Local Notes: Claremorris NS wins Credit Union quiz
The team from Claremorris National School were the winners of the 2026 St Colman's Credit Union Schools Quiz.
The Claremorris and District Lions Club will hold its annual tree appeal on Friday and Saturday, March 13 and 14, in the lobby of SuperValu. The club holds its Annual Tree Appeal every March to coincide with National Tree Week.
Silver birch trees, donated by Lions Club member Kevin Heneghan of Heneghan Forestry, are sold to the public, with proceeds going to local charities. When this annual tradition came to stop due to Covid shutdown, the club devised a very creative alternative method of selling the trees and ensuring they were planted.
“When Covid came and the restrictions were in place, we couldn’t sell the trees the way we used to, so we partnered with the two secondary schools in the town and the outcome has been fantastic,” James Preston, the Club President, told the .
“We offered the trees for sale online, and we offered to plant the trees in public spaces for the community. The response from the public was unbelievable. The schools’ response was also very positive; they were on board straight away. The trees that were sold online were planted by the TY students of St Colman’s College and Mount St Michael Secondary School, in public spaces in the town. The students were terrific and were a credit to their schools, to their families and to themselves.
"Once the restrictions were lifted, we continued to promote Tree Week in this way. We are delighted that the schools continue to work with us on the project.”
James said that the public can buy the trees online and have the trees planted on their behalf in the town, or they can buy trees in the SuperValu lobby and take them home and plant them.
“All of the money raised goes to local charities,” James said. "The silver birch trees are a native species to Ireland and grow very easily in the Irish soil and climate. Silver birch is an excellent species for the environment. It can sustain over 100 types of insects and birds. It is self-propagating - when you plant silver birch many others will grow up around them, over time.”
A link to the online purchase option is available on the Claremorris and District Lions Club Facebook page.
Barnacarroll Area Development CLG, which operates the Barnacarroll Community and Sports Centre as well as local childcare services, will hold its annual general meeting on Tuesday next, February 24, at 8pm in the centre.
The meeting will review current services and outline future development plans, as well as elect the board of directors and management committee. Members of the community with an interest in the work of the organisation are invited to attend.
The company currently provides childcare and after-school services to more than 100 local families, offering breakfast clubs, pre-school, after-school care and full day care during school holidays. It employs 20 staff and also runs a Community Employment Scheme that supports a range of services across the local area, including Knock and Bekan.
The Community and Sports Centre provides modern facilities for a wide variety of clubs and sporting groups, catering for all ages. Among its current projects is the development of a severe weather response plan to support the local community during storms, power outages and other disruptions, alongside longer-term plans to expand the centre’s facilities in the coming years.
Plans are already underway for the 2026 Claremorris St Patrick’s Day Parade, with organisers inviting schools, clubs and local businesses to get involved.
Following a hugely successful celebration last year, the committee is aiming to build on that momentum in 2026. This year’s theme, 'Where Luck Meets Dreams', offers plenty of scope for creative floats, displays and marching groups.
Community groups and schools are encouraged to take part, while local businesses are also being invited to support the parade through sponsorship or entries. A participation form is now available online for those who wish to register their interest.
Organisers say the goal is to once again deliver a colourful, family-friendly celebration that brings the whole community together on March 17th and they are encouraging all local businesses to donate generously to this event and they will promote them as much as possible. Anyone interested is asked to contact Nina on 087-7392543 or email claremorrisparade@gmail.com to get involved.
Congratulations are extended to Davitts’ trio, Jack Melvin, Cathal Corless and Dylan O’Brien, and Garrymore’s Eoin McGreal, who were part of the University of Limerick's Sigerson Cup winning side last week.
UL claimed its first-ever Sigerson title after beating University College Cork (UCC) in Croke Park on Wednesday evening.
Cúram Family Centre is inviting the public to donate any unwanted Christmas gifts to help support its work in the community. Items donated will be used to raise funds to support the delivery of services and supports provided by the centre.
Anyone with suitable items they no longer need is encouraged to consider donating them to Cúram Family Centre.
Women’s Collective Claremorris will host an information evening on general health and wellness for women on Thursday, February 26, from 7pm to 9pm at Cúram Family Centre.
The event will feature guest speaker John Lalor, Nutritional Therapist, who will cover a range of topics including general health, improving sleep, nutrition, supplements and maintaining a healthy lifestyle. The event is free to attend.
The Autism Parent Peer Support Group in Claremorris will hold its next meeting on this Wednesday, February 18, at 7pm in Cúram Family Centre.
Parents, guardians and grandparents are invited to attend for peer support, conversation and a cup of tea in a friendly and informal setting. A small charge of €2 per person applies. Meetings take place on the third Wednesday of each month.
The recent Fourball Better Ball competition at Claremorris Golf Club produced some excellent scoring across both the ladies’ and men’s events.
In the ladies’ section, Sara Creighton and Bernie Divilly claimed first place with a fine score of 39 points after an impressive round.
The men’s competition was keenly contested, with Phelim Munnelly and Brian Burke taking top honours on a superb 46 points. Close behind in second place were Kieran Dowd and John Dillon with 44 points, while Ronan Gurren and Dermot Costello secured third place on 41 points after a countback.
The Waltz Competition produced a close and competitive finish, with just two points separating the top three teams.
Taking first place with a score of 90 points were David Parslow, Enda Gurren, Ronan Gurren and Alan Gurren, who edged ahead of the field after a strong all-round performance. Just one point behind in second place were David Grant, Conor O’Brien, Conor McLoughlin and Evan Hennelly on 89 points.
Third place went to John O’Mahoney, Peter Totten, Gabriel Farragher and Mary T. Coyne, who finished on 88 points after another impressive showing.
Jim Ryan was the winner of the Claremorris GAA Club 50/50 draw last week, taking home €1,283. Jim bought the lucky ticket in The Ranch, with strong support again seen from across the town.
Tickets continue to be available online as well as in local shops and pubs.
Dee O’Reilly won the Claremorris Soccer Club 50/50 draw last week, collecting €402. Dee’s winning ticket was purchased in O’Brien’s, one of the club’s regular outlets.
Tickets remain on sale online and through local retailers and pubs each week.
A charity concert will take place in Claremorris Town Hall on Saturday, February 28, at 7.30pm.
The 'Somebody Special' concert will feature a line-up of All-Ireland winning performers coming together to share songs and music in a spirit of warmth, friendship and community. The programme will include traditional, folk and gospel music, along with contemporary Irish dance.
All proceeds from the evening will go towards providing medical and humanitarian aid for the people of Gaza, making it a night that combines music with a strong message of support and solidarity. Tickets are available from the hall.
Ballindine Cemetery Committee is exploring the installation of a Columbarium Wall in Ballindine Churchyard to provide a dedicated space for cremated remains.
To help determine whether the project will proceed, the committee is seeking expressions of interest from the local community, particularly from anyone who may wish to reserve a niche in advance.
Anyone interested, or with comments or suggestions, is asked to contact 087-6496780.
The death has occurred of Annie Teresa Solan (née McEvilly) of Manchester, England, and formerly of Claremorris.
Annie Teresa died peacefully at home. She was predeceased by her husband Patrick 'P' and her daughters Joan and Imelda, and will be sadly missed by her sister Delores Masterson, son Martin, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nephews and nieces.
Annie Teresa’s remains reposed at the Marian Funeral Home, Knock on Wednesday evening with removal on Thursday to the Church of Our Lady, Barnacarroll. Her Funeral Mass was held on Thursday with interment afterwards in Barnacarroll Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Con Prendergast of Dromineen, Claremorris. Con died peacefully at University Hospital Galway on February 8, surrounded by his family. He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Marian and will be much loved and sadly missed by his son Dylan, sisters Evelyn and Patricia, brothers Kevin, Ernest and Gabriel, sisters-in-law Goretti and Rose, nieces Amy and Laura, nephews Blain, Kyle and Joseph, grandnieces and grandnephews, Dylan’s mother Theresa and her daughters Tara, Katie, Emma, Shauna and Valerie, aunts, uncles, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Con’s remains reposed at Gilligan’s Funeral Home, Claremorris on Thursday evening with Funeral Mass on Friday followed by burial in St Colman’s Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Margaret Egan (née Godfrey) of Kilvine, Irishtown, and formerly of Hartford, Connecticut, USA.
Margaret died peacefully in her 98th year at Sonas Nursing Home, Knock, with her family by her side, in the loving care of the staff.
Margaret was predeceased by her husband Jack and her son-in-law Douglas, and will be deeply missed by her children Cathy, Johnny, Bernadette, Julie and Betsy, sons-in-law Jim, Brian and Tom, grandchildren John, Maeve, Sheridan, Delaney, Maggie, Máire, Burke and Tadgh, her sister-in-law Mary, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Margaret’s remains reposed at Carey’s Funeral Home, Ballindine on Thursday evening with Requiem Mass on Friday in the Church of the Holy Family, Irishtown, followed by burial in Irishtown Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
