Local Notes: Claremorris students to stage 'Rock of Ages'
Starring in 'Rock of Ages' in Claremorris later this week are, front row, from left: Eoghan O'Hare (Protestor and The Mayor), Ódhran McTigue (Drew), Pearse Diskin (Franz Klinemann). Back row: Sé Lenihan (Stacee Jaxx), Ronan Murphy (Dennis), Cormac Walsh (Lonny), Tom Comer (Father). Picture: Trish Forde
The students of St Colman's College, in association with Mount St Michael Secondary School, present the musical ‘Rock of Ages’ in Claremorris Town Hall on April 9th, 10th and 11th at 8pm nightly.
Tickets are priced at €15 for adults and €10 for OAPs and students. Tickets can be purchased on www.townhall.ie or on the night at the door.
Pat McGovern is a local hero. The Robeen man is a volunteer with the Irish Pilgrimage Trust, an organisation that brings children and young people with additional needs on a week-long pilgrimage holiday to Lourdes each Easter. This trip is free for the guests, as volunteers fundraise to cover the costs. Separately, the volunteers pay for their own trip.
Pat, with a group of friends, will launch a new CD with an intimate performance of ‘Somebody Special’ in The Kirk in Hollymount on this Friday evening, April 11th, at 8pm. The title track on the CD was written by Don Stiffe.
The CD features two Shane McGowan songs – ‘Rainy Night In Soho’ and ‘The Broad Majestic Shannon' - and a brace from the pen of Phil Coulter, ‘Scorn Not His Simplicity’ and ‘The Old Man'. The album also includes the classic, ‘Hard Times’, written by Stephen Foster.
There’s a pair of reels on the CD too (‘The Bucks of Oranmore’ and ‘Miss McLeod’s’) as well as The Sawdoctors’ classic, ‘Will You Meet Me On Clare Island’. The also album includes the traditional standards, ‘Katie Daly,’ and ‘Will You Go Lassie Go'.
“All proceeds from the sale of this CD will go towards the work of the lrish Pilgrimage Trust,” Pat told the , "specifically, Group 109 which we are part of.
"Each Easter, the Trust takes children and young adults with additional needs to Lourdes in the south of France for the holiday of a lifetime. This also affords parents, carers and guardians a week of respite at home.”
Pat said that each group typically consists of eight to ten guests, and upwards of 14 volunteer carers, including a nurse and a priest. All carers take time off work, pay their own expenses and fundraise to cover guest expenses.
“I was fortunate enough to volunteer as a carer in 2014, and have been travelling to Lourdes annually since then,” Pat said. “That decision for me has been life-changing. Indeed, for all concerned, the experience is profound and the benefits are significant and revitalising.
"Music, singing and dancing play an important role in our activities for the week in Lourdes. And so it was that I decided to use music and song as a medium to further the invaluable work of the Trust.
"Five of the seven of us involved in compiling ‘Somebody Special’ have experienced the sheer joy and myriad benefits of Easter week in Lourdes, volunteering with the Trust and revelling in the company of truly special people. That is why this musical compilation has been entitled, ‘Somebody Special’. Our efforts are dedicated to everyone involved in any way with the work of the Irish Pilgrimage Trust.”
Pat and friends have a concert lined up too. They will play the Town Hall Theatre in Claremorris on Saturday, August 23rd.
Conor Diskin will run in the Clondalkin Half-Marathon on the May 18th in support of the Laura Lynn Children's Hospice.
Conor described Laura Lynn as: “An amazing charity that provides palliative care for children with life-limiting conditions, making the most of short and precious lives.”
Conor is seeking support and has set up an online fundraising link at the idonate website, search under 'Baby Cillian'.
Davitts opened their O’Mara Cup campaign with a fine 1-14 to 0-8 victory over Hollymount Carramore in Cong last week.
It was a solid all-round team display with Thomas Ronayne, Tommy Waldron, Jack Melvin, Charlie Phillips, Cathal Corless and Niall Treacy (the top scorer with 1-7) all in very impressive form.
Despite suffering a one-point defeat at the hands of The Neale by 0-12 to 2-5 at the same venue, Davitts still managed to top the group on score difference and gain a semi-final spot in the competition. In this game, Cathal Higgins, Tommy Waldron, Stephen Nyland, Ciaran Treacy and impressive sub Ronan Kelly played well for Davitts.
A serious facial injury sustained by star forward, Niall Treacy, in the opening minutes of the game was a big setback. Everyone wishes Niall a speedy recovery.
Photographer Marek Petrovic will open the Claremorris Camera Club exhibition of photographs in Claremorris Town Hall on Tuesday, April 15th, at 8pm.
The exhibition is entitled Magic Moments 2025 and will run from April 15th to May 12th. All are welcome.
Claremorris Musical Society will hold its annual general meeting on Monday, April 28th, at 8pm upstairs in the Dalton Inn Hotel, Claremorris.
The society encourages all past and present members, and anyone with an interest in joining the society, to attend.
Claremorris LGFA minor player Mya McGahon was the winner of the local GAA 50/50 jackpot last week. Mya won €1010 with a ticket bought at Hillside Service Station.
James and Trichia Shaughnessy won a beautiful hamper sponsored by Aran Health in the same draw.
Cormac Hanley won the Lifetime Services Award at the Claremorris GAA 2024 season awards’ night, which was held in Killeen’s Bar last week.
Paul Gilmore took the Liam Hans Young Player of the Year award, with the Junior Player of the Year going to Johnny Cummins.
The Alan Feeley Senior Player of the Year award went to Daniel Murphy, with Shane Meehan claiming the Club Person of the Year award.
Congratulations to the award winners. The club has expressed its thanks to Killeen’s Bar for hosting the event.
Three Mayo groups have qualified for the All-Ireland Confined Drama Finals after successful runs on the festival circuit.
Claremorris-based Upstage Players will be joined in the finals by St Patrick’s Drama Group from Westport and Clann Machua Drama Group from Kiltimagh. Another two, Glenamaddy Payers and Phoenix Players from Tubercurry bring to five the number of finalists from Connacht.
Upstage’s production of Conor McPherson’s ‘The Weir,’ won many awards on the circuit. The group won the Kerry, Strabane and Claregalway festivals. Upstage finished second in Lislea and Ballinamore.
At the Kerry Drama Festival, Alan Heneghan was named Best Director with Best Actor going to Tim Oates. At Strabane Drama Festival, Ollie Turner picked up the Best Actor accolade. In Claregalway, Alan Heneghan picked up the Best Director award, with Best Actor going to Tim Oates and Best Supporting Actor to Ollie Barrett. The group won the Best Overall Production at the festival.
At the Lislea Drama Festival, the group won the Audience Award, with Tim Oates getting an award for Best Character Portrayal. The group also received an award for Best Production Ensemble and Cast, while Jourdain Cunningham won an award for Best Newcomer. Tim Oates also won Best Actor at the Ballyshannon Festival.
The cast of ‘The Weir’ is Tim Oates, Aisling Costello, Ollie Turner, Jourdain Cunningham and Ollie Barrett. The All-Ireland Finals will be held in Claremorris from April 25th to May 3rd with the awards night on May 4th.
Cúram Family Support Service is a service for parents having difficulty managing their children’s behaviour, parents experiencing a crisis which impacts their children, and families experiencing communication and relationship difficulties.
A family support drop-in clinic will run every Tuesday morning between 9.30am and 12.30pm in Cúram Family Centre. For further information, contact Maria Cribbin, Family Support Project Worker, at 087-9119714.
Tai-Chi Classes are due to start in the Cúram Family Centre on Monday evening, April 14th, at 6.30pm and Tuesday morning April 15th at 10am. Booking is essential.
Call Cúram on 094-9362096 for further information and to book your place.
The Paul Keane Butchers-sponsored 18-Hole Stableford Competition, held on March 28th, 29th, and 30th, was a huge success.
In the Ladies' section, Mary Collins claimed first place with 40 points, while Carrie Loftus took the Ladies' Category 2 prize with 36 points.
Aiden McDonagh with 47 points won the Men’s section, with Ger Noone taking the Men’s Category 1 honours with 37 points. The Men’s Category 2 winner was Padraic Moran with 42 points. The Men’s Category 3 award went to Chris O'Neill with 40 points, and Janny Pilbrow won the Men’s Category 5 with 39 points.
A computer training course especially for farmers is commencing soon at Claremorris Family Resource Centre.
With most Department of Agriculture form filling now online, as well as motor tax, and banking, this is an excellent opportunity to improve computer skills. Contact the Family Resource Centre on 094-9377838 to book a place or find out more.
Buggy Buddies is a new free parent and baby/toddler social meet-up for parents, childminders, grandparents etc., to take part in with their little ones.
Buggy Buddies caters for all fitness levels and allows participants to work at an intensity which is appropriate to them. It is also a great way to get out and meet other parents in an environment that is safe and fun for both parent and baby/toddler.
Buggy Buddies will consist of a stroll around Clare Lake in Claremorris on Thursday mornings at 10am. This is a great opportunity to meet with friends or make new ones.
Commencing on May 1st (meet at Clare Lake at 10am), Buggy Buddies is funded by Mayo Sports Partnership. If you are interested, contact Claremorris Family Resource Centre on 094-9377838.
The Friday Friends Group for over 55s meets in the Claremorris Family Resource Centre every Friday from 2 to 4pm. The group enjoys lots of laughter, exciting prizes, and of course, a good cup of tea.
Art classes are now taking place every Saturday in the Claremorris Family Resource Centre. The classes run from 10.30am to 12.30pm and 12.30pm to 2pm. Beginner, intermediate and advanced levels are catered for. Contact Lanna on 089-4091820 for full details and booking.
Claremorris GAA is offering boys and girls aged eight to 15 an opportunity to train with Mayo senior footballers Enda Hession, Paul Towey, Jack Carney and David McBrien this Easter.
The club is running a Level Up Camp at St Colman's College between April 21st and 25th, from 10am to 2pm with early drop-off and late pick-up available. The programme will include elite coaching, performance and recovery programmes. The cost is €100 cash or Revolut. Family discounts are available.
For more information or to book a place, contact the organisers on 087-3696408.
Social dancing takes place every Tuesday from 8.30 to 10pm in Taugheen Community Centre.
If you fancy a jive, a waltz or line-dancing (and more), this is the event for you. The cost is €10.
Garrymore GAA Club will hold an Easter Camp in Garrymore from Tuesday to Thursday, April 22nd to 24th. The camp will run from 10am to 1.30pm each day and is open to all boys and girls from Junior Infants to Sixth Class.
The cost of the camp is €45 for one child, €80 for two or €100 for three (children must be from the same family). There are limited places available. To book, contact Pauline Jennings on 086-8607374 or book online at the Clubforce website.
Davitts GAA club is delighted to offer a free cardiac screening for some of its underage players (12-18 years), provided by the Dillon Quirke Foundation.
The purpose is to identify any heart condition which puts the person at risk of Sudden Adult Death Syndrome (SADS), which sadly takes many young lives in Ireland each year.
The one-day event will take place on Monday next, April 14th, at Davitts' clubhouse, starting at 9.30am. As this is a free service, the club is asking all involved to raise funds for the Dillon Quirke Foundation to help offset their costs. The club has provided a link for donations on its social media pages.
This vital screening can help detect underlying heart conditions. Availability is limited, so early booking is essential.
Congratulations to Zainab Naeem, from Claremorris, who was part of the Mayo U-16 girls that won the Interleague Cup last week.
After an epic match which finished 3-3 after extra time, the Mayo girls held their nerve to win the penalty shootout. Well done Zainab.
Training for Claremorris Camogie Club will begin on Tuesday, April 15th, at the Convent Pitch and will run from 6.30 to 8pm.
New members are welcome, and anyone interested is asked to contact Rebecca on 085-1179069 or Sile on 087-9284142 for more information.
Claremorris GAA will host a one-day cardiac screening event for young members of the club on April 15th.
The club has a long waiting list from last year and has secured an additional day’s screening, which will be held over the summer, with the date to be confirmed later.
The screening operates on a first come, first served, basis, and places at the screening are likely to be in demand. To book a place, parents and guardians are asked to send their child’s details, name, age, parent's name and contact number by WhatsApp to Donna Cassidy at 087-4223220.
All children attending must be 12 years old or over to avail of the screening.
Claremorris AFC and the Western Region Drug and Alcohol Task Force have joined forces to provide an awareness meeting in the McWilliam Park Hotel on April 15th from 6 to 7.30pm.
The meeting will explore local Claremorris prevalence and trends of substance use among young people and will provide information on protective factors, supports and signposting. There will be a questions and answers section and resources will also be provided.
The event is aimed at parents of young teens but all are welcome.
Hard luck to Enda Hession (Garrymore,) Fenton Kelly (Davitts,) and Stephen Coen (Hollymount Carramore) on Mayo’s defeat to Kerry in the National Football League Final last week.
The death has occurred of Sean Kiggins of Clareville, Claremorris, and formerly of Davris, Milltown and Sydney, Australia.
Seán died peacefully, at University Hospital Galway, surrounded by his loving family. He was predeceased by his mother Nora Kiggins (nee Feerick) and father John Kiggins.
Seán will be sadly missed by his cousins the Feerick family (Davris, Milltown) and the Feerick families of Kilgevrin, Dalgin and Chicago, the Nicholsons of Tonemoyle, the Scarrys of Boston, his relatives, neighbours, friends and all those who knew and loved Seán.
Seán’s remains reposed at Glynn's Funeral Home, High Street, Tuam on Wednesday evening followed by removal to St Joseph’s Church, Milltown. Funeral Mass was held on Thursday followed by burial in Kilclooney Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Marie McManus (née Fahey) of Conagher, Irishtown.
Marie died peacefully at the Galway Clinic after a short illness. She will be sadly missed by her loving family - husband Tom, children Niamh, Darren, and Saorla; sons-in-law Sonny and Darragh; Darren's partner Maria; grandchildren Evie-Marie, Páidí and Lilah-Beth; brothers Frank, Joseph, John and Karol; sisters Teresa, Patty and Anne, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Marie’s remains reposed at St Joseph's Church, Milltown on Saturday, March 29th with Funeral Mass on Sunday, March 30th, followed by burial in Irishtown Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Sean (John) Farrell of Treenreavough, Bekan, and Frenchill, Castlebar.
John died peacefully, at his home in Bekan, surrounded by his brother and neighbours. He was predeceased by his parents John and Teresa, and his brother Michael.
John is deeply regretted by his brother Tommy, cousins, neighbours, friends and colleagues in Davitt House.
His remains reposed at Donnellan’s Funeral Home, Ballyhaunis, on Monday evening with removal to St Margaret Mary Alacoque Church, Bekan. John’s funeral Mass was held on Tuesday morning with burial afterwards in the local cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Bridie Barnicle of Gurrenmore, Newtown, Nenagh, Co Tipperary and formerly of Backfox, Claremorris.
Bridie died peacefully in Milford Hospice, Castletroy, Limerick after a short illness, and was predeceased by her parents James and Annie Barnicle and her brother Denis.
Bridie will be deeply missed by her loving family, brothers Brendan, Seamus and John Joe, sisters Annette and Patricia, sister-in-law Kate, brother-in-law Hollan, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours.
Bridie reposed at St Colman’s Funeral Home, Lower James Street, Claremorris on Thursday evening with removal to St Michael’s Church, Taugheen.
Her Funeral Mass was held on Friday morning last with burial afterwards in Taugheen Old Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
