Local Notes: Claremorris students take to the stage this week
Students from Mount St Michael Secondary School in Claremorris, in collaboration with colleagues from St Colman's College, are presenting the musical Matilda at Claremorris Town Hall Theatre this week. Shows will take place on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings, October 22, 23 and 24. Picture: Trish Forde
There was great news last week when it was announced that the McWilliam Park Hotel has been awarded the prestigious Georgina Campbell Award, for Family Friendly Hotel of the Year.
The Georgina Campbell Awards are the longest-running independent hospitality awards in Ireland, and the recognition reflects the dedication and hard work of the McWilliam team, who always make a special effort to create a warm and welcoming atmosphere for guests.
“The Georgina Campbell Award is a prestigious recognition for outstanding achievement in the hospitality industry in Ireland,” Lukas Kodl, the McWilliam Park manager, told the . “The award process involves mystery shoppers evaluating various standards and criteria. A panel of renowned hospitality professionals selects the winners.
"The award recognises the collective effort behind the achievement. It is an award for hotels all over the island of Ireland. The victory was a combined effort of all the staff from receptionists to chefs, and managers - everyone contributes to the hotel's success. I would like to say a huge thank you to every member of our team for their unwavering commitment to making family stays unforgettable.”
The McWilliam Park employs 90 staff and is part of the TMR Collection of hotels – a group which also owns the Diamond Coast Hotel in Enniscrone. The group owns 15 hotels in Ireland, including Harvey's Point in Donegal, Farnham Estate in Cavan, Aghadoe Heights Hotel in Killarney and Mount Wolseley Hotel in Carlow.
Lukas said the McWilliam is concentrating on growing its wedding and conference business.
The late Mary O’Dea
The community was saddened to learn of the passing pf Mary O’Dea, of 'Hillcrest', Killeenfarna, peacefully at the Galway Clinic.
Mary was predeceased by her husband Tom and brother JJ Smyth.
Mary is survived by her sons Cathal and Tom, daughters Majella and Antoinette, daughter-in-law Martina, son-in-law Martin and Cathal’s partner Norrie, two grandchildren, her sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Mary was laid to rest in St Colman’s Cemetery after Funeral Mass in Claremorris Church.
May she rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Mary Fitzpatrick (nee Daly) of Leface, Ballindine.
Mary was predeceased by her husbands Michael Joe and John Joe, her parents Tom and Delia Daly, brother Martin, sisters Kathleen, Chrissie and Geraldine.
Mary will be missed by her daughter Stephanie, son David, son-in-law Robert, daughter-in-law Suzanne, three grandchildren, brothers Mickey, Johnny, Noel and Paul, sisters Margaret, Bridie, Patricia, Ann, Teresa and Josie, nieces, nephews, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours and many her friends.
Funeral Mass was held last Tuesday at St Joseph's Church in Ballindine followed by cremation in Shannon Crematorium.
Erika Ryan, with 34 points (back 9) came first in the Ladies section of the weekly competition at Claremorris Golf Club, which was sponsored by Campbell Developments Ltd.
Tomas Mannion won the men’s section with 40 points, while the Category 1 was won by Chris Byrne with 37 points. Alan Burke took Category 2 with 32 points and Paul Fitzpatrick claimed Category 4 on 38 points. Category 5 went to Tony Brady on 25 points.
Leigha and Fionn English from Sligo were the winners of the GAA club’s 50/50 last week. They divide €856 on a winning ticket purchased in O’Brien’s.
There is a few places remaining on the adults’ Mindfulness sessions, which are held on Mondays at the Family Resource Centre.
Mindfulness helps people to relax, breathe, and connect with the present moment. The first session runs from 2 to 3pm, with the second session running from 3.15 to 4.15pm. The cost is €15 per session.
Full details are available by ringing the FRC on 094-9377838.
An upcycling workshop opens up possibilities to turn old things into new.
The workshop is facilitated by Anna Doyle and will teach participants how to creatively and sustainably give new life to old pieces. Participants are encouraged to bring their own pieces and create something new.
At the end of each session, the students will take their own piece home. This is a great opportunity to learn new techniques while contributing to a more sustainable world. The workshop starts on this Thursday, October 17th, and runs from 7pm to runs to 9pm. The workshop will be held at the Claremorris Family Resource Centre and costs €50 for six sessions.
Further information on 094-9377838.
Claremorris Musical Society is calling all ghouls and goblins to join them for a spooktacular Halloween Table Quiz and Fancy Dress event in the Dalton Inn on Friday, November 1st, at 9pm.
You can channel your inner Addams Family for a night of creepy questions and killer costumes. Prizes for the best-dressed and the brainiest teams. Raffle, finger food and frights!
Claremorris and District Lions Club is holding a Table Quiz in aid of Claremorris Dance Memory Club on Friday, November 8th, at 8pm in the Dalton Inn Hotel. Tables of four cost €40 with a discounted rate for students of €30.
Sharon Fayne is the co-ordinator for the Claremorris and Westport Dance Memory groups.
“The Dance Memory Club is a support group for people with Dementia,” Sharon told the . “The group runs every Wednesday from 11.30am to 1pm at Curam. Musicians play Irish music and songs from the '60s, '70s, and '80s.
"Attendees must bring a plus one. This can be a spouse, carer, family member, or whatever, but they must bring somebody with them.
"The group sits around a conference table, chat, and enjoy refreshments. The group activity was initially focused on chatting and exercise, but over time it transformed into a dancing music group. The group was originally called the ‘Memory Group’. It was later renamed to better reflect its primary activity.
"Like most events, the group's activities were paused for a while due to Covid-19 but have since resumed.”
Studies have shown that for people with dementia – even those who have lost their ability to communicate or are at the end of their life – music can be a powerful way to trigger positive feelings and connect with other people. Music can also help a person with dementia to connect with the past by evoking memories, feelings and emotions that they might otherwise find hard to express. Sufferers may find it easier to recall memories when they hear pieces of music that are significant to them – perhaps their favourite song from the past, or even a lullaby they used to sing to their children.
“Currently, there are ten regular attendees,” Sharon said, “but the number can reach up to 25 on a good day.”
Sharon said that four dedicated volunteers assist in running the groups in Roscommon, Westport, and Claremorris. Many volunteers have personal experience with dementia and can empathise with the attendees.
“Claremorris and District Lions values the care given to dementia sufferers by groups like the Dance Memory Group,” Lions President, Melissa Walsh told the . “We are happy to contribute to their ongoing operational costs. We feel it is a very worthy cause.
"We ask for support for our table quiz. All of the monies raised by the Lions goes directly to charities."
If anyone is interested in attending they should make initial contact through the Western Alzheimer’s in Ballindine, telephone 094-936 4900.
Are you looking to connect with other women in the community for conversation, comradeship, fun and more? If the answer is yes, you are invited to an open evening in Cúram Family Centre, tomorrow, Wednesday October 23rd, at 7pm, organised by Women's Collective Ireland, Claremorris. All are welcome.
A Table Quiz fundraiser for Claremorris St Patrick's Day Parade 2025 will be held in the Dalton Inn Hotel, this Friday, October 25th.
The entry fee is €40 per table/team of four. Anyone interested can enter as a team of four players, or if they don’t have a team and would like to take part, if you let the organisers know, they will arrange a team for you.
There will be prizes for the top three teams, and plenty of spot prizes. To book a table, please contact claremorrisparade@gmail.com or call either 087-2820568 (Catherine) or 087-6542288 (Aisling).
