Local Notes: Claremorris Lions Club launch new initiative 'A Call Can Save A Life'.
Pictured at the launch of Claremorris Lions Club’s ‘A Call Can Save a Life’ campaign. Back L to R: Bronagh McLoughney (St Colman’s College,) Paddy Burke, Melissa Walsh (both Lions,) Orla Sweeney (Foroige and No Name Club,) Paul Hunt (Claremorris GAA) James Kean (Claremorris Colts,) Breda Keane (Claremorris LGFA,) Aiden Brennan (Claremorris GAA.) Front: James Burke (St Colman’s College,) Dayna Jordan (Mount St. Michael,) Ethan Quinn (St Colman’s College,) Fiona Ryan (Mount St. Michael,) Darragh Jennings (St Colman’s College,) Ava Hession (Mount St. Michael,) Jamie Hughes (St Colman’s College,) Image: John Corless
Claremorris and District Lions Club has commenced a ground-breaking initiative called ‘A Call Can Save A Life.’ Like all the best ideas – it’s a simple one.
The initiative provides signage at locations and facilities where young people congregate, displaying contact details of a few organisations that provide supports to teenagers. The woman behind the idea, is Lions President, Melissa Walsh.
“We’ve been talking about doing something like this in the Lions, for the last year,” Melissa told the Western People. “The question was; How would we go about it? So, I put together a list of supports and contacts for all ages across the board, from race, LGBT+, Alone, cancer, elderly, young people, all that, and I printed 5,000 leaflets, as we've been distributed them for a few months. Then I was in a secondary school last week, and I thought, these students aren’t going to ring the Samaritans, or any of these organisations, so I went back to my office and I looked up the websites of young people’s support groups.
“One of the ones I found, was an organisation called Spun Out. This is Ireland’s youth information and support platform, working towards an Ireland where all young people are supported and empowered to thrive. Their mission is to work collaboratively with young people to support mental health and well-being. They do this by creating evidence-based, person-centred digital solutions and safe, validating support spaces. Their slogan is ‘If it matters to you, it matters to us.’ “I did more research on the organisation and I thought that their aims matched what we wanted to achieve, by making teenagers aware, locally. They have a range of accessible and free services that are there for teenagers whenever needed. They share factual information on mental health and wellbeing. They provide immediate, free and anonymous text support to anyone who wants to talk. They share the stories and experiences of young people across Ireland to amplify their voices, and so that they feel a little less alone. They can also connect teenagers to trusted services and resources around the country for further support. The organisation is run by young people, for young people and they work collaboratively with other young people to support mental health and wellbeing. A community of young contributors and volunteers powers their service. They provide empathy, compassion, equity and expertise.
“So I created a QR Code and I put all this together for specifically young people and then I contacted local sports clubs and I said, can we display this information at your facilities. The response has been phenomenal. We're putting an A4 sign with the QR Code and a few contracts for youth support services, in all the sporting venues in the Claremorris area. We’re promoting the message simply as: ‘A Call Can Save A Life.’ “We’re putting them on the backs of doors, in canteens, changing rooms, in private places where they can easily scan the code and access the services. The information will be on their phone for later or whenever. It's also gone into the secondary schools.
Some of the clubs will put up a pitch hoarding sign, free of charge, which will be supplied by the Lions. These are sponsored by my own company MW Design, Print and Signs.
“Then the scouts and the boxing and few other places have said they’d display them too. So we’re also doing different sized signs for them to put up on their walls and again, they'd have the labels in the backs of the doors.” Unsurprisingly, given the simplicity and usefulness of the initiative, Melissa said there has been demand for a similar type of sign, aimed at adults.
“We’ve had calls from pubs and businesses, for an adult-oriented version. It has escalated a lot in the last week or so. We want clubs and businesses to photograph the signs when they go up and to tag the Claremorris and District Lions on social media to promote the work the Lions do. The signs are all provided free of charge to the organisations.” The Claremorris and District Lions has a long history of executing simple ideas that have been hugely successful, down the years. Lions members are ordinary people from the community who give their time freely to serve their community and beyond through fundraising, support and aid and 100% of funds raised goes to worthy causes. The club also accepts donations and is affiliated to the worldwide Lions organisation and is a registered charity.
If you would like to help the Lions you can do so by supporting their fundraisers, or if you’d like to join, they meet on the first Wednesday of every month in The Dalton Inn at 8.30pm.
There was great news all over the country last week, with the announcement of the Government’s Sports Capital Grants. Nationwide, 1,996 grants were announced, to a total value of €230 million, for new and improved sports facilities and equipment throughout the country, under the Community Sport Facilities Fund. Combined with May’s allocation of €26 million for sports equipment, the grants bring the total investment in community sport and recreation in 2024, to an unprecedented €256 million, the largest-ever investment in sports facilities nationwide, which has been delivered by government.
In Mayo, €9,033,312 was allocated in grant funding to support 56 local and community grassroots sports clubs. Claremorris GAA are to get €87,109 for LED pitch floodlights under the announcement. Claremorris Golf Club has been awarded €122,403 for course improvements to increase participation, with Claremorris Lawn Tennis Club awarded €70,294 for LED lighting upgrade and courts rejuvenation. Claremorris Boxing Club has been awarded €24,600 for gym equipment, and Claremorris Leisure Centre is to receive €54,913 for containers, jumps, lighting and a generator. Garrymore GAA Club were awarded €59,884 for the upgrade of their pitch fencing and lighting.
The biggest local award is to Claremorris Soccer Club with an award of €123,334 for artificial pitch upgrade and for essential equipment. The total awarded in the immediate area is €542,537.
The community was saddened to hear of the passing of the legendary Marty Joyce. Marty was a much-loved entertainer with his guitar and banjo and his many yarns. He performed across the west of Ireland, playing at functions for tourists and local organisations, either on his own or with his Ballykelly group. Marty, who was a farmer and family man, passed peacefully at his Clooneen, Hollymount, home, in his 90th year. He was predeceased by his son Stanley, his parents John and Alice, and his sisters Maidie and Eileen. Marty will be missed by his widow Bernie (née Heneghan) and his family; Suzanne (Conneely), Noel, Finbarr and Regina, daughter-in-law Ann Marie, son-in-law Michael, three grandchildren, his brothers Pádraig, Seán, and Michael, his nieces, nephews, extended family, and his many friends, neighbours and Charlie.
Marty was laid to rest in Roundfort cemetery after Mass of the Resurrection at the local Church of the Immaculate Conception.
Would you like to learn traditional Irish Sean Nos Dancing? If you would like to learn this authentic dance, you have the opportunity now at the Family Resource Centre on Mount Street. With 15 years of experience, Laura Fleming will help dancers develop rhythm, coordination and style with this lively and unique dance.
Laura is offering dance class for children with additional needs from 6.30-7.30pm, Children's Sean Nós dancing from 7.30-8.30pm and adults Sean Nós dancing 8.30-9.30pm The classes are on Tuesdays commencing tonight, October 1, and continuing on Tuesday for the month of October. Booking is essential and the cost is €8 per class for children, and €10 per class for adults. Contacted 086 244 8392 or email on laurasallthingsdance@gmail.com.
Claremorris defeated Swinford last week in the semi-final of golf’s Connaught shield. In the home side of the fixture, Shane McDonagh and team captain Derek Reilly, won by two holes after eighteen, while Luke Gibbons and Dermot Costello won 2 and 1. This was another excellent performance from Dermot and Luke who have also gone unbeaten in the competition.
In Swinford, John Haverty and John Finn halved while Conor O’Brien and Conor McLaughlin won their match 3 and 2.
The team now qualifies for the Connaught Shield final against Ballinrobe. The first leg is on Saturday, October 5 in Claremorris, and the return leg is the October 19. The final consists 8 players playing both legs.
Claremorris Swimming Club is holding trials for young swimmers that would like to try competitive swimming, on Sunday, October 6. To register for a trial email secretaryclaremorrissc@gmail.com. Once the form is completed and submitted, an allocated time to attend will be issued.
500 people attend Culture Night There was an international carnival atmosphere and a great turnout for Culture night in Claremorris, with approximately 500 people attending the event. Amongst the nationalities represented were Irish, Ukrainian and Brazilian performers. There were dancers including flamenco and samba, and with music on piano, keyboards, saxophone, bass, guitar and violin. The organisers were very happy with the event and plan an even bigger Culture night for next year.
Condolences are extended to Derek Byrne, Esker, Ballindine, on the peaceful passing, last week, of his mother Kathleen, surrounded by her loving family at Naas General Hospital. Kathleen is survived by her husband, Charlie, sons Paul and Derek, daughters Fiona, Claire and Hilary, eleven grandchildren, her daughters-in-law Pauline and Therese, sons-in-law Ger, Eamon and Will, brother Pat, sisters-in-law Brigid and Olive, nieces and nephews, extended family, neighbours and friends. Kathleen was pre deceased by her grandson, baby William, her sister Aileen and her brothers Seanie, Willie, Con, Noelie. Kathleen was laid to rest at St. Corban’s Cemetery, Naas, after Requiem Mass in the Church of Our Lady and St. David, Naas.
