Local Notes: Comedy play ‘A Wake in The West’ comes to Kiltimagh
Members of Clann Machua Drama Group from Kiltimagh in rehearsals for their upcoming production of the legendary comedy play 'A Wake in the West'.
You’ll be sorry to hear that Tom Healy has died. Tom, as you know, is the central character in the hit comedy, ‘A Wake in the West’ – a very popular play by Mulranny man, Michael Joe Ginnelly. Tom was resident in a small fishing village in the West of Ireland, and, if the truth be told, and without wanting to be unkind, was probably a bit too fond of the drink. Everyone has their own cross to bear.
Tom’s last wish was that his body would be cremated and his ashes scattered at sea. While any family will always try to accommodate a loved one’s dying wish, it won’t be that simple for the Healys.
Martin, the son, has returned from New York for the funeral. As soon as you meet him, you’ll immediately notice that it didn’t take him long to pick up the accent. Joan, who always had an eye for Martin, will be back in a flash once she hears he’s home. And Rose! Well, you know Rose yourself; she’ll be along to pay her respects and see how she can prosper from the visit.
The good news is that you can attend the wake yourself. But a word of warning – it could turn out very, very funny. Not what you’d expect from a wake, I know, but this is after all, ‘A Wake in The West’.
The wake is being held over three nights on December 3rd, 4th and 5th in the Town Hall Theatre. Seán Langan will direct proceedings and the Clann Machua Drama Group is expected to be there too. Well, it is their production after all.
‘A Wake in The West’ is a very funny and popular, three-act comedy that celebrates the great Irish tradition of wakes. It guarantees a great laugh. Tickets are available from Langan’s and will also also be available on the door. You won’t want to miss it. Family flowers only and no need for Mass cards. Tom was never much into that sort of thing.
A fundraising raffle for the Irish Kidney Association was held in conjunction with the Teach O'Hora Texas Holdem Poker session in Teach O'Hora on Sunday, November 10th. Over €2,000 was raised combining the sale of raffle tickets and a very generous donation from Michael Higgins and the weekly Poker group.
This money was lodged to the Mayo branch of the association and will go towards helping people recovering from surgery, or a transplant, and people on dialysis, to make life a little more bearable for them. Among the many benefits for these people are peer support and patient support, holidays in any of the holiday homes in Tramore, Killarney and Tralee, and the very important need for patient counselling. The local organisers hope this money will help some Mayo people to avail of the services of the association.
Marie O’Hora, on behalf of the local fundraising committee, extends sincerest thanks to Michael and the poker players for their generous donation. Marie also thanked all the sponsors of raffle prizes. These included Coman's Beverages, SuperValu Kiltimagh, J and C Kenny, Carney’s Wholesale Kiltimagh, Martin Conlon Meats, Tom and Martina Lavelle of Lavelle Car Sales, Carroll’s Londis, Heneghan’s Pharmacy, Value Centre Cash and Carry, Castlebar.
The Irish Kidney Association is a charitable voluntary organisation dedicated to meeting the needs of renal patients and their families and carers, living with and affected by end-stage renal disease. These needs are spread across all aspects of life – medical, social and psychological. Kidney patients can be any age.
GAA launch Sponsor-a-Seat campaign
Kiltimagh GAA has invested heavily in the redevelopment of the grounds at Gilmartin Park, with substantial money spent on a new sand-based pitch. The club has also built a new 242-seated cantilever stand and developed two floodlit training areas.
The club is now actively fundraising to ensure the project is finished to the highest standard and to reduce the club debt. To help defray the costs, the club has launched a Sponsor-a-Seat campaign, when members of the club or the public can have a seat in the new stand named after them or in their family name or in memory of someone who has passed. The sponsorship cost is €350 and is on a first-come, first-served basis. Seats will be randomly allocated through an open draw.
If you would like to sponsor a seat in the new Kiltimagh GAA stand, you can get in contact with the committee on a dedicated email, kiltimaghgaaseats@gmail.com, or by making contact with any member of the executive.
The death has occurred in Doncaster, United Kingdom, of James Joseph Corrigan.
James was late of Laragan, Balla and Gortgarve, Kiltimagh. He passed peacefully surrounded by his family.
James was predeceased by his parents Bernard and Celia (née Murtagh) and brothers Vincent and Thomas. He will be deeply missed by his daughter Michelle, son Glen, grandchildren Conor and Cameron, sisters Mary, Anne and Christine, brothers Brian and Patrick and his partner Patricia O’Brien, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
James was laid to rest in Kilkinure Cemetery following Funeral Mass in the Church of the Holy Family.
May he rest in peace.
Cyril Forde was the winner of last week’s Kiltimagh GAA 50/50 draw. Cyril won €602 and the draw was held in Kitty’s.
Congratulations to Ais Caulfield of Bekan, who won last week’s Kiltimagh Knock United 50/50 draw. Ais took home €308.
Tickets are available online and in retails outlets around the area and the club is grateful for the support from the community.
Tom Conroy and Joe Boyle were the winners of the weekly 25-drive in the parish centre. In joint second place were Tom Flatley and Francis McNicholas and Martin Regan and Danny Doherty.
The Last 10 winners were Michael Carney and Michael Costello. Spot prizes went to John Clancy and Michael Nolan and Alo Langan, John Clancy, Aidan Lydon and Jack Ryan won prizes in the raffle.
The death has occurred of Michael Cutler of Hilltop Cottage, Cahir, Kiltimagh, and formerly Lincolnshire and Dover, UK. Michael passed away suddenly at his home.
Michael is deeply regretted by his wife Debbie, daughters Lisa and Laura, stepsons Christopher, Matthew and Anthony, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, sisters Lindy and Janie, brother Jim, brothers-in-law John and Ian, sisters-in-law Leslie and Amanda, nieces, nephews, cousins, extended family, neighbours and friends.
A private funeral will take place for Michael.
Works are well underway on a new pedestrian crossing on Main Street and are expected to be completed by mid-December. The works are being carried out by Mayo County Council and involve constructing a ramp, the installation of lights, works to the pavements and road markings. The cost of the work is expected to be around €30,000.
Kiltimagh Tourism Festivals are holding a Christmas Monster Raffle with huge prizes, including a first prize of €1,000.
The second prize is two tickets to The Saw Doctors concert in Virgin Media Park, Cork, which will be held on June 14th next year, including a night’s dinner and bed and breakfast in the four-star Clayton Hotel. The third prize is a pair of tickets to Ireland v England in the Six Nations Rugby at the Aviva Stadium with hotel accommodation for two people in a Dublin city centre hotel. The fourth prize is a publican’s hamper to the value of €400 while the fifth prize is a voucher for the Cill Aodain Court Hotel valued at €300. The sixth prize is for two nights bed and breakfast for two people at The Mill Park Hotel, Donegal. There will be many more prizes to be won.
The raffle will take place in Teach O’Hora on Sunday, December 29th. Tickets are €5 each or three for €10. The organisation does tremendous work throughout the year promoting the town.
Cill Aodáin Choral Society is busy getting ready for its usual Christmas performances. The society will commence its seasonal events by singing at the turning on of the Christmas lights in Kiltimagh on December 8th at 5.30pm.
The society is always privileged to be asked to take part in this community event, and the society has been asked, once again, to perform in the beautiful setting of Museum of Country Life, Turlough, on December 22nd at 2.15pm. This is always a beautiful day and gets everyone in the Christmas spirit.
The choral society will also take part in the Carol Service in the Church of the Holy Family with the time and date yet to be confirmed.
The 2025 Mayo four-a-side Darts competition will be held on Saturday, January 11th, in The Park Hotel, Kiltimagh. The entry fee is €15 entry per player.
All entries should be paid via Revolut to Joe on 083-8554284. Only paid entries will secure their place in the competition.
The Park Hotel is offering special room rates for the event. These are available directly from the hotel, quoting 'darts'.
There will be lots of side events on the night also, including the '9 darts at 9' challenge with some great prizes on offer. The proceeds will go to the Western Care Association, and all support is much appreciated.
The Women’s Group’s Christmas party will take place on Friday, December 6th, in the Park Hotel at 7pm. The outstanding fee of €30 can be paid to Bridie in the Library by this Saturday, November 30th. All are welcome.
