Local Notes: Ciaran Nallon, Knockmore wins on the Longines Global Champions Tour in Vienna.
Ciaran Nallon, Ballymacredmond, Knockmore, and Little Special In Red M winner of the 1.45m two phase class in the Longines Global Champions Tour in Vienna.
There were five-star wins at the Longines Global Champions Tour of Vienna for two Irish riders in the past few days, as Ciarán Nallon, with Little Special In Red M (Beerbaum Stables), and Tom Wachman, with Do It Easy (Coolmore Showjumping), prevailed over elite fields. Ciaran Nallon continued his prolific run on the Longines Global Champions Tour, bagging the 1.45m two-phase class on Saturday afternoon with Little Special In Red M, their time of 26.18 in the speed section, more than a second ahead of the 27.23 recorded by Sanne Thijssen (NED), with Os le Petit Cheval.
It was a stunning effort by Nallon and especially his chestnut mare, who is only eight but showed a clean pair of heels to a much more experienced opposition.
Nallon has made a huge impression this term and the Ballymacredmond man followed up this 1.45m victory with a fifth placed finish in the night’s second five-star class, the 1.50m jump-off competition, with Christians Carado (Beerbaum Stables).
The death took place of Seamus Killeen, Church Road, Ballina and formerly of Cloghans, on September 30, peacefully in the wonderful care of the staff at the Mayo Hospice, Castlebar.
Seamus was predeceased by his parents John and Margaret and his sisters Joan, Sheila, Breedge and Margaret. He will be sadly missed by his wife Anne, daughters Sandra and Sinead, and son Kenneth, sons-in-law Damien and Rob, daughter-in-law Caroline, his brother Monsignor Sean Killeen, his adored grandchildren Ronan, Finn and Inis, sisters-in-law Agnes and Patricia, brother-in-law Tom, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and his many friends.
Semus reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina, on Saturday evening, October 3, from 5 to 7pm and his funeral arrived for Requiem Mass to St Teresa’s Church, Rathduff, on Sunday afternoon, October 4, at 1pm, with the funeral proceeding to cremation at McGowan’s Crematorium and Funeral home, Collooney, Co Sligo. May Seamus’s gentle soul rest in peace.
Congratulations to Knockmore/Foxford Boxing club on the grand opening of their new gym in Belgarrow, Foxford. May it be a place of welcome, strength and discipline, friendship and success for many years to come.
If you are over 55 and looking for low impact moderate exercise classes, "Move it or Lose it " classes have resumed on Thursdays at 10.30am in the centre in Knockmore (main hall). Contact Kate on 085 7558361 for further information. The cost is €10 pay as you go.
A bereavement course presented by Monica Morley, director of the Knock Shrine Family Centre and Broadcaster at Midwest Radio, is due to commence Tuesday, November 3, at 8pm at the Newman Institute, Ballina. The cost is €60, and the course will run for 4 Tuesday nights in November. To book a place contact 096 72066 or email reception@newman.ie.
Sympathy is extended to Maria Holmes and family on the sad passing of her mother Phyllis Regan, Killala. May she rest in peace.
Art classes for beginners/improves will commence in Knockmore/Rathduff Centre, starting on Tuesday, October 13, for 4 weeks from 7-9pm. Contact the centre on 094 9258016 for further details. It is recommended to book early as there is limited availability.
The numbers drawn last week in the Currabaggan NS online lotto were 1, 21, 13 and 15. There was no jackpot winner and the €25 weekly winner was Fiona Bernie. Thank you for supporting Currabaggan national school.
The numbers drawn on September 21, were; 3, 10, 11, and 25. There was no jackpot winner and the jackpot in the draw held on September 28, was €19,050. Your support is much appreciated.
Play online and support Rehins NS on https://www.ourfundraiser.ie/org/rehinsns/.
Rehins National School have vacancies for a school caretaker and a cleaner. To apply email admin@rehins.com.
Now that the evenings are getting darker continue to look out for those living alone or the most vulnerable in the community. Also please continue to be vigilant and report any unusual sightings or vehicles in the area. Nothing is too small and if in doubt contact the Gardai and it may assist them in preventing crime.
Adoration of the Blessed Sacrament continues every Wednesday in Knockmore Church from 10.30am to 6pm. All are welcome to drop in at any time.
A rosary for peace is recited every Thursday evening at 7.30pm in Knockmore Church. You are very welcome to join the group at any time.
Due to the sad passing of Seamus Tuohy, Breaffy, Castlebar, the Sam McGuire Cup visit was postponed last weekend and was rescheduled for Saturday last, October 3. Deepest sympathy is extended to his beloved family at this very sad time.
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There was huge pride in Ardagh and across Mayo recently when local joiner, Tom Finan, was crowned national winner of the joinery competition finals at WorldSkills Ireland for 2026. Tom represented ATU Sligo at the prestigious event which took place at the RDS in Dublin recently. The three-day WorldSkills Ireland competition, which is in its 70th year, takes place in the RDS and coincides with the 'Higher Options' third-level institutions event. It brings together some of the country’s most talented young apprentices and students with 30 competitions taking place across a wide range of skilled trades. It also showcases other further education and work opportunities available to post primary school students.
Thousands of students from schools and colleges around the country attended the event giving them the opportunity to watch the competitions live and see first-hand the skill, precision and dedication required by the competitors. For Tom and the other joinery competitors this added another dimension to an already challenging competition as they worked under the watchful eyes of large crowds while being tested on their technical ability, accuracy, craftsmanship and attention to detail. Tom was one of four competitors from Mayo taking part in WorldSkills Ireland this year having qualified through ATU Sligo as part of his apprenticeship in carpentry and joinery. He faced four other talented competitors from Dublin, Kilkenny, Waterford and Sligo with the five finalists battling it out over three demanding days.
Tom previously attended St. Tiernan's College, Crossmolina, before progressing to ATU Sligo as part of his apprenticeship training with his employer. He is currently employed by David McHale Carpentry and Joinery, Knockmore, where he has benefited enormously from the support, encouragement and experience of his employer and mentor David McHale. For Tom’s parents, Brian and Leona Finan and the entire Finan family, his success has been a hugely proud moment. They are extremely proud of the hard work and determination Tom has shown throughout his apprenticeship and of the way he has represented Ardagh, Mayo, ATU Sligo and his employer on the national stage. For Tom, however, the three days culminated in something very special and he now has an opportunity of being selected for Team Ireland internationally. Many congratulations, Tom.
It is now down to the business side of matters in all Mayo GAA county football championships. This coming Saturday, Ardagh will face South Mayo club Shrule-Glencorrib in the Treanlaur Catering Mayo junior football championship "A" semi-final in Breaffy, Castlebar, at 3pm. It will be a stiff and formidable challenge for Ardagh who will, no doubt, be well aware of the very competitive edge that the South Mayo club will bring to the encounter. Team manager, Sean Carey, and his back up management team, will be instilling in their players the necessity to avoid any onfield complacency which was evident in their narrow one-point victory over Kilmovee last week having led by nine points at the interval. Ardagh officials are urging their supporters to come out in large numbers to encourage and cheer on the team at Breaffy GAA grounds next Saturday. They deserve it.
Ardagh GAA Club’s monthly lotto now stands at €6,500. The next draw takes place next Sunday evening, October 11. Tickets may be purchased online through the club’s website www.ardaghgaaclub.com where the link is available.
