Local Notes: Betty Hassett celebrates her 102nd birthday.
Betty Hasset pictured with her daughters Michele and Sharon on the occasion of her 102nd birthday which she celebrated in St Attracta’s Residence Hagfield, Charlestown recently
Congratulations to Betty Hassett, Airport Road, Charlestown, who celebrated her 102nd birthday in St Attracta’s Residence recently. Betty remains a remarkable lady who has packed so much into her 102 years. St Attracta’s Residence pulled out all the stops to make it a birthday to savour with her daughters Annette, Michele and Sharon all in attendance along with members of her extended family.
Betty is the oldest person residing in the community and continues to defy father time in her own inimitable fashion. She retains a tremendous zest for life which is a quality that served her so well as she navigated her way through the many challenges and obstacles that were thrown at her on a daily basis. Her mind remains fully intact and sharp with her powers of recognition and ability to recall dates, times and events absolutely astounding which is a testimony to her tenacity, spirit and resilience as she continues to take each day on its merits and enjoy it for what it’s worth.
Betty knew the value of a hard day’s work for a good day’s pay having ran the Old Premier Guest House on The Square for the best part of forty years with her late husband Johnny. Betty grafted hard and was renowned for her work ethic which stood her in good stead as she provided the general public with the best in terms of service, food and hospitality. She enjoyed her retirement years and found a new passion for her boundless energy as she joined the local Active Retirement Association and became a key cog in its growth and development having served as secretary for any number of years. She went on all the trips the association organised and was heavily involved in the planning of the same. She continues to exercise her brain by doing the daily crossword which has been a pet project and hobby of hers for more years than one cares to remember. Her determination to complete it and fill in every clue remains resolute as she continues to sample out of that font of life that has been so good and rewarding to her.
There was a cake produced to commemorate the occasion with the staff of St Attracta’s Residence going all out to make it another special day in the life of an incredible lady who is some advert for 102. We wish Betty continued good health and happiness in the coming year and more milestones of this nature in the future as she occupies a special place in the hearts and minds of so many who love and admire her.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €15,200 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, January 26, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 6, 9, 15, 29. The winners of the €50 weekly prizes were Gavin Meenan and Ruby Evie Mulligan.
The latest jackpot increased to €15,300 and the draw was held on Sunday night, February 3.
Tubbercurry here we come. As well as staging MOLL in Cloonacool on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, February 21, 22 and 23 respectively at 8pm, Cloonacool Players have been invited to appear at St. Brigid’s Hall. Tubbercurry during the Western Drama Festival on Tuesday, March 4 also at 8pm. The cast and crew are delighted and look forward to entertaining audiences in both venues with laughs galore guaranteed. Don’t miss this hilarious comedy – a real tonic.
Congratulations are extended to Jessica Casey, daughter of Declan and Michelle Casey, Main Street, Charlestown, who received ATU`s Academic Excellence Award in recognition of her achievement of securing 550 CAO points in her 2024 Leaving Certificate examination. Jessica`s achievement was recognised at an awards ceremony on campus in ATU Sligo on January 21 last and it was a proud day for her and her parents Declan and Michelle.
Jessica is quite the talented sports lady as she’s currently on the books of Sligo Rovers FC and has re-signed for the 2025 season which is an indication of her burgeoning talent and ability as she gets ready to don the bit of red colours for the fourth season in a row. She’s also a talented GAA player having represented Mayo at underage level, has also played for the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA club at all grades and levels. Jessica has a bright future ahead of her in whatever she chooses to pursue on the sporting fields and in the academic world with her academic achievements also seeing secure a bursary to help her in her studies which also saw her receive a bespoke handmade trophy created by Eoin Kirwan, a graduate of ATU’s Connemara campus. She is wished well in her academic studies and continued good luck on the sporting fields as she marries academic and sporting excellence rather seamlessly it would seem. She’s obviously a chip of the old block and has inherited all of her Dad’s sporting and academic genes which were quite considerable it must be said!!
Caiseal Gaels Hurling Club are holding their dinner dance in the Yeats County Inn, Curry on Saturday, February 8, with doors open at 7pm. Tickets cost €35 and they can be had/booked by contacting Gerry on 087 9705488 or Finbarr on 083 1852310. The club have been steadily rising through the hurling ranks at underage and junior level in the county in the course of the last decade or so and are a real force at all levels with their junior team continuing to make great strides as they look to build on the successes they have enjoyed at underage level since their formation. The dance is sure to draw a large crowd to the Yeats County Inn as Caiseal Gaels have a strong membership and support base who are sure to turn out in big numbers as they look back on another successful year at all levels in a club that continues to grow and flourish and attract players from all corners of the community.
The Charlestown Sarsfields GAA club wish to remind their many annual lotto ticket holders that their tickets are up for renewal in the coming weeks. The ticket continues to be a huge boon for the club and provides them with a valuable and crucial source of income as they look to meet and pay the many bills which come to their doors at the start of every new year. The ticket price will remain at €70 for the coming season which makes for terrific value as with the weekly ticket retailing at €2 the annual ticket holder gets the ticket for far less than the retail value hence why they have proved so popular over the years. The same format applies where you select any 4 numbers out of 36 and these become your numbers for each weekly draw with a significant number of weekly winners coming from the annual ticket cohort.
The ticket has been a very important part of the club’s revenue stream for any number of years and the club’s executive are hoping for a big uptake on the 2025 version and very much appreciate all who sign up and subscribe as they look to increase the number of ticket holders for the new season.
Anyone interested in purchasing a ticket can do so by contacting any member of executive or log onto the Charlestown Sarsfields Facebook or website which contains a number of links that you can follow to facilitate online payment. The online forum has proved particularly popular in recent years as this allows the diaspora to play the weekly lotto and lend their support to the club from far away places and shores. The club are keenly aware of the demands that are placed on households at the start of any year with bills coming through the doors and prices sky rocketing but they have always gotten fantastic support from the community and general public with regard to their annual ticket and greatly appreciate all support they receive as they continue to provide the best in terms of facilities and coaching for the many players who come through their doors at all grades and genders.
Well done to Sarsfields star Paul Towey who started Mayo’s first league outing of 2025 against Dublin in Croke Park recently. Paul lined out at centre half forward and acquitted himself well scoring two nice points in the first half with one in particular a beautiful effort as Mayo, after a slow start, finished the second quarter like a train to come from seven points down at one stage to lead by two at the interval. Mayo tailed off somewhat in the second half however as they snatched at chances and struggled to stem the hard running of the Dubs middle sector who ran lanes through the Mayo defence at times. Mayo hung in however as Dublin never quite delivered the knockout punch but Towey and the Mayo forward line found scores much harder to come back in the second half as all Mayo could manage was five white flags which was never going to be enough to down the home side.
There were some promising displays from a number of lads in the red and green with Towey once again showing his eye for a score. He will be hoping he did enough to secure the jersey for a tough run of games in an ultra competitive division with Galway up next in McHale Park which should be enough to get the red and green juices flowing with home wins absolutely vital in a division that’s most unforgiving to put it mildly. Hopefully Paul will get a run of games in the league to showcase his undoubted scoring ability as he and Mayo look to bounce back and secure a few victories in the next tough run of games.
St. Joseph’s Community College, Charlestown, enjoyed a terrific run in the All-Ireland U19 Basketball Championships recently making it all the way to the semi-finals which was an unbelievable achievement for the school. Their run was ended, ironically enough, by near neighbours down the road, St Attracta’s College (Tubbercurry) with the South Sligo school prevailing on a score line of 43-30 in a thrilling contest played at the National Basketball Arena, Dublin.
The St. Joseph’s girls did their families, the school, their coaches and the local cubs club proud at the manner of their splendid performances which caught the imagination of many seasoned and well informed basketball followers. They played with skill, imagination and no little style as they navigated their way to the quarter-finals taking out some much fancied teams along the way. The fact that the semi-final draw pitted them against near neighbours St Attracta’s Community College, Tubbercurry, proved coincidental to say the least with the Tubbercurry college containing lots of girls with local connections all of whom play and are registered members of the Charlestown Cubs Basketball Club.
The Tubbercurry school proved too strong on the night but only after they were pushed all the way by a determined and tenacious St Joseph’s Community College side who battled with commendable spirit and courage right to the final hooter. Hats off to the girls and their coaches who had them in tip-top shape as they extracted the maximum out of a very hard working and willing group of girls who can be proud of their wonderful displays on the day as they flew the St Joseph’s Community College flag with honour and no little virtue. Another stellar day for St Joseph’s Community College on the sporting front as they continue to uphold a wonderful tradition of punching well above their weight and competing with and beating schools with far bigger numbers and resources.
There was a good turnout at the weekly bridge game held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Wednesday, January 22, at 8pm, and the following were the prizewinners; 1st Mary O’Malley and Teresa Ward, 2nd Mary O’Connell and James Mooney, 3rd Paddy and Patricia Colleran, 4th Carmel Moffitt and Hilary McCrohan.
The following were the winners of the weekly 25 Drive game held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry, on Tuesday night, January 28, at 9pm; 1st Joe Mahon and Michael O`Hara, 2nd Pail Flannery and Kevin Maloney. Raffle winners were Kevin Maloney, Michael Mulvaney and Darby Leonard.
The Charlestown, Bellaghy and Districts Development Association February Community Coffee Morning takes place on Friday, February 7, in the Charlestown Arts Centre from 11am-1pm. There is lift access available. All are welcome to come along for a cuppa and a chat.
Charlestown LGFA are looking for expressions of interest for the senior ladies and the U14 girls manager positions for the 2025 season. If you are interested in either position contact charlestown.mayo@lgfa.ie.
There will be a course of bridge lessons for beginners on Thursdays from 8-10pm lasting approximately 10 weeks. The lessons will take place in Walsh`s Lounge beginning February 5 and the lessons are free and open to everybody in the community.
Storm Eowyn did a fair bit of damage in the Charlestown area and surrounding hinterland with power and water outages causing much in the way of turmoil and distress to people not to mention the lack of internet and broadband coverage. It was a tough couple of days for the town and its citizens with people in the outlying areas also badly impacted with fallen trees and power lines blocking roads and making life extremely difficult for people to move around and leave their houses. The lack of power had a knock on effect on people’s ability to heat their homes with many people feeling glad to be able to resort to the open fire and stove to generate some sort of warmth as turf, timber and coal played a crucial part in providing some sort of heat and comfort in what was an extremely trying and rough couple of days for the town and its citizens.
Many people had slates and ridge tiles blown off their roofs such was the velocity and strength of the gusts which were the worst I’ve experienced in my life time as people did their best to batten down the hatches and secure their properties to the best of their abilities. The town was seen at its best as people rallied around to provide heat, water and any kind of assistance in terms of charging battery operated devices with the CBD Sports Complex stepping forward on this regard as they threw open their facilities to the general public. There were many other examples of people rallying round to help which underlines the tight bond that exists in the community as power was restored to most people for the most part on the Monday afternoon which was a great source of relief to all households and businesses who put in a torrid couple of days with many having to stay closed due to the lack of power. The storm, while short lived, was ferocious with trees down in all parts of the town with the church and primary school grounds seeing lots of fallen timber while the old well road remains blocked as several trees fell onto the road leading to the graveyard. The clean-up will go on for many days and weeks as the town looks to get back to some sort of normality with January 2025 leaving a lasting impact and one which will not be looked back on with any fondness following a snow fall and storm in quick succession.
The annual general meeting of the CBD Complex and Recreation Centre takes place on Tuesday, February 18, at 8.30pm. All members are requested to attend as the committee reflect on a busy and progressive year where a number of impressive initiatives have been put a place as the complex continues to reach out into all areas of the community.
East Mayo Athletics Club and East Mayo Special Olympics present Lip Sync Battles Ireland on Saturday, March 29, in the Park House Hotel, Kiltimagh, at 8pm. This promises to be a cracking night of fun, music, laughter and entertainment with both organisations very keen to make it a night to savour for all connected and involved. More news in the coming weeks but save the date and make sure you clear your diaries for what should be a cracking night of jollity and hilarity and one not to be missed under any circumstances.
The Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club wish to remind their members and patrons that they have a number of deals available regarding annual lotto tickets, county board, tickets and membership available for the new 2025 season. You can purchase membership, county board and annual lotto tickets for the princely sum of €150 which is a snip considering the full value of all three would set you back €220. Anybody who would like to buy membership and annual lotto can do so at the bargain price of €100 which represents a saving of €20 which is a nice saving should you wish to avail of option two. The third option involves stand alone membership which is available for €50 and this remains one of the cheapest available in the county and has remained at this figure for a number of years. All options are available for purchase on the Charlestown Sarsfields social media outlets with the website and Facebook pages providing you with all the necessary links and information as club look to bolster their funds in order to meet the weekly /monthly bills that come through the door at the start of any new season with monies also needed to equip and kit out the many teams who will represent the Sarsfields brand at all levels and gender as the numbers coming through the gates continues to increase which indicates the good space the Sarsfields currently occupy at the moment. There’s something for everyone in all of the above options with the club hopeful of a positive response from the community at large as the Sarsfields look to build on the platform 2024 provided on and off the field.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Sunday night, January 26, as The Duke and The Magician fought out another gripping instalment of the weekly classic. Governor Gus did his usual imperious job in his role as match referee and kept both combatants on a tight leash in terms of their behaviour and conduct. The Duke made the better start sweeping his way to the first set with some typically swashbuckling finishing. The Magician hit back in the second set and levelled matters with a tonic 88 finish in the fourth leg to restore parity ahead of the start of the third. The Duke reassumed control as only he can, stringing three legs together with some brilliant pegging to edge in front once more. The fourth set was an arm wrestle of sorts as both men vied for control. The Magician looked to be in control when he led two legs to one and had three arrows in his quiver at double eighteen in the fourth leg. He missed narrowly with all three however which paved the way for the Duke to step forward and take out double top with three darts in his hand. He needed only one to set up a final leg decider with the Magician left to lick his wounds having blown a great chance to take the game to a fifth and final set.
The Duke began in whirlwind fashion banging in a maximum. The Magician responded brilliantly ramming home a 140 to keep the pressure on the Duke who still held a forty point advantage ahead of his next throw. The Duke took the cudgel and ran with it firing in a wonderful 140 plus to heap further pressure on his opponent. The Magician cracked as all he could muster was a meagre 38 in reply which left the way clear for the Duke to step in and close out the match. This he duly did in some style taking out 136 with some trademark clinical finishing with his final dart nestling in the corner of the double eight bed to set off carnage among his supporters as they nearly lifted the roof of the venue. The Duke raised his hands aloft in celebration with the Magician most sporting in defeat as he acknowledged the class of his opponent in gracious fashion. This was the Duke`s second victory of 2025 and once again underlines his undoubted class and pedigree.
