Local Notes: Oasis reunion puts Charlestown in the spotlight
A group of Oasis fans from Charlestown on the way to the band's gig at Croke Park recently.
The Oasis Reunion made it a homecoming to savour with two sold-out concerts taking place in Croke Park on Saturday and Sunday, August 16th and 17th respectively and boy was it some occasion as the band, fronted by the Gallagher brothers, rocked the stadium to its very core and had people up and dancing from first song to the last with bringing the curtain down on two iconic nights at GAA headquarters.
The band hit all the right notes in terms of the songs they picked for their set on both nights with the , and albums dominating the playlist as they gave the crowd exactly what they wanted to hear with the music critics and aficionados lavishing praise of the performances.
The crowd on both nights were fully invested from first song to last as they sang each word for word to Liam and Noel who stirred the emotions and whipped up the atmosphere into an absolute frenzy as one song after another took everybody on a trip back in time to the 1990s when Britpop and Oasis ruled the world like no other.
Liam has lost none of his charisma or aura as he held the audience in the palm of his hands with songs like , and sounding every bit as mesmeric and iconic as they did when first released back in the halcyon days of the mid-1990s. Noel was every bit as good as his little brother and took lead vocals on , and which had the audience in raptures as he once again confirmed his genius as a songwriter as these classics remain timeless and continue to enthral and entertain as if they were only released yesterday.
Noel's songwriting ability rank up there with the most gifted of any generation with comparisons to Paul McCartney, John Lennon and Paul Weller a true indication of the company he keeps when it comes to that elusive art and talent of composing classic songs that remain every bit as relevant and popular as when they were first released.
The lads put on a tremendous show and there were many luminaries from Charlestown lucky enough to be in the audience to witness the homecoming and they weren't forgotten as Liam and Noel dedicated the songs and on the Saturday and Sunday nights in tribute to the town of Charlestown where they spent many a happy summer holidaying with their mum Peggy and their late grandmother Maggie Sweeney who lived beside Sonnagh Bridge and who the brothers always spoke fondly of and were very close to as they grew up.
Their mother Peggy was - and is - a regular visitor to the town where she has strong family links and the lads have been known to frequent the area on a few occasions over the years with a trip to John Finan's Bar always high on their bucket list with John and his wife Bridie always having a very Charlestown welcome for them as they mingled with the locals and shared a few tales from their childhood days in the town.
John has plenty of pictures on the walls of the pub of Liam and Noel from visits they paid over the years and he has nothing but good things to say about them and their mother Peggy who enjoys her low-key visits home and still retains a great grá for the area where she grew up.
The town got a lot of publicity in the run-up to the concerts and those from the area who were lucky enough to get tickets for both nights spoke glowingly of the event(s) and were unanimous in their praise of the band's performances and were on record as stating it was the best concert they were ever at. The lads went all out to impress and this they did in magnificent fashion as they gave a timely reminder to all and sundry that class always remains permanent.
It remains to be seen what the future holds after this reunion tour concludes but let's just say they will continue to 'Live Forever' in the hearts and minds of all their ardent and die-hard fans as their music continues to fascinate and captivate like no other.
There was no winner of the Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Lotto jackpot of €18,100 in the weekly draw held on Sunday night, August 17th, when the four numbers drawn were 9, 20, 21 and 25.
The winners of the two €50 weekly prizes were Margaret Lundy and Sarah Barry.
Next week's jackpot will increase to €18,200. Tickets on sale in a number of outlets in the town and are also available on the online platform, which can be accessed via the smartlotto platform. The club would like to thank all who support the weekly lotto.
Twenty years after the first Lecarrow National School Reunion back in 2005, past pupils, friends and their families attended another smaller get-together in McLoughlin's Bar, Barrack Street, Charlestown on Friday, August 15th last.
Over 50 people turned up at various stages during the night with much in the way of reminiscing, reflections, tall stories with the odd outright lie along with general good humour thrown into the mix about days gone by when everybody present was all that much younger!
The first Lecarrow National School opened in 1866 on June 15th with Patrick Stenson as the first principal. A new school was subsequently grant-funded built at the current site in 1887-'88. The land came with a 99-year lease from Lord Dillon to the parish priest of Carracastle, Fr Pat Durcan. He held the position as parish priest from 1878-1908. The grant to build the new school amounted to £336 with a further £53.10 allocated to furnishings. The pupil roll at the time of opening amounted to 120, all hungry for education in preparation for their lives ahead.
Mrs Mary Swords took over as school principal in 1939 and continued in the position until the school closed in 1968. Mrs Catherine Casey taught junior infant classes from 1949 to 1968. Other notable short-term teachers in the years before the school closed included the great Francie Walsh, Bernie Dillon, Kitty Flannery, Linda Bermingham, Evelyn Casey and Kathleen Durkin.
Highlights of the recent reunion included a first attendance for one of Coppelcurragh's greatest, Tommy Reid, together with his wife Veronica. A huge Elvis Presley fan in his youth, Tommy, now living in Kilrush, Co Clare, was years ahead of his time with his flashy, black Brylcreamed hairstyle and pointed shoes all complemented by his wonderful singing ability.
The prize for the veteran, old-timer student on the night went to Jackie Egan of Lecarrow. Over the years, the former speedy Sarsfields half-back has lost none of his dash or capacity for devilment, even allowing for the long leash provided on the night by his adoring wife Mary. Running him close in the veteran stakes included Bracklagh's Tommy Mulligan and Puntabeg's Seamus Finn, both from a class behind at the school.
Other families well represented on the night were the Cassidy's from Bulcaun, the Bretts from Bracklagh and the Finns from Puntabeg. Also attending were the Regan family with Sean and Mary flying the flag.
Towards the end of the night, the melodious voice of Evelyn Regan brought a lovely rendition of to life with Jackie Egan and Tommy Mulligan providing eloquent back-up vocals between libations.
Departed friends and schoolmates were fondly remembered and many fitting tributes were paid to them and the joy and camaraderie they brought to the school and playground many years ago.
Another highlight of the night was the continuous slideshow on the big screen of photographs - some old , some new - reflecting days of yore at the fondly remembered Lecarrow National School when all present were a lot younger and full of copious amounts of energy.
Sincere thanks to Patricia Cassidy for putting the picture show together and to Mike McNicholas and the host Kathleen McLoughlin for their IT support and terrific hospitality.
Maybe we might try again next year while we still can...!
Charlestown Sarsfields Under-12 team capped a great season when they captured the Group 1 Go Games Summer League title with victory against Ballintubber, completing a six-match unbeaten sequence which saw them defeat some of the best sides in the county.
The side contains some very promising young talents who have been well schooled by a very good management team who have worked very hard with this panel stretching back to a winter training programme that paid handsome dividends as the players got better with each game and performance. They turned in some scintillating performances hammering the big powers such as Ballina Stephenites, Westport and Knockmore to mention but a few and doing so by playing some sparkling football along the way as they played in the traditional Sarsfields style by moving the ball swiftly through the lines while playing heads-up football at all times with their slick passing and interplay being a joy to watch.
The club have enjoyed a terrific year at underage level in 2025 winning an U14 Division 3 League title, an U16 Division 2 League title as well as two East Mayo A titles at U14 and U16 respectively, which makes for pretty impressive reading as the hard work being done at underage level continues to reap rich rewards.
The U12 team is the latest off the conveyor belt and it looks one to watch closely as they are a team in the true sense of the word with the team ethic very much the cornerstone of their success to date and one which has been instilled into them by a very good and focused coaching unit.
The Sarsfields club have really come to the fore at underage level at divisional and county level. Well done to the coaching team of Kevin Munnelly, Cathal Naughton, Brian McDermott, Darragh McMeel and Fergal Muldoon who have put in a huge shift with this group over the last number of years and have them coached to a very high level with their skillset, distribution of the ball and decision making just some of the hallmarks of their march to Summer League glory. The Sarsfields have much to look forward to in the coming years with this group and others.
The death took place recently of Malcom Fowler Drimbane, Curry, Co Sligo. Deepest sympathies are tendered to the bereaved.
Charlestown Sarsfields U16s lost out to Ballintubber in the final round of group games of the Mayo U16 Division 1 championship with the Tubber lads coming through on a 5-16 to 1-11 scoreline.
The Sarsfields lined out without Shea Haran and were up against it from the throw-in with the home side holding all the aces and they duly made it count where it mattered most, namely on the scoreboard with goals very much the currency they were dealing in.
The Sarsfields battled manfully to stem the tide but this is a very good and highly rated Ballintubber team and they showed all their class and menace on the night with a very impressive performance as they shredded the game and willing green and white challenge with some powerful football.
That it didn't happen for the Sarsfields on the night was no reflection of their display or commitment, they simply came up against a well-drilled and fine Ballintubber team who lived up to their reputation and look the hot favourites to land the title outright if they can maintain their current levels.
The likes of Sean and Danny Breheny, Dylan Pilcher, James Cassidy et al fought like demons to stem a rising 'Tubber tide and did all within their powers to stay in the game but they were outgunned by a better team and for that they had to take their medicine.
Saturday, August 16th, 2025, was a proud day for the Breheny family and Charlestown Sarsfields GAA Club as Sean and Danny Breheny lined out with the Mayo U16 team that contested the Buncrana Cup Final against a formidable Tyrone side in a game played at the splendid Buncrana GAA grounds.
Sadly defeat was to be the lot of the twins and Mayo as a very good and powerful Tyrone side emerged victorious on a scoreline of 1-22 to 2-13 with the Red Hand county once again confirming their prowess and brilliance at underage level as they continue to be the benchmark on which all other counties are striving hard to catch up and emulate.
The Breheny twins can be proud of their displays with Sean holding down the No 6 position and doing his best in trying circumstances with Mayo often overrun and outgunned in the middle of the park where Tyrone had a very good midfield pairing. The Ulster lads got control early on and were commanding in everything they did.
Sean worked hard to combat the runners from midfield and made some fine clearances with his positional play and ability to spot the danger, averting many a dangerous Tyrone attacking foray.
Danny operated at full forward and was lively and energetic throughout, winning any amount of ball and distributing it intelligently at all times. He was a very useful source of possession for the Green and Red and was a willing outlet at all times.
Mayo, however, were up against a quality side who moved the ball swiftly and intelligently at all times and had some marquee performers in their forward line as they gave the Green and Red defence a torrid time with their intelligent movement, vision and guile.
The Breheny boys can be very happy with their overall contributions as they were certainly two of Mayo's better performers and provided some moments of class and looked very much at home at this elite level. Its a great achievement to get on any county underage panel let alone team and the two boys are very much invested in their football and are two of the best and most dedicated trainers in Charlestown Sarsfields. They have super potential and will be going all out to make the Mayo minor (U17) panel for 2026 and look a good bet to do so if they maintain their discipline and commitment as they definitely look to have the temperament and tools to compete at this level.
They are sons of Liam and Denise Breheny, Hagfield, Charlestown and are two of the best and most promising talents the club have produced in any number of years and we will monitor their progress with interest as they continue their development at club level and under the tutelage of some excellent coaches in the Sarsfields club.
Sympathy is extended to Peter McCormack, Ardara, Charlestown on the death of his brother Brendan Cregmore, Claregalway, Co Galway and formerly of Ardara, Charlestown.
Deepest condolences are tendered to the bereaved.
Charlestown minors bowed out of the East Mayo Minor B championship when they lost out to Moy Davitts in a high encounter played at the Moy Davitts grounds in Foxford recently.
The final score read 4-10 to 4-8 in favour of the Davitts lads with the Sarsfields mounting a terrific comeback in the latter stages of the second half having trailed by 14 points ten minutes into the second half.
The game looked to be meandering to its inevitable conclusion with the home side looking odds on to cruise to a comfortable victory.
The Sarsfields roared back into contention, scoring 3-2 in a 10-minute period from the 45th to the 55th minutes which rocked the Moy Davitts lads back on their heels as they reduced what looked an insurmountable deficit remarkably to just two points with less than five minutes left on the watch.
Moy Davitts steadied themselves, however, and banged in a goal to push the gap back to five. The Sarsfields responded with their fourth major but it was too little too late as it came with practically the last kick of the game with Moy Davitts hanging on to qualify for the final and leave the Sarsfields with plenty to ponder on not least of which was their slow start as they allowed the home side to build up what looked an unassailable lead before they found their best form and started to play with some kind of method and pattern.
The Sarsfields' goalscorers were Ryan McDonagh, Michael McCarthy, Danny Breheny and Shea Haran with the introduction of the latter two bringing about a huge improvement in the Sarsfields' fortunes as they injected pace and penetration into the attack and carried a real threat to boot.
This defeat brings the curtain down on minor football for the Sarsfields for 2025 and well done to the team, panel and management who put in a big shift and gave it everything they had over the course of a long and tiring campaign.
Charlestown Community Garden remains open to the general public on Wednesday and Saturday afternoons and is well worth checking out as they have a splendid array of flowers and vegetables on display with the place looking serene, especially with the good weather we are having at the moment. The volunteers have done a terrific job all summer and deserve all the support they can get with the new raised beds a huge addition to the place.
A Family Fun Day fundraiser in aid of Charlestown Swimming Pool will take at the pool on Sunday, August 31st.
There will be a raffle with some great prizes. Log onto the Charlestown Swimming Pool Facebook page for more information on how to support, donate and buy tickets etc. Your support would be very much appreciated.
There was a good turnout at the summer bridge game held in Walsh's Bar on Wednesday, August 20th, when the prize winners were: 1st, Robert and Maria Wallace; 2nd, Paddy and Patricia Colleran; 3rd, Tom Ginty and Mike Wingrove; 4th, Frances and Robert Healy.
The game takes place every on Wednesday nights at8pm in Walsh's Bar with guest members from other clubs more than welcome.
The following were the winners of the 25 Card Drive gheld in the Yeats County Inn, Curry on Tuesday night, August 19th: 1st, Miko Sheridan and Vera Scally; 2nd, Mary O'Hara and Kevin Maloney.
The raffle winners were Mary O'Hara, Mary Costello and Breege Leonard.
The game takes place every Tuesday night at at 9pm and all are welcome.
Activator Pole and Chair Exercise Class takes place in the Charlestown Arts Centre from 12 noon to 1pm on Friday, August 30th. Lift access available. All welcome. The fee is just €2.
A Community Coffee Morning takes place in the Arts Centre on Friday, September 5th, from 11am to 1pm. Lift access available. All welcome for a cuppa and a chat. Never underestimate the power of a cuppa and a chat, please come and join us!
Ireland West Airport Run takes place on Saturday, September 13th, in partnership with Portwest.
This 5km charity event represents a unique opportunity to run or walk on the on the runway at Ireland West Airport. Proceeds will go to the charity partners for 2025 - Connacht SBHI (Spina Bifida Hydrocephalus Ireland), Dillion Quirke Foundation, Mayo Roscommon Hospice, Order of Malta (Knock branch), National Breast Cancer Research Institute and Western Alzheimers.
All participants will receive a free commemorative runway run t-shirt. The run starts at 6pm and for more information on entry and other details log on the Ireland West Airport Facebook page and follow the link.
There was no winner of the Curry GAA lotto jackpot of €3,500 in the weekly draw held on Monday night, August 18th, when the numbers drawn were 5, 9, 14 and 27. The three €20 weekly prizes were won by Gary Maye, Elaine Cunney and Teresa Blake.
The latest draw on Monday, August 25th, was for a jackpot of €3,600. Tickets can be bought in a number of outlets or via the online platform and also by logging onto the club's Facebook page.
Charlestown Boxing Club are back and at it for the new 2025/2026 season with training resuming on Tuesday nights in Cloonfane at 7pm.
Registration is closed with the full house signs up for the new season as Darren Fahy and his team of coaches get ready to welcome a new generation of boxers to the club which continues to punch well above its weight in terms of success and glory.
The annual Walk 'n' Talk to remember Rónán Duffy's birthday will take place on Saturday, August 30th, starting at 5pm from Benson's, Rooskey,
There was a good turnout at the weekly darts competition held in Walsh's Bar on Sunday night, August 17th, as the Egg and the Dynamo duked it out in another intriguing instalment of the weekly classic.
Governor Gus was on duty once again in the referee's chair and did his usual imperious job ensuring both men towed the line impeccably.
The Dynamo blasted out of the blocks and had two sets on the board in double quick time with his trebles and doubles working in perfect sync. The Egg needed a thundering start to set three to avoid the dreaded whitewash and his wish was granted as he poached the first two legs with some seismic finishing with the Dynamo looking somewhat perplexed as he wondered where this sudden rise if form had come from.
He needn't have worried too much as he was back on level terms in quick ire fashion, winning the next two legs to set up a deciding leg with victory and defeat very much on the line for the two protagonists.
It was the Dynamo, however, who raised his game to the necessary level to close out the match with some heavy scoring leaving him in a great position to close out the match in three. This he did with the minimum of fuss with a treble fifteen, double eighteen double blast enough to get him on the podium for the third time this season with his levels of consistency very much making for impressive reading since early summer.
A good display from the Dynamo and one which sets him up nicely for the lucrative Autumn campaign as he looks to add another title or two to his CV in the coming weeks.
