to assist in getting Bord na nÓg up and running.
Bingo is held in Kilmovee Community on Sunday evenings at 8.30pm.
The jackpot is €1,100 on 49 calls or less and the house lotto is €440 on four correct numbers. There is also a 50/50 draw with a guaranteed winner every week.
The committee wishes to thank the patrons who support the bingo weekly or indeed less frequently. Your support is greatly appreciated.
Parish priest Fr Joseph Gavigan is interested in setting up an altar society in Kilmovee.
Eight people have already volunteered to get involved and another four to six people are required to make the running of an altar society more efficient.
If you can help, please contact Fr Joseph on 086-1605373. He wishes to express his most sincere thanks to Leona Duffy and Geraldine Duffy for their commitment thus far.
Fr Joseph also wishes to remember in our prayers the late Marie Regan, Egool, for her commitment to her role as sacristan for many years prior to her passing.
May she rest in peace.
Eucharistic Adoration resumes this coming week as follows: Monday - Kilmovee from 10am to 12 noon, Glann from 4pm to 8pm; Wednesday - Urlaur from 7pm to 8pm; Thursday - Kilkelly from 10am to 2pm.
The first Cois Tine Night of 2025 will take place on Monday, February 10th, in Kilmovee Community Centre.
All are welcome to join us for live music, song, dance, home-baked goods, and a raffle. Doors open at 8pm.
Admission is free. All musicians, dancers and storytellers are welcome.
The death took place recently in Philadelphia in the United States of Mary P. Colleran (nee Moffitt).
Mary was born in Charlestown, the eldest of five children. When Mary finished school, like most of her friends, she emigrated to Philadelphia where it was home away from home for her with her Aunt Bea, Uncle Mike and cousins.
She soon adapted to the American way of life and was very happy, but Mary never forgot her roots. She made many visits home to her beloved Charlestown. She wrote letters regularly and always included a few dollars in them and, of course, she sent parcels for special occasions.
Later, her sister Kathleen, brother Tommy and sister Attracta joined her in Philadelphia.
Mary loved to cook, and she was known for her Irish style of cooking.
She was a devout Catholic. Her faith was very important to her. She loved the Miraculous Medal and attended the Monday novena on a weekly basis.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Jimmy, her parents, John and Margaret Moffitt, brothers Tommy and Val, sister Kathleen Boyle and nephew Michael. She is survived by her sister Attracta, sister-in-law Phyllis, brother-in-law Joe, nieces, nephews, cousins, neighbours and friends.
Mass of the Resurrection took place on Thursday, January 16, followed by interment in Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Philadelphia.
Sympathy is extended to all who are bereaved by her passing.
Due to the recent cold weather and the subsequent thaw, the Group Water Scheme committee have noticed that there is increased water usage in most areas of the network due to burst water pipes.
They would urge each member to please check their water connection for leakage and to repair it immediately if found so as to avoid high water bills in June.
The annual general meeting of Kilmovee Swimming Pool Committee will take place on Wednesday, February 5th, in the Thatch Cottage, Kilmovee Community Centre at 8pm.
They are looking for more volunteers and support this year to ensure the pool can open and run smoothly during the summer months. Please attend the AGM and show your commitment and support to a very valuable amenity enjoyed by so many from the community and surrounding areas.
Kilmovee Parents' Association are delighted to announce the commencement of the Deposit Return Scheme fundraising initiative for Kilmovee National School.
They have set a target of €950 and plan to provide an all-weather outdoor space for the children to enjoy. This will include an outdoor classroom, outdoor activity equipment, and a mini Kilmovee Community Play Village!
Please help by donating your bottles and cans to reach this goal. Plastic bottles and aluminium cans with the Re-Turn logo can be dropped into the Re-Turn bin, which will be left inside the school gate at the bus dro- off point each Monday only between 9am and 2.30pm.
This is a great way to support your local national school.
