Local Notes: Line-up revealed for Kiltimagh Drama Festival
Harpist Mike Absalom entertained the large crowd at the launch of Philip Stephens' new book, 'These Divided Isles', in Kiltimagh Museum recently. Picture: John Corless
The Kiltimagh One Act Drama Festival is set to take place at the Town Hall Theatre from November 7th to 9th, 2025. Tickets are priced at €10, with a weekend pass available for €20. Tickets can be purchased at Langan’s Bar or on the door nightly.
The festival features a variety of performances over three days. On Friday, November 7th, at 8pm, Upstage Players will open the event with Jane Shepard’s , followed by by Norm Foster, performed by Compántas Lir, and concluding with by Meabh de Brún.
Saturday, November 8th, begins at 8pm with the Butt Drama Circle presenting by Robert Scott. This will be followed by Phoenix Players' by Harold Pinter and Drumgoon Play-Actors’ by Anne Marie Bannon.
The festival concludes on Sunday, November 9th, at 5pm with Castleconnor Drama Group performing by J.M. Synge, and The Breffni Players presenting by John McDwyer. The final play will be performed by Doonbeg WIllow, featuring by Catherine McKiernan.
The adjudicator for the festival is Tom Byrne. For further details and ticket bookings, contact Langan’s Bar at 094-9381234 or on the door nightly.
Kiltimagh GAA Club is proud to announce that it has been officially recognised as a Healthy Club, having achieved Healthy Club status as part of the GAA’s national programme.
This award marks a significant milestone in the club’s ongoing commitment to promoting health and well-being within the club and the wider community. It acknowledges that the club’s policies, activities, partnerships and overall environment are all aligned with supporting the holistic health of its members.
The Healthy Club programme, which is reviewed every two years, celebrates the work being done by GAA clubs across the country to prioritise both physical and mental wellness.
Karen Forkan and John Hession, members of the club’s Healthy Clubs Team, accepted the award on behalf of Kiltimagh GAA. They received the certificate from Vincent Neary, President of Connacht GAA, and Carmel Kenny, Chairperson of the GAA National Community and Health Committee, at a recent ceremony held at the Connacht Centre of Excellence in Bekan.
This is Kiltimagh GAA’s first award on its Healthy Club journey, and the club looks forward to building on this success in the years ahead.
The next meeting of the Kiltimagh Women’s Group will be held on Monday next, November 3rd, at 7pm in the Parish Centre.
The evening will feature a special presentation by Orla Malone, who will speak about the important work carried out by the organisation Alone, which supports older people to age at home with dignity.
All ladies in the community are warmly invited to attend. New members are especially welcome.
Youthreach Kiltimagh will take part in Stand Up Awareness Week 2025, which runs from November 3rd to 7th in schools, Youthreach centres, and youth services across Ireland.
The national initiative, led by Belong To, aims to tackle homophobic, biphobic, and transphobic bullying, and encourages all learning environments to take a stand for inclusion and equality.
Stand Up Awareness Week provides an important opportunity to highlight the experiences of LGBTQ+ young people and to take meaningful steps to make education and youth settings safer and more welcoming for everyone.
Youthreach Kiltimagh is proud to support the campaign and help foster a culture where all young people feel seen, supported and valued. The centre will use the week to promote awareness and continue its commitment to respectful and inclusive learning spaces.
It was a proud day for the O’Shea family when three brothers, Eoin, Cian and Enda O’Shea, played central roles in Munterconnaught’s victory in the Cavan Junior Football Championship Final recently.
The trio, whose father Seamus is from Park Road in Kiltimagh, were instrumental as Munterconnaught edged out Kill Shamrocks by the narrowest of margins, 0-11 to 0-10, in the decider at Breffni Park.
Adding to the occasion, Cian had the honour of captaining the side. Their father Seamus is a familiar face to many in Mayo, and their mother Elaine (née McDonnell) is originally from Derryvohey.
The victory was made all the more poignant for the family, coming shortly after the passing of their beloved aunt, Ann Cunnane. No doubt she would have been immensely proud of her nephews’ achievements on such a memorable day for the O’Shea clan.
There was plenty of lively competition at this week’s 25 Card Drive, with a strong crowd and some familiar names taking the honours on the night.
First prize went to the pairing of Kathleen Gill and John Walsh, who proved a winning combination. They were followed in second place by Michael Carney and Michael Costello after a close contest.
Third place was shared, with Aidan Lydon and Alo Langan tying with Manus Kilcoyne and Chris Flatley following some tightly fought hands.
The ‘Last 10’ prize went to Pius Forde and John Clancy, while the spot prize was claimed by Francis McNicholas and Tom Walsh.
Raffle winners were Kathleen Gill, Michael Costello, John Walsh and Aidan Lydon.
Congratulations to Eibhlin McNicholas who was the lucky winner of last week’s Kiltimagh GAA 50/50 draw. Eibhlin took home a prize of €547.
The draw continues to be a vital source of support for the club, with tickets available both online and from shops and pubs across the town. The club expressed its appreciation to all who entered, and reminded supporters that each ticket sold helps fund youth development and club improvements.
There was a great turnout at Kiltimagh Museum recently for the launch of Philip Stephens' new book, . Full coverage in Page 16 of our news section.
The Mayo Scór na nÓg competition will be held in Moygownagh Hall on Friday, November 7th, at 7pm.
Any young members of CLG Coillte Mach interested in taking part are asked to contact Aingeal Uí Mhaicín on 087-9885165 no later than Friday, October 31st.
Please note that participants must be aged 17 or under on January 1st, 2025.
The death has occurred of Loretta Cummins (née McNicholas) of Sutton, Dublin and formerly of Kiltimagh.
Loretta died peacefully on October 16th, surrounded by her loving family and in the exceptional care of the staff at St Patrick’s Nursing Home, Baldoyle.
Predeceased by her beloved husband Larry, Loretta is deeply missed by her children Susan, David, Paula and Michael, son-in-law Jeff, daughter-in-law Wendy, grandchildren Conor and Ciara, brother Henry, sister-in-law Eleanor, nieces, nephews, extended family, friends and neighbours.
Loretta’s remains reposed at Stafford’s Funeral Home, Golf Links Road, Portmarnock on Monday afternoon, October 20th. Funeral Mass took place on Tuesday morning in the Church of St Fintan, Sutton, followed by cremation at Dardistown Crematorium.
May she rest in peace.
