Local Notes: Meeting of Kilmovee Civil Defence
At a recent meeting of Kilmovee Civil Defence were from left, Cllr John Caulfield, Jeremy Concannon, CFR Kilmovee, Gerry Regan Emergency Medical Technician and Co Ordinator Kilmovee Civil Defence, Tommy Horan CFR Kilmovee and Cllr Gerry Murray. Picture James Hunt Photography.
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted to Julie Ryan as follows: email ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call/text/WhatsApp 0877694781 (after 6pm). Deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm Wednesday.
Parking is prohibited on Main Street, Market Street and Bridge Street until 1am Thursday, August 7. This to facilitate the two biggest days of the Siamsa Sraide Festival namely Heritage Day and The Old Harvest Fair Day. The committee is seeking help and support from the public, residents and businesses in making this possible. Apologies for any inconvenience caused. Further information from Brendan 087 742 0617.
Killasser Community Care Group is organising a one-day retreat to visit Lough Derg on September 9. Let any member of the Community Care Group know if you would like to go on this pilgrimage as soon as possible. Contact Vera 087 635 4880, Nancy 087 672 0705 or Kathleen 087 617 9317.
MacFest in the West- The Big Mac Reunion is a reunion gathering of the descendants of Thomas McNicholas (Bohola/Curryaune) and Judith McDonagh (Barnacogue) taking place in Swinford on the weekend of 8th -10th August in association with www.mayo.ie. Judith McDonagh was the daughter of Owen McDonagh and Nora Morris who migrated to Barnacogue at the beginning of the 19th Century. Owen and Nora had 9 children - Judith, Kitty, Maria, Nancy, Patrick, Tom, John, Bryan and Margaret. Judith McDonagh married Thomas McNicholas where they settled in Curryaune and had 8 children - Patrick, John, Mary, Michael, Bernard, Thomas, Martin and Honoria. Over 100 members of the McNicholas family diaspora will visit Swinford for MacFest in the West for which several events have been planned. The Big Mac Reunion itself will take place in Mellets on Saturday 9th August. Event organisers Julie Doyle, Jackie O'Rourke and Joanne Kilroy have been working on the Family tree/genealogy record and are keen to hear from any of the descendants of Owen and Nora Morris or Judith and Thomas McNicholas to get in touch before the event to help fill in the gaps in the genealogy record and to come along to The Big Mac Reunion in celebration of the shared McDonagh/McNicholas Swinford heritage. Contact Julie Doyle for further details. Events planned for the weekend – Friday, August 8 Swinford FC will play host to an U10 visiting team from St. Joseph’s Harrow, London for a soccer blitz, followed later that evening by the event launch in the White House. Saturday,August 9, is an action-packed day with a trip down memory lane to Barnacogue for the visiting diaspora. A commemorative Mass for the deceased family members of the McNicholas/McDonagh descendants will be held in Midfield School following which Breege Rowley will screen her documentary “All our Yesterdays”. Saturday night will culminate with the Big Mac Reunion in Mellets Emporium. On Sunday, August 10, the visiting diaspora will visit Knock Museum to discover all about life in Ireland in 1879. Over the course of the weekend Tommy Stenson and Cathal Kelly of Swinford Chats Podcast will record a special episode of their podcast in association with Mayo.ie.
Dance night with Ciarán Rosney in Julian's, Midfield on Friday, August 8. Traditional session from 8.30pm, dancing from 9.30pm. Tickets costing €10 are available in local outlets and Hospice shops. Contact Ann 087 762 7960 or Margaret 087 668 6504 for more information. All proceeds will go to the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation.
On Tuesday, August 5, a procession from the main stage to the Famine Grave located behind Swinford District Hospital will take place at 5.30pm. A historic talk will accompany this ceremony. Blessing of the newly installed plague at Swinford Union Burial Ground will follow.
Swinford AC Autumn 5k series kicks off on Wednesday, August 6, with the Swinford Siamsa Ras – F12H593. Registration from 6.30pm, 7.15pm start at Main Street. Weekly thereafter as follows: August 13, Killasser F12HH97; August 20, Midfield F12VE20; August 27, Straide F26D788; September 6, ¾ marathon, 5k and 10k F12HH50; September 10, Foxford F26ND92. All races start at 7.15pm with registration from 6.30pm apart from the event on September 6 where registration is from 8am with a 10am start. €5 per person, €10 per family. For more information contact Adette 087 2362112 or Micheal 086 8196511.
The numbers drawn in the Swinford Community Lotto draw held on July 28 were 2, 8, 11 and 12. €70 vouchers were won by Mary Gormley, Derryronane and Christina Conway, c/o Tara Café; €35 was won by Bernie Conway, Swinford, Attracta Price, Cullane, N. Gallagher, Fraunhill and Áine Conlon, Druids Court. The jackpot in the latest draw was €6,400.
Congratulations to Danny Lambe who won €357 in the Swinford GAA 50/50 draw.
Swinford Golf Club was in fine fettle on Saturday, July 26, for captain Enda Murtagh’s big day. Under soft skies and with the course in splendid condition, the golf was every bit as good as the company. Results: Ladies 18 Hole Stroke 1st Patricia Feeney 64, 2nd Margaret Mulligan 69 and 3rd Lorena McNicholas 70. Gents 18 Hole Stroke 1st Kevin Irwin 63, 2nd John McCarrick 68 and Pat Henry 68. Young Kevin Irwin stole the show with a sparkling round, following in the footsteps of his brothers Daniel and James, both former GOTY winners. On the same podium, you’ll find seasoned hands like John McCarrick and Pat Henry, proof that this grand game belongs to every age and a fine reminder that on the fairways of Swinford, youth and experience walk side by side.
The ladies’ competition was equally impressive with Patricia Feeney producing a brilliant score of 64 to take top spot, ahead of Margaret Mulligan and Lorena McNicholas, who fought hard for the podium places. A word of heartfelt thanks to Captain Enda for the trojan work he put into the day, and to his sister for the delicious food that followed. Gratitude too to Keith and Barry who had the course shining like a penny on a plate.
A fine crowd gathered for the evening presentation, with music organised by Vinnie Murtagh, and plenty stayed to raise a glass and celebrate with Enda. To all who came out, thank you for making the day one to remember.
On Thursday, 24, July at Swinford Golf Club’s presentation evening, young Cormac Fearon, a junior with a swing as sweet as summer hay and Charlie Quinn, a stalwart of the fairways whose love of the game hasn’t dimmed with time, both proving, in their own way, that golf is a game for every age, every step of life’s journey.
Back on the weekend of June 28/29, Annie McNeela claimed the 18 Hole Stableford with 35 points, while none other than young Cormac himself lit up the course with a brilliant 44 points, with Charlie not far behind on 38. Moving on to July 5/6t the Ladies Higgins Cup went to Dympna O’Donnell with 34 points, while the Mulligan Cup found its way into the hands of Edmund Kennedy, a man who knows his way around a scorecard, finishing on a mighty 42 points. The weekend of July 12/13 saw Geraldine Turbitt triumph in the Ladies 9 Hole Stableford with 21 points, while Sean Golden sparkled with 45 points in the Gents 18 Hole Stableford. And most recently, July 19/20, Mona Curry reigned supreme in the Ladies 18 Hole Stableford with 36 points, and the O’Connor Cup was captured by Peter Moore, finishing a fine V Par round on +7.
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Callow Lake Group Water Scheme is inviting applications for the role of a full-time manager. Emaildeirdre@nfgws.ie for more details, clearly marking your application ‘Callow Lake Group Water Scheme Manager’.
The local Pius X Conference will hold their annual church collections on the weekend of August 9 and 10 in Bohola, Shraheens, Kiltimagh and Kilkelly. Your continued generosity is greatly appreciated.
The 2025 Moy Davitts Golf Classic takes place on Saturday, August 9, in Ballina Golf Club. €160 per team of 4. There will be major prizes on the day, including Green Fees at some of Ireland's top golf courses, and competitions will include longest drive and nearest to the pin. Contact Ballina Golf Club on 096 21050 or e-mail info@ballina-golf.com to book your tee time.
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The next heritage night will be held in Kilmovee Community Centre on Monday, August 11, commencing at 8pm. Doors open at 8pm and admission is free.
Sympathy is extended to Noel and Michael Moran, Glann, on the death of their sister Madeline Devaney (nee Moran), Tallaght and Glann, and also to John and Anne Dunleavy and Mary Rochford, on the death of their aunt Peg McMahon (nee Dunleavy), London and Shammer May they rest in peace.
The death took place of Mary Noonan, Lisacul, on July 21, peacefully at home surrounded by her family. Mary was predeceased by her husband Joe, brother PJ, sister Rena and nephew Enda. Mary, a native of Cloonfaughna Bekan, was sister of the late TD PJ Morley. Mary was a true lady who put the cares of others before her own. She possessed a great sense of warmth and care and extended a hearty welcome to all, a lady of deep faith who was always willing to help those in need, someone who held the older traditions in good stead and a person who will be missed by all who knew her.
Mary is survived by her sons Paul, Shane and Barry, daughters Patricia, Deirdre, Anna Marie, Siobhan and Karen, sister Bridget, her twenty-two grandchildren, ten great-grandchildren, sons-in-law Seamus, Ray and Declan, daughter-in-law Fiona, Paul’s partner Clodagh and Barry’s partner Vicky, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and many friends.
Mary reposed in The Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen on Wednesday, July 23, with removal from her home on Thursday, July 24, arriving at the Church of Christ the King, Lisacul, for Mass of the Resurrection at 12noon, followed by interment in Lisacul cemetery. May Mary rest in peace.
