Local Notes: Mount St Michael reach Connacht semi-final

Claremorris AFC

Claremorris AFC will enter a senior women’s side into the Mayo Women’s Football League for the first time ever.

Thirteen teams have been confirmed for the 2024 Mayo Women’s Football League, with three new entrants this season.

Ballina Town and Westport United make a return after an absence of a number of years.

This is new ground for Claremorris, but coming from a base of strong U17 and U19 teams, they will be more than up for the challenge of senior football.

Westport United dominated women’s football in Mayo in the late 1990s and early 2000s.

Ballina Town enjoyed success too, winning the WFAI Intermediate Cup in 2014.

Claremorris Drama and Fringe Festival 2024

The Claremorris Drama and Fringe Festival will place from March 14 to 23 next at the Claremorris Town Hall Theatre.

The 52nd Festival opens on Thursday, March 14, with a new play by Oisín Flores Sweeney, directed by Geoff Gould and starring Seamus O’Rourke and Joan Sheehy.

On Friday, March 15, The Phoenix Players from Tubbercurry will perform ‘Animal Farm’ by George Orwell, adapted by Ian Wooldridge.

The Phoenix Players are welcomed back after an absence of a few years, their last production in Claremorris was ‘The Third Policeman’ by Flann O’Brien.

On Saturday, March 16, the Brideview Drama Group, based in Co Waterford, will play ‘Antigone’ by Sophocles, adapted by Don Taylor. They were formed in the late 1980s and began competing in the early 1990s. They won the Confined all-Ireland with ‘Moonshine’ by Jim Nolan in 2005.

On Sunday, March 17, Cornmill Theatre Group will stage ‘According to Rumour’ by Robert Scott.

On Monday, March 18, Claremorris welcome back The Dalkey Players, All-Ireland champions 2023. Their production of Marina Carr’s ‘By the Bog of Cats’ held the Claremorris audience spellbound last March, so it was no surprised when it took top honours in Athlone. This year they bring us the Arthur Miller classic ‘The Crucible’.

On Tuesday, March 19, following their All-Ireland success on the One Act Finals, Claremorris welcome the Ray Leonard Players back. They will perform ‘Eclipsed’ by Patricia Burke-Brogan.

Wednesday, March 20, St Patrick’s Drama Group will perform ‘Agnes of God’ by John Pielmeier.

On Thursday, March 21, the Glenamaddy Players bring ‘The Outgoing Tide’ by Bruce Graham to Claremorris.

On Friday, March 22, Clann Machua Drama Group will perform ‘Stolen Child’ by Yvonne Quinn and Bairbre Ní Chaoimh. ‘Stolen Child’ is one of the most popular plays to feature in the Festival over the past few years.

On Saturday, March 23, the Prosperous Dramatic Society perform ‘A View from the Bridge’ by Arthur Miller.

Season and nightly tickets are available to purchase on www.townhall.ie.

Dana’s award

Mount Saint Michael Secondary School student Dana Carney has received well deserved acclaim for her innovative creation, the TalkTime app.

Designed to assist parents navigating extensive Speech and Language Therapy (SLT) waiting lists, Dana’s innovative project earned her top honours in the Junior Technology category during the TeenTurn Project Squad at a Scifest event held in The Digital Hub, Dublin. Among 160 girls showcasing 89 projects, Dana’s outstanding achievement extended to claiming the prestigious title of overall Junior winner at the event.

Dana worked on her app at Project Squad, TeenTurn’s after school programme which takes place in Mount St Michael every Thursday afternoon. TeenTurn is an Irish non-profit organisation that provides teen girls the opportunity to gain hands-on STEM experience and the support to acquire qualifications and jobs, with a particular emphasis on underserved communities.

Dana is delighted to help so many children and their families around Ireland.

“Winning junior technology and overall awards was a surreal experience, and I am so grateful for all the opportunities and to all the people that helped me throughout my project,” Dana said.

Mayo Sports Stars Awards

Congratulations to the Claremorris LGFA team who won the Ladies Gaelic Football award at the 2023 Western People Mayo Sports Star Awards.

Claremorris enjoyed an historic run to the All-Ireland club junior football championship final, winning Mayo and Connacht titles along the way.

The 2023 Western People Mayo Sports Stars Awards gala banquet will take place at Breaffy House Resort next Friday night. The function will include a drinks reception, a three-course meal, wine, the awards ceremony and entertainment. Tickets are priced at €65 per person.

For ticket enquiries contact Stuart Tynan at 086-1682149 during office hours or stuart.tynan@ westernpeople.ie.

Claremorris Musical Society

The reviews are in! Claremorris Musical Society’s 17th production, ‘Young Frankenstein The Musical’ was an outstanding success.

Crowds packed into the Claremorris Town Hall Theatre for five really entertaining nights.

“A massive thank you to the wonderfully appreciative audiences who we loved entertaining nightly during our run,” the Musical Society wrote on Facebook.

“Thanks to all of our sponsors and supporters without whom the show would not go on. And, of course, to our amazingly talented, enthusiastic and energetic principals and ensemble who have given their all these past few months and loved every minute of it!”

Feast for Your Eyes

A feast for your eyes is coming up in Claremorris Town Hall with the ‘Magic Moments 2024’ photo exhibition by Claremorris Camera Club.

The launch will take place on March 5 at 8pm and the exhibition will run until April 1. All are welcome.

Phelim wins award

Congratulations to Phelim Halligan, of Claremorris Ultimate Kickboxing Club, who was announced as the Co Mayo recipient of the 2023 Volunteers in Sport Awards.

Recognising the depth and breadth of volunteering in sporting communities nationwide, these dedicated volunteers will be celebrated at a national awards ceremony at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, Blanchardstown, Dublin on Thursday, February 29.

Phelim volunteers as a coach every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and is happy to introduce new members to the sport. For Phelim, the work does not end there, and he puts in huge time, answering phone calls and emails, organising fights for club members across the island of Ireland.

A particular focus for Phelim is the mental well-being of the club community. A number of club members have autism, and as an ambassador for Fighting for Autism and a Cycle Against Suicide community buddy, Phelim is passionate about inclusion and well-being, and is always there to support the members of Claremorris Ultimate Kickboxing Club.