Local Notes: Siamsa Straide Swinford launch night an plaque unveiling
Pictured at the recent race meeting in Ballinrobe were Sarah O'Donnell and Mary Higgins from Swinford. Picture: Trish Forde
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.
The Síamsa Sráide Street and Arts Festival will be launched on Friday, May 29, with a special plaque unveiling in memory of Volunteer Peter Neary on Main Street, Swinford, at 7.30pm. The plaque honours the memory of Vol. Peter Neary and is dedicated by the Revolutionary Women of East Mayo and South Sligo Project (1918–1923). It will be unveiled by descendants of the women involved in the burial of Neary on August 2, 1922.
Peter Neary died during the Republican capture of Swinford National Army Barracks. His body lay on the street for some time before members of Swinford Cumann na mBan recovered it. The women carried his body firstly to the Fever Hospital, where he was prepared for burial by St. Ethnea and then to Kilconduff Cemetery. He was hastily buried by members of Cumann na mBan, who had to flee under a volley of National Army gunfire.
Neary had recently returned from Liverpool, where he had served as a volunteer with the St Helens regiment. Tributes will also be paid to the National Army soldiers Comdt. Michael Skelly and Pte. Joseph Traynor, who were killed on the same day during an ambush at Callow, Foxford, as reinforcements arrived in to Swinford.
The launch night forms part of Síamsa Sráide’s celebration of Ireland’s rich history and culture, featuring live Irish music, local history, and community events. Following this special event the official launch of Siamsa Sraide Street and Arts Festival Swinford will take place at 8.30pm in The White House by karate winning champion Aaron Mc Loughlin. Further information contact Brendan on 087 7420617.
Children and teens aged 6–17 are invited to be part of a fun filled Summer Variety Show. Rehearsals begin today, Tuesday, May 19, in Swinford National School from 5pm–5.45pm. This is a great opportunity to build confidence, make friends, and enjoy music and performance in a relaxed and supportive environment. For more information or to take part, contact: Bríd on 087 7581390 or Sinéad on 087 1329637. This event is in collaboration with Michael Davitt CCE and the Railway Players.
A new Table Tennis Club is to open in Foxford in the near future. The club will be open to all age groups and total beginners will be very welcome to register. To date thirty adults and twelve U18s have registered. Training will commence on June 2, and will be held every Tuesday and Thursday evenings from 7 to 9pm for adults and Sunday afternoons from 4 to 6pm for under 18-year-olds. The club are in search of table tennis tables to provide suitable entertainment for the large membership expected. For further information contact 086 8373646.
Winners of the Swinford Golf Club Development Draw were; €1000 Louis Monaghan, €300 Michael Carroll and €200 Michael Dee.
Results from competitions played over the weekend of May 9/10: Gents Ormsby Cup Qualifier; 1st Cormac Fearon, 2nd Pat Henry and 3rd Gearoid Brady. Ladies 18 Hole Stableford; 1st Breege Spain, 2nd Hilary McCrohan and 3rd Caroline Goldrick. Spring League, sponsored by First Choice Credit Union. Ladies team results: 1st Emer Mullins, Margaret Sweeney, Siobhan King, Lynda Kennedy, 2nd Julie Loftus, Caroline Goldrick, Lorena McNicholas, Marie Gavin. Gents team results 1st Sean Comer, John McCarrick, Tony Spain, 2nd Michael Dee, Peter Moore, Marty Munnelly, 3rd Sean Golden, Ron Howko, Rob Thornburgh. Gents individual results: 1st John McCarrick, 2nd Ron Howko, 3rd Peter Moore, 4th Pat Henry.
Knockmore/Foxford Boxing Club will hold a scrap metal collection on May 23 and 30 from 10am to 5pm beside Applegreen Foxford in aid of the new building fund which is coming near completion. Items accepted - cars, tractors, motor bikes, bicycles, batteries, galvanised gates, galvanised sheets, wheelbarrows, buckets, radiators, copper, aluminium, lead, cast iron, oil ranges. Items not accepted – rubber, tyres, glass, timber, plastics, fridges, washing machines, electric cookers. For further information WhatsApp 086 8373646.
The numbers drawn in the Swinford Community Lotto draw held on May 11, were 8, 14, 15 and 21. €70 vouchers were won by Julie Ryan, Sweetwell and Tommy McIntyre, Limerick; €35 was won by Mary Cawley, Castlebar, Ann Kirrane, Circular Road, Margaret Price, Cullane, Mary Donohoe, ''The Lodge'' Callow. The jackpot in the latest draw held on May 18, was €5,000.
Swinford Gardening Club will have their first trip of the year on May 23 visiting Tullynally Castle and Gardens in Castlepollard and Knights and Conquests in Granard. There will be surprises as well. Breakfast, dinner, all entrance fees and guided tours are included. Cost €90. The bus will leave Swinford from Lower Main St at 8.30am. To book contact Angela 087 7917136 or Maura 087 7604763.
The next gardening club talk will take place on Tuesday, May 26, in the Meeting Room on Lower Main St at 8pm. John Brennan will talk and give demonstrations on hanging baskets, window boxes and tubs. Non-members €5.
Siamsa Sraide Street Festival is proud to have Breege Rowley’s All Our Yesterdays as one of the flagship events for the forthcoming Síamsa Sráide Street Festival Swinford which takes place from July 30 to August 5. The focus at this year’s festival is Honouring Ireland's History and Culture and especially the hometown of Swinford, with many events from historic presentations covering The War of Independence and The Civil War.
Breege Rowley's "All Our Yesterdays" is a landmark documentary, about the story of Ireland told through the people of Swinford containing many unearthed archives from Swinford’s past as well as music from members of the Swinford Comhaltas branch and the late Conor Walsh. Its significance holds a special place in the hearts of the Swinford Diaspora. This documentary is a testament to the extraordinary commitment and passion of its creator Breege Rowley. Save the date – Saturday August 1st at 7.30pm in Swinford Cultural Centre, Admission €15. To book contact Breege 087 2660241 or Brendan 087 7420617.
The Novel Bean is honoured to have Chele Crawley and Martina Wintour launching their bestselling books kicking off on Thursday, July 30, at 10.30am in The Novel Bean. This event will be the start of an action-packed programme for the 2026 Siamsa Straide Street Festival.
Siamsa Sraide Lovefest 26 returns to The Streets of Swinford on Sunday, August 2, from 5pm hosting a variety of youth bands. A fundraising table quiz in aid of Lovefest will be held on Saturday, May 23, at 8pm in The White House. Tables of 4, €10 per person.
General Humbert will invade Swinford on July 30, as part of Siamsa Sraide Street and Arts Festival 2026 making his return to Swinford for a very special ceremonial event to honour The Sacrifice of the French. Contact Brendan 087 7420617 or Moira 087 2038407 for details.
Join two of Mayo’s most accomplished musicians and composers for an intimate night of traditional and new music performed on Harp and Flute on Thursday, May 21, at 8pm in the Linenhall Arts Centre, Castlebar, with Swinford native Alannah Thornburgh fresh from the success of her debut solo album and Foxford's Stephen Doherty who is a multi-award winning musician, composer and producer. Both of these virtuoso artists have collaborated together on various projects and albums and have now created a freshly inspired duo performance with their combined material. Tickets available on https://www.thelinenhall.com/whats-on/events/alannah-thornburgh-and-stephen-doherty.
Sympathy is extended to the families and friends of Willie (Bill) Heaney, Castlebarnagh, Midfield; William (Willie) Grifferty, Barnacogue, Swinford and Cois Abhann, Castlebar; Jim Gaine, Pearl River New York and formerly Kenmare, Co. Kerry, (brother-in-law of Eugene O’Neill, Killasser). May they all rest in peace.
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The death took place of Mary Waldron, Tullyganny, Urlaur on April 30, peacefully in Mayo Hospice surrounded by her family. Mary was born in Sinolane, Kilkelly and was a person of deep faith, the practice of her religion was very important to her. She was a very bubbly lady who loved to dance and in later years was a valued member of Kilmovee Active Age. She loved her game of bingo and was very warm friendly lady who engaged with people of all ages and forged lasting friendships easily.
Mary was a very popular lady in the community and this borne out by the huge attendances of people of all ages who attended her funeral. In her earlier years following her marriage in 1971 to Seamus Waldron, she settled in Tullyganny. They both worked very hard to build a new house and raise a family in the 1970s. Mary was very compassionate and optimistic in her outlook on life with the ability to see the brighter side of almost every situation. She was rarely known to be in bad form and she wore a lovely smile together with a pleasant disposition that endeared her to many.
Mary is survived by her husband Seamus, her daughters Noreen, Carmel, Olivia and Elaine, her son James, her sons-in-law Federico, Remco and Adrian, her adored grandchildren Adam and Róisín, her brothers Jimmy and Eddie, cousins, and a wide circle of cherished friends and neighbours. Mary reposed in Donnellan’s Funeral Home, Clare Street, Ballyhaunis on Saturday, May 2, with removal from her home on Sunday May 3, to St. Joseph’s Church, Urlaur for Mass of the Resurrection at 2 pm followed by interment in the adjoining Cemetery. May Mary rest in peace.
The annual tractor run takes place in Kilmovee on Sunday, May 24, at 1pm.
The Achonry and Elphin Diocesan Pilgrimage to Lourdes will take place from August 28 to September 2, and will be led by Bishop Kevin Doran. For bookings contact JWT at 01 6852244 or email info@joewalshtours.ie. For assisted pilgrims who will stay in the Accueil, contact Fr. Ray Milton on 090 6661115 before June 11.
