Local Notes: Recognition for Mairin Noone, Michael Davitt Branch CCE.
A special presentation was made to Máirín Noone from the Michael Davitt Branch CCE, in recognition of her many years of dedicated service to Comhaltas at local, county and provincial level. She is pictured with her family, branch members and friends.
A special presentation was made to Máirín Noone from the Michael Davitt Branch CCE, at the Mayo All-Ireland prize winners dinner in the Park Hotel, Kiltimagh. The event celebrated Mayo’s All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil prize winners, with entertainment on the night provided by this year’s talented champions.
Máirín was recognised for her many years of dedicated service to Comhaltas at local, county and provincial level. She serves as secretary of the Michael Davitt branch and assistant secretary of the Mayo County Board and has been at the heart of the Swinford branch for over 25 years. Her leadership, energy and commitment have made an enormous contribution to the promotion of Irish music, song, dance and storytelling throughout the region. Over the years, she has played a key role in organising county and provincial Fleadhanna, Ceol an Gheimhridh, and countless local events.
The Swinford branch also promotes the Irish language and drama, led by Máirín and her dedicated team. Each year they run a week-long summer school, and also host their much-loved autumn festival, Féile na Samhna. At branch level, Máirín continues to coordinate weekly music classes and regular sessions, creating a welcoming environment for musicians of all ages. Always generous with her time and advice, she is a great friend and support to other branches across the county.
Her family were all with her for the special occasion — her husband Marty, daughters Kathryn, Marianne and Bríd, and sons Pádraig, Peter and John along with a large gathering of branch members and friends. Máirín warmly thanked her family for their constant support, saying, “I couldn’t do it without them.” Speaking on the night, Anthony Kavanagh congratulated Máirín and paid tribute to her commitment: “It’s never a problem when you pick up the phone to Máirín. She’s always ready to help and to make things happen. I look forward to many more events in Swinford.” The presentation was made to Máirín Noone by Séamus Cawley, Chairperson of the Mayo County Board. Máirín is a fantastic cultural ambassador, a true leader and a great friend to all in Comhaltas.
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted to Julie Ryan as follows: email ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call leaving a voicemail if not answered/text/WhatsApp 0877694781 (after 6pm). Deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm Wednesday.
Comhaltas music and singing classes continue every Saturday morning from 10.30am in Swinford National School with excellent tutors for banjo, button accordion, concertina, fiddle, flute, guitar, keyboard, singing and tin whistle. Classes in other instruments e.g. bodhrán and dancing will be organised if there is sufficient interest. Contact cceswinford@gmail.com or 087 7454032.
Social Dancing in Swinford Cultural Centre on Sunday, November 23, 8 to 10pm with Sean Kerrigan (Whitelightening). Dance class 7 to 8pm.
Save the date – Swinford Indoor Christmas Market will take place on Saturday, December 6 and Sunday, December 7, from 10.30am to 4pm each day.
Congratulations to Andrew Lenehan who won €417 in the Swinford GAA 50/50 draw.
The numbers drawn in the Swinford Community Lotto draw held on November 10, were 11, 18, 25 and 27. There was no jackpot winner. €70 vouchers were won by Michaela Griffin, Larch Hill and Attracta Price, Cullane; €35 was won by Pat Foley, Derryronane, Sean Kavanagh, Carracanada and Margaret Devaney, Drumshinnagh, Culmore. The jackpot is now €9,400.
Results from the games played on Thursday, November 6, in Swinford Golf Club. Card winners: 1st Michael Moran and Gerry Moran, 2nd/3rd prize was shared by Mary Lynskey, Michael Lynskey, Philip Moore, Jack Pidgeon, Philip Irwin and Gerry Ronayne. Raffle prizes were won by Ronan Monaghan, Jack Pidgeon, Michael Moran, Leo Murtagh and Michael O’Neill. Game continues every Thursday night at 9pm.
Congratulations to Sinéad Shovlin who won €560 in the Killasser Community Centre October 50/50 draw with Tom McNulty, Eileen Kavanagh and Tommy Kirrane/Philip Irwin winning €20 spot prize each. The next draw takes place on Sunday, December 7.
The 2026 Killasser parish calendar entitled “Killasser/Callow from the Air” will be available to purchase at €10 from the weekend of November 22.
Killasser Bingo is returning to the Turf Shed on Wednesday, December 17, at 7.30pm. Proceeds raised will go towards the purchase of a replacement parish defibrillator.
The last talk of the year will take place at 8pm on Tuesday, November 25, in the Meeting Room on Lower Main St. Non-members €5.
Swinford Active Minds will host a Christmas Floral Demonstration by Blossoms Floral and Home Styling Boutique Ballina in the Cultural Centre on Wednesday, November 26, at 8pm. All arrangements will be raffled on the night for a local charity. Admission €10.
Swinford Folk Choir would like to welcome new members to join their choir for Saturday evening Mass in Swinford Church. If you enjoy singing or playing music, come and try it out. Adults and children welcome. Contact Marie on 087 2805222.
Midfield Development Association present the Midfield Christmas Gathering in Julians on Sunday, December 7, from 5 to 8pm. Meet Santa and his Elves, disco with Mary Kathleen, gingerbread cookie decorating, reindeer food to bring home, face painting, arts and crafts, write a letter to Santa. Spot prize on the night for the Best Christmas Outfit. Monster raffle also on the night. Admission is €10 per child or €20 per family.
Results of the game played in Meelick Community Centre on Tuesday, November 11 are as follows; card winners - Helen Gallogly, Esther Munnelly, Brian McNulty, Michael O’Neill, Philip Moore, Seamus Conwell, Virginia Heeran and Mary Byrne. Raffle prizes were won by Leo Murtagh, Geraldine Turbitt, Mary Byrne, Dette Ryder and Tom Killilea.
As part of the remembering and praying for the dead in the month of November the Rosary will be recited in Midfield Cemetery on Sunday, November 22, at 3.30pm and in Kinaffe Cemetery on Sunday, November 23, at 4.15pm.
Swinford GAA were delighted to present Karen Foy of Mayo Roscommon Hospice with a cheque from the proceeds of the Club Gear Swap event held in October for Climate Action Week, encouraging members to recycle clothes they no longer need.
Congratulations to Evan Kelly, Sean Doyle, Cian Forkan and Dylan Tuffy of Swinford FC on being selected for the Mayo U14 Interleague squad to face Roscommon Longford in the second round of the SFAI Interleague and also to Daniel Forkan, Matvii Sakhnenko and Jack Halligan who played in the SFAI Cup making their debuts for the Mayo U12s in Tullamore in a friendly match against Midlands.
****************
November Remembrance Service for the deceased of the parish and beyond will be held on Thursday, November 27 at 7 pm.
The annual general meeting of Moy Davitts GAA club will be held in The Sheridan Memorial Community Center Bohola on Sunday, November 23, at 5pm. Confirm your attendance by email to secretary.moydavitts.mayo@gaa.ie.
A very generous parishioner is sponsoring a Christmas dinner for those of retirement age, in the Sheridan Community Centre on Saturday, December 13. Gathering at 1pm with Mass at 1.30pm, followed by dinner at 2pm. Music and craic are also on the menu. Numbers are required for catering purposes, so if you plan to attend, give your name to Pat Clarke or Fr Stephen as soon as possible.
The death occurred of Eileen Maguire (née Conlon), Luton and formerly of Latton, Co Monaghan, who died on Saturday, November 1. She was sister of the late Jimmy Conlon, Toughnane; Kathleen Lyons, Woodgreen, London, who died recently in London and whose funeral will take place there later. She was wife the late Martin Lyons, Lismirrane; Madeline Horan, Carroward, Bohola. She was buried in St. Joseph's Cemetery Bohola on Friday last, November 14. Sincere sympathy is extended to the bereaved.
The Moy Davitts Sports Quiz, a fundraising initiative and social event, takes place in The Village Inn, Bohola on Friday, November 28, from 9pm. All are invited to get a table together and test your sports knowledge. €50 per table of 4 with great prizes and a good nights entertainment guaranteed.
Christmas Market in Bohola will be held on Sunday, November 30, from 6-8pm in Bohola Community Centre. €25 per table. To book a stall email sheridanmccbohola@gmail.com crafter/services/business/bankers.
***************
The death took place of Mary Theresa Farrell, Bohalis, Ballaghaderreen, peacefully on October 28, surrounded by her family in Sonas Nursing Home. Mary was predeceased by her brother Sean, and her parents John and Margaret.
Mary reposed in The Kilgarriff Funeral Home, Ballaghadereen and her funeral cortege arrived at the Cathedral of the Annunciation and St. Nathy Ballaghaderreen, for Mass of the Resurrection prior to Mary being laid to rest in Kilcolman cemetery Ballaghaderreen.
Mary is survived by her husband Tom, her sons Thomas and Martin, her daughters Nicola, Aisling, Emma and Claire, grandchildren Joseph, Roisín, Kate, Dylan, Ellen and Ava, brothers Michael and Peter and by her sisters Edel, Ann and Rita, relatives and friends to whom deepest sympathy is offered.
May Mary rest in peace.
The death took place of Leo Corrigan, Kiltybranks, Ballaghaderreen, in Galway University Hospital surrounded by family and friends on November 7, aged 91 years. Leo was predeceased by his wife Anne, son Andrew, brothers William, Thomas, Vincent and his sisters Maureen and Eileen and is survived by his daughter Patricia, son Michael, grandchildren Jack, Maddie, Gavin and Olivia, daughters-in-law Kellie and Gina, brother-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Leo reposed in The Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen on Thursday, November 13. Removal took place from his home on Friday to Christ the King Church, Lisacul arriving for Mass of the Resurrection at 11am, followed by interment in Lisacul cemetery. May Leo rest in peace as sympathy.
