Local Notes: Success for Swinford team at Community Games
Congratulations to the Swinford U13 basketball team on their recent Mayo Community Games success. The new county champions are pictured with coaches Lorraine Julian and Yvonne Quinn.
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted by email to ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call, text or WhatsApp 087-7694781 (after 6pm). The deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm each Wednesday.
Swinford Gardening Club will be taking its first day trip of the year to lovely Leitrim on Saturday, May 10th. The trip will include visits to Parke's Castle, the Ballroom of Romance in Glenfarne and Kiltyclogher Heritage Centre. The cost is €85. All entry fees, breakfast and dinner are included.
The bus will leave Swinford at 8.30am. To book, please contact Angela at 087-7917136 or Maura at 087-7604763 as soon as possible.
Swinford Laundry opened its doors in 1925. To commemorate its 100th anniversary, it is proposed to compile a history of the facility to include photos and a list of all who worked there from its inception until it closed in 1975.
Send your information to Joe Mellett by email at joemellett1951@gmail.com or put in an envelope and leave in Mellett's pub. The closing date is April 30th.
Swinford Golf Club’s popular Junior Golf programme will be returning this season, with sessions expected to begin towards the end of April or the start of May. Details are currently being finalised.
It's a great way to get young players involved and enjoying the game early. The club is looking forward to another strong turnout.
Swinford will host the 2025 Darkness Into Light event on Saturday, May 10th, starting at Swinford Community Centre at 4.15am. Online registration on www.darknessintolight.ie.
Swinford AC Spring Series continues with a 5km run and walk on Wednesday evenings as follows:
April 30th - Swinford (F12H593) and May 7th - Foxford (F26ND92).
The fee is €5 per person and €10 per family. Registration each evening from 6.30pm with the run/walk starting at 7pm.
Nursery Gaelic football registration is now open with training commencing on Saturday next, May 3rd. Register on www.foireann.ie
Contact Trish, Swinford GAA Club Registrar, on 086-3816647 for any queries. It is for boys and girls aged four to five years.
Congratulations to Vincent Conlon who won €560 in the March Killasser Community Centre 50/50 draw and to Anthony Hanley and Penny Quinn who each won a €20 spot prize.
The next draw will take place on Sunday, May 4th.
This year’s annual Easter Egg Hunt in Brabazon Park was the largest since the event began in 2013. Some 200 children turned up, and the charge for the eggs was not unlike that for the first fence at the Grand National.
A total of €326 was contributed to this year’s chosen charity, Children in Gaza c/o UNICEF. Many thanks to all who made the event such a success and here's to 2026.
Community Lotto
There was no winner of the jackpot in the Swinford Community Lotto draw held on April 22nd when the numbers drawn were 5, 10, 24 and 27.
Vouchers worth €70 were won by Michael Groarke, c/o Eurospar and Michelle Tunney, Cloonlara; €35 was won by Lorraine Kelly, Gleann Darach and Aine Doyle, Tumgesh. The jackpot is now €3,600.
Expressions of interest for Swinford's Musical Theatre Workshops/Summer Camp 2025 are now being taken.
The workshop will commence on Monday, July 28th and run until Friday, August 1st, from 10am to 1pm each day in Swinford NS.
Calling all aspiring performers aged seven and up! This amazing opportunity is brought to you by The Railway Players in collaboration with Siamsa Sráide and Flare Musical Productions. Places are limited. To express interest, please text or WhatsApp 087-4636841.
Congratulations to Tom O’Hora, winner of €525 in the Swinford GAA Club 50/50 Draw.
Síamsa Sráide Street Festival presents 'A Grey Wing Upon Every Tide' by Colin Carberry on Friday, August 1st, at 2pm in Boland's Bar in Swinford.
Poet, editor and reviewer Colin Carberry of Toronto will give a talk covering many topics from the Irish Diaspora to Irish history. Colin will reminiscence on his own family and Republican activity during the War of Independence in Longford as well as colourful historical Irish figures in Mexico. Colin will also launch his new poetry book, .
Congratulations to Cian Bardwell (1st place), Lauren Geraghty (2nd place) and Alisha Broderick (3rd place) on their success representing Swinford in their respective age groups in the Mayo Community Games Gymnastics competition. Well done all.
Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Gabriella Flanagan (née Deacy), Frenchfort, Oranmore, Co Galway and formerly of Killasser, Swinford, and Angela Moran (née Newman), 10 Bolingbrook Drive, Swinford, who both passed away recently.
May they rest in peace.
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Bohola
The closing date for applications for the Martin Sheridan Bursary is Friday, May 16th. The bursary is awarded to young athletes from Mayo and is presented in association with Mayo County Council and the .
Details and criteria for applications are available by emailing martinsheridanbursary@gmail.com.
The committee is grateful to Mayo County Council for its continued support of the bursary.
Moy Davitts Golf Classic is scheduled for Saturday, August 9th, in Ballina Golf Club. Further details can be found later on social media or on the club app.
Congratulations to Róisín Guiry who won a jackpot of €470 in the Moy Davitts 50/50 draw on Saturday, April 19th.
A huge thank you to everyone who supported the draw, it is greatly appreciated. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by playing on the club app (Moy Davitts GAA).
The death occurred on April 16th of Tom McEvaddy, Bohola,
Tom's funeral took place in Bohola on on April 22nd with burial afterwards in the New Cemetery, Bohermore, Galway.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the bereaved.
Mayo Cancer Support at Rock Rose House wishes to thank all those who supported and facilitated its recent Church Gate Collection in Bohola on the weekend of April 19th and 20th last. Special thanks to all the volunteer collectors.
A total of €260.10 was raised in Bohola and €246.78 in Shraheens.
These funds will support the ongoing provision of emotional support to local people affected by cancer.
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Kilmovee
The roads and lanes around Kilmovee were alive with energy and determination on Saturday, April 19, as hundreds of participants took part in the 14th annual Kilmovee 10K and 5K races, proudly held in support of the Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation and Kilmovee Shamrocks GAA Club. More than 800 people took part, which was a fantastic turnout, especially with the weather.
Despite persistent rain and wet ground conditions, runners and walkers arrived from early morning to register and line up for what has become a much-loved Easter tradition in the region. The sense of camaraderie and community spirit remained undeterred, with enthusiastic supporters, volunteers, and marshals providing encouragement along the route.
“We are immensely proud of our long-standing charity partnership with Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation,” said a spokesperson for the organising team. “Their work in providing palliative care services across our region is vital, and we are honoured that the Kilmovee 10K continues to raise both awareness and much-needed funds for their mission.”
The following were the results:
Men (10K): 1st, Kenneth Nugent (Donore Harriers AC), 34:06; 2nd, Sean Burke (M50, Tuam AC), 35:45; 3rd, Florian Baudouin, 35:55
Women (10K): 1st, Sara Doohan (W40, Corran AC, 38:11; 2nd, Colette Tuohy (W55, Mayo AC, 40:55.
This year’s Michael McDonnell Memorial Shield was proudly presented to Daniel Anderson, a student at St Nathy’s College in Ballaghaderreen in recognition of his exceptional performance and of course 'localish' representation. The Shield is awarded to the first runner in the 10K representing a secondary school, college or university as a pupil or teacher.
This year also marked the introduction of the Miyah Kelly National School Challenge – a free-entry competition within the 5K event open to students and teachers representing their national school. The inaugural winner was John Flynn, a teacher at Ballyfeeney National School, who embodied the spirit of participation and leadership.
The event would not be possible without the ongoing support of the sponsors – both local and national – whose generosity helps cover essential costs such as timing, signage, refreshments, safety and more. Their contribution continues to keep the event affordable and accessible to all.
Work will begin shortly on the 15th Kilmovee 10K, scheduled for Saturday, April 4th, 2026. The organising team is already looking ahead with hopes of making it an even bigger and better event for runners, walkers, spectators, and the entire community.
“Every year, we are humbled by the support, the stories, and the sense of community this event brings. Plans for 2026 are already underway – and we invite everyone to mark their calendars and join us once again,” said a member of the event committee.
