Local Notes: Swinford Post Office Staff 1942
Swinford Post Office Staff 1942. Picture provided by Joe Mellett. If you can name any or all of the people pictured contact Joe Mellett, c/o Melletts Emporium.
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 Comhaltas is playing host again this year to Ceol an Gheimhridh -The Winter Fleadh. The competitions will be held on November 23, in Swinford NS (the organisers are very grateful for the generosity and support of the principal, Mr Adrian Cregg and all the staff of Scoil Muire agus Treasa). The competitions for U11s and U14s are open to children from all over Mayo and it is hoped that people will come out to support all the wonderful young musicians, singers, dancers and those telling stories or reciting poems. Entries must be with the branch secretary by this Thursday, October 24. €5 entrance fee covers all competitions for the day. A great weekend of sessions for all age groups has been planned and a lovely "Cupán agus Comhra "event will take place on Saturday afternoon. All information on Mayo Comhaltas website and Facebook page, Swinford Comhaltas Facebook page and Instagram. Text/WhatsApp enquiries to 087 7454032.
The 11th annual Féile na Samhna will take place in Swinford this weekend, October 25 to 28. On Friday evening 25th, from 7pm, in Campbell’s White House, the weekend will get off to a great start with a youth seisiún, Seisiún na nÓg and the official opening with Comhaltas National Youth Officer Breege Gleeson will be followed by an open session from 9pm.
On Saturday workshops will be held in Swinford NS: singing with Anthony Kavanagh from 11am followed by Bodhrán with Junior Davey from 12.30 and dancing with James Frayne from 2pm. All workshops free and open to all age groups.
On Saturday evening in the Gateway Hotel the festival committee are delighted to host the premiere of a wonderful new documentary film ‘All our Yesterdays’. This absolutely beautiful film is the culmination of years of work by Breege Rowley and Swinford Comhaltas and the Féile na Samhna organising committee are really proud to be associated with it.
The Oíche Amhránaíochta (singing session) is planned for Bolands on Saturday night 9.30pm and this is always a most enjoyable event.
On Sunday, a recital by The Midfield Pipe Band at Swinford Church after 12 o’clock Mass and then progressing to Main Street. The flagship event, The Rambling House, will take place in the Gateway Hotel on Sunday evening from 5pm. You are promised the best of entertainment and bia blasta...traditional country fare.
On Monday the Siúlóid Sráide, Local History Ramble with Patricia Conway and Maura Sweeney will begin outside The Coffee Doc at 11am and finish up with a Cupán agus Comhrá, chat, refreshments and a seisiún in Padraig Horkan’s.
Sessions will be organised by local pubs and musicians and please note that all events and workshops are free of charge with the exception a €5 door raffle at the Rambling House and a cover charge for the film.
Cathal extends a massive thank you to everyone who helped organise and participate in the wonderful welcome home he received on Sunday, October 13, on his return from his 2200kms walk across Europe in aid of Mayo Parkinson's Association and Childrens Health Foundation Crumlin. There will be a presentation night for the fundraiser on Friday, October 25, at 8pm in Melletts Emporium Swinford. Live music with Padraic McNeela. Cathal can be contacted through the website kellyswalk2rome.ie and through social media channels.
The numbers drawn in the Swinford Community lotto draw held on October 14, were 1, 10, 14 and 23. €70 vouchers were won by Mullaney Family, c/o Moore's and Bernie Mellett, Larch Hill; €35 was won by D Langford, Killasser, Mary Lynskey, Newpark and Una McInerney, Park Road.
From the heart of Swinford to the windswept links of Strandhill, the brave souls of Swinford Golf Club ventured forth for their much-anticipated annual outing. 'Twas a day when the wind did roar as loud as any ocean storm, testing the mettle of all who dared to challenge its might.
Amidst the bluster, where birdies were as rare as a soft day in November, but cherished like a drop of poitín during Prohibition, some of our hearty golfers stood tall against the gale. Niall McHugh, not just a golfer but a veritable storm rider, managed a mighty 39 points, leaving his nearest rival a distant four points adrift—a margin as grand as any epic told by fireside in the dark of winter.
And speak we must of Marty Munnelly, a man who just days earlier had danced round this very course to the tune of 47 points. Alas, even heroes find the wind a cruel mistress, and on this day, he was held to a mere 35, enough for second but far from his best. Shane Lacey and Philip Irwin, not far behind, each graced the leader's board with 33 points.
On the ladies' ledger, the ever-green Breege Spain, scaled the summit with 31 points. 'Twas a score hard fought and well won. Ann Deacy and Mary Horkan, bed along in her wake, each with 23 points, sharing second as kindly as two sisters might share a secret.
Hats off to Captain Hilary McCrohan and Vice-Captain Enda Murtagh, who orchestrated this grand day out. And a nod of thanks to the good folk at Strandhill Golf Club, who hosted us with open arms and warmth enough to fend off the chill wind. As for the golf balls I left behind in the gorse and heather—consider them a small token of our spirited game.
Join Swinford Golf Club at the Clubhouse for a fun-filled table quiz on Friday, October 25. Rally your smartest friends and come test your trivia skills at the clubhouse, starting at 8.30pm. A table of four costs just €40. All proceeds will support the Junior Golf program.
Swinford Gardening Club will hold their last Gardening Club talk of the year on ' Autumn in the Garden', on Tuesday, October 22, at 8pm in the meeting room on Lower Main Street. This talk is free to members. Non-members €5.
On Sunday, October27, in Wetlands Park (beside Kiltimagh Park Hotel) a Spooky Tots Stroll will take place from 4.30 to 5.30pm. Before all the witches, ghosts and goblins are out under the cover of darkness, all your tots are invited to stroll through the less spooky walk in daylight. Spooks and Scares will all be saved for later in the evening. Spooky Walk from 7pm and there will be Tricks and Treats for all. Parking at the Cairn Trade Centre or Bohola Road with pedestrian access. Finish off the evening with the Fireworks Display at 9pm.
After the success of the Killasser Parish Calendars 2023 and 2024, the organising committee will be producing another one for 2025. Pictures of Killasser can be submitted to any committee member or by email to Killasser2023@gmail.com.
The annual Killasser Parish Tractor Run will take place on Sunday, October 27. Drive departs at 2pm from Killasser Community Centre. Registration from 1.30pm. €15 per tractor, €10 for second tractor.
The Turf Shed Killasser are holding a Halloween Fancy Dress Party on Saturday, November 2, at 9pm. Prizes will be given for the scariest and best dressed couple. Invite your friends to come along for a scarily good night.
Congratulations to Brendan Fallon who won €580 in the September Killasser Community Centre 50/50 draw with Niamh Cunney and Yvonne Doyle winning the €20 spot prize each. The October draw takes place on Sunday, November 3.
Sympathy is extended to the family and friends of Luke Tunney, Tullinacurra, Swinford. May Luke rest in peace.
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The launch of the 18th edition of the Kilkelly Kilmovee Magazine will take place on October 27, commencing at 7.30pm in Ireland West Airport. The headline music act this year is The Piper Cross Ceili Band and there will be local musicians with plenty of music and dance.
Gerry Regan is proposing to set up a CPR Emergency Response Group for Kilmovee, Urlaur and surrounding areas. The CPR Emergency Response Group will get notification of a cardiac or choking emergency within the area through the HSE on a 999 or 112 call. Contact Gerry via email gerardregan2016@gmail.com, WhatsApp or call 087 6815009 for further information.
Bishop Kevin Doran, Bishop of Achonry and Elphin is to visit Kilmovee parish on Saturday, October 26, to celebrate the Vigil Mass at 8pm in St Patricks Church Glann.
The death took place of Ann Hardiman, Moyne, Ballaghaderreen, and formerly of Carrowbehy, Castlerea, on October 9, peacefully at home surrounded by her family. Ann was better known as Annie, she was (nee Dillon) and was predeceased by her husband Frank. Annie is survived by her son James, daughters Mary and Pauline, grandchildren Ann-Marie, Katie, Christina and Danai, son-in-law George, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Annie reposed in The Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen on Friday, October11, and removal took place on Saturday, October 12, to the Church of the Sacred Heart, Fairymount (via Moyne) arriving for Mass of the Resurrection at 11.30am, followed by interment in Fairymount Cemetery. May Annie rest in peace.
The death took place of Jimmy Towey, Bockagh Hill, Ballaghaderreen, on October 13, at home surrounded by his family. Jimmy is survived by his wife Kathleen, his children Deirdre, James and Caroline, his sister Catherine, niece Carmel, nephew Frank, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends. Jimmy reposed in The Kilgarriff Funeral Home Ballaghaderreen, on Tuesday, October 15. The funeral cortege arrived to The Cathedral of the Annunciation and St. Nathy, Ballaghaderreen, on Wednesday, October 16, for Mass of the Resurrection at 1.30pm followed by interment in Kilcolman Cemetery. May Jimmy rest in peace.
