Local Notes: All the news from Claremorris
At the Taugheen Community Council's Family Christmas Event were Mary and Richie Walsh with their grandchildren. Picture: Trish Forde
Claremorris lost two of its most successful and well-respected businessmen last week with the passing of Martin Gilligan and Tommy Higgins.
Martin was a quiet man who ran the family undertaking business so professionally while Tommy was involved in a positive way in many aspects of business and life in the town.
Martin Gilligan died after a long illness, very bravely borne. He was a widely respected undertaker and publican, following in the footsteps of his father, Mattie, and previous generations of the Gilligan family who have been in business in Claremorris since 1826.
Martin also served as Fire Chief at the local station until his retirement in 2016, and received a medal for distinguished service from Seamus Murphy, Chief Fire Officer, to mark that occasion.
Quiet, hard-working and self-effacing by nature, Martin was devoted to his family and, like his father before him, always showed extraordinary kindness and understanding in dealing with the families of the bereaved, whom he served with such distinction and sensitivity until just a few weeks ago.
His loss is immeasurable to all who knew him, to those who counted him a friend, but most of all to his family who will remember a kind and loving son, brother, husband and father.
Martin will be remembered not only for his professionalism but also for his kindness, concern and gentleness, quietly and calmly guiding and consoling the bereaved in their time of need.
Martin, of Ashford Court, was predeceased by his father Mattie and is survived by his wife Olive, daughter Anna, son Matthew, mother Pat, sister Margaret, sister in-law, brother in-law, nephews, extended family and friends.
Funeral Mass was held at St Colman’s Church with private cremation due to take place at a later date.
Tommy Higgins established Green Stores on the Ballyhaunis Road and later the Dalton Inn. Many a good night was enjoyed in Eyecatchers Nightclub, another of his ventures. Tommy was a hard worker, with extensive farming operations and a huge herd of cattle.
He was a great supporter of drama, especially the Claremorris Players Drama Group. He provided transport to the group, using his own van to transport sets and props all over Ireland as part of the drama festivals held nationwide. He was part of the backroom team when the Claremorris Players won the All-Ireland Open Final in Athlone. He also helped the group to win the Confined All-Ireland Finals in Gorey.
When the new Town Hall was opened. both Tommy and his late wife, Kathleen, were deeply involved in its development and the setting up of the Drama Festival in the town.
The first swimming pool in Claremorris was the "tub" which was situated in the GAA premises in Courthouse Road in the late 1960s. Tommy was involved in the transportation of the structure to the town. A modern pool in Dalton Street was built in the 1970s. This was in turn replaced by the present-day Leisure Centre in recent years.
Tommy was a great mentor for various businesses and was happy to take part in a documentary this writer made for RTÉ Radio One’s Doc on One series on Nancy Murphy and the bombing of Claremorris Town Hall.
Tommy, of Clare, Claremorris, died peacefully after a short illness in the wonderful care of the Mayo Hospice. He was predeceased by his son Brian, wife Kathleen, infant sons Robert and Patrick, sisters and brother. He is survived by his daughters Florence (Devane), Betty (Murphy), Catherine (Langan), Patricia (Kean), Nicola (Lally) and his sons Jerry and Karl, sister Flor McBride and sister-in-law Anne Walsh, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, cousins, nieces and nephews, sons-in-law, daughters-in law, neighbours and many friends.
Tommy was laid to rest in Ballinasmalla Cemetery after Funeral Mass in St Colman’s Church, Claremorris.
One of the most popular country singers in the country, Mick Mulhern, from Ballyvary, has announced a concert in the McWilliam Park Hotel on Saturday, January 25th. Joining Mick on the night will be Tony Allen of Foster and Allen fame, Gerry Guthrie, PJ Murrihy and Eunice Moran. The Ryan Turner Band will provide the music.
Mick has a great rapport with audiences, with his yarns and jokes adding humour to the enjoyment of the night. He has two successful albums to his credit, and his songs are amongst the most requested on commercial radio stations throughout the country.
Tickets for Mick’s show can be purchased from the McWilliam Park Hotel or by telephoning 083-8163158. More ticket information is available from the website, www.mickmulhern.com.
Claremorris South Responder Group extends its heartfelt gratitude to Eddie Sweeney from Castlebar, as well as James and Siobhan, from Murray Ambulance Service in Castlebar, for their generous donation of a fully stocked first aid bag to the group. This contribution is invaluable and greatly appreciated.
"We are truly thankful for your support, which enables us to better serve the community," they said.
The understands that a large number of submissions have been made to Mayo County Council regarding the proposal to close a number of junctions on to the N17 between Ballindine and Knock.
The proposals were a response by Mayo County Council to a number of fatal accidents that have occurred on that stretch of the road during the past year. Critics of the proposals have said that the existence of the junctions was not the problem and that it was inconsistent to virtually seal off one part of the N17 road while the remainder of the road retained its junctions. Critics have also said that the closure of the roads would force much more traffic through the town, risking public safety rather than protecting it.
Independent Cllr Richard Finn said that there were other options besides closing all the proposed junctions.
“There’s nothing wrong with a lot of these junctions as they are. We’re not the guardians of the traveller on the road, and neither is Mayo County Council or the gardaí for that matter. People have to take responsibility for their own driving behaviour.
"I have had numerous callers to my office objecting to this plan on all sorts of grounds, from the congestion and the safety risk of bringing the traffic back in through the town to environmental grounds. More traffic in the town will produce more harmful emissions in a busy town like Claremorris.”
Cllr Finn said he highlighted these concerns to the road engineering team of Mayo Co Council when they first mentioned the possibility of these proposals. The response he has had, he said, confirmed his belief that the people were against the closure of many of these junctions.
Cllr Finn said he was recently re-elected to represent the people of the area and to take on board all their concerns.
“I will always do that,” Cllr Finn said, “whatever their wishes are.”
This newspaper understands that the next step is a technical review of the submissions, and that a report with recommendations will be prepared and presented at the next municipal district meeting, which will probably be in February. The council was unable to comment on the submissions until the report is published, as it is a legal process, similar to a planning permission.
The eighth edition of , the annual journal of Claremorris Historical Society, was launched on Friday, November 22nd, by historian and genealogist Gerard Delaney in Claremorris Library.
This year’s edition contains a wide variety of fascinating articles relating to people and places associated with Claremorris and its history, as well as the usual selection of photographs from the Main Street Gathering Page.
Priced at just €10, and featuring many rare photographs, will once again make an ideal Christmas gift for Claremorris people at home and abroad. There is good news also that An Post have reduced their postal prices so the rates are as follows: Ireland €2.95, Britain €7, USA/ Canada €11.00 and Australia €15.00. The book is available from all the usual outlets.
Michael Keane was the winner of the Claremorris GAA Club’s weekly 50/50 draw. Michael bought his ticket in O’Brien’s and won €1,010.
The hamper winners were Vinny Joyce, Jack Fleming and Conor Casby. The fourth hamper was won by Casey Mai, Pat and Robert Dowd.
Congratulations to Kean’s department store, which has won the United Hardware Store of the Year award. The award was presented in Kilkenny last week.
Kean’s is a fabulous shop with a tremendous product range and recently opened an extension which would, of itself, make a fine shop.
Claremorris Swim Club presented Mary McHugh-Murphy, of Daisy Lodge, Cong, with a cheque for €758 - the proceeds of the Festive Fundraiser in Tesco Shopping Centre.
Swimmers Isabella Duggan, Bria Baek, Tom Cosgrove and Seán Navin made the presentation. The club expresses its thanks to all who helped and donated.
Megan Commins from Garrymore is running the Dublin City Marathon next October to raise funds and awareness for Childline by ISPCC. As part of her fundraising efforts for next year's Dublin City Marathon, Megan is holding a 5k Run/Walk this New Year’s Eve, Tuesday, December 31st at 12 noon. Registration takes place at 11am in Garrymore. The cost is €10 for adults with a family rate of €20.
There will be refreshments afterwards. Anyone who would like to make a donation to this great cause, you can do so at www.eventmaster.ie.
Davitts GAA Club recently produced a book to celebrate 50 years of the club, and the book would make an ideal Christmas gift.
The 260-page book, which was compiled by Joe Reapy, covers the club’s history, including brief accounts of pre-1974 events and reports on approximately 380 games over the past five decades, which should bring back memories for many ‘older’ readers. It will give some younger readers and future generations a better idea of Davitts’ proud history. It also features contributions from 28 people from the club, sharing personal anecdotes and reflections.
This special edition 50th anniversary book is a must have for supporters of Davitts GAA and Gaelic football! Packed with memories, photos, and stories, it’s the ideal Christmas present for anyone who cherishes the legacy of the club. There is a link on the club’s website, davittsgaa.com, and social media to enable online purchases.
The book is on sale in the Spar and Centra shops and Healthcare West Pharmacy in Ballindine; and Daly’s Newsagents, Hillside Service Station and SuperValu in Claremorris. The book is priced at €30.
The annual St Stephen's Day match between Ballindine and Irishtown for the Michael Mooney Memorial Cup will be held in Davitt Park, with a 1pm throw-in.
This year's game will be contested by two teams, consisting of players over the age of 25, who are currently not members of Davitts' senior team panel.
All proceeds from the game will be going to former Davitts footballer, Martin Cosgrove, who is suffering from Primary Lateral Sclerosis, a rare neurological disease, and is now confined to a wheelchair. Any donation, big or small, to the fund would be greatly appreciated and the match promises to be very sporting and competitive.
The 14th edition of Roundfort, Robeen and Carras Parish Magazine is on sale now. The magazine is only €10, which is great value and a lovely gift for Christmas.
The magazine has 256 pages of stories, history, poetry and photography from the past, different clubs and schools, local stories. It remembers people who have passed and people from the parish living away. The magazine costs €10 and is on sale in local shops including Hollymount Stores.
Season's greetings are extended to all our readers and to all the people who submitted items for publication. Please note that the next issue of the will be in the shops on Christmas Eve.
