Local Notes: Michael wins Winter Poker League in Kiltimagh
Michael Sheridan was the winner of the Winter Poker League in Kiltimagh.
A record prize pool of €3,440 was up for grabs for the fourteen players who competed in the final of the Winter Poker League in Teach O’Hora last week.
After six hours of play, Michael Sheridan was victorious and claimed first prize and the Jeremy Dee Memorial Cup. Adam Earley was the runner up with Keith Ldyon third. Marcella Gilmartin (fourth) and Paul Walsh (fifth) were the other prize winners. The new Spring League resumes this week when Round 2 will be played.
Kiltimagh is gearing up for St Patrick’s Day 2026, with the town’s parade taking place on Tuesday, March 17th, at 2pm under the theme ‘Heroes & Legends’.
Leading the celebrations this year will be Grand Marshals Liam Kelly and Mattie Cummins, who have been appointed in recognition of their outstanding contribution to sport, club and community. Liam, team captain, and Mattie, vice-captain, enjoyed a memorable season with their club and are regarded as fitting ambassadors for both their team and the wider parish.
Organisers say the pair represent leadership, commitment and pride in the jersey, making them ideal figures to lead the parade through the town on the national day of celebration.
The ‘Heroes & Legends’ theme invites schools, clubs, businesses and community groups to draw inspiration from Irish folklore, sporting heroes, historical figures and everyday local champions. Participants are being encouraged to get creative with floats, costumes and displays to help make the parade a colourful and lively showcase of community spirit.
With preparations already under way, Kiltimagh is once again set to mark St Patrick’s Day with a parade that brings people together to celebrate pride, tradition and local achievement.
Caroline Cotter, the Kiltimagh-based supervisor of the Rural Social Scheme (RSS), has welcomed the recent changes to the eligibility criteria for the scheme.
Speaking to the , Caroline said that a number of important changes to the Rural Social Scheme are being introduced following Budget 2026, with the aim of strengthening the scheme and supporting the rural communities that rely on it.
“Rural dwellers aged 50 and over who are in receipt of a qualifying social welfare payment can now join the scheme,” Caroline said. “Two other major changes see RSS eligibility extended to people who have a ‘defined connection’ to a farming or fishing enterprise, even if they do not hold a herd number or fishing licence in their own name. The second will allow couples who are jointly engaged in farming or fishing to both access the scheme using a single herd number or fishing licence, removing a long-standing barrier to participation.”
The RSS provides part-time employment for underemployed farmers and fishers who are in receipt of specific social welfare payments, including Farm or Fish Assist, Jobseeker’s Allowance, Disability Allowance, One-Parent Family Payment and certain bereavement and pension-related payments. At present, almost 2,700 people are taking part in the scheme, with expenditure of approximately €52.6 million in 2025.
Under the defined connection option, people who are actively involved in farming or fishing may qualify if they are related to the holder of a herd number or fishing licence, or if they play an active role in the enterprise. This includes spouses, parents, children, siblings, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. Written consent from the licence holder is required through an RSS2 form.
“Couples will also benefit from greater flexibility, as both partners can now participate if they are jointly farming or fishing, while dependent spouses or partners may also qualify in certain circumstances,” Caroline said.
Together, these changes are intended to address falling participation levels in the RSS, while ensuring that the scheme continues to provide valuable services and employment in rural communities across Ireland. Caroline has a number of vacancies in the Kiltimagh, Bohola and Midfield areas for outdoor workers. Anyone interested in joining the scheme can contact Caroline on 087-2107385 or by calling in to the RSS office on Aiden Street.
The recent Kiltimagh GAA London Fundraiser saw a variety of winners across different categories. The top prize of €1,000 was won by Bridie Clendon from Kiltimagh. Deborah Feeley, also from Kiltimagh, took home the second prize, which consisted of two All-Ireland Football Final tickets.
In third place, Alex Gilmartin from Kiltimagh secured two All-Ireland Hurling Final tickets, while fourth prize of two corporate tickets to an Arsenal home game was won by Brian McKiernan.
The fifth prize, a stay at the Cil Aodain Hotel, including two nights' bed and breakfast and one dinner for two people, was won by Bernie Preston. Seán Hyland from Kiltimagh claimed the sixth prize of two nights' bed and breakfast for two people, at the Park Hotel.
Four-ball golf entries at the K Club, at Foxhills Golf Club in Surrey and at Enniscrone Golf Club, were won by Paul Cagney from Lahinch, Co Clare, Patricia and Aisling Burke from Swinford and Rachelle Forkan from Kiltimagh respectively. Sinead Walsh from Foxford won two Connacht Football Championship tickets to see London v Mayo in Ruislip.
Peter Moran from London secured a year's entry to the Kiltimagh GAA Club weekly 50/50 draw and David Freeman from Kiltimagh won the final prize of a Mayo County Board Development Draw ticket, valued at €100.
Congratulations to all the winners.
Kiltimagh GAA Bord na nÓg will hold its annual presentation evening on Friday, February 20th at 7pm in the Cill Aodáin Court Hotel.
The evening will celebrate the achievements of the club’s underage players and teams, with Player of the Year and Most Improved Player awards being presented at U12, U14, U16 and U18 level for both boys and girls. Medals will also be presented to teams who enjoyed Divisional and Championship success during the season.
Players, parents, families and supporters are all welcome to attend what promises to be a special night of recognition for the club’s young players.
Cavan fiddle player Gráinne Brady will launch her third solo album, , with a special concert at The Folk Café in Kiltimagh on this Thursday, February 19th at 8pm.
The album blends traditional Irish tunes with new compositions inspired by her years performing in Ireland and Scotland, and features Michael Biggins on piano, Innes White on guitar and Andrew Waite on accordion. The Mayo date is a special one for Brady, who has strong family ties to the area.
Gráinne will be joined on the night by Michael Biggins, winner of the 2021 BBC Young Traditional Musician of the Year. The album and tickets for the launch are available online through Gráinne Brady’s website and Bandcamp.
Pen and Ink Writers will host their final event of the season with a special St David’s Day Welsh Night at the Folk Café in Kiltimagh.
The evening will celebrate Welsh culture and cuisine, with a range of dishes available, including vegetarian and vegan options. The programme will also feature guest musicians and writers, an open mic session and a quiz, with a prize voucher for the winner.
Following the success of the group’s recent Burns Night fundraiser, the St David’s Day event will once again raise funds for Laura Lynn Children’s Hospice, with a donation included in the ticket price.
The Welsh Night takes place on Sunday, March 1st, with doors opening at 7.15pm for an 8pm start. Tickets cost €10 and are available from the Folk Café, Main Street Rear, Kiltimagh, or by contacting Pen and Ink Writers on 086-0738368 or by email at penandink.comayo@gmx.com.
There was another lively and well attended 25 Card Drive during the week, with plenty of close games and keen competition throughout the evening.
First prize went to the partnership of Patsy Flatley and Danny Walsh, who led the way after a strong showing on the night. Joint second place was shared by three pairs, with Tom Conroy and Joe Boyle finishing level alongside Mary and Jimmy Doyle and also Mary and Liam Moran.
The Last 10 prize was also shared, with Mary and Richard Carney tying with John Clancy and Francis McNicholas. Chris Flatley and Manus Kilcoyne claimed the spot prize, while the raffle winners were Liam Moran, Martin Regan, Danny Doherty and Denis Regan.
A special Mass will be held in Knock Basilica this Sunday, February 22, at 12 noon to mark European Day for Victims of Crime and Trauma.
The service, organised by Kiltimagh-based Federation of Victim Assistance, will bring together victims and their families along with members of the emergency and support services. It forms part of a wider European programme highlighting the impact of crime and the importance of support for those affected.
Refreshments will be served afterwards in St John’s Rest and Care Centre, with organisers saying the Mass offers a time for reflection, prayer and solidarity.
The annual general meeting of Kiltimagh Knock United will be held on this Friday, February 20, at 8pm in the Park Hotel, Kiltimagh.
After a turbulent 2025 which saw the collapse of their Men’s A and B teams, it is hoped there will be a good attendance to organise matters for the 2026 season.
Tommy Langan was the winner of the Kiltimagh Knock United 50/50 draw last week, receiving a prize of €304.
The weekly draw continues to be well supported, with tickets sold online as well as through local shops and pubs in the Kiltimagh area.
The club congratulated Tommy on the win and thanked all who entered, pointing out that funds raised go directly towards team development, coaching and the upkeep of club facilities.
The death has occurred of Nora Murphy (née Dunne) of Goulboy, Kiltimagh, and formerly of Dublin. Nora died peacefully in her 83rd year at the Mayo Hospice, Castlebar, with her family by her side, in the loving care of the staff.
Nora was predeceased by her husband Eddie and daughter Gillian, and will be sadly missed by her loving children Annemarie, Ed and Elizabeth, grandchildren Seán, Sophie, Maitiu and Emilia, sons-in-law Owen and Paul, brother Michael and sister Catherine, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Nora’s Requiem Mass was held on Friday with burial afterwards in Aughavale Cemetery, Westport.
May she rest in peace.
