Local Notes: Evan Carney, Charlestown graduates with Honours Bachelor of Science Degree from NUIG.
Evan Carney from Charlestown, Co. Mayo and Claire White from Kilrea, Co. Derry graduated with Honours Bachelor of Science (Geography & Geo Systems) form University of Galway Credit - Aengus McMahon
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €13,200 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, September 8, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 3, 5, 23 and 27. The winners of the €50 weekly prizes were Niamh Fleming and Sharon Egan (annual ticket). The latest jackpot increased to €13,300 and the draw was held on Sunday night, September 15.
The death took place recently of Michael (Mick) John Connor, Ballymote Road, Charlestown, and formerly of Ballycastle and London. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
The Sarsfields travel to Claremorris to take on the locals in division 7 of the U15 development grading league on Tuesday (this evening), September 17 with the throw-in timed for 6.30pm.
The Sarsfields travel to Swinford to take on the locals in the county U13 league on Friday, September 20, with the throw-in timed for 6.30pm.
The club are putting out an appeal for more coaches for the coming season. The club has grown enormously since its foundation some five years ago and with teams competing at all ages from U10 and upwards. They have become a victim of their own success however as they are in dire need of new coaches to come on board and help out with the coaching of the teams they plan to field at age grade of competition in both genders for the coming 2024/2025 season. They have a number of coaching clinics and initiatives up and running to give people a course in best coaching practice but need more help to come forward or else they will not be able to cater and provide teams for competition at certain age grades. Any offers of support/help would be greatly appreciated with more information on how to get involved available on the Cubs Basketball Facebook page which gives up to date information on \all matters pertaining to the club on a daily/weekly basis.
The East Mayo Athletics Club have launched their Autumn 5km series programme which involves five races at a number of venues in the Charlestown and surrounding hinterlands. They are extremely grateful to the local businesses for their sponsorship of the event namely Hegarty’s Centra, Bellaghy, Jenny’s Cafe Charlestown and Tubbercurry and From the Ground Up 2020 who have very kindly some on board with some very welcome and generous sponsorship. The first 5km takes place in Curry on Saturday, September 21, with the race having a €5 entry fee or €20 for all five races. Registration takes place at 9.30am with the race having a 10am start. The Curry terrain is a nice flat course with registration details to be found on the East Mayo Athletics Club Facebook Page. The series represents an ideal opportunity to get out and work up a sweat and start the Autumn/ Winter season with a new fitness regime with exercise forming a regular part of many people’s working week. For more information on the event(s) contact Trina on 087 9809259 or Peter 086 3158254.
Rinka is coming to the CBD Sport and Recreational Centre, Charlestown, on Saturday mornings for the following age groups; 9.10am for ages 3-5 and 10am for ages 6 and upwards. Your child will experience fun-filled fitness. Classes are packed with activities that keep kids engaged, active, and loving every moment. Classes focus on helping children build strength and improve their fitness levels, ensuring steady progress in a fun and supportive environment. They will make new friends, work in teams and develop social skills in a supportive environment. Through mastering new challenges, children build new confidence that carries over into other areas of life. Booking is now open and for more information and to book check out the following link https://rinka-kids-fitness.classforkids.io/term128.
Mayo Fire Service are looking to recruit retained fire-fighters to serve the local community around Charlestown and recruitment is now open on www.mayo.ie.careers/current-vacancies.
Charlestown Drama Group are planning an upcoming production before Christmas and are looking for people to help out with lighting, stage sets, props, make-up, wardrobes and roles in the production. Meetings will be held in the coming weeks in the Town Hall Arts Centre and all are welcome to attend.
Senior strength and conditioning classes are held at Carrcastle Community Centre every Wednesday morning at 11am, involving chair-based exercises and using light weights. For more information and to book your place, contact Sarah at 086 3879635.
Congratulations are extended to Marty and Margaret Owens, Cloonfane, Carracastle, who celebrated their Ruby Wedding Anniversary recently. Marty and Margaret are wished continued good health and happiness in the future and many more milestones of this nature in the years ahead.
Charlestown Coffee Morning welcome new volunteers, even an hour if available would be fantastic. Text/WhatsApp 086 8514682 for more information or email secretary@charlestown.ie. A pleasant and rewarding volunteer experience is guaranteed.
Charlestown Sarsfields Ladies endured a tough start to their 2024 senior championship campaign as they suffered a comprehensive 3-15 to 0-7 defeat to county champions Knockmore in round one played at the Knockmore GAA grounds recently.
This was always going to be the most difficult tie of the group with the reigning champions a formidable outfit as they gave a timely reminder of their class with a very commanding and authoritative display with the Sarsfields enduring a hard day all round as the home side went after them from the throw-in.
The Sarsfields went into the contest minus the considerable talents of Deirdre Doherty who was ruled out with a groin injury and her loss to the side was incalculable as she provides some much class and experience to the forward line which was pretty bare in her absence. Shona Mahon was another affected by injury which weakened the hand available to manager Francis Mannion and his backroom team with Knockmore in no mood to offer up any gifts as they took control early in the first half and never looked like letting go at any stage in the game.
Knockmore landed a flurry of scores in the opening quarter with a goal the icing on the cake as they cruised to a first half lead of 1-10 to 0-1 with the Sarsfields unable to make any inroads against a well organised and strong Knockmore rearguard.
The Sarsfields needed a good start to the second half to have any chance of making a contest out of it and to their credit they did up the level of their performance considerably and were much more competitive in all areas of the field.
Knockmore, however, were clinical in everything they did with two second half goals dashing any hopes of an unlikely green and white comeback with the two three pointers keeping the Sarsfields at arm’s length as the game drifted to its inevitable conclusion. The Sarsfields did tag on six second half points which was a marked improvement on their first half showing but this was the day Knockmore hammered out a warning that they remain the team to beat and will take some stopping if they maintain this level of performance throughout the remainder of the championship.
All is far from lost for the Sarsfields however, as they have two home championship games to look forward to in their next two outings in the group with manager Francis Mannion and coach Paul McNicholas looking to re-group after this setback with little or no time to dwell on this loss. They will be hoping to have Deirdre Doherty back on the field for games two and three with her presence crucial to their overall hopes of emerging from the group as they park this result and switch their focus to McHale Rovers in game two.
On Friday, September 27, St. Attracta`s Residence, Hagfield, Charlestown, will host its annual bake sale with all funds going directly to Mayo/Roscommon Hospice. The bake sale will run from 10am-1.30pm. All items will be home made by the in-house catering team with a selection of sweet and savoury offerings as well as homemade jams. They hope you will join them to raise funds for the wonderful facility that is Mayo/Roscommon Hospice.
Step Aerobics with GG take place in Derrincartha-Cloontia Community Centre on Tuesdays at 8pm. Register interest for this class by texting 086 3776190.
There was a good turnout at the weekly summer bridge game held in Walsh`s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Wednesday last, September 4, at 8pm, and the following were the prize winners; 1st Nora McVeigh and Maura Kilcoyne; 2nd Paddy and Patricia Colleran; 3rd Mary Lynskey and Tom Dunne; 4th Mary O’Connell and Carmel Moffitt; 5th Nuala and Richard White.
There was a good turnout at the weekly 25 card drive held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry, on Tuesday, September 10, at 8.30pm and the following were the prize winners; 1st Darby and Breege Leonard; 2nd James Reidy and Pearse Henry, Teresa McIntyre and Veronica McCarrick. Raffle winners were Veronica McCarrick, James Reidy and Michael Lynskey.
The Medjugorje Irish Centre organise pilgrimages to Medjugorje from April to June offering 7 nights apartment accommodation B & B for €273 per person sharing. Airport transfers are available on request. Tel 01 44 34 510, Medjugorje 00387 36 651 518, email reservations@med-irishcentre.com.
Marriage Counselling Rooms are now available at Convent Road, Ballaghaderreen and at Moneen, Castlebar. Enquiries to office in Castlebar 087 9972503.
Sympathy is extended to Marie Murphy, Lecarrow, Charlestown, on the death of her father Pat Bones, Derrough, Kilkelly, which occurred recently.
Interested in learning how to play Bridge. Classes are starting in Boyle on Tuesdays for six weeks arranged as follows; beginners class on Tuesday nights, improver class Tuesday mornings and the start date is Tuesday, September 17. For more information contact Ann on 086 8770252.
Charlestown Sarsfields U13 team recorded an excellent 6-10 to 3-12 victory over Hollymount/Carramore in their latest outing in division 4 of the county U13 league. This was a high scoring game with goals being the main currency as both sides had an innate ability to prise each other open with some intricate, attacking play. The Sarsfields had that little bit of extra penetration in attack however and outscored the hosts six goals to three in a game that had real ping pong feel about it as the play ebbed and flowed throughout. The Sarsfields goal scorers were Cillian O’Grady who bagged two, Rian O’Connor, Michael Haran, Jack Brennan and Sean Cassidy on a good night for green and white lads as they look to back it up in their next outing against near neighbours Swinford.
Congratulations and best wishes are extended to David Kivlehan, Lowpark, Charlestown, who celebrated his fortieth (40th) birthday recently. David has aged well it must be said with a full head of hair still intact unlike many of his contemporaries while the waistline remains pencil slim with not a hint of a spare gram to be seen anywhere. He obviously pays great attention to his dietary intake with his good wife Nora keeping a keen eye on his calorie count as he readies himself for all that forty will throw at him.
He is a gentle giant is David who loves the daily walk as he pounds the pavements daily thus ensuring he remains in tip top shape. He’s forged quite the career for himself in the tech industry and is quite the wizard on all things computers and has amassed a formidable amount of knowledge and expertise which I’ve had reason to lean on in recent times. He’s a very helpful and obliging soul is David and a party would never be part of his game plan hence there was a nice quiet family celebration with his wife Nora and parents Padraig and Ann-Marie taking charge of all the planning and preparations so to speak. I’m led to believe there was a lovely cake unveiled to commemorate the occasion with all forty candles stacked neatly on the base with David having little difficulty quenching the flame as he has bags of energy in those lungs of his from all the walking and regular exercise he undertakes.
I’m not sure if there’s a slice set aside pour moi but not to worry his mother Ann-Marie is sure to have a slice tucked away for me which I’ll have no trouble devouring as she has is quite the consummate baker. Here’s wishing David many more celebrations of this nature in the future and continued good health and happiness for many more years ahead.
Mayo Training Institute in Castlebar are running QQI Care Skills, QQI Care of the Older Person and Patient Moving and Handling Course for 7 days over 4 weeks, classroom based. Dates are September 18, 19, 25, 26, and October 2 and 3. Contact 094 9027587 or email info@mayotraininginstitute.ie for more information.
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 Older 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.
Culture Night will be celebrated at Carracastle Community Centre on Friday, September 20, at 8pm with award winning film “Skylark” being showcased, followed by musicians. Entry is free and all are welcome to attend.
The Carracastle Lass Festival will be held on Saturday, October 19, at Caracastle Community Centre at 9pm. If any business/company would like to donate towards the running costs of this event contact carracstlelass@gmail.com for further information.
Acrobatic Arts classes are starting in September with Katie Mairead Dance School who is now a certified Acro teacher. Classes starting in September at the Charlestown Arts Centre. For more information contact Katie on 089 407 9074 or https:///katie-mairead-ds-classforkids.io. To view a taster of these classes check out https://www.facebook.com/katiemaireadds.
Mayo-Roscommon Hospice are looking for people to host a coffee morning /evening with family, friends, work colleagues on National Coffee Morning for the Hospice, on Thursday, September 26, or on another more suitable date. Register for a free pack online at https://www.hospice.ie or email info@hospice.ie or call 094 9388666. Donations welcome online at www.hospice.ie . Your support would be greatly appreciated . For more information contact the above number or Jo Ganley, Mayo-Roscommon Hospice, Main Street, Knock, Co. Mayo.
Accord Catholic Marriage Care Service CLG is currently running a marriage preparation course in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris on weekend of September 20/21. Bookings can be made on Accord website www.accord.ie or 087 9972503.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €2900 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, September 9, and the four numbers drawn were as follows; 5, 13, 26 and 28. The following were the winners of the €20 weekly prizes; Anne Casey, Chris O`Hara, Gerard and Triona Kennedy. The latest jackpot increased to €3,000 and the draw took place on Monday night September 16.
Congratulations are extended to well known Charlestown man Seamus Finn who celebrated his eightieth (80th ) birthday recently. Seamus, who has been resident in Leixlip, Co Kildare for many years, is a regular and frequent visitor to the town as he checks in on family and friends as well as following the fortunes of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club with his passion for the green and white remaining as strong and steadfast as ever.
Seamus has made countless trips up and down the motorway over the years following the fortunes of the club’s senior team with his enthusiasm and support never wavering as his loyalty to the green and white knows no bounds. Seamus has seldom missed a championship match for the Sarsfields and has followed them through thick and thin with the county title victories of 2001 and 2009 ranking right up there in his highlights reel as he took great delight in watching the Sarsfields get over the line at the highest level after many years of near misses and disappointments.
He has never lost his grá for the town and has forged many strong and lasting friendships in the area with his genial nature and good humour endearing him to many. He is also an avid reader of the Western People and never fails to procure his weekly copy as he keeps up to date with all that’s going on in Mayo and Charlestown more to the point on a weekly basis. He won’t thank me for this mention but it would have been remiss of me not to have devoted a few lines to a good man in every sense of the word who no doubt will have a few stern words for yours truly when he opened this week`s copy as he vied for top billing with the Sarsfields latest travails in the county senior championship. I’m sure his good wife Cathy and the family had a cake at the ready to commemorate the occasion with all eighty candles carefully accounted for and totted up before any of the delicious cáca was divvied up. I’m not sure if there`s a slice set aside for me as there was a lot of demands on the said cake but either way I hope Seamus enjoyed the festivities and here’s wishing him many more celebrations of this nature in the future and continued good health and happiness for many more years to come.
Senior Line is Ireland’s national telephone service for older people and is open every day of the year from 10am-10pm. Freephone 1800 80 45 91. Callers may feel isolated, alone and may wish to discuss a problem in confidence, or for company during the day. Senior Line’s older volunteers are trained to listen, to support, to discuss options and to refer callers to other helpful services, if necessary. Senior Line 1800 80 45 91 is open every day of the year at the above times.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh`s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Sunday night, September 8, as Gus and the Magician batted it out in the latest instalment of the weekly classic. Podsie took over the referring duties and adapted seamlessly to the role ensuring good relations prevailed at the ochie at all times. Gus raced out of the blocks, winning the first set in a canter as he nailed every double and treble with terrific accuracy. He maintained his level into set two and took it convincingly stringing three legs on the trot to surge into a two set lead. The Magician could get nothing going in the opening two sets but grew into the game in set three and got his name on the board with an excellent treble eighteen, double sixteen finish in the fourth leg sealing the set. Set four was a grind as both men’s levels tapered off quite alarmingly. Gus won the first leg but the Magician hit back to win the next two to leave him odds on to force a fifth and deciding set. The Gripper steadied himself however and found some real inspiration in the next leg winning it in eleven darts to raise the roof on the packed auditorium. The fifth leg saw more of the same with the Magician winning the race to the double only to misfire badly when presented with a chance to extend the game further. He blew five darts at double top to allow the Gusmeister to step in with three arrows in his quiver as he locked into double sixteen. He needed only one as his first darts lanced the corner of the green bed to set off wild scenes of celebration as the red marauder claimed his second title of the season. The Magician was most gracious in defeat as both men extended a warm handshake with Gus elated to step onto the winner’s podium and end a long losing streak in finals in the process.
