Local Notes: Brian hits the jackpot in Claremorris 50/50 draw
Brian Walsh, from Hollymount, was the winner of the Claremorris GAA 50/50 jackpot, last week He is pictured with his partner Geraldine.
Brian Walsh, from Hollymount, was the winner of the Claremorris GAA 50/50 jackpot, last week. Brian collected €950 in the draw, which was held in the Dalton Inn.
The draw is a core fundraiser for the club and the committee thanks all who support the 50/50 every week.
Claremorris Soccer Club will hold their annual Kevin O’Brien Memorial Sports Quiz in the McWilliam Park Hotel on this Friday, November 29th. The quiz will kick off at 8pm and a table of four costs €50.
Kevin was an integral part of the soccer club and an extremely popular member of the community. Kevin started his playing career on Claremorris FC’s first ever under-18 youths team. He was a very stylish right back for the club, and went on to star for the junior team for many seasons before a knee injury unfortunately cut short his playing career at an early age.
Kevin then turned his talents to off-the-field activities as an administrator, acting as club secretary, PRO and various other roles within the club. He also designed the present-day club crest.
Kevin also played Gaelic football and won a Mayo U21 football medal as a member of the Claremorris panel that brought home the cup in 1988. He lined out in the Claremorris defence on the team that lost to Knockmore in the 1990 U-21 County Final. Kevin played all grades with Claremorris footballers from U-14 to U-21.
He was also an accomplished hurler and won Mayo U14 and U-16 titles with the club as well as representing St Colman’s College.
The club expresses its thanks to the sponsors of the event, including Heaney’s Hardware, Vinny’s Rug Doctor, Brendan French, The Western Hotel, The Shamrock Bar, Larkin Transport, MCOB Developers, Brendan Kilkenny Agricultural Consultants, Glynn’s Checkout, Eur-A-Saver, U2R1 Wedding Cars, Kean’s Claremorris and PJ Byrnes.
Claremorris Handball Club is hosting a 25-Drive fundraiser for the club on Wednesday, December 4th, in the GAA Complex. There will be a raffle and loads of spot prizes on offer. Tickets are €10.
The club would greatly appreciate all support for their fundraiser.
Mayo County Council and the St Colman’s Cemetery Committee have asked for the co-operation of the community regarding an unusual practice that has been going on in the graveyard recently.
The initial timber grave marking posts are being reset along the right-side border of the graveyard and there are a number of trees and shrubs planted along with the crosses in memory of loved ones.
The council and committee have kindly asked that these practices stop and they are asking for the removal of the of the markers and trees by the end of January 2025. After that date any remaining materials will be carefully removed and stored off-site for a short period for collection.
A series of enhancement works are planned for the cemetery, and funding is being sought for these works. The council and the committee appreciates the public’s support and acknowledges that all aspire to have a tidy and clean graveyard in Claremorris.
A second public information session about plans to develop a community recreational centre for Claremorris will take place in the McWilliam Park Hotel, tomorrow, Wednesday, November 27th, at 7pm.
The meeting is open to all and will share the latest updates on the project, including initial design drawings and fundraising plans. The meeting follows an initial session which was held in October.
The design of the community recreational centre features a state-of-the-art indoor sports facility, a safe space for youth groups, and an accessible multi-functional space for social, cultural and educational activities.
Further information is available by visiting the website www.claremorrisrecreationalcentre.ie or by email: claremorrisrecreationalcentre@gmail.com.
Áine Clancy, a solicitor and barrister, from Logatemple, is one of three new judges of the District Court, appointed by the Government recently.
Áine, who lives in Dublin, doesn’t know yet what part of the country she will be based in.
Áine is the daughter of Catherine and John Clancy, and is a sister of Caitriona. She attended Muire Gan Smál primary school and Mount St Michael secondary school, before graduating from Trinity College. She was called to the bar in 2001.
The three vacancies in the District Court arose following the death of Judge Elizabeth MacGrath on July 3rd last and the retirements of Judge Cormac Dunne and of Judge Marian O’Leary in June and August last.
Another Claremorris native, Elizabeth Maguire, was appointed a Judge of the Circuit Court in January 2023.
Claremorris Hurling Club will be selling tickets in the lobby of SuperValu on Saturday next, November 30th from 10am to 5pm.
The tickets are part of the national Croke Park draw, with very impressive prizes. The overall winner will pick up €50,000 with additional prizes of €10,000, two prizes of €5,000, a €2,500 holiday voucher and All-Ireland Hurling and Football packages which include overnight hotel accommodation, evening meals and match tickets.
And the good news for Claremorris Hurling Club is that it gets to keep all of the money collected from the ticket sales. This is a fantastic opportunity for the club to raise funds to cover operational expenses. The club has over 120 players spread across teams from U6 upwards.
Claremorris Hurling Club attracts players from, not just the town, but other towns and villages too, bringing more people to the town and supporting local businesses in the process. And this is an opportunity for the public to win a prize and support the national game, locally, in the process.
Claremorris AFC is looking for a manager for its Junior A Men’s Team. The club is looking for a dedicated and ambitious individual with coaching experience, leadership skills, and the ability to balance player development with competitive success.
The side dropped out of the Mayo Super League last season and will play in the Premier League for 2025. The club has progressed well in recent months with new dug out developments at their second pitch and painting of the perimeter walls of Concannon Park – their home ground. They have secured considerable advertising sponsorship of the pitch in recent weeks.
This is a fantastic opportunity for a coach who is both passionate and committed about the game and eager to make a lasting impact. Interested applicants in the role are asked to contact 087-9858418 or email noeldaniels@gmail.com.
Podge O’Connell won €624 in the Claremorris 50/50 lotto last week. The draw was held in PJ Byrne’s.
The 2025 Mayo four-a-side Darts competition will be held on Saturday, January 11th, in The Park Hotel, Kiltimagh. The entry fee is €15 per player. All entries should be paid via Revolut to Joe on 083-8554284. Only paid entries will secure their place in the competition.
The Park Hotel is offering special room rates for the event. These are available directly from the hotel, quoting 'darts'.
There will be lots of side events on the night also, including the '9 darts at 9' challenge with some great prizes on offer. The proceeds will go to the Western Care Association, and all support is much appreciated.
An Open Evening will be held for interested parents/guardians of future schoolgoing children in Taugheen National School (Eircode: F12 H2V5) on Tuesday, December 10th, from 5.30pm until 7.30pm. A facilitator for Breakfast Club and after school services will be available on the evening.
Refreshments will be provided and all are welcome. For enquiries contact Taugheen National School on 094-9362420.
The Friday Friends Group at Claremorris Family Resource Centre, for over-55s, is a friendly community offering a welcoming space to relax, chat, and connect with others. Whether you're catching up with old friends or meeting new ones, there's always a seat waiting for you. The get-together happens every Friday between 2 to 4pm and there is no charge. Further information from 094-9377838.
The brilliant local artist Lanna Heyrman is the tutor for the art classes at Claremorris Family Resource Centre every Thursday. Lanna will help attendees to explore their creativity and enhance their artistic skills.
There are two time options. The first class is held from 10:30am to 1pm, and the second option is from 2 to 3.30pm. The classes are for adults only and the cost is €20 per session. For further information, contact the centre on 094-9377838.
Would you like to go for a run in a non-competitive atmosphere? If you would, social running might just be for you. You can meet like-minded individuals every Tuesday and Thursday at Claremorris Athletic Track. The run lasts around 60 minutes at your own pace with friends to chat with along the way.
You don't need to be any 'type' of runner to join in, just know you're welcome. The run starts at 7.30pm.
Garrymore GAA Club extends the best of luck to Sarah Tierney who, along with Laura Brennan and Kathryn Sullivan, is joining a group of 50 GAA players from all around Ireland on a trip to Kenya this month as part of Alan Kerins' Self Help Africa campaign.
The group of Irish GAA stars and musicians travel to Kenya as part of a Warriors for Humanity campaign, in aid of Self Help Africa. This group of GAA players will take part in only the second-ever All-Star male and female game in Africa. This trip will include ‘Flight of the Swallows’ a group of musicians and dancers from Ireland (including many sports stars) who will participate in an authentic cross-cultural music and dance exchange with their Kenyan hosts.
The target is for each participant to raise €10,000 towards the campaign. The goal is to plant one million trees in Africa, in partnership with Self Help Africa, who have spent decades working closely with local farmers, communities and experts to be the best at what they do. Each tree planted will represent a livelihood for an African family. An integral part of the project is to train farmers on managing their trees for this purpose. As a result, the trees are looked after and cared for over the years.
The group wants the impact of their work to be felt for many years to come, benefitting future generations and leaving a legacy they can be proud of.
Anyone wishing to support can do so by logging on www.idonate.ie.
St Colman’s College senior football team began their championship campaign with a hard-fought win over Ballinrobe CS last week.
The game was played in difficult, wintry conditions and scores were very hard to come by, in particular in the first half.
St Colman’s were behind at half-time by 0-4 to 0-3 but an improved second-half performance, with goals scored by Darragh Beirne and Seán O’Connell, and some well-taken frees by substitute Jack Comer saw the Claremorris side prevail on a scoreline of 2-7 to 1-7.
St Colman’s next fixture is away to Summerhill College, provisionally fixed for Wednesday, December 4th, followed by a meeting with St Gerald’s at a neutral venue.
The National Senior and Even Ages Cross Country Championships were held at Castle Irvine Estate, Irvinestown, just outside, Enniskillen, Co Fermanagh, recently. The course was challenging with plenty of hills to test all.
Claremorris AC athlete Philip Griffith took national silver over the 2km course. He also led Mayo to a team silver and Connacht to a team silver. What a brilliant achievement - with two national 600m titles already in 2024 it was a great finish to his U12 season.
Despite being out of age, his brother Henry Griffith delivered an outstanding performance to take gold as part of the Mayo team in the U14 3km race.
Congratulations to both young athletes.
The annual November Mass for the deceased members of Garrymore GAA Club will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, November 27th, at 7pm in Garrymore Hall.
