Local Notes: Kilmovee Shamrocks Ladies senior team celebrate at presentation evening.
Kilmovee Shamrocks ladies senior team at their presentation evening which was held recently.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA lotto jackpot of €15,600 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, February 23, and the following were the four numbers drawn;11, 23, 28 and 29. The winners of the €50 weekly prizes were Egidijus Andruub and Michael Byrnes, Lowpark, Charlestown. The latest jackpot increased to €15,700 and the draw was held on Sunday night, March 2.
The untimely death took place recently at Sligo University Hospital of Mary Reilly, Banada, Tourlestrane, Co. Sligo. Her remains were removed to St. Attracta’s Church, Tourlestrane, and burial took place after solemn requiem Mass to Rhue cemetery. She is survived by her husband Paddy, daughter Roisin, sisters Anne and Jacqueline, son-in-law Jordan, brothers-in-law, nephews, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
The late Mary, who was pre-deceased by her parents John and Teresa, was a lovely lady in the true sense of the word. She taught in St Attracta’s NS, Charlestown for the best part of twenty years and more and was a valued member of staff who was the consummate team member and made a huge contribution to the running of the school. Mary served as vice-principal for a number of years and was dependable, reliable and always a purveyor of good advice, who was an excellent mentor to the many young teachers who came through the doors of the school during her tenure. She was a terrific teacher who did her best at all times with the many kids who came through her door and sat before her in the classroom. She displayed empathy and compassion in abundance when dealing with the children in her care and provided the inspiration and motivation to help them achieve to the best of their abilities.
The many outstanding tributes that were paid to her was ample proof of the esteem and affection in which she was held, as Mary was a teacher par excellence who brought so much energy and dynamism to the classroom, which the children fed on and thrived upon. She had an innate sense of fairness about her at all times and made learning enjoyable as she brought fun and enjoyment to the whole learning experience where possible. She contributed enormously to the running of the school and was a steady pair of hands whose counsel and advice was regularly leaned on in the formation and implementation of school policies and codes of behaviour.
Her retirement in October 2020 was an emotional day for the school community as the school was losing a pillar in the true sense of the word, as Mary was a part of the fabric of the place so to speak. Her passing has hit the school community and staff very hard as Mary was a much more than a friend and colleague to many. Her memory will be cherished as she left an outstanding legacy which will live long in the minds and hearts of all who worked and interacted with her as she was a guiding light and inspiration to many. We tender our deepest sympathies to the bereaved.
Tavneena NS are holding a 5k and 10k Fun Run/Walk on Saturday, April 5, at 11am, with registration at10am. The run/walk starts from the school (F12R232) and cost €10 per person/€20 per family. Refreshments will be served afterwards. For more information log onto www.tavneenans.scoilnet.ie or check out the Tavneena NS Facebook page.
A Lip Sync Disco Night takes place on Sunday evening (6-10pm ) on Sunday, March 16, in Walsh’s Public House, Main Street, Charlestown. Admission is €10 and there is a DJ till late. The main theme will focus on bringing back and reviving the 80s and 90s which should make for a great night for all who lived through and danced in that era. Kick off St Patrick’s weekend in some style with a fundraiser in aid of East Mayo Athletics Club and Special Olympics Lip Sync battle. It promises to be a terrific night of music and nostalgia with some fun and entertainment expected in abundance.
Ice Breakers fundraiser in aid of East Mayo AC and Special Olympics Lip Sync Battle takes place on Saturday, March 15, at 9.30am in the Handball Room at the CBD Sports and Recreational Centre, Lowpark, Charlestown. Energise, refresh, support. Start your holiday weekend in the right frame of mind with an energising yoga class with Justine Purcell from JustYoga, followed by an ice bath and sauna with South Sligo Wild Sauna to leave you feeling refreshed and revitalised. Don’t miss out – book your spot today and support a great cause. The cost is €20 and for more information check out the East Mayo Athletics Club Facebook page.
Well done to the Charlestown Cubs U12 boys team who were crowned Division 1 League champions recently on the back of some wonderful displays in the league proper. They topped the table following completion of their games and this is a marvellous achievement for a very talented group who swept through the division with some magnificent performances. The achievement is all the more laudable considering the strength of the teams they were up against with sides from Castlebar, Ballina, Westport, Kiltimagh et all providing some stiff competition which the cub boys came through with flying colours. They won eight out of eight in the league and almost did the double, losing out narrowly to Ballina in the U12 cup final. They did get their revenge subsequently defeating Ballina twice in the league to clinch the title in a blaze of glory. They have much to be proud on when they reflect on a season that will live long in memory and hats off to their coaches Joe Drury, Caroline Tiernan and Martina Joy, who did a superb job in the coaching and training of this very talented young group of lads who improved with each and every performance and were a credit to themselves and club overall.
Well done to Sarsfield players Ella Brennan, Julia Gawalkiewicz and Chelsea Doherty, who featured for Mayo ladies in their latest outing in division 1 of the National Football League against Armagh which was played at the Athletic Grounds in Armagh recently. Unfortunately Mayo fell to another defeat in what’s been a tough start for Liam McHale and his management teams. Mayo are fielding a very young and inexperienced team which is not ideal in the tough and unforgiving environment that that division one football entails. Ella lined out at corner back and was competitive and wholehearted as always and more than held her own in the last line of defence against a very good and slick Armagh forward line.
It was a proud day for Julia as she made her debut between the posts and dealt admirably with all that came her way. She couldn’t be faulted for the two goals Mayo conceded and was a model of composure between the posts getting her kick outs away competently and presenting a very formidable last line of defence in what was a very good debut overall. It was a nice day for the Gawalkiewicz family with Julia most definitely stating her claim for inclusion in Mayo’s next outing in the league. Chelsea Doherty also made her return to the fray and came on as a second half substitute after recovering from an knee injury which had been hampering since the end of the club season. A good day albeit one that ended in defeat for Mayo and the three Sarsfields ladies, and with the Ladies club tickled pink to have three of their own featuring at the highest level for Mayo.
The Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club wish to remind their members and supporters that membership for the new 2025 season is now due and can be made payable to any member of the executive cost €50. The closing date for payment of the same is March 31 and your cooperation in this matter would be greatly appreciated.
Re-Turn bins are now in place at Fr O’Hara Park. The Sarsfields GAA Club have installed 2 Re-Turn bins located at the front of the CBD Sports Complex for all plastic bottles and can that can be recycled under the Deposit Return Scheme. All monies raised from the donations will go directly to the Charlestown Sarsfields underage teams and the Charlestown LGFA. All support is greatly appreciated. Please note only cans/bottles with the Re-turn logo can be deposited in these new Orange bins. Please do not deposit glass or other rubbish thank you.
A music and yoga camp takes place at Carracastle Community Centre from Monday, April 14 to Thursday, April 17 (inclusive) from 10am-1pm. Fun introduction to music and piano, mindfulness, relaxation and yoga. For more information contact Olivia on 085 1971372 or email o.sharkey@gmail.com.
Would you have an hour to spare in the week? Adult mentors are required for Foroige’s Big Brother Big Sister Programme in your area. If you are interested in supporting a young person, this is an enjoyable way to spend your time and have a positive impact on young person’s life. We have many young people waiting to be matched to a mentor and would be delighted to hear from you. Call 086 0471420 to express your interest in volunteering or to hear more information on our recruitment process.
Charlestown Drama Group proudly present “Going Away – Echoes of Emigration’ in the Town Hall Arts Centre, Charlestown, on Friday and Saturday, March 7 and 8 at 8pm (doors open 7.30pm). Tickets cost €15 and for more information or to book contact 087 4657946 (pre-booking only).
There was a good turnout at the weekly bridge game held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, at 8pm on Wednesday, February 19, and the following were the prize winners;1st Maura Kilcoyne and Nora McVeigh, 2nd Tom Ginty and Teresa Ward, 3rd Mary Lynskey and Tom Dunne and 4th Michael and Patricia Brennan.
The following were the winners of the 25 drive game held in the Yeats County Inn, Curry, on Tuesday night, February 25, at 9pm; 1st Mary Costello and James Reidy, 2nd Teresa McIntyre and Veronica McCarrick. Raffle winners were Mary Costello, James Reidy and Veronica McCarrick.
Bridge lessons Bridge lessons continue in Walsh’s Lounge, Main Street, Charlestown, on Thursday evenings for the next eight weeks or so from 8-10pm. The lessons are free and open to everybody in the community.
The Western Drama Festival takes place over nine nights from February 28 – March 8 (inclusive) at St Brigid’s Hall Theatre, Tubbercurry, with a fantastic line-up of plays. Tickets are on sale by phoning 086 4553395. Further details including synopses of the plays are available on the Western Drama festival social media pages and website www.westerndramafestival.com.
The fiftieth (50th) Honour of the Village competition got off to a cracking start with two big games taking place in the past ten days. The reigning champions Glann/Sinolane got their campaign off to the best possible start with a decisive 5-2 victory over Curry (2) in the opening match of the competition with the champions issuing a stern warning that they remain the team to beat as they played some quality darts in seeing off the threat of a quietly fancied Curry number two squad. Glann/Sionlane have some real depth in their ranks and they are right at the top of the betting to put back to back titles on the board as they secured their second round passage in comprehensive manner.
The second game saw past winners Hagfield (1) pitting their wits against Sonnagh in another eagerly anticipated contest. Hagfield have an illustrious history in the competition but it's a long time since they got their name engraved on the trophy with the famine stretching back the best part of twenty years and more. Sonnagh are always sticky opponents and this was see saw contest with Hagfield eventually prevailing on a 5-3 score line. The Duke remains the big name in the Hagfield line-up and he led from the front displaying all his class and pedigree in both the doubles and singles to guide his team over the line but not without a struggle as the Sonnagh challenge remained enduring and persistent right up until the final singles encounter.
Games for the coming week see champions Glann/Sinolane make a quick return to the ochie as they take on Rooskey with Ballyglass squaring off against Lavey in the second game which is quite the appealing contest with results and draw news available in next week’s column. There was a huge crowd in attendance for the opening pair of matches with a great atmosphere in evidence as this is a competition which captures the imagination like no other in the area.
The AGM of the CBD Sports and Recreational Centre took place at the centre on Tuesday, February 18 last and there was a nice crowd in attendance. The following officers were elected for the new 2025 season; Chairperson Joe Drury, vice-chairperson Tommy Harrington, co – secretaries Annalisa McDonnell and Miriam Munnelly, treasurer Martin Donohue, asst. treasurer Trina Donohue, and PRO Ronan Kenny.
The meeting was a very positive one in the main with chairman Joe Drury happy to report a big increase in footfall which is a very positive development indeed. The main hall continues to be in big demand with the local Cubs Basketball club one of the main users. There has also been a major increase in the use of the hall for birthday parties and the likes which provides the complex with an extra source of income which really boosted the balance sheet and coffers so to speak.
Joe paid tribute to his fellow officers and committee members for the terrific work they did during the course of the year in the promotion and maintenance of the facility which remains one of the jewels in the crown of the town’s social infrastructure. Co-secretaries Miriam and Annalisa were happy to inform the meeting that the demand to use the complex continues to grow but stressed the need to improve the existing structure with the roof and funding for the refurbishment of the same one of their main objectives in the coming months. The windows, they stated, also needed replacing which was going to place huge demands on the exchequer and finances but these repairs were essential in order for the building to thrive and flourish and keep pace with the demand that’s out there from the general public to avail and use a facility that has undergone huge administrative and leadership changes in the last three years or so.
The current committee have displayed bags of ambition and energy in bringing the facility back to life and making it a hub in terms of its use and access to all cohorts and strands of the community. The Health Quarters Gym remain the key anchor tenant and with their classes and gym based activities and programmes proving hugely popular with people within and outside the community.
The need to re-develop and re-furbish is the number one item on the agenda for the committee going forward with local councillors and politicians to be sounded out with a view to securing some much needed funding to help alleviate the costs of the planned re-development. The committee have plenty in their in-tray for the coming year but they can be proud of their stewardship over the course of the last two years or so as they have stabilised the finances and brought real clarity to the general public and community in terms of cost with their rental charges and fees extremely reasonable and always negotiable which for good publicity across the board. They deserve more support than is currently forthcoming and are appealing for people to come on board and get involved in some shape or form. The current committee have done a superb job in turning the centre around and they work well together as a team and look to take the building to next level in terms of enhancing and building on what’s there already. They are wished every success in their plans for 2025.
The Sarsfields take on Westport in the 2023 County Cup Final on Friday, March 7, at a time yet to be confirmed. Check sports pages for details.
St. Joseph`s Community College, Charlestown travel to Tourmakeady to take on Colaiste Muire Tuar Mhic Eadaigh on Wednesday, March 5 (tomorrow) with the throw-in timed for 12.30pm.
The next coffee morning will be held in the Arts Centre Barrack Street, Charlestown, on Friday, March 7, from 11am-1pm. All welcome for a cuppa and a chat. Lift access available.
East Mayo Athletics Club and East Mayo Special Olympics present Lip Sync Battles Ireland on Saturday, March 29, in the Park House Hotel, Kiltimagh, at 8pm. This promises to be a cracking night of fun, music, laughter and entertainment with both organisations very keen to make it a night to savour for all connected and involved. More news in the coming weeks but save the date and make sure you clear your diaries for what should be a cracking night of jollity and hilarity and one not to be missed under any circumstances.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €2900 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, February 24, and the following were the four numbers drawn; 4, 19, 20 and 26. The following were the winners of the €20 weekly prizes; Ivan Maloney, Caroline Donoghue and Stephen Donoghue.
The latest jackpot increased to €3000 and the draw took place on Monday night March 3.
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh’s Bar, Main Street, Charlestown, on Sunday night, February February 23, as The Pillock and the Magician went head to head in the latest instalment of the weekly classic. Governor Gus was immense as always in his role as match referee and handled the game with authority and ease. The Pillock roared out of the blocks and blasted his way into a two set lead with some magical throwing as The Magician was utterly unable to live with the standard being set by his fired up opponent. Everything the Pillock hit turned to gold as he camped in the treble twenty bed and looked nigh unstoppable ahead of the start of the third set. The Magician managed to get his eye in at the start of the third as he finally found some magic among the doubles and took the opening two legs to give him some chance of prolonging the match. The Pillock was in one of those moods however, where anything is possible and he dashed the Magician’s hopes of a quick finish to the third set by taking legs three and four to level the set with a final leg decider needed to decide the fate of the match. The fifth leg was as chaotic as it was exciting. The fortunes fluctuated wildly with both men reaching the double at precisely the same time. The Magician had first go as he sized up 104 but he came up short with his last dart grazing the wire of the double twelve bed. Step forward the Pillock with 96 in his ledger as his eyes lit up with the game at his mercy. His first dart landed plum in the middle of treble twenty which left him with two darts at double eighteen. He wiped the sweat from his brow as he paused before reaching into his quiver for his second dart which he released in that trademark swashbuckling fashion as it looked to be navigating its way to the heart of the double eighteen bed only to fall away at the last second and fall to the floor. There was an audible gasp from the crowd as Kenny sank to his knees but he regained his composure and got back on his feet and fired his final dart at the same number and this time it hit the target which set of an audible and collective roar as the Pillock took the acclaim of his supporters and celebrated with them accordingly. Another disappointing defeat for the Magician in a final but he swatted away his disappointment and was first on the scene to offer his congratulations to an emotional Pillock who captured his first title of the year and ended a barren losing run in the process.
