Local Notes: Enniscrone school bids fond farewell to esteemed teacher
Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Enniscrone, said a fond 'slán leat' to Mary Kilcullen, their esteemed teacher, colleague, past Vice-Principal, parent, past JM Enniscrone student and friend. Principal Sr Mary Kelly (right) is pictured making a presentation on behalf of the trustees, JM Enniscrone Board of Management, JM Community and staff, while student council members Jennifer Blakeney and Niall Tuffy make a presentation on behalf of the students.
Christmas Market Day is one of the most highly-anticipated dates in the Stokane National School calendar.
Every year just before the Christmas holidays, the children hold an in-school Christmas Market. It is a lovely way to get everyone feeling festive and ready for all the excitement to come. The senior class pupils set up and run stalls for the younger students to visit and enjoy. Just like a real Christmas Market they get a great variety of stalls and very happy jolly stall holders.
This year they had a lot of activities on offer. There was Lego building, golf, a paper cup knock down and pin the nose on Rudolph. For those with an artistic flair, there were pictures to colour and cookies to decorate. They also had a face-painting stall which was very busy. A Christmas raffle was held with some yummy prizes as well as ‘Guess the number of sweets’, and ‘count the bricks’ competitions.
Well done to the senior pupils who did a great job of planning, setting up and running their stalls. They all looked fantastic and everyone (staff included) had a great time.
Coláiste Iascaigh Green Schools committee was awarded the Cathaoirleach Award in the category of Environment, Circular Economy and Climate Action by Sligo County Council.
For the last two years, they have worked on the theme of Global Citizenship – Marine Environment, and this is the eighth theme of the Green Schools Programme. They were the National Marine Ambassadors for 2022/2023. They organised beach cleans, poster competitions, spoke at the National Marine Conference in Athlone and webinar with guest speakers throughout the year which all aided in increasing awareness of ways to reduce their ecological footprint.
Cllr Joe Queenan said: "In the 24 years I have been on the board of management of Coláiste Iascaigh. I have seen it going from strength to strength. I am sure there are many more awards in this schools future."
Social dancing is taking place in Skreen and Dromard Community Centre, on Saturday, January 13, at 9pm, with music by Nigel Livingstone. The Eircode for centre is F91 EY01.
The numbers drawn in the Easkey/Eoghan Rua Lotto held on December 18, were 13, 20,24 and 35. There was no jackpot winner.
The €30 consolation winners were Aisling Foody, Dermot Kevany, David Rolston, Vivienne Connolly and Martina Rolston. The latest draw was held on December 25, for a jackpot of €12,900.
Please remember in your prayers the following who died recently; Bartholomew (Bert) Barrins, Fiddane, Castleconnor; Michael Reddington, Enniscrone; and Patrick (John) Bourke, Lord Edward Street, Ballina (husband of the late Eileen Byron, Carrowhubbock North). May they rest in peace.
West Sligo Athletics Club are encouraging everyone to take part in the 123.ie ‘Runuary’ challenge and make a positive and healthier start to 2024. Visit www.athleticsireland.ie for full details.
Runuary t-shirts and bobble hats are available as additional purchases.
An information day will be held at all Sligo Fire Service stations on Saturday, January 6, from 10am to 2pm, in relation to working for Sligo Fire Service as retained firefighter jobs at Enniscrone, Tubbercurry, Sligo and Ballymote Fire Stations. No experience is necessary as full training will be provided.
There will be career progression opportunities and typical earnings is €30k per annum. There will be structured rostered time off, and you can achieve a QQl Level 6 award. For application forms, contact Sligo County Council at 071-9111025 or email jobs@sligococo.ie. The closing date for applications is Wednesday, January 17, at 4.30pm.
Bingo is held in the Old Church, Enniscrone, on Tuesday at 8pm with doors opening at 7pm with free tea and coffee on offer.
You can win €20 on lines and corners, €50 on full house; €100 on the first pool; €400 on the second pool on 45 numbers. The cost is €20 for a double book including pool and €12 for single book including pool. All are welcome to come along and support and be in with a chance to win.
The indoor food and craft market takes place every Saturday in the Old Church Enniscrone from 11am to 3pm. It features a wide range of handmade gifts, homemade baking, vegetables, fresh fish, bric a brac and local crafts. All are welcome and your support will be much appreciated.
Bridge is played on Wednesday nights in Enniscrone Golf Club at 7pm where all are welcome to come along and enjoy the game.
For further details in relation to beginner classes, contact Kevin on 087 7568686.
The Activator Poles programme takes place on Wednesdays from 11.30am to 12.30pm and will continue each Wednesday until December 6, meeting at West Sligo FRC. For further information or to book, contact 087 3329392 or 096 37444.
The dates for First Holy Communion in Scoil Chríost Rí, Enniscrone, is Saturday, April 27, at 11am; and Kilglass NS on Saturday, April 20 at 12 noon.
Confirmation will be held for pupils of Scoil Chríost Rí, Enniscrone, on Saturday, May 18, at 11am and pupils of Kilglass NS on Saturday, May 11, at 11am.
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Castleconnor
Bert, who was born in 1936, played football for Castleconnor from a very early age. There was no pitch in the parish in those days so footballers had to play in Culkin's, Maye's, Kilcullen's and Flynn's fields. Bert played with his brothers Michael and Brendan, Jim Curran, Liam Foody, Seamus Barrins, Atty Boland, Liam Boland, Maye brothers, Finnerty brothers, Ernie Caffrey and the Hanley brothers, just to mention a few. He played on senior teams that beat the best in the county at the time including county champions Tubbercurry and Mullinabreena. In 1959, 13 members of the team emigrated and the club ceased to function for a few years.
Bert emigrated to the US in 1960 where he played in Gaelic Park in New York with Sligo and played handball out at Rockaway. He served in the US Army for two years and was on standby when the US threatened to invade Cuba. He returned home in 1974 and got involved again with Castleconnor, even togging out on the odd occasion alongside Jim Curran when numbers were tight.
From 1974, Bert was involved with club teams. He was manager in 1980 and 1985 when Castleconnor won County Junior Championships and in 1998 when they won the County Intermediate Championship. He was awarded Sligo Clubman of the Year in Centenary Year 1984.
In 1954, Bert played centre forward for Sligo minors, a fair achievement in those days. That was the year also that Jim Curran and himself performed the first plays/skits in the parish to raise money to buy jerseys for the team. They also travelled with the play/skits to local parishes by popular demand.
Bert was Sligo County Board Development Officer for several years also in the late 80s and early 90s. He was a member of the county minor team management and he made sure players from Castleconnor and the West Division got a chance to be considered for selection.
He served in many other roles within the club – chairperson (1994), treasurer, county board delegate and president. He played a major role in securing a permanent pitch for the club and was a trustee until 2022. He was deservedly inducted into Castleconnor Hall of Fame. In his later years, he was a great supporter, enjoyed watching grandson Daire and granddaughter Aoibhe playing and hardly missed a game at home or away.
On one occasion when Bert was managing an underage team, the referee was unhappy with the visibility of the lines on the square and refused to start the game until they were improved. No lime could be found so Bert resolved the issue when he took a bag of milk replacer (Maverick) from his car boot and used it to line out the squares.
Bert has given great service to the club and served in many roles throughout his long life and will be remembered as a legend. He was also a great man for the parish outside of the GAA circles, was involved in the community council, Community Games, local history group, agricultural show and most of all was a great family man. He will be sadly missed and all in Castleconnor GAA club extend their sympathies to his wife Mary, sons Bart and Kevin and his daughter Fiona. "
A spokesperson for Sligo GAA stated: On behalf of the chairman and the executive of Sligo GAA, we want to extend our sympathies to the Barrins family on the passing of Bert. For many of us, Bert was synonymous with Castleconnor GAA Club, always a friendly face and with a gentle word.
"He served his county too as a member of Sligo County Board Executive between 1989 and 1992 and travelled far and wide just to enjoy the games and spend time with friends.
"Our thoughts are with his wife Mary, his daughter Fiona, sons Bart and Kevin – both of whom represented their county with passion and distinction on the playing fields and Bart more recently as a member of the Sligo GAA executive where he was PRO from 2019 to 2021 – his extended family and many friends."
Ar dheis De go ramh a anim dhilis.
The numbers drawn in the Castleconnor GAA lotto held on December 23, were 12, 17, 20 and 26. Congratulations to Maeve O’Grady, Sharon Conon, Kevin Conlon, Amy Reape and Breda Brennan who all matched three numbers and won €40 each. The lucky dip winners were Ambrose and Margaret Kilcullen and they won €50.
The jackpot for the latest draw, which was held on December 30, was €19,600.
