Local Notes: Swinford GAA members braved the 'Drop Abseil Challenge' in Croke Park.
Congratulations to Swinford GAA Club members Alan Heaney and Philip Ryan who took part in the Mayo Cancer Support ‘Brave the Drop Abseil Challenge’ in Croke Park on Thursday, July 2.
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 annual clean-up of Kilconduff Cemetery will take place on Saturday, July 25, from 9am. No one will be expected to stay for the full day, an hour will suffice with all help appreciated. Just a few tools and gloves. Mayo County Council will supply the bags.
Results from the competitions played over the weekend of July 4/5: Ladies 1st Helen McNicholas, 2nd Emer Mullins, 3rd Mary Horkan. Gents 1st Martin Griffin, 2nd Eugene Maloney, 3rd Peter Moore.
Congratulations to Kevin and Amanda Farrell, Co. Longford who won €535 in the Swinford GAA 50/50 draw.
All Our Yesterdays comes home to Swinford this August with a special screening at the 42nd Annual Síamsa Sráide Street and Arts Festival in Swinford Cultural Centre on Saturday, August 1 at 7.30pm. Developed as a community-led project inspired by the stories, memories, and voices of the town, the film’s inclusion in this year’s festival marks a meaningful homecoming. Thanks to the Síamsa Sráide committee for their continued support and for including the film in the 2026 festival programme. For 42 years, the festival has played an important role in celebrating creativity and community spirit in Swinford. All Our Yesterdays explores themes of memory, emigration, resilience, and identity, while reflecting on the people, places, and shared stories that connect generations.
Siamsa Sraide has launched an iDonate campaign to help raise extra funds towards the entertainment costs of the festival. The 2026 festival will have the biggest number of performers and entertainment acts in Siamsa Sraide’s 42-year history. From free open air music performances by Ritchie Remo, Mike Denver, Ruaile Buaile, Stuart Moyles, Finein Quinn, Shane Ruane to name but a few, circus show, fire show, award winning dancers and so much more. All funds raised from this campaign are strictly for entertainment costs only. The organising committee ask everyone to do their best for Siamsa Sraide as 90% of events are free of charge. No donation is too small so please spread the word with family and friends at home and around the world. This campaign will remain active until August 7.
Results of Swinford community lotto draw held on July 6, had the numbers 7, 17, 19 and 29 drawn. There was no jackpot winner. €70 vouchers were won by Jackie Doherty, c/o Moore's Shop and Jim Murray, Oak Drive, Swinford; €35 was won by Mary McNicholas, Park Road, Swinford, Julie Ryan, Sweetwell and Katie O'Brien, The Rise. The jackpot is now €6,600.
The Siamsa Sraide committee looks forward to welcoming everyone to the 2nd Siamsa Sraide Street and Arts Festival Vintage Run on Sunday, August 2. Registration is taking place from 1pm at the main stage on Main Street, and the run will commence at 2pm starting and finishing on Main Street. Further information or bookings are available by contacting Brendan Cassidy on 087 742 0617 or James Ruane on 087 091771. All proceeds raised on the day will go to Western Care Association and Northwest Stop. There will also be a raffle and music on the day, with a whole host of family events to follow in Swinford Cultural Centre with balloon modelling, Disney characters and The Circus Show with Fred and Leo.
General Humbert will invade Swinford on July 30, as part of Siamsa Sraide Street and Arts Festival 2026. He makes his return to Swinford for a very special ceremonial event to honour the sacrifice of the French. Further information is available from Brendan on 087 7420617 or Moira on 087 2038407.
The countdown is on to the kick-off of the Swinford Siamsa Sraide Street and Arts Festival which returns from July 30 to August 5 bringing with it seven days of music, art, cultural, historical and family events. Chele Crawley and Martina Wintour will be launching their best-selling books 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 Festival.
Blessing of Mosaics by Bishop Doran, will take place at 10am on August 15 at Mass in Callow and 12 noon on the same day in Killasser Church (Mass will not be celebrated in Killasser).
The 5th annual “Time to Shine” talent show takes place this year on Friday, July 31, in Julian’s of Midfield. Prizes for 2 age groups: U16 and over 16 including 1st prize senior €500. Information and entry forms are available at Ray Lambes Jewellers, text 087 4636841, or by email fromrailwayplayers2018@gmail.com.
The annual Scoil Cheoil Siamsa (Comhaltas Summer School) begins this year on July 27. Music, singing, dancing and conversational Irish classes will take place between 2pm and 7pm in the primary school in Swinford (Scoil Muire agus Treasa). Instruments include banjo, bodhrán, button accordion, concertina, fiddle, flute, guitar, tin whistle, harp and keyboard. Classes last an hour and the cost is €35 (€30 each if taking more than one class). Comhrá Gaeilge (conversational Irish) will be free. Rhythm and song sessions will also be held for 4- to 6-year-olds and performance group sessions. Participants are encouraged to book as soon as possible to facilitate timetabling and availability of instruments. Application forms for the Michael Davitt CCE Swinford Scoil Cheoil Siamsa are available from Ray Lambes. You can also email cceswinford@gmail.com, message Swinford Comhaltas Facebook page or contact 087 7454032.
Sympathy is extended to the families and friends of Paul Roughneen who passed away in the Philippines, formerly of Belfast, Swinford and London (brother of Patrick, Martin, Jim and Catherine (Ronayne) and Johnny RIP); Larry Gill, Kiltimagh (brother of Danny Gill, Dublin Road); Rachel O’Donnell, Upminister, Essex (wife of John O’Donnell, nephew of Micheal Doherty, Meelick). May they all rest in peace.
Swinford AC will once again host the annual Ireland West ¾ Marathon, 10K and 5K on Saturday, September 5. Registration is open on Eventmaster. ¾ Marathon starting time 10am, 10k starting time 10.15am and 5k starting time 10.30am.
Learn a new skill at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, with the Museum Knitting and Crochet Circle. The group is meeting on Friday, July 17, from 11am to 1pm. This is a friendly meeting of talented craft workers with a keen interest in all things woolly. Come along to exchange tips, patterns, ideas and a chat. Beginners welcome. This is a free, drop-in activity suitable for adults and children aged seven years plus. No booking required.
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Preparations are underway for the 20th edition of the Kilkelly Kilmovee parish magazine. The committee invites parishioners at home and abroad to submit articles, photographs, memories, or local news for this special anniversary edition. The deadline is August 31 and submissions can be emailed to kilkellykilmoveemagazine@gmail.com or given to any member of the magazine committee. The committee extend thanks to everyone for their continued support.
The annual Urlaur Pattern of Urlaur is set to go ahead this year with Mass at the Abbey on Tuesday, August 4, at 1 pm. A full list of this year's activities will be available next week.
The cemetery committees hope to have the Annual Masses in the local cemeteries as follows, weather permitting: Saturday, August 1, at 6.30pm in St Brigid’s Cemetery; Sunday, August 2, at 10am in Naomh Mobhi Cemetery; Sunday, August 2, at 11.30am in Culmore Cemetery; Tuesday, August 4, at 1pm in Urlaur Abbey and Wednesday, August 5, at 7.30pm in St Patrick's Old Cemetery in Rusheens, Kilmovee.
Bingo is held in Kilmovee Community Centre on Sunday evenings at 8.30pm. The jackpot is now €750 on 46 calls and the house lotto is €880 on 4 correct numbers. There is also a 50/50 draw with a guaranteed winner every week.
The Active Age Group meets every Thursday in Kilmovee Community Centre from 11am –2.30pm. Come along from 11am for tea/coffee/chat, exercises around midday, lunch at 1pm with Bingo afterwards. It is a lovely way to spend a few hours in good company, get some exercise and a good lunch. The committee look forward to welcoming you. The cost is €10 a week plus annual membership.
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.
The numbers drawn in the Shamrocks GAA draw which was held on Saturday, June 20, were 19, 21, 25 and 35. There was no winner. The numbers drawn on June 27, were 27, 38, 43 and 46. There was also no winner.
If you would like to celebrate the Sacrament of Penance contact Fr Joseph before or after Mass in the church sacristy.
The Kilmovee Swimming Pool is now open daily for the season from 3-8pm. For further details see the Kilmovee Swimming Pool Facebook page. The Re-turn Scheme is in operation again and you can support the swimming pool by donating your return drink containers to the Orange Re-turn bin outside the pool.
The local SVP Conferences phone numbers are: Glann 085 210 8472; Kilkelly 086 889 9077; Urlaur 086 922 7552 and Kilmovee 086 889 2098.
