Local Notes: Swinford success at Dublin Horse Show
Congratulations are extended to Martin and Mary Murphy, Swinford on winning the Breeders Championship at the 2025 RDS Dublin Horse Show.
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted to Julie Ryan as follows: email ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call/text/WhatsApp 087-7694781 (after 6pm).
The deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm each Wednesday.
Mary Grealy, late of Glasthule, Dublin and formerly of Dublin Road, Swinford, passed away last January after a short illness.
Mary was eldest daughter of the late Maura and Miko Grealy and sister to Nuala (Dublin) and Joan (London). She began her teaching career in national schools in Mayo and then taught in Donegal, before finally settling in Dublin until her retirement in 2024.
Aside from teaching, one of Mary's great passions in life was music and she was one of the main drivers in the formation of the local singing group Irish Mist. The all-girl group were very popular with Swinford people in the 80's and 90's. They won many singing competitions including the Slogadh All-Ireland Finals in 1985 and 1988.
Mary loved the Irish Mist reunions that the group held down through the years during Siamsa Sráide. Revellers were known to gather round Mary as she strummed her guitar while musically directing Irish Mist into the late hours on many happy memorable nights.
Mary is sadly missed by her wife Carol, sisters Nuala and Joan, nephew Jack and her many friends in Swinford and beyond. She is being remembered at mass at 6.30pm on Saturday, August 30th, in Swinford Church.
Killasser Community Care group is organising a one-day retreat to visit Lough Derg on September 9th.
Please let any member of the Community Care Group know if you would like to go on this pilgrimage as soon as possible. Book your place early by contacting Vera at 087-6354880, Nancy at 087672 0705 or Kathleen at 087-6179317.
Swinford AC Autumn 5k series continues on Wednesday, August 27th, in Straide (F26D788) and Foxford (F26ND92) on September 10th. Both races start at 7.15pm with registration from 6.30pm. The cost is €5 per person, €10 per family.
For more information, contact Adette on 087-2362112 or Micheal on 086-8196511.
Scoil Muire agus Padraig Class of 1995 will hold a 30-year School Reunion on Saturday, December 27th, at 8pm in Mellett's Emporium, Swinford.
Contact Joanne on 087-205 3438 for further information.
Congratulations to Tommy Keane on winning €565 in the Killasser Community Centre 50/50 Draw in July. €20 spot prizes were won by Paul Walsh, Regina and Dylan Tuffy and Simon Igoe.
The next draw will take place on Sunday, September 7th.
Congratulations to Tom Durkan, Swinford who won €407 in the Swinford GAA 50/50 Draw.
Open Week was held at Swinford Golf Club from August 2nd to August 6th.
The results on Saturday, August 2nd, were:
Men's competition - 1st, Ronan Monaghan; 2nd, Shane Lacey; 3rd, Vincent Murtagh.
Women's competition - 1st, Mary Horkan; 2nd, Caroline Goldrick.
The results on Sunday, August 3rd, were:
Men's competition - 1st, Kevin Irwin; 2nd, Barry Durkan; 3rd, Gerry Ronayne.
Women's competition - 1st, Annette Clarke; 2nd, Helen McNicholas.
The results on Monday, August 4th, were:
Men's competition - 1st, Jack Spain.
Women's competition - 1st, Mona Curry.
The results on Tuesday, August 5th, were:
Men's competition - 1st, Shane Lacey; 2nd, Eugene Doherty; 3rd, Tony Spain.
Women's competition - 1st, Mona Curry; 2nd, Dympna O’Donnell.
The results on Wednesday, August 6th, were:
Men's competition - 1st, Shane Lacey; 2nd, Tom Horkan.
Women's competition - 1st, Mary Conway; 2nd, Hilary McCrohan.
Junior Competition: 1st, Oisín Moroney; 2nd, Jamie Loughney; 3rd, Rory Gruddy.
Congratulations to Swinford Athletic Club member Cathal McNicholas who was selected as part of the Irish U17 team to throw the shot put and discus.
Cathal is Connacht’s sole representative flying the flag for club and province. The Irish team of 40 athletes travelled to take part in the U17 Scottish Championships held over the weekend of August 22nd to 24th in Grangemouth in Scotland.
Swinford Active Minds will be resuming Chair Pilate classes with Mary on Wednesday, September 3rd, at 8pm in Swinford Cultural Centre for six weeks. Everyone welcome.
Text or WhatsApp 087-4150663 to book a chair.
There was no winner of the jackpot in the Swinford Community Lotto on August 18th last when the numbers drawn were 14, 16, 26 and 30.
€70 vouchers were won by David J. Langford, Tulleague and M. Cronnolly, c/o The Sheepwalk Bar; €35 each was won by M.H, c/o Doyle, Tullinacurra and Noel Benson, Barleyhill Stables, Bohola.
The jackpot is now €7,000.
Chair Yoga classes will be held in Meelick Community Centre, hosted by Meelick ICA, on Mondays, September 8th, 15th, 22nd and 29th, from 7.30pm to 9pm.
The cost is €40 for the four weeks or €12 per night. Booking essential as numbers are limited. Please contact Patricia Campbell on 087-7856461 to book your spot.
Sympathy is extended to the families and friends of the following who passed away recently - John Murray, Dublin Road, Swinford; Michael Tunney, Derryronane, Swinford; Eleanor McGuinness, Ballisodare, Co Sligo (sister of the late Canon Michael Joyce); Kathleen Browne, Boleboy, Killasser; Andy Devine, The Orchard, Swinford and formerly of Cashelsheenaughane, Midfield.
May they rest in peace.
The countdown is on to Light up the Sky Mayo at the Butterfly Garden on Saturday, August 30th, at 7.30pm.
Those attending are welcome to bring along a stationary lantern to place on the paved butterfly if they so wish. The organisers ask that you please bring them home with you again after the event as no personal items are to be left at the site. Bubbles to blow to the babies in the skies are welcome. Babies' names can be added to the register up to Thursday, August 28th, to be read out at the event. Please contact a member of the committee or message the Butterfly Garden Facebook page.
There will be blank butterflies available at the entrance to include any names not added in advance. Butterfly keepsakes decorating the garden can be taken home after the event, please feel free to take a ceramic memento home with you too. Balloon or lantern releases are not permitted for environmental reasons.
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Kilmovee
Work on the19th edition of Kilkelly Kilmovee parish magazine is underway at the minute.
If you have any stories, events, photos or information for inclusion in this year's edition, please get in touch or email kilkellykilmoveemagazine@gmail.com as soon as possible.
The deadline for submissions is drawing near. Please check the magazine's Facebook page for further updates.
Thanks to everyone in the parish for their continued support and involvement in the annual magazine.
Kilkelly Car Boot Sale will take place on Sunday, August 31st, from 12 noon to 4pm at Kilkelly Trimoige Community Centre Car Park. The cost is €20 per car or €25 per van.
There are teas/coffees and home baking in the Community Centre also. To book, contact 089-4179929.
The jackpot in the recent Kilmovee Bingo was €1,300 on 49 calls or less The house lotto lotto of €1,240 was won by loyal patron on four correct numbers. Happy spending to this patron.
Kilmovee Bingo also offer a 50/50 draw with a guaranteed winner on the night.
Bingo is held in Kilmovee Community Centre on Sunday evenings at 8.30pm.
Huge congrats to Kilmovee Comhaltas branch member John Devaney on securing first place on Senior Harp Slow Airs and Emily Rooney on her 3rd place in Senior Ladies English Singing at Fleadh Cheoil na hEireann in Wexford recently.
The branch also had the honour of performing on the Fleadh Gig Rig. As a result, Kilmovee was well represented at Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann 2025.
The numbers drawn in Shamrocks GAA Lotto on Saturday, August 9th, were 4, 6, 39, 41. There was no winner of the jackpot.
