Local Notes: Launch of Swinford Darkness Into Light 2025.
A lovely night was enjoyed on Friday, April 25, as this year’s Swinford Darkness into Light Walk was launched. Darkness into Light will take place at 4.15am on the morning of Saturday, May 10, at Swinford Community Centre. You can register online at darknessintolight.ie Thank you to Marie Mellett and Melletts Emporium Swinford for hosting the launch and supporting the event throughout, to Swinford Comhaltas musicians for providing the wonderful music and to Michael Maye for taking the photographs. .
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted by email to ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call/text/WhatsApp 0877694781 (after 6pm). Deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm Wednesday.
Swinford Gardening Club will be taking its first day trip of the year to Lovely Leitrim on Saturday, May 10. The trip will include visits to Parke's Castle, the Ballroom of Romance in Glenfarne and Kiltyclogher Heritage Centre. The trip costs €85. All entry fees, breakfast and dinner are included. The bus will leave Swinford at 8.30am. To book contact Angela at 087 7917136 or Maura at 087 7604763 as soon as possible please.
The final Swinford AC Spring Series takes place on May 7 in Foxford (F26ND92). Entry fee is €5 per person and €10 per family. Registration takes place from 6.30pm with the run/walk starting at 7pm.
Síamsa Sráide Street Festival Swinford presents “A Grey Wing Upon Every Tide” by Colin Carberry on Friday, August 1, at 2pm in Boland's Bar where poet, editor and reviewer Colin Carberry of Toronto will give a talk covering many topics from the Irish Diaspora to Irish History. Colin will reminiscence on his own family and Republican activity during the War of Independence in Longford as well as colourful historical Irish figures in Mexico. Colin will also launch his new poetry book "Ghost Homeland".
Congratulations to Joe Kelly from Carracastle on winning €475 in the Swinford GAA Club 50/50 draw.
The numbers drawn in the Swinford Community Lotto draw held on April 28 were; 5, 19, 22 and 26. There was no jackpot winner. €70 vouchers were won by Monica Smith, Castleroyan and Josephine Hall, Ballyvary. The jackpot for the latest draw which was held on Sunday, May 5, was €3,800.
On Saturday, May24, at 11am the Youth Memorial Garden Team will be getting the garden summer ready. Anyone who wishes to help are very welcome to come along. You may be someone with a gift for planting flowers or be happy pulling weeds, all help will be very much appreciated. A Mass at the garden is planned – date and time will be published when finalised.
Sympathy is extended to the family, neighbours and friends of Paddy Higgins, Cloongullane, Swinford. Paddy is survived by his wife Teresa, sons Michael and PJ, daughter Mary, grandchildren, daughter-in-law, family circle and many, many friends. May Paddy rest in peace.
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. They 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.
Catholic Marriage Care is seeking facilitators to volunteer to train as presenters for marriage preparation courses. If you feel you would like to help, contact Aisling at the Accord Centre, Maynooth, Co. Kildare on 01 5053112 or email marraigecourses@accord.ie.
A National Youth retreat will take place at Knock Shrine on Thursday, May 8. Students from all over Ireland will gather at Knock Shrine to celebrate the life of Donal Walsh and to reflect on his message to “Live Life”. If you are interested in learning more about the day or registering a group, email youthministry@knockshrine.ie.
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This summer's Kellogg's Cul Camp takes place at Moy Davitts GAA grounds from Monday, June 30 until Friday, July 4. Registration opened on www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie yesterday, Monday, May 5, at 9am.
The Darkness into Light Walk in Straide takes place at 4.15am on Saturday morning, May 10. The walk symbolises hope as the community comes together to support mental health and help prevent suicide. Register online at www.darknessintolight.com and choose Straide as your venue or you can register/pay by cash/card /donation on the morning of the walk in the Straide Davitt Community Centre. The organisers hope you can join them. All are welcome. "Alone we are one drop, together we are an Ocean".
The 2025 applications for the Martin Sheridan Bursary in association with the Western People is now open and the closing date for receipt of entries is Friday, May 16. Details and criteria for application are available by emailing: martinsheridanbursary@gmail.com or at https://sites.google.com/site/martinsheridanbursary/home. The committee are grateful to Mayo County Council for their continued and ongoing support of the awards.
Congratulations to Neil Cruise who won a jackpot of €560 in the Moy Davitts 50/50 draw on Saturday, April 26. 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).
You can drop into your local Citizens Information Service or contact it by phone and email for information, advice and advocacy. Make sure you check your local service’s opening hours if you are dropping in. Appointments are offered as needed following an initial assessment. You can also call the Citizens Information phone service on 0818 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm.
Alone is a national organisation that enables older people to age at home. If you need advice, support or information, call the National Support and Referral line at 0818 222 024, seven days a week, from 8am-8pm.
Are you looking to care for a loved one in their own home? Do you need support with keeping your loved ones at home? Visiting Care has four years experience of caring for your loved one in the comfort of their own home. They have fully qualified nurses who are available to work both days and nights in the South Sligo area. If you are interested, get in touch via 087-1335966 and they will be happy to help.
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Mayo Abbey Centre have recently purchased a defibrillator with support from the Community Refurbishment Programme. They are now organising free defibrillator training for community members which will take approximately 2 ½ - 3 hours. If you are interested in being trained to use a defibrillator, call the centre to find out more information at 094 93 65987.
Why not come to the Community Coffee Morning every Thursday for a cuppa, a chat and some freshly baked scones. There is no booking necessary. The social dinner takes place every Tuesday but it must be booked in advance. Mayo Abbey Centre offer free computer/smartphone support for beginners, and hot desk spaces with fibre broadband connections suitable for virtual meetings or interviews. It is the ‘pick up and drop off’ point for Local Link Bus Service which goes to Castlebar daily Tuesday to Saturday and Claremorris every Thursday. This service is available to all and is free to travel pass holders. Book with Local Link 094 900 5150. Collection from your home may be possible but call the centre to find out more at 094 93 65987.
The next card game will be held in Mayo Abbey Resource Centre on Thursday, May 15, at 9pm. All are welcome and your support will be appreciated.
Why not come along on Thursday mornings and join the walking group. The walk starts from the community centre at 10.30am. All are welcome to walk as little or as much as you like and remember to bring a hi-vis. Call Ann on 086 605 7568 or call the Centre 094 93 65987 for further information.
The numbers drawn in the lotto which was held on Tuesday, April 29, were 4, 17, 24 and 28. There was no jackpot winner. The €30 consolation prize winners were Ray Gordon, Newbrook; Amanda Oates, Knockroe (online ticket); Loraine Fitzgerald, Mayo Abbey; and Charlie O’Malley, Rathnacreeva. The jackpot for the draw to be held this evening Tuesday, May 6, is €13,700.
Mayo Abbey Community Employment Scheme have vacancies in payroll/accounts, childcare, gardener, cook, office administrator, cleaner and dining assistant. Department of Social Protection eligibility criteria apply. Call Craig at Mayo Abbey Centre 094 93 65987 to find out more or email craig@mayoabbey.ie.
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 OIder 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.
