Local Notes: Kilmovee Shamrocks GAA honour the ladies senior team at awards night.
At Kilmovee Shamrocks GAA Awards Night in Julians Midfield were the ladies senior team with their managers. Pic James Hunt Photography.
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 Wednesday.
The town of Swinford is set to turn St. Patrick’s Day into an exciting weekend-long festival, bringing together the local community and visitors for a packed schedule of events. The celebration will culminate with the highly anticipated St. Patrick’s Day Parade at 3pm on March 17, led by Grand Marshal Bríd O’Connell. Bríd who has been instrumental in organising the popular Siamsa Sraide Street and Arts Festival has also made significant contributions to community initiatives and to preserving and promoting the Irish language, culture and heritage.
The festival will kick off on Friday, March 14, with an official launch event at 8pm in The Whitehouse Bar with a table quiz also taking place on the night. On Saturday, March 15, the Michael Davitt Comhaltas branch will perform a fundraising session from 10am at Tesco while in the afternoon at 2pm Swinford GAA will host a Rounders Blitz.
The town is set to come alive on Saturday night with a Trad Trail from 8pm. It’s one of the feature events of the festival as it brings together talented local and visiting musicians, singers and dancers playing in various venues throughout Swinford.
History enthusiasts will have the chance to immerse themselves in the town’s rich past during a special historical talk on Sunday, March 16, at 1pm.
The highlight of the weekend, the Annual St. Patrick’s Day Parade, will take place at 3pm on March 17. The procession will make its way through the streets of Swinford, where spectators can expect a fantastic display of floats, music, and entertainment. The theme this year is ‘The Year That Was’.
For more information on event locations or to join the parade, visit Swinford St Patrick’s Day Facebook page or contact 0879808064.
Registration is now open on Foireann for the 2025 season. Register before March 31. Any player not registered by March 31, will not be able to participate in 2025 training from that date as they will not be insured. Any difficulty with registration, contact club registrars, Carmel Heaney or Patricia Smyth.
The Achonry Pioneer dinner dance will be held in the Yeats County Hotel Curry on Friday, March 21, at 8pm, with music by the Duets. Tickets cost €35 and are available from Yvonne in Moores Supermarket Swinford.
Swinford Book Club will meet in Swinford Library on Wednesday, March 26, at 3.30pm to discuss LaRose by Louise Erdrich. New members always welcome.
A Pedal Pushers event hosted by Swinford Cruisers, Charity Cycle 4 Hospice will take place on Saturday, March 22, with 25km and 50km routes starting from Swinford Community Centre. Registration is from 9am to 9.45am and the cycle starts at 10am. Entry fee is €25. For further information contact Pat M 087 1330515, Pat B 087 7452971. Insurance in place.
The numbers drawn in the Swinford Community Lotto draw held on March 3, were; 9, 12, 17 and 19. There was no jackpot winner. €70 vouchers were won by PJ Moore, Swinford and Zara Kelda Moore, Meelick; €35 was won by Eoin McCann, c/o Moore's. The jackpot is now €4,000.
Sympathy is extended to the families and friends of Andy Forkan, London and Cloonlara; Olive Frost (nee Swords), Limerick and Circular Road, Swinford (sister of Brenda Coyne, Davitt Place); Nancy Hennessy, Cork (sister of the late Barbara Dunleavy, Park Road, Swinford); Frank Gilroy, Donegal (brother of Mary Thatcher, Derryronane); Alan Jordan, Donegal (brother of Eileen Geraghty, Meelick); Penny Dickson, Ardhoom, Meelick. May they all rest in peace.
Results of the game played on Thursday, February 27, were as follows: card winners: 1st Jack Pidgeon and Philip Moore; 2nd and 3rd prize was shared by Geraldine Turbitt, Ann Rowley, Peter Geraghty, Michael O’Neill, Esther Munnelly and Annie McNeela. Raffle prizes were won by Matt Duggan, Annie McNeela, Martin McNeela and Michael Regan. Game continues every Thursday night at 9pm.
Swinford Gardening Club will hold its first talk of the year on Spring in the Garden on Tuesday, March 25, in the Meeting Room on Lower Main St at 8pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Non-members €5. Why not take this opportunity to come along and join the Club.
Killasser NS annual open evening for new enrolments will take place on April 7, at 5pm. Emma from ECM Dance will be holding a dance class and all are welcome. Drop in, meet the staff, pupils and school community and see the facilities.
Killasser NS travelled to the STEMtacular Science Fair in Leitrim recently. Over 500 pupils participated in the event. Killasser NS presented their project Which Food Tastes Better, Luxury Brands or Off Brands? And took home the Best Food Science Award. Congratulations to all involved.
Congratulations to Michelle Howie who won €407 in last week’s Swinford GAA Club 50/50 draw.
On Sunday, March 2, Swinford GAA held a Strategic Planning Workshop which was well attended by club members and representatives from the community and beyond. This event provided a great start to mapping out Swinford GAA Club’s route towards achieving many greater goals.
Results of the game played on Tuesday, March 4, in Meelick Community Centre were as follows; card winners 1st Michael Ryan and Francie Rowley, 2nd and 3rd shared Ann Rowley, Geraldine Turbitt, Michael Regan and Leo Murtagh. Raffle prizes were won by Phyllis Bredican, Dette Ryder and Geraldine Turbitt. Game continues every Tuesday at 9pm.
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An Easter Workshop will be held in Bohola Community Centre on Thursday, April 17, from 10am - 1pm. It will be Easter themed with arts, games and dance. The cost is €20 per child/€35 for 2 siblings and is suitable for children aged between 4 - 10. Booking is essential, so contact Sandra at 086 2108029 or jivingjuniors@gmail.com.
Would you have an hour to spare in the week? Adult mentors are required for Foróige's Youth Mentoring Programme across the Mayo area. If you are interested in supporting a young person, this is an enjoyable way to spend your time and have a positive impact in a young person’s life. There are many young people waiting to be matched to a mentor and would be delighted to hear from you. Call 086 3835859 / 086 0471420 for more information on the recruitment process.
Congratulations to Ella Johnson who won a jackpot of €364 in the Moy Davitts 50/50 draw on Saturday, March 1. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the draw, it is greatly appreciated. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by playing on the club app (Moy Davitts GAA).
Join quizmaster Willie Byrne for a night of sports questions on Friday, March 14, at 9pm in the Moy Hotel, Foxford. Spot prizes and plenty of craic guaranteed. €50 per table and winners receive €250. The quiz is kindly sponsored by RBC Brewin Dolphin. All welcome.
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The following job vacancies are available in Kilmovee Community Centre; Community Centre Assistant, full time position (maternity cover), 37.5 hours a week and 1 year contract. For more information contact the centre on 094 964 9484 or email ccmanager@kilmovee.ie.
There is also a position for a Community Centre Assistant which is a part-time position (Rural Social Scheme), for 19.5 hours per week. For further details, contact Jacqui on 087 2103029.
On Sunday, March 23, there will be a short retreat for Ministers of Holy Communion, in the Peyton Centre, Attymass from 3 to 5pm, led by Fr Tom Taaffe, working at Knock Shrine.
The numbers drawn in the Shamrocks GAA lotto held on Saturday, February 22, were 28, 29, 44, 45. There was no winner. The numbers drawn on Saturday, March 1, were 2, 6,10, and 32.There was no winner. The February monthly winners were Jessica Horan Glan €50, and €25 each to Michael Regan, Egool, and John Duffy, Ballyglass.
Kilmovee NS are now accepting enrolments for the school year 2025/26. Forms are available from the school. Contact school principal Caitriona McDonnell at kilmoveens1@gmail.com or 094 9861282.
Tavrane NS are currently taking enrolments for the coming school year 2025/26. Contact the school at 086 859 0664 or tavranens@gmail.com.
Bingo is held in Kilmovee Community on Sunday evenings at 8.30pm. The jackpot is €1,350 on 50 calls or less, the house lotto is €320 on four correct numbers, there is also a 50/50 draw with a guaranteed winner every week.
The Irish dancing classes are held in Durkins, Ballaghaderreen, on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays from 5 till 8.30pm. Beginners are welcome. For details contact Ethna on 087 6661905.
In 2025 a Youth Pilgrimage for 18 to 35 year olds will be held from July 29 to August 8, costing €995 per person. The Achonry and Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage will be held from October 22 to 27 inclusive, costing €1499 per person sharing. For details contact JWT at 01 241 0800 or www.achonrydiocese.org.
The annual Achonry Pioneer dinner dance takes place on Friday, March 21, at 8pm at The Yeats County Inn, Curry. Pioneers and non-pioneers are welcome to attend. Music will be supplied by The Duets and there will be a raffle on the night. Tickets are €35 each and available by contacting 086 166 0196.
Mayo Cancer Support, at Rock Rose House, thank all those who supported and facilitated its recent Church Gate at Glan and Kilkelly on the weekend of February 15 and 16 last. Special thanks to the volunteer collectors. A total of €306.65 was raised. These funds will support the ongoing provision of emotional support to local people affected by cancer.
