Local Notes: Cathal Kelly wins the Katrina Armstrong Award at Scoil Muire agus Padraig, Swinford, annual awards ceremony.

Congratulations to Cathal Kelly this year’s recipient of the Katrina Armstrong Award at the Scoil Muire agus Padraig Annual Awards Ceremony. Cathal is pictured receiving the award from Katrinas’ dad Sean Armstrong.
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted by email to ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call/text/WhatsApp 087 7694781 after 6pm. Deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm on Wednesday.
Síamsa Sráide Street Festival Swinford presents “A Grey Wing Upon Every Tide” by Colin Carberry on Friday, August 1, at 2pm in Boland's Bar where poet, editor and reviewer Colin Carberry of Toronto will give a talk covering many topics from the Irish diaspora to Irish history. Colin will reminiscence on his own family and Republican activity during the War of Independence in Longford as well as colourful historical Irish figures in Mexico. Colin will also launch his new poetry book 'Ghost Homeland'.
The Railway Players proudly presents ‘Time to Shine Talent Contest 2025’ on Friday, August 1, at 7pm in Julians of Midfield for under 16 and over 16. Contact Ann on 087 4636841 to sign up and follow The Railway Players and Time to Shine on their social media channels for updates.
This year has been designated Jubilee 2025 Pilgrims of Hope. Pilgrims are invited to go on pilgrimage to three national sanctuaries Croagh Patrick, Lough Derg and Knock Shrine. A Pilgrim Passport is available and when you visit the above places you get your passport stamped. Passports are available from Knock Shrine Office or visit www.pilgrimagepassport.ie for details.
Killasser Community Care group are organising one day retreats to visit each of these places. Knock Shrine took place on May 20, Croagh Patrick will take place on July 29 and Lough Derg on September 9. The annual day trip to Fr. Peyton Centre will take place on July 15, and plans are in place to visit Ballintubber Abbey in August. Contact Vera on 087 635 4880, Nancy on 087 672 0705 or Kathleen on 087 617 9317 to book a place on any of the events organised.
Junior golf has returned to Swinford Golf Club on Fridays from 4-5.30pm. It is open to boys and girls aged 7 and up, and is a great way to learn the game, meet new friends, and have a bit of craic out on the course. Contact Ray on 086 306 6494 or Enda on 086 042 4395 on WhatsApp with any queries.
The annual annual general meeting of Midfield GWS will take place on Wednesday, May 28, at 9pm in Julian’s of Midfield. All members are invited to attend.
This year’s Síamsa Sráide Street and Arts Festival Swinford will be taking place from July 31 to August 6.
The official launch of the 2025 Síamsa Sráide brochure of events will take place on Friday, June13, at 9pm in Mellett's Emporium. All are welcome to attend.
The numbers drawn in the Swinford Community Lotto draw held on May 19, were 5, 19, 23 and 30. €70 vouchers were won by Jarlath Morris, Fraunhill and Margaret Price, Cullane; €35 was won by Christine Conway, c/o Tara Café, Caroline Rowley, Cloonacanna and Geraldine Price, Cois Coille, Swinford. The jackpot in the latest draw held on May 26, was €4,400.
Congratulations to Christopher Groarke, Meelick on winning €560 in the Swinford GAA 50/50 draw.
Glorious weather and tight scoring made for a great weekend of golf at Swinford Golf Club over the weekend of May 17 and 18. Winners in the ladies 9 hole stableford were; 1st Dympna O'Donnell 21 pts, 2nd Bernie Walsh 20 pts, 3rd Margaret Mulligan 20 pts. Winners in the gents 18 hole stableford for the Canon Higgins Cup; 1st Steve Hall 40 pts (won on countback), 2nd Andy Murphy 40 pts, 3rd Padraig O'Toole 40 pts.
Well done to Gearóid Brady, who carded a 2 on the 8th and a special mention to Tom Regan who finished 4th, also on 40 points. With four players finishing on 40 points in the men’s competition, it was as close as they come.
Congratulations to both the girls and boys football teams from Carramore NS who are now through to the Cumann na mBunscol county final which will take place in McHale Park on June 4.
Swinford Petanque Club meet every Thursday from 1 to 3pm at the Amenity Park for games of Petanque/Boules. Why not join for low impact exercise, fun, throwing, walking and bending. If interested contact Bernadette 087 3134461 or Ann 087 7459089.
Congratulations to Damien Tansey who won €555 in the Killasser Community Centre April 50/50 draw with Breege McDonnell and John and Geraldine Burke winning €20 spot prize each. The next draw takes place on Sunday, June 1.
To mark the golden jubilee of the ordination of Fr. Padraig Costello to the priesthood, the members of Foxford parish are organising a Mass of Thanksgiving on Sunday, June 1, in St. Michael’s Church, Foxford at 6pm followed by refreshments in Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre. All welcome.
Mass will be celebrated outside Callow Church on June 1, at 10am, weather permitting.
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Kilkelly native and current parish priest in Foxford is to celebrate the golden jubilee of his ordination to the priesthood with a special Mass on Sunday, June 1, at 6pm in St Michael’s Church, Foxford. This celebration will be followed by a reception in the Foxford Sports and Leisure Centre. Everybody is welcome to join him for this special occasion.
The lotto numbers drawn for Saturday, May 10, were 6, 30, 38, 40. There was no winner.
The Kilmovee Active Age Thursday Club takes place on Thursday from 11.30 am to 2.30pm in Kilmovee Community Centre. It is open to people 55 and upwards. It is not necessary to live in the Kilmovee area to join the group. A light lunch is served and there is light exercise and bingo. There is a €10 weekly admission and €12 annual membership fee.
The death took place of Seamus Egan, Ishlawn, Ballaghaderreen, and formerly of Cloonfinglas, Fairymount, Castlerea, peacefully at home on May 17. Seamus was predeceased by his parents Pat and Mary and he will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his heartbroken family - his wife Mary (née Greaney), sons Eoin and Matthew, daughter Erika, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, extended family, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
Seamus reposed in The Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen on Wednesday, May 21, with removal from his home on Thursday, May 22, to St Nathy’s Cathedral, Ballaghaderreen arriving for Mass of the Resurrection at 12 noon, followed by interment in Kilcolman cemetery.
May Seamus rest in peace as sympathy is extended to all who mourn his passing.
The death took place of Philip Charles O’Gorman, Airport Road, Charlestown, Co. Mayo; Barna, Co. Galway and Tubbercurry, on May 17, surrounded by his family and the compassionate team of the Claddagh Ward, at the University Hospital Galway. Philip was beloved husband of Carol and loving father of Aoife, Finian and Cian and son of the late Philip and Teresa. Philip was also predeceased by his brothers Michael and Jerome.
Philip was a dedicated secondary school teacher and guidance counsellor. He was passionate about theatre, soccer, and GAA. He was a cherished mentor to many students throughout his career.
He will be sadly missed by his loving wife and children, son-in-law Paul, daughters-in-law Méabh and Kati, grandchildren Wren, Alana, Odhrán, Siuán, Aoibh and Caelan, sisters Moira, Teresa and Cora, brothers Eddie and Anthony, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Philip reposed at Brigit’s Garden, Pollagh, Rosscahill, Co Galway, on Wednesday, May 21, followed by cremation at Shannon Crematorium on Thursday, May 22 at 3pm. May Philip rest in peace sympathy is offered to all who mourn his passing.
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Congratulations to the children of Bohola National School who made their First Holy Communion and The Sacrament of Confirmation in Bohola Church on Saturday, May 17. Congratulations also to their parents, family, teachers and friends who prepared them and shared with them for this special occasion in their lives.
Congratulations to Fiona Mountney who won a jackpot of €499 in the Moy Davitts 50/50 draw on Saturday, May 17. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the draw, it is greatly appreciated. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by playing on the club app (Moy Davitts GAA).
All First Holy Communion children and their families are invited to a special Mass of celebration on Sunday, June 1, at 12 noon in the Basilica, Knock. The children are welcome to wear their communion clothes and will actively participate in the Mass, making it a happy and memorable family occasion.
Fr Padraig Costello, parish priest of Foxford, is celebrating his 50th Anniversary of ordination to the priesthood this year. Fr. Padraig spent many years in the Parish of Bohola. To mark this special milestone, Foxford Parish Pastoral Council and organising committee invite everyone to his Golden Jubilee celebration Mass on Sunday, June 1, in St. Michaels Church, Foxford, and reception afterwards in the Sports and Leisure Centre, Foxford. If anyone has any photos of his time in Bohola they can be emailed to foxfordparishcouncil@gmail.com to create a memory book. Any queries contact Geraldine Carroll 085 1174497.
This summer's Kellogg's Cul Camp takes place at Moy Davitts GAA grounds from Monday, June 30 until Friday, July 4. Registration opens on www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie on Monday, May 5, at 9am.
There is an exciting line-up of events taking place at the National Museum of Ireland for Cruinniú na nÓg, which takes place this year on Saturday, June 7. This national initiative celebrates creativity in children and young people and there are a host of free events taking place across Ireland on the day. The Museum is also holding a full day of drop-in creative crafts with Fiona Deacy.