Local Notes: Swinford FC members named in 2024 U18 Division 1 Team of the Year.
Congratulations to Swinford FC members Zack Stone and Evan Rowley who were named in the U18 Division One Team of the Year 2024. Evan was also named Division One Top Goal scorer.
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted by email to ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call/text/WhatsApp 087 7694781 after 6pm. Deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm Wednesday.
Swinford Darkness Into Light 2025, will take place at 4.15am on Saturday, May 10. This inspiring event symbolises hope, as communities come together to support mental health and prevent suicide. The officially launch of this year’s Swinford event on Friday, April 25, at 7pm in Mellett’s Museum Swinford. There will be music and refreshments with an opportunity to register on the night for the Swinford walk. Contact Cathal Kelly on 087 6412785 for further information.
The Mayo Pink Ribbon Charity Cycle will pass through Swinford on Saturday, May 3, between 11am -1pm. Since 2010 Mayo Pink Ribbon has raised €1.6m for Breast Cancer Research thanks to your support. Please make a donation to this worthy cause.
Swinford Gardening Club will be taking its first day trip of the year to lovely Leitrim on Saturday, May 10. The trip will include visits to Parke's Castle, the Ballroom of Romance in Glenfarne and Kiltyclogher Heritage Centre the cost of the trip is €85. All entry fees, breakfast and dinner are included. The bus will leave Swinford at 8.30am. To book contact Angela 087 7917136 or Maura 087 7604763 as soon as possible please.
The numbers drawn in the Swinford Community lotto draw held on April 14, were 8, 16, 19 and 26. There was no jackpot winner. €70 vouchers were won by John Mullaney, c/o Moore's and Renee McDonnell, Killasser; €35 was won by Jamie McGloin, Swinford, Fintan Ryan, Carrcanada, Pat Brennan, Kilbride, JBWM Moore, Meelick, Anne Gallagher , Killeen, Mary Higgins, Lisheenabrone and Noel Benson, Barleyhill Stables, Bohola. The jackpot in the latest draw which was held on April 21, was €3,400.
Swinford GAA are delighted to be welcoming Ah Ref, Enda McGearty and John Stagg to Julians of Midfield on Friday, 2May. Special guests to be announced in coming weeks. Don't miss out, get your tickets on member.clubspot.app/club/swinford-.
Congratulations to Cathal Frain who won €400 in the Swinford GAA 50/50 draw.
Congratulations to brothers Alan and Karl Heaney on completing the Marathon De Sables in the Sahara Desert raising money for two charities namely St. Catherine’s Special School in Newcastle, Co. Wicklow and Mindspace Mayo in Castlebar. If you wish to donate to these two very worthy causes – donate on https://www.idonate.ie/crowdfunder/AlanHeaney.
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 replies to Joe Mellett by email joemellett1951@gmail.com or put in an envelope and leave in Melletts pub. Closing date is April 30th.
Swinford Petanque Club meet every Thursday from 1 to 3pm at the Amenity Park for games of Petanque/Boules. Why not join for low impact exercise, fun, throwing, walking and bending. If interested contact Bernadette 087 3134461 or Ann 087 7459089.
Swinford AC Spring Series continues with a 5km run and walk on Wednesday evenings as follows: April 23 Midfield (F12VE20) and April 30 Swinford (F12H593) and May 7 Foxford (F26ND92). €5 per person, €10 per family. Registration each evening from 6.30pm with the run/walk starting at 7pm.
GAA Nursery football registration is now open with training commencing on Saturday, May 3. Register on www.foireann.ie. Contact Trish, Club Registrar, on 086 381 6647 for any queries. It is suitable for boys and girls aged 4 to 5 years.
Sympathy is extended to the families and friends of Seán Byrne, Calverstown, Kilcullen, Co. Kildare and formerly Woods, Midfield and Maura Hurst (nee Brett) Carramore Moy, Killasser, Swinford. May they rest in peace.
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Bea Anna Smyth passed away peacefully on January 26 , in The Ave Maria Nursing Home, Tooreen. She was predeceased by her husband and fellow teacher Joe. As the saying goes, ‘it takes a village to raise a child’ but in the case of Bea Anna, she was responsible for the education of many of the children in the parish of Kilmovee and had a huge influence on their lives.
Born to parents Dominick Costello and Bridget Doohan in Ballyglass,Bea Anna was also predeceased by her three brothers – Walter, Dominick (Brother Nathy) and Paddy. Her father was a blacksmith and the forge at their home was a popular gathering place for locals.
Bea Anna attended Kilmovee No. 1 National School and then secondary school in Ballaghadereen. She qualified as a national school teacher and moved to Cavan where she enjoyed a few years teaching in local schools. A vacancy then came up for a teacher in Clooniron National School and Bea Anna moved back home and took up this post, working with the principal, Joe Smyth. Romance was in the air and a few years later they were married.
When Clooniron School closed in 1971, they moved with their pupils to Kilmovee No. 1 National School where they spent the rest of their careers teaching. During this time, they were central to the education of children in Kilmovee, covering the curriculum with a focus on Gaeilge, music and drama.
Bea Anna and Joe established an unrivalled partnership, which saw the school go on to claim numerous All Ireland titles in music and drama. They were also an integral part of the community throughout their teaching careers and after they retired. This included helping to establish the local community centre, initially in the old Clooniron school, which became a hub of activity with fundraisers, concerts, drama, sports days, etc. They then helped set up Kilmovee Community Centre and Family Resource Centre and assisted with the running of these centres as volunteers for many years. This included organising fundraising events to support activities within the centre and other facilities in the community, including Kilmovee Swimming Pool which was built and funded entirely by local volunteers. Bea Anna, with Joe remained at the centre of everything in the parish and when Joe died in 2008, Bea Anna took the lead, finalising and publishing a book that he had been working on ‘Cill Mobhí – A Handbook on Local History and Folklore’. She then went on to and publish her own book ‘Bóithrín na Smaointe’, a compilation of stories of local trades and shops in Kilmovee from times gone by.
Shealso helped to set up and run the Cois Tine Heritage Centre, which became a focal point for tourists, who called to find out about their ancestors from the area. Bea Anna, with the support of the Heritage Committee hosted the Cois Tine Heritage Night once a month. This was a night where musicians, singers, dancers and storytellers came for an experience akin to the traditional house dances. She was a co-founderof the Seosamh Mac Gabhann Summer School and part of this committee for over 10 years, during which time the Summer School gained recognition nationally and internationally. Bea Anna also looked after the flowers on the altar in Kilmovee Church, something which she lovingly attended to throughout her life.
Bea Anna reposed in the Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen, with removal from her home taking place on January 30, for Mass of the Resurrection in the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kilmovee and was laid to rest in Naomh Mobhí cemetery alongside her husband Joe. She will be sadly missed by her children Padhraic, Paul, Fergal and Maura, her grandchildren Aidan, Cian, Lara, Ciara, Eva, Laoise, Maya and Davin, nieces, nephews, extended family and many friends. The people of Kilmovee extend their deepest sympathy to the Smyth and Costello families and all who mourn her passing. May Bea Anna rest in peace.
Kilkelly National School Parents Association are organising a "Cash for Clobber" fundraiser in aid of Kilkelly National School with drop off location in The Old Courthouse, Swinford Road, Kilkelly on Saturday, May 10 and Sunday, May 11. Items including clean clothes, paired shoes, curtains, soft toys and belts are accepted. No pillows or duvets. Any enquiries to Natasha on 086 6621702. Your support is greatly appreciated.
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The death occurred of Michael O’Brien, Pontoon Road, Castlebar. His funeral Mass took place in Castlebar on Saturday, April 12. He was brother of Tommy O’Brien, Knockatemple. Sincere sympathy is extended to the bereaved.
Congratulations to Sandra Hall who won a jackpot of €406 in the Moy Davitts 50/50 draw on Saturday, April 12. 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).
Applications for the 2025 Martin Sheridan Bursary awards, in association with The Western People, are now open. Details and criteria for application are available by emailing: martinsheridanbursary@gmail.com or at https://sites.google.com/site/martinsheridanbursary/home. Closing date for entry is Friday, May 16. The committee are grateful to Mayo County Council for their continued and ongoing support of the awards.
The Mayo Genealogy Group offered sincere sympathy to group member Teresa Filan and her family on the death of her brother Michael O’Brien of Watersville, Pontoon Road, Castlebar and formerly of Knockatemple, Ballyvary. May he rest in peace.
The group are currently organising a two night three day trip to Newry NI from May 27 to 29. The trip will include bus transport from Castlebar, Day 1, visit to the Ulster American Folk Museum, Day 2 Belfast, Day 3 visit the city of Armagh. The total cost is €265 with €30 extra per night for single supplement. Further detail are available from Mary at 0861280338.
