Local Notes: Major honour for Claremorris youth

Major honour for Claremorris youth

The Tánaiste, Minister for Foreign Affairs, and Minister for Defence, Micheál Martin TD has formally announced Mohammad Naeem as a United Nations Youth Delegate.

Mohammad, aged 18, from Claremorris, recently completed his Leaving Certificate and attended St Colmans College. He is the youngest person to ever be selected and the first young person from Mayo to be selected for this position. He has heavily been involved in activism on a regional, national and international level. In 2022, he represented Ireland at the UN in Geneva with the Ombudsman for Children. There, Mohammad met with the UN Committee on the rights of the child and spoke about issues affecting children in Ireland.

In 2022, he was awarded Mayo Young Person of the Year, and Mayo Young Environmentalist of the Year in 2021. He also currently serves as the Deputy President of the Irish Second Level Students’ Union.

As UN Youth Delegate, Mohammad will work closely with the Department of Foreign Affairs, including Ireland’s Permanent Mission to the United Nations, Irish Aid, and the National Youth Council of Ireland throughout his year in office.

He will have the opportunity to engage with young people across Ireland about foreign policy issues and to represent the young people of Ireland at UN events, including this month at the UN General Assembly (UNGA) High-Level Week and the UNGA’s Third Committee, which focuses on human rights issues.

Mohammad will join Alicia O’Sullivan as UN Youth Delegates 23/24.

Mohammad Naeem said: “It is an honour to be selected as Ireland’s newest UN Youth Delegate. I extremely grateful that I have been given this opportunity, being the youngest person to be ever selected and the first from Mayo. I am looking forward to representing Claremorris, Mayo and the whole island of Ireland starting in New York at the United Nations General Assembly.”

The Tánaiste said: “The UN Youth Delegate Programme is an avenue for young people to become more involved in international cooperation while championing change and representing the voices of the millions of young people in Ireland. The programme offers a wonderful opportunity to build their networks, engage with other UN Youth delegates, and advocate on matters that concern young people globally through UN meetings and events.

“It is essential that young people are equipped to be effective global citizens, contributing to policy and decision-making at local, national, and international levels. This is what we achieve through the Programme.

“It is my pleasure to support the UN Youth Delegate Programme in its ninth year and I look forward to engaging with Alicia and Mohammad in the future.”

Club Development Draw

The 2023 Claremorris GAA Club Development Draw has now concluded. It consisted of six draws over consecutive weeks at various club locations around the county which were all streamed live on Facebook.

Claremorris GAA sold a total of 20 winning tickets totalling €14,600.

This is one of the club’s major annual fundraisers, and the proceeds are being used to develop a new pitch at the Alan Feeley Memorial Park which is currently ongoing.

The club wants to extend a massive thank you to everyone who purchased a ticket through the club.

Congratulations to all the winners, including Joanne Byrne who won €10,000 in the draw.

D’Alton plaque

The Archbishop of Tuam, Dr Francis Duffy, unveiled a memorial plaque to the late John Cardinal D’Alton at the Dalton Inn Claremorris on Thursday evening last.

This is one of a series of memorial plaques to eminent Claremorris people and has been erected by Claremorris Historical Society.

The unveiling was followed by a reception in the Dalton Inn Hotel where Dr Duffy spoke about the late Cardinal’s life and upbringing.

Sports quiz

The Claremorris AFC Sports Quiz is making a comeback this December 1 in The Dalton Inn Hotel. The winners will receive a cash prize and will be presented with a cup in honour of the late Kevin O’Brien who was synonymous with sports quizzes ran by the club in the past. More details to follow closer to the time but for now, save the date!

Junior B champions

A huge well done to the Claremorris junior team who won the New Junior B Final recently.

Penalties were needed to separate the lads from Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin in O’Hara Park, Charlestown, as the match finished 0-11 apiece after extra time. Conor McGuinness, Seán Niland, Thomas Kean and Stephen Gill all scored penalties while ‘keeper Darragh Fallon was the hero, saving two.

Claremorris captain Mikey Gallagher collected the New Junior B Shield from Mayo GAA assistant secretary Con Moynihan.

Claremorris (v Parke): Darragh Fallon (0-2f); Joe Gilmore, Michael Foody, Adam Howard; David Slattery, Conor McGuinness (0-2), Conor O’Brien; Mikey Gallagher, Oran McNulty (0-2); Dacin Feerick, Matthew McCormack, Harry Smyth; TJ O’Brien, Shane Meehan, Stephen Gill (0-4f). Subs used: David O’Connor, Paul O’Brien, Brandon Walsh, Seán Niland, Thomas Kean (0-1), Conor Óg Dennedy (0-1).

The lateKathleen Heaney

Tributes are being paid following the death of Kathleen (Catherine) Heaney (née Commins), Belmont, Milltown, Co Galway. Kathleen passed away peacefully at her home surrounded by her loving family last week.

Kathleen is predeceased by her late husband Patrick, who died in the last few months.

Her daughter Yvonne Foody is a member of Claremorris LGFA Club, who took to social media to share their condolences.

“The management committee of Claremorris LGFA extend our deepest sympathy, on our own behalf and on behalf of all our members, to Yvonne Foody on the passing of her mother, Kathleen Heaney. To lose both parents in such a short period of time is a tragedy. We hope that the pain will be lessened by the knowledge that they are happily reunited. Suaimhneas síoraí dóibh beirt.”

She was predeceased by her husband Patrick, son Michael, parents Patrick and Mary Commins and is deeply mourned by her loving family daughters Colette, Yvonne, Dorothy, Debbie and Rosie, sons Colm, Pat and John, brothers Paddy and John Commins, daughter-in-law, sons-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.

Funeral Mass for Kathleen was held at St Patrick’s Church, Ballyglass, on Wednesday morning and she was laid to rest in Ballyglass Cemetery.

May her gentle soul rest in peace.

A Celebration of ‘Father Ted’

Well-known comedian and actor Joe Rooney, known for portraying Fr Damo in Father Ted and Timmy Higgins on Killinaskully, is bringing his show, ‘A Celebration Of Father Ted’, to Claremorris Town Hall Theatre on Friday, November 3.

After a short break, Joe performs his stand-up and musical comedy with his guitar, interspersed with A Lovely Girls Competition with three volunteers from the audience. You don’t have to be a girl to enter. Participants will be asked to show their lovely walk, lovely laugh and sandwich-making skills. The winner will receive a free whistle although it might have been stolen. The whole audience will compete in the Dancing Priests Competition and the evening will be wrapped up with a singalong rendition of ‘My Lovely Horse’.

Afterwards there’ll be a chance to meet Joe Rooney and have a selfie taken.

Dress the part – there will be prizes for the best-dressed Ted characters!

Doors open at 7pm, and the show begins at 8pm. Tickets are €20, excluding booking fee. Book now from the Box Office on 094 9310999 or www.townhall.ie.

Ireland America Young Professionals Network

Claremorris man Luke Gibbons has announced the establishment of the Ireland America Young Professionals Network (IAYPN).

Founded on the values of connectivity, collaboration, and career advancement, IAYPN is poised to become a vital resource for Irish and American professionals looking to forge meaningful connections, gain valuable insights, and foster cross-continental opportunities. IAYPN, the first of its kind, is growing rapidly, garnering over 100 members in the two days since its soft launch.

The network is born out of a vision to bridge the Atlantic Ocean by uniting young professionals from Ireland and America to create a platform for networking, mentorship, and personal growth. IAYPN aims to empower its members by providing access to a diverse community of like-minded individuals, fostering personal and professional development, and promoting cultural exchange. Simply, the aim of the network is to provide Irish professionals moving to and living in the United States with a consolidation of key resources and a professional and personal community to assist with life in a new country.

Mr Gibbons, a Fulbright Scholar at Harvard Law School and the founder of IAYPN, expressed enthusiasm about the network’s potential impact.

“We are excited to bring together young professionals from Ireland and America to foster connections and facilitate growth. It is important for younger generations to continue the great tradition of the special relationship between Ireland and the United States. We believe that by working together, we can achieve great things, both professionally and personally. There are many incredible opportunities for young Irish professionals in the United States. However, the process of finding these opportunities is spread across a multitude of sources. IAYPN will provide a consolidation of these events, scholarships, employment and networking opportunities to make each more accessible to the busy young professional.”

For more information, email ireameyoung professionals@gmail. com

Knock

Age Friendly Knock

Mayo and Mayo’s Older Persons Council are conducting a walkability audit of Knock village on October 10 next. It is anticipated that this audit will assess the streets of Knock as a place where people of all ages and abilities can walk safely, conveniently and independently. This includes parents with buggies, children, wheelchair users, older people and people with impaired vision. Participants with local knowledge, who use the route regularly, will enrich the audit process. Typically, the audit should cover a walking trip and route of up to an approximate 20-30 minute walking distance. Allowing for stops and short discussions, the audit itself should take around 45 minutes but can be longer or shorter depending on the group.

Age Friendly Mayo are looking for volunteers to participate in the audit on Tuesday, October 10 (11am to 1pm). If you are available, please contact agefriendlymayo@mayococo.ie.