Local Notes: Dedicated volunteers at Charlestown Organic Community Garden prepare the gardens for the onset of winter.
Some of the dedicated volunteers hard at work in the Charlestown Organic Community Garden
The committee are always on the lookout for new members/volunteers. They are only too delighted to welcome everyone through the gates for a tour of the garden and a friendly cuppa to boot. The committee are currently starting to prepare the gardens for the onset of winter. The raised beds will be covered towards the end of October. The garden committee extend their deep appreciation and thanks to the people of Charlestown and surrounding areas for their steadfast support throughout the year. The garden is a little piece of heaven nestled adjacent to the church and graveyard and continues to draw admiration and plaudits across the community and beyond with their social media Facebook page full of kind comments from across the globe. The current Garden’s members are Paddy Casey, Vera Turner, Breda and Willie Doyle, Sr. Elsie Gilmartin, Caroline Friel, Ian Isherwood, Dave, Sam and Amanda Culpan, Mary and Kay McIntyre, Sarah McCann, Nikita and Megan.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €18,800 in the weekly draw held on Sunday, October 5, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 1, 6, 23 and 35. The winners of the €50 weekly prizes were Rebecca Gilmartin and Vincent Hunt (annual ticket). Next week’s jackpot will increase to €18,900 and the draw will be held on Sunday, October 12.
A Halloween Children’s Disco hosted by the East Mayo Athletics Club takes place in the CBD Sport and Recreational Centre, Lowpark, Charlestown on Thursday, October 31, from 6-7.30pm. Admission is €5 per child or €10 per family maximum. Fancy dress is optional. Save the date as it promises to be an evening of spooky fun.
Senior exercise class takes place in the in the Arts Centre, Barrack Street, Charlestown, on Friday mornings at 11am and all are welcome.
Art and craft classes take place in Charlestown Arts Centre on Wednesday mornings from 11am-1pm and new members are most welcome.
Friday night darts takes place in Johnny’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Friday nights starting Friday, October 17 with a €100 prize for the winner. Check out Johnny’s Bar Facebook page for more details.
Birthday greetings and best wishes are extended to Maisie Mulhearn Doyle (nee Mulhearn), Milton Keynes, London and formerly of Ballyglass, Charlestown who celebrated her 100th birthday with a family celebration at her home recently. Maisie was joined for the celebration by her nephew Michael Mulhearn and his wife Josie of the Candy Store, Church Street with her family going all out to ensure she enjoyed and savoured a great occasion as Maisie joins a select club of people lucky enough to reach such an esteemed age and landmark.
She is a sister of the late Junior Mulhearn who was a well-known figure in the Charlestown community. Maisie spent the majority of her life in London where she was a nurse of some renown and was well known for her grace and dignity as she brought great care and professionalism to the role and treated her patients with empathy and kindness which endeared to all she worked with during her long and stellar career working for the NHS. She always enjoyed her visits to Charlestown and had forged many strong connections with the place and has fond memories of her time growing up in the town. Maisie had a strong work ethic and worked hard to carve out a good career for herself and this stayed with her right throughout her life as she knew full well the value of a good day’s work for a good day’s pay. Her friends in and around Charlestown congratulate her on the magnificent achievement of reaching the century mark, wish her many more milestones of this nature in the future, good health and happiness for many more years to come.
Women’s Box–Fit classes (fun fitness for all ages and levels) take place every Wednesday at the Charlestown Boxing Club headquarters (Old Cloonfane School) from 7.30-8.45pm. The cost is €60 per eight week block or €10 per session (pay as you go). The instructor is Keely Stevens, five times national champion. Call 089 4977388 for more details.
Family Carers Ireland are currently recruiting for community homecare workers. Work hours are flexible based on availability. Essential requirements are QQ1 Care of the Older Person and Care Skills. The applicant must have their own car and full driving licence. Send CV to jobs@familycarers.ie or contact Carol on 049 8511051 or 086 4183949 for more information.
The death took place at the Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar of Lillian Walsh, Lowpark, Charlestown. Her remains were removed from Horkan’s Funeral Home, Lowpark, Charlestown, to St James’ Church, Charlestown, and burial took place after solemn requiem Mass to the Cemetery of the Resurrection.
Lillian is survived by her husband Eamon, daughters Nicola, Carol, Tara and Yvonne, son Eamon (jnr), brother Noel, sons-in law, daughter-in law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends. The late Lillian was a lady in the true sense of the word who lived life in the best way she knew how. She had a great sense of style about her and this was always on display during her nights out and the many social occasions she enjoyed in the company of her husband Eamon and their friends. She doted on her family and enjoyed the constant and regular interaction with them as they made their way through life and forged their own careers. She was proud of their achievements and imbued them with good values which stood them in good stead as they embraced the many challenges that life threw at them. Lillian forged a good bond with her husband Eamon as they were together the best part of sixty three years and made for a good team. She trained as a nurse in her early years and had a keen sense of empathy and compassion about her and this shone through in her dealings with the general public and her family who were always uppermost in her mind at all times. The end when it came was as quick as it was sudden but she fought bravely to the end which once again reminds us of the brevity of life and how each day should be treasured and savoured and taken on its merits.
Lillian leaves a rich legacy of great memories which her family will value and revere in the deep dark hours and days that lie ahead. The large crowds who attended the removal of her remains and subsequent burial was ample proof of the esteem and affection in which she was held and deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
Charlestown Drama Club will be staging three one act plays on November 13, 14 and 15 in the Arts Centre, Barrack Street, Charlestown. More details in the coming weeks as they come to hand, but people are asked to save the date(s) as the tickets for the same are expected to be the hottest in town.
St Joseph’s Community College, Charlestown host Scoil Muire agus Padraig, Swinford in the Flanagan Cup D competition in Fr O’Hara Park on Wednesday, October 22, with the throw-in timed for 12,30pm.
Registration is now closed for the season and for details of training for all the various teams in the boys and girls underage grades check out the Cubs basketball Facebook page which gives up to date information on times, fixtures, results and all matters connected to the club on a regular basis East Mayo Athletic Club registration.
The East Mayo Athletic Club have a membership special offer for all new members with 15 months on offer for the price of 12. Join now. For more information log onto the East Mayo Athletic Club Facebook page and follow the link.
Youth Theatre Drama workshops take place on November 3, 10, 17 and 25 in the Charlestown Arts Centre from 6-7.30pm for 12-18 year olds. The focus over the course of the four workshops will be on movement, vocal work, script work, character development, improvisation and musical theatre. This represents a great way to meet new friends, develop creativity, confidence, wellbeing, be active and have so much fun. For more details and booking s contact Carmel on 086 0734867.
A 4 week flower arranging class with Angela Tansey has started at Carracastle Community Centre on Wednesday evenings at 7.30pm. A €10 deposit is required and booking is essential. Contact Angela at 087 6039449 to confirm your place and for more information.
For knitters, crocheters, hand stitchers, embroiderers from beginners to experts, Yarn Tales is the place for you. The group meet every Thursday from10.30am-1pm at the Charlestown Art Centre. For more information contact Pamela on 089 4795664.
A Marriage Enrichment Weekend takes place in The Focolare Centre, Curryhills, Prosperous, Co Kildare from November 7-9. It is open to all married couples, For more information/booking www.marriageencounter.ie.
The Parish Council held a meeting recently and they were reconstituted by Fr John Maloney. The following officers were elected; chairperson Danien McEntire, secretary Sarah Duffy, youth officer Christina Ward, communications officer Orla Sloyan. If anyone wishes to contact the Parish Council email charlestownparish@achonrydiocese.org.
Meetings have resumed in the Arts Centre on Thursday nights at 7pm and new members are most welcome.
Exercise classes with Tracey are held in the Charlestown Arts Centre on on Friday afternoons October 24th and 31st respectively at 12 noon. All are welcome. and the cost is €2 contribution per class. Lift access available.
Mayo School Leaver Information Fair, “Where to Here’ to support young people with a disability and their family decide what they will do when they leave school will be held tomorrow Wednesday, October 15, at Breaffy House Hotel, Castlebar. People can drop in anytime between 11.30am-3pm . All are welcome and entry is free.
There was a good turnout at the weekly bridge game held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Wednesday, October 1, at 8pm, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Nora McVeigh and Maura Kilcoyne; 2nd Mary Lynskey and Tom Dunne; 3rd Mary O’Malley and Teresa Ward 25-Card Drive.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25-card game held at the Yeats County Inn, Curry, on Tuesday, October 7, at 9pm, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Miko Sheridan and Vera Scally, 2nd Joe Mahon and Kevin Maloney. Raffle winners were Kevin Maloney, James Cafferty and Darby Leonard.
You can drop into your local centre or contact it by phone and email for information, advice and advocacy. Make sure you check your local service’s opening hours if you are dropping in. Appointments are offered as needed following an initial assessment. You can also call the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000, Monday to Friday from 9am-8pm.
The annual Croi Night Run sponsored by Benecol is coming to Charlestown on Friday, October 17. Register at croinightrun.ie and complete your 5km your way - walk, jog or run – with all funds going towards Croi’s fight against heart disease and stroke. Go to croinightrun.ie and select register -“Take part in your area” . Fill in your details and select “Join a run”, select (East Mayo AC Track) from the drop-down. Complete form. Let’s light up the country together with the electric energy of the Croi Night Run.
The Music Circle with John Hoban and Isabela Basombrio Hoban returns to Carracastle Community Centre on Monday, October 27, from 7pm. All are welcome to sing a song, play a tune, recite a poem or simple listen. This is a free event, tea/coffee and refreshments will be served.
If anyone in the parish would like to receive their silver, gold or diamond pioneer pin, or become a member email achonrypioneers@gmail.com or contact Theresa on 086 1360154.
Charlestown Sarsfields U15 team take on Shrule/Glencorrib in the Division 3 U15 grading league final at the Centre of Excellence, Bekan on Sunday, October 19 with the throw-in confirmed for 10am. The Sarsfields go into the game in fine fettle and will be looking to round off the season with another piece of silverware with their South Mayo opposition expected, however, to pose a strong challenge as they, too, will have their eyes on the cup as they look to bring it back to the twin parishes of Shrule and Glencorrib respectively.
The death took place at his home Ballinagoul, Kilmallock, Co. Limerick of John Cronnolly formerly of Charlestown, Co Mayo. His remains were removed to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Bruree, and burial took place after solemn requiem Mass to the New Cemetery Bruree. He is survived by his wife Adrienne, his children, brothers Tommy, James, Kevin and Declan, sisters Carmel, Kathleen and Frances, brothers-in law, sisters-in law, nieces, nephews, relatives, cousins, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
The late John was a character in the true sense of the word who lived life in the best way he knew how. He was a man with a great sense of wit and comic timing about him and his company was much sought after as he always believed in bringing a bit of humour and comedy to the day where possible. He spent many years in New York where he worked for the Structure Tone Company and was always hard working and conscientious who knew the value of a good day’s work for a good day’s pay.
He enjoyed life and was a member of the Sligo GAA football club in New York where he gave good service and was a goalkeeper of some renown who guarded the square with a fearlessness and courage that made him such a formidable opponent. He also represented the Sarsfields at underage level and played on some good teams during his early formative years. John moved back to Ireland and made Limerick his home in the early noughties and settled in like a glove as he became an integral part of the communities of Bruree and Kilmallock respectively. He retained strong links with Charlestown however and had many friends in the area who were deeply shocked when word filtered through of his untimely death.
John brought lots to each and every day not least of which was his humour and sense of fun and the large crowds who attended the removal of his remains and subsequent burial was ample proof of the esteem and affection in which he was held. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
Congratulations to Ann-Marie and Michael Hanley and their hardworking team at Hanley Catering, Hagfield, Charlestown, who scooped the silver award for their Coleslaw in the Irish Food Awards recently. This is very prestigious for Ann-Marie and her dedicated team to receive and a recognition for the outstanding products they produce week in week out which are available for purchase across a wide variety of shops and multiples. Her produce is top quality with her coleslaw a particular favourite with many within and outside the community.
Hanley Catering has long been established a business for the best part of twenty five years and more and Ann-Marie and and Michael concentrate on producing the best possible product with the her family, friends, neighbours and customers within and outside the communities of Hagfield and Charlestown delighted that her excellence has been recognised at national level which should provide a further boost to her confidence and consequently her sales in the coming weeks and months. We once again congratulate Ann-Marie, Michael and the team on achieving this due recognition for their coleslaw product which is without doubt a very tasty and delicious offering and one that obviously finds favour in households the length and breadth of the country. Keep up the good work Ann-Marie and team and wishing you many more years of successful catering in the future.
Age Friendly Mayo is delivered by Mayo County Council and works to improve the services that older people have identified as being important to them, and the wider community, as they live healthy and active lives. The projects they offer, in conjunction with other organisations include; outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, respect and social inclusion, social participation, communication and education, civic participation and employment and health and wellbeing.
The key contributors to this programme are the Age Friendly Alliance and Mayo OIder Peoples Council. The Age Friendly Alliance brings together, older people, service providers and businesses to change thinking about aging and how services to our older people are planned and delivered.
If you would like to find out more about this programme, email agefriendlymayo@mayococo.ie.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €4200 in the weekly draw held on Monday, October 6, and the following were four numbers drawn on the night; 1, 3, 16 and 21. The following were the winners of the €20 weekly prizes; Katie Giblin, Anne Caine, Keelan, Rian and Hollie Kennedy.
Next week’s jackpot will increase to €4300 and the draw will take place on Monday, October 13. Tickets can be bought in a number of outlets or via the online platform and also by logging onto the Club’s Facebook and Twitter pages respectively.
Fire Safety Week takes place all this week with the Charlestown Fire Station open to the general public on Saturday, October 18, from 9am if anybody wishes to come in and chat to the firefighters on fire safety in the home and register for the free home visits and fire alarms installed. The fire station and its dedicated fire fighters welcome all callers to the station and look forward to providing as much advice as possible and tips on how to keep your house safe from all fire hazards. Note the date and please utilise their advice and guidance as they do a terrific job and provide a great service across all areas and facets of the community.
The 30th anniversary of the Carracastle Lass takes place on Saturday, October 18, at 8pm in Carracastle Community Centre. If you would like to sponsor an entrant (aged over 18) to represent your business/company, contact 086 1660196 or email carracastlelass@gmail.com for more information.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown on Sunday, October 5, as The Pillock and Boom Boom duked it out in another thrilling instalment of the weekly classic. Governor Gus had plenty to keep him occupied in his role as match referee but kept the two combatants in check albeit his authority was tested on occasions. The Pillock, as is his wont, stormed into a two-set lead with some outrageous throwing. Boom Boom hardly got a look at a double in the opening two sets such was form of his opponent who went on a scoring rampage from his first set of darts. Things looked grim for Boom Boom at the start of the third set but slowly but surely, he navigated a path back into the game and took the set with a steady scoring average and some clinical doubles. The Pillock was in no mood to surrender the initiative at the start of the fourth set however and he regained control with some sparkling darts as he bludgeoned his way into a two-leg lead.
Boom Boom’s goose looked cooked but he didn’t make it easy for the number five seed as both men reached the double simultaneously. Indeed, Boom Boom had first shot at a double but his two darts at double sixteen grazed the wire thus paving the way for the Pillock to step forward and clinch the match with three darts in his quiver and double eighteen at his apparent mercy. He nailed the winning double with his first to set off wild scenes of celebration and he jumped into the arms of his supporters and took their full acclaim. Boom Boom was disconsolate but showed his true class and sportsmanship as he embraced the victor and offered some kind, congratulatory words which brought the curtain down on another epic clash between the two old foes.
