Local Notes: First cousins enjoy Kilmovee Active Age Open Day

Deadline

Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted by email to ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call/text/WhatsApp 087 7694781 after 6pm. Deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm on Wednesday evening.

Coolegrane Lights

Coolegrane Lights will be switched on Friday, December 8, at 7pm. All proceeds this year will go to Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Palliative Care Service. John Joyce, Stonehall, Foxford will switch on the lights this year. Pats Country Road Show will be on stage from 6.30pm.

Young law graduate is FG candidate

Antoinette Peyton will go before the Fine Gael party convention in Swinford on Sunday, December 10, having been nominated by Swinford, Kiltimagh, Kilkelly and Charlestown branches as well as Mayo Young Fine Gael. Ms. Peyton is a native of Killasser and will join incumbent Foxford Councillor Neil Cruise on the party ticket.

Welcoming Ms Peyton’s decision to seek the nomination, Constituency chairman Jim Higgins said: “The Swinford organisation is delighted to have someone of Antoinette’s prowess and commitment putting her name before the electorate. She is young and vibrant and has a very clear vision of what she wants to achieve as an elected representative for the people of Swinford district.

“Antoinette’s involvement in the community is spread over a wide variety of areas. She is a member of Craobh Michael Davitt Comhaltas and actively involved in the Siamsa Sraide Street and Arts Festival. As Blath na Féile she proudly represented Swinford at this year’s Mayo Rose Competition. She is imbued with a deep passion for farming and sport.

“She is very conscious that for the first time since the State’s foundation Swinford does not have a sitting Councillor on Mayo County Council. The Mayo Fine Gael Executive looks forward to working with Antoinette to maximise the party’s vote in the area come election time.” Mr. Higgins concluded.

Parish 25 card drive

The annual Killasser parish 25 card drive takes place on Monday, December 18, at 8.30pm in Killasser Community Centre. There is €1,000 in prize money, with raffle and spot prizes. The proceeds go to Killasser Community Care and Killasser Community Centre.

KCC parish calendar

Killasser parish calendar is available to purchase from committee members or from Moore’s Supermarket Swinford, Kennedy’s in Aclare and The Turf Shed Killasser at a cost of €10.

Bingo

The next KCC bingo night will be held in the Turf Shed, Killasser on Wednesday, December 6, at 8pm.

St. Stephen’s Day Walk

Killasser parish St. Stephen’s Day Walk will take place at 12 noon on St. Stephen’s Day.

Nollaig na mBan

The annual Nollaig na mBan social takes place in the Turf Shed on Saturday, January 6, from 4pm. Places are limited. Tickets for a 4-course meal are €20. The event is part-subsidised by Killasser Community Care and Community Centre committees. Contact a member of one of the committees for a ticket.

Jerry O’Sullivan’s new album

Jerry O’Sullivan has recorded a new album entitled On Tuath. On Tuath, as the title implies, is a celebration of Irish traditional music from the West of Ireland, with a few Scots tunes thrown in for good measure. Jerry O’Sullivan plays uilleann pipes, small-pipes, flute, and whistles and is accompanied by Galway maestro Gabe Donohue on keyboard, organ, guitar, bouzouki, etc. This recording features the music of Mayo, Sligo, Donegal, Sliabh Luachra, and compositions by Martin Mulhaire, Turlough O’Carolan, Percy French, and a few by Jerry himself. The album is available from The Turf Shed and at a number of businesses in Swinford.

Light of Love

The Butterfly Garden is organising the Light of Love this year in the lead-up to Christmas. It will be possible to sponsor a Light of Love in memory of someone who has passed away or in honour of someone going through a tough time due to illness, bereavement etc. All names for which lights are sponsored are entered into a special register and will be remembered at the Light of Love Mass on December 22, at 10am in Swinford Church. The Light of Love Christmas Tree will be lit up in early December. All proceeds in aid of The Butterfly Garden Maintenance Fund.

Payment for a Light of Love can be made via Revolut, PayPal or cash on delivery for local deliveries. To order a light, you can private message The Butterfly Garden Facebook page or call/text Anita McNicholas O’Sullivan 087 9794338, Natasha Durkan Ginty 086 3622522 or Emma Kirrane 083 1229823.

Christmas Cards

Western Alzheimer’s Christmas cards are available to buy in Lavins, Market Street Swinford. Pack of eight cards costs €5.

Swinford Church Christmas cards are available from the parish office during opening hours and also from Lavins, Market Street. Pack of nine cards costs €5.

AGM

The annual general meeting of Swinford Athletic Club will take place on Wednesday, December 8, upstairs in Swinford Amenity Park. All members are welcome to attend to reflect on 2023 and plan for the running of Swinford AC in 2024.

Achonry Pioneer Association

For anyone who would like to receive their silver or gold pioneer pin or wish to become a member email achonrypioneers@gmail.com or contact Thomas at 087 2344338 before December 31.

Crime prevention meeting

A representative of An Garda Síochána will provide information on crime prevention and home security on this evening, Tuesday, December 5, at 8pm in Killasser Community Centre. Speakers on the night will be Sgt Sean Cunnane, Crime Prevention Officer, Gérard Costello, Muinter na Tire Community Alert and Sgt Regina Carley. All welcome.

Lotto

The numbers drawn in the Swinford community lotto draw held on November 27, were 3, 9, 25 and 28. There was no jackpot winner. €70 vouchers were won by K and K Moore, Derryronane and Denne Brennan, Tubbercurry. The latest jackpot was €9,000.

Golf card games

Results from the game played in Swinford Golf Club on November 23 are as follows; card winners 1st Marty Munnelly and Martin McNeela, 2nd Margaret Sweeney and Geraldine Turbitt, 3rd Bernard and Mary Callaghan. Raffle prizes were Matt Duggan, Bernard Callaghan (x2) and Carmel Timoney. The game continues every Thursday night at 9pm.

Mayo Hospice Fundraiser 2023

An online Mayo Hospice Fundraiser 2023 in association with Mayo Karate Academy in memory of John McLoughlin, Swinford, uncle and godfather of Mayo Karate Academy coach, Aaron Mc Loughlin has been organised by Mayo Karate Academy for the Palliative Care Unit in Mayo Hospice Castlebar. Like so many people affected by cancer, John and his family received love and tremendous care in his final days from the team in Mayo Hospice recently. Please support in any way you can in appreciation of the Mayo Hospice services for families and their loved ones in Palliative Care. Aaron and the McLoughlin family personally thank all of you for your kindness and support of this great cause. https://www.idonate.ie/MayoKarateAcademy.

GAA 50/50 draw

Congratulations to Aoife McDonnell, who was last week’s winner of the Swinford GAA Club 50/50 draw held in Mellett’s winning €348. The next draw will be held in Eurospar. Aoife purchased her entry through SwinfordGAA.ie, and entries also available through the club app on Clubspot.

AC 50/50 draw

Congratulations to Martin and Siobhan Gallagher winners of the recent Swinford AC 50/50 draw. Free entry into the next draw was won by Fiona Joyce and Jack Joyce.

5k Santa fun run

Swinford AC Fit For Life Group present the 5km Santa Fun Run on Saturday, December 9. Run, walk or jog with all proceeds in aid of Mindspace Mayo. All are welcome - children and adults. Registration at 10.30am at Swinford Amenity Park, with the run at 11am. There will be a prize for the best costume. The cost is €5 per person and €10 per family.

Meet Santa

Meet Santa and his elves in Julian’s of Midfield on Sunday, December 10, from 5 to 8pm. There will be a raffle on the evening, turning on of the village tree lights, visit Santa, Elf disco, facepainting, arts and crafts, write your Santa letter, take home reindeer food. The cost is €10 per child or €20 per family. Hot chocolate and mince pies will be available. The event will be hosted by Midfield Development Association.

Sympathy

Sympathy is extended to the families and friends of James (Jim) Cronolly, Ballintubber, Castlerea, County Roscommon and formerly of Killasser, Swinford; Kathleen Padden (née Murtagh), Celtic Avenue, Roscommon and formerly of Killasser, Ballina and Castlerea; Martin Howley, Dunmaynor, Killasser and Oznam Place, Swinford. May they all rest in peace.

Bohola

Recent deaths

The death occurred of Mary McMorrow (née Freney), Poole, Dorset, and High Wycombe, England, and formerly of Shraheens, who died on October 30 and whose funeral took place in High Wycombe on Tuesday, November 28; Eileen Tolan (née Sweeney), Manchester, and formerly of Bohomore, who died in Manchester on Thursday, November 22. We extend sympathy to their families and pray they are at peace.

Moy Davitts 50/50 draw

Congratulations to Rory Smith, Cavan, who won a jackpot of €405 in the Moy Davitts 50/50 draw on Saturday, November 25.

Book launch

A book launch by Colleen Coleman Cribbin, will be held on Saturday, December 9, from 4-6pm in Castlebook Shop, Main St, Castlebar. Colleen will be releasing and signing her fifth book, The Irish Lake House, and all are welcome.

Christmas Fair

Castlebar HSE Rural Training Centre (Humbert Way, F23 C967) will host a Christmas Fair on Thursday, December 7, from 10am to 2pm with a display of crafts, wreaths, cakes and arrangements. All are welcome. More details on 094 90 42127.

Knock Christmas Market 2023

Knock Christmas Market will take place indoors at St John’s Welcome Centre, Knock, on Sunday, December 10, from 10am-4pm. The festive event will have wonderful handmade gifts by Irish crafters. For more information, email leoniekilroy@gmail.com.

Bingo

Social Bingo takes place every Monday in The Sheridan Memorial Community Centre, Bohola. Doors open at 8.30pm. There is always lots of community fun, and a cup of tea is included.