Local Notes: New poem to be unveiled on Kiltimagh Poetry Trail.
Terry McDonagh with his poem ‘Cill Aodáin’ which is part of the Kiltimagh Poetry Trail. A new poem will be added to the trail next week. Image: John Corless.
Martin Dyar’s poem, ‘The Enemy of Fear,’ is to be added to the Kiltimagh Poetry Trail and unveiled at the Immigrant Park, on September 21.
The event begins at The Square, at 3pm and all are invited. Terry McDonagh’s poem, ‘Cill Aodain’ opens the Trail at The Square. The gathering will then proceed to the Emigrant Park, reading other poems along the route. Afterwards, the poets will retire to The Folk Cafe for an open mic session with more readings and maybe a song or a tune. Everyone is invited along the trail and encouraged to bring a poem or a song.
The Kiltimagh Poetry Trail is funded by Creative Ireland, led in the county by Austin Vaughan, the Mayo County Librarian. The Trail aims to grow and include more poets and poems, over time. It is hoped to include the work of international poets. The process works by invitation from the organising committee. They invite specific poets to submit pieces of up to twenty lines in length. The poems can be on any topic, and if suitable, they will be displayed on locations around the town.
Born in Sligo, Martin Dyar grew up in Swinford. A graduate of NUIG and TCD, his poetry has received a number of honours, including the Patrick Kavanagh Poetry Award in 2009, and the Strokestown International Poetry Award in 2001. In 2010 he was selected for the Poetry Ireland Introductions Series. He has also been a writer in residence at the International Writing Program at the University of Iowa. His debut collection, Maiden Names, published by Arlen House, was shortlisted for the Piggott Prize. He has received two Arts Council Literature Bursary Awards. Martin has read in Kiltimagh, on many occasions.
Kiltimagh CE Scheme has a number of job vacancies. The positions available are; Maintenance and General Operatives for maintenance and upkeep of public areas, and Office Cleaner for Enterprise House. To be eligible, applicants must be between 21 and 65 years of age, and be in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social Protection, for one year or more. CE posts are part-time, (19.5 hours per week) temporary positions, in a variety of roles. For further information on the Kiltimagh vacancies, email kcep@ird-kiltimagh.ie or phone Brian Raftery on 094 93 81494.
A meeting will be held in The Park Hotel, on Wednesday, September 18, from 7 to 9pm, to consider the questions raised by the amalgamation of the dioceses of Achonry and Elphin. The amalgamation of the two dioceses was announced in April. The meeting will consider the next steps needed to achieve a closer union of the dioceses.
The meeting has been arranged by Bishop Kevin Doran, and is part of a series of six similar events to be held across the region. The other meetings will be held in Strokestown, Athlone, Tubbercurry, Castlerea and Sligo.
The invitation is extended to parish pastoral council members, the parish finance committee, those in the parish engaged in the mission of the Church, and anyone who is interested. All meetings will be facilitated by Fr Dermot Meehan (Achonry) and Ms Sheena Darcy (Elphin). Anyone wishing to attend is asked to email their details to ciararoughneen@gmail.com.
Mayo Roscommon Hospice are calling for people to host a coffee morning or evening with family, friends or work colleagues on Thursday, September 26, but if anyone is interested, they can pick another date if it is more suitable. To register and get free coffee morning pack, email info@hospice.ie, or call 094 938 8666. You can also register for your free pack online at https://www.hospice.ie/coffee/. Donations are always welcome online at; www.hospice.ie. If you aren’t in a position to host your own coffee morning, you can always support a local one.
The community extends best wishes to three local women in Australian Rules football. Niamh Kelly will line out for Adelaide Crows after her transfer from West Coast Eagles, while her twin Grace will feature for St Kilda. The trio is completed by Dayna Finn, who will be playing for Carlton.
Davitts had an eleven points victory over Kiltimagh in Ballindine in the Mayo Intermediate Football Championship Group 2 – Round 2, last week. The final score was Davitts 3-15 Kiltimagh 1-10.
Kiltimagh led for the opening quarter of this match through scores from Conor Malee and two apiece from Jack Niland and Cian Gallagher. Kiltimagh were a match for their opponents for most of the first-half but were undone by a quick-fire goal and a point before the break. Donovan Cosgrove pointed and Kiltimagh got their only goal, from Conor Malee. Kiltimagh tried to get themselves back into contention but were no match for the speed and fitness displayed by the home side. Cian Gallagher with two, and Jordan Henry completed Kiltimagh’s scoring.
Kiltimagh face Castlebar Mitchels B in the final group stage round, next Sunday, September 15, at 12 noon in Aghamore.
As the Mayo League ends, so too does the careers of two outstanding players. KKU captain Ronan Malee and goalkeeper Niall Walshe have announced their retirements. Malee operated as a defensive midfielder for the senior team and was one of the best in the league. He captained the side for the past three seasons, and was a great leader on and off the pitch. He knew exactly what needed to be said to rally the troops, in tough moments. Ronan was a great organiser, too, and took pressure off the management by taking on many off-field tasks.
Ronan is a very skilled footballer. He could win the ball in a tackle, and could vary his passing, or take on players before laying the ball off to a team mate. He displayed a determination to fight for every ball, never stop running and he always pushed his teammates to raise their efforts. His leadership and his skill, will be missed by the club.
Niall Walshe made some outstanding saves for KKU, these past few seasons. He is a brave goalkeeper, good in the air and with great distribution. KKU had a difficult season, finishing mid-table, as the club introduced many new players, but Niall always encouraged the young players and made many outstanding saves. Niall was a key figure between the posts. Niall was an ever-present at training and was always willing to put in that extra work needed to improve himself.
Niall’s love of drawing-in the opposition striker before sidestepping him, often gave the team management frights, but he always succeeded. A goalkeeper that is as good with his feet as he is with the more traditional goalkeeping attributes is a rare find, but Niall certainly had it all. Both Ronan and Niall are wished the very best of luck in their retirement.
An under-strength Kiltimagh Knock United women's team exited the Mayo Women's Cup at the semi-final stage, losing to Manulla. Rosie McDonnell scored the KK goal. That wraps up the women's season, which sees them playing Division One football next year. It is promising to see lots of young talent coming through the ranks and the future looks bright for the KK women.
Congratulations to Kiltimagh Knock United's Kate Byrne who has been named as the February Player of the Month in the Under 17 Premier Division by the Mayo Women's League. The awards were recently announced, with the presentations to take place later in the season.
Two players from the Kiltimagh Knock United girls’ section have been called up the Centre of Excellence in Milebush, Castlebar. Congratulations and good wishes are extended to Ava Mitchell, U16/17 player, and Michaela Kavanagh, who has featured on the club's U14, 15 and 16 squads this year.
Last week's Kiltimagh Knock United 50/50 jackpot was won by Mick Spindler from Kilkenny. The lucky ticket, which netted Mick €332, was sold in O'Hora's Pub in Kiltimagh.
Condolences are extended to Una Conway on the passing of her sister-in-law Marian O’Reilly (nee Mohan,) of Roundfort. Marian died peacefully, at the Mayo Hospice Castlebar, surrounded by her family and is predeceased by her parents, May and James. Marian will be deeply missed by her husband Shane, sons Jarlath, David and Alan, grandchildren, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends. Marian was laid to rest on Monday, September 2, at Roundfort cemetery after Requiem Mass at the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Roundfort. May she rest in peace.
At the weekly poker night in Teach O’Hora on Wednesday night last, the final two seats in the Summer League Grand Final were filled when Alan Sheridan and Michael Higgins finished in the top two places in the play-off tournament. A regular tournament was also held on the night with twenty-two entries, creating a prize-pool of €440. Enda Ruane took first prize. The runner up was Daniel Kennedy with Pat Boyle third and Paul Walsh fourth. The date is yet to be decided for the league final when fourteen players will battle it out, for a prize pool of just over €2,000 and the Jeremy Dee Memorial Cup. The players and their starting stacks are; Michael Sheridan 38,200, AN Other 34,100, Pat Boyle 31,100, Gerry Groarke 27,600, Martin Regan 24,500, AN Other 23,300, Keith Lydon 22,700, Derry O’Sullivan 22,000, Enda Ruane 21,400, Nicky Cunnane 20,000, John Reynolds 19,200, Paul Walsh 17,900, Michael Higgins 11,300, Alan Sheridan 9,400.
The community was saddened to learn of the passing of Mary Foley of Drumdoo, Mohill, Co. Leitrim, on Thursday, August 29. Mary was Mary Gormally, late of Lisduff, and is a sister of Ted Gormally of Manulla. Mary died suddenly at her residence, and is pre-deceased by her parents Patrick and Katie and her sister Anita Collins.
Mary will be sadly missed by her husband Cathal, son Seamus, daughters Marie, Catherine and Edwina, four granddaughters, son-in-law Paul, daughter-in-law Ciara, sister Kitty, brothers Ted and Patsy, brothers-in -law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and a large circle of friends. Mary was laid to rest on Sunday, September 1, in Mohill cemetery, after Funeral Mass in St. Patrick's Church. May she rest in peace.
