Local Notes: Kiltimagh-based charity launches fantastic car draw
Tom Brophy of Victim Assistance with John McNicholl at the launch of the Monster Car Draw in aid of Victim Assistance.
The Federation of Victim Assistance (FVA), the national charity dedicated to supporting victims and individuals in vulnerable situations, has launched a draw with a 2025 Nissan Qashqai on offer for the winner. The draw was launched at Cleary’s Nissan Garage on Thursday last, by internationally-renowned singer, John McNichol.
“I’m here to launch the draw for this fantastic prize,” John told the . “It’s a brilliant prize. To think that you could win a new car for €20 is amazing. It’s a great prize and a great price for the tickets. It makes an ideal Christmas gift.
"This draw is to raise money for a much-needed charity throughout the country, not just Kiltimagh or Mayo. Victim Assistance provide support for victims all over Ireland, and it’s a great cause. I just see first-hand the work they do, and I have done a bit of fundraising for Victim Assistance in the past.
"I see the work they do and they are not funded by the government – they have to go out and fundraise themselves. I’m delighted to launch the draw.”
Tom Brophy, the national chairperson of Victim Assistance, said that John McNichol was their charity ambassador.
“John is known all over Ireland, the UK and in places like Nashville. We are delighted to have him on board and to have him here today to launch our car draw. He is an international name and a fantastic ambassador to have, and somebody we totally respect and appreciate.”
Kevin Doherty, the Sales Manager of Cleary’s Nissan, told the launch about the car on offer.
“The car is the all-new 2025 Nissan Qashqai. It is a facelifted 1.3lt SV Mild Hybrid model. It delivers 140 brake horse power from a petrol engine. Small engines are doing the job now that bigger engines used to do,” Kevin said. “It’s all about lowering emissions.”
Victim Assistance is a voluntary, non-profit charity, comprising fully trained volunteers offering emotional and practical assistance to all victims of crime and those that have experienced a traumatic incident. The service is also available to family members of victims.
Tickets for the draw are priced at €20 each with three for €50 and can be purchased by calling into their offices at Aiden Street or by ringing 1800 277 477. They are also available online at www.victimassistance.ie. The draw will be held in 2025.
The AGM of First Choice Credit Union Ltd will be held online, tonight, December 3rd, at 7pm. The meeting will be held over the Zoom platform, which is relatively easy to use, once you get used to it.
Members wishing to join the meeting will need to register. This can be done by completing a form on the credit union website – www.firstchoicecreditunion.ie or by sending an email, requesting an access link, to agm@fccu.ie.
Members will need to supply their membership number when they are registering. Anyone who has not used Zoom previously should log in early to familiarise themselves on its workings before the meeting starts.
The understands that the reason the meeting will be held online is down to the wide geographical spread of the membership. Links to annual reports and biographies of candidates standing for election and additional information are available on the website.
Get your decent clothes on quickly because this is the week of The Wake. The arrangements are as follows: ‘A Wake in The West’, Kiltimagh Town Hall Theatre, tonight, tomorrow night and the next night, December 3rd, 4th and 5th.
The door will be open at 7pm and the Wake will begin proper at 8pm. There’ll be a crowd – a good crowd at that. You’d be as well, maybe, to get a ticket in advance (Seán Langan has a few) and there’ll be some at the door. But you wouldn’t want to leave it too late, just in case.
The play is brought to the stage by the world famous, Clann Machua Drama group. The cast? Oh yes, the cast of ‘A Wake in the West’ – a very popular and funny play by Mulranny man, Michael Joe Ginnelly - is Tony Kelly, Denis Charlton, Egija Bozano, Rebecca Moriarty, Christina Jordan, Mairead Carney, Kevin Flanagan, Austin Finn and Ethan Jordan.
This is one of the funniest plays you will ever see and the only problem is it is only in for three nights. There’ll be no point saying later, that you were sorry you didn’t go.
Clann Machua Drama group has qualified for the All-Ireland One-Act Drama Finals with the play ‘Baby Steps’, written by Moira Mahony and Sarah Fahy. The group qualified having won festivals in Carrigallen and Skeries, coming second in Manorhamilton and third in Doonbeg.
The All-Ireland One-Act Finals will be held this weekend, Friday to Sunday, December 6th to 8th, at The Moat Theatre, Naas, Co Kildare. The adjudicator is Imelda McDonagh (ADA).
“We were welcomed by Clann Machua Drama and given the opportunity to put the play on its feet and take it out on the One-Act Drama circuit,” co-writer and director, Moira Mahony said. “For the past few months, I’ve had the absolute privilege of working with this gang of legends. They’re a motley crew, some new to drama and some seasoned performers. Their work ethic, enthusiasm and creativity has absolutely bowled me over and it’s been an incredibly humbling experience watching them bring our play to life. We get to do it all over again at the All-Ireland Finals in Naas. I couldn’t be prouder of this play and this gang.”
Former Kiltimagh Knock United underage player, John Mountney has joined Bohemians FC on a multi-year contract.
John joins from Dundalk where he was captain this year, and where he has played in all bar one of the past 13 seasons. John won five league titles and the FAI Cup three times during his time at Dundalk, adding a fourth cup winner’s medal to his collection in 2021 with St Patrick’s Athletic in 2021. John is a player who is comfortable in a number of different positions, but likely to operate as a defender for the Dublin club.
“Everyone knows how big a club Bohs is,” John said. “I want to be a part of something and I believe Bohs is the perfect fit for me to try to do that. The fan-base is one of the biggest in the country so when they reached out, I was very interested.
"I’ll be one of the more experienced lads, so I want to play my part and live up to the demands the management put in place. I’m really looking forward to getting ready for next season.”
2024 was a difficult year for Dundalk on and off the pitch, leading to their relegation to the First Division of the Airtricity League. Bohemians finished eighth in the ten-team Premier Division.
Aileen O’Donoghue is mourned
The community was shocked to learn of the peaceful passing of Aileen O’Donoghue (née Fannon), of Thomas Street, Kiltimagh and Glenview, Illinois, USA.
Aileen passed away surrounded by her loving family and in the care of the wonderful staff at Ballinamore Nursing Home.
Aileen was predeceased by her husband Bill (who passed away in April of this year), her parents Matt and Hannah Fannon and her sister Rosemary Gill (Coolaght). She was the dearly loved mother of Matthew and stepmother of Liam (Elizabeth), James (Gabrielle and their children Naomi, Wylie and Erin) and Bonnie (Ankur).
Aileen is deeply regretted by her heartbroken sisters Cathy, Camilla, Yvonne and brothers, Dominick and Joe, brothers-in-law Gerry, Barry, Paddy and Seán, sisters-in-law Margaret and Erika, nieces, nephews, grandnieces and grandnephews, her aunt Bernie and uncle Dominick, many cousins and a wide circle of friends both in Ireland and Chicago, neighbours and the amazing staff of Ballinamore Nursing Home.
Aileen was laid to rest in Kilkinure Cemetery after Requiem Mass in the Church of the Holy Family.
Everyone at Kiltimagh GAA Club would like to thank Shane and Sonia Gilmartin for the very generous sponsorship of Gilmartin’s Catering and Hygiene Supplies by becoming the club's main sponsor.
Gilmartin Catering and Hygiene Supplies will sponsor both the senior men and women’s teams, 50/50 tickets and general main club sponsors for the 2025 season and beyond. The club is very grateful for this and indeed all club sponsorship.
Padraig Ruane, from Belcarra, was last week’s winner of the GAA 50/50. Padraig won €560.
The lucky winner of last week's Kiltimagh Knock United 50/50 draw was James Mountney from Bohola. James collects €320 for supporting the club's weekly fundraiser. The club asks everyone to remember to shop local this Christmas period, and that KKU draw tickets are available in local retailers and pubs. All support is appreciated.
In the Deceased Members Memorial Bridge game played two weeks ago, Thomas McNicholas and Cait McTigue came out on top with Mick Dolan and Pat Keary, in second place. Ray Nally and Mary Colahan finished third and Kathleen Morley and Sheila McNicholas were fourth.
In last week’s game, the winners were Maureen Carney and Maeve Duffy, Kathleen Morley and Sheila McNicholas came second, with Betty Solan and John McCrohan in third while Ray Nally and Mary Colahan were fourth.
Bridge is held in the Park Hotel every Tuesday at 7.30pm. The club is open to new members joining at any time. Casual pairs are also welcome. Bridge classes are available for beginners and anybody interested can contact John McCrohan on 087-2422945.
As part of their fundraising efforts, Kiltimagh Tidy Towns will hold their annual Pub Quiz in Tommy Ryan’s Bar on Friday next, December 13th, commencing at 9.30pm. Gerry King will bring his unique style and humour to the event as quiz master, and the entry cost is €40 per table.
Kavanagh’s SuperValu is sponsoring a wonderful Christmas Hamper and there will be other fantastic prizes as part of the raffle. Please support the local Tidy Towns and the wonderful volunteers who work so hard throughout the year to keep the community clean and tidy.
And it’ll be a fantastic evening’s entertainment as well.
St Louis Community School has qualified for the All-Ireland Volleyball Final on this Friday, December 6th, having overcome three schools in last Tuesday's National semi-final at Galway University complex. Along the way, the Kiltimagh team overcame Breffni College 2-1, Naas CBS 2-1 and St Francis College 2-1.
The team members who recorded the historic win are Conor Turtill, Ethan Hurley, Aaron Conlon, Lucas Hirst, George Lally, Hugh Langan, Dylan Walsh, Alex Walsh, Riley Davin, Andrij Husak. The coach is Sean Costello.
