Local Notes: Three national medals for Swinford AC athlete
Emma Nolan, Swinford AC, took home 3 National medals at the 123 Athletics Ireland National Finals in Tullamore on June 28 and 29. Emma is an U14 athlete winning gold in the shot putt, sliver in hammer and silver in javelin.
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 Tidy Towns bi-weekly meet ups commenced for the summer months on Wednesday, July 2. The next meet up will be Wednesday, July 16, at 7pm and Saturday, July 19, at 11am at Swinford Court House. If you have some time to spare, please come along. In the meantime, as always, Swinford Tidy Town committee are encouraging the community to keep outside their own properties clean and tidy and if you see anywhere that needs attention, please give it some.
The Siamsa Sraide committee and the community of Swinford are looking forward to welcoming David Cooke home to Swinford for the forthcoming Síamsa Sráide Street Festival. On Saturday, August 2, at 11am in Swinford Courthouse David will recite poems from his book 'Finding My Footprints'. This will accompany the screening of the award winning documentary "We're not making gone with the wind" directed by his brother Paul which follows the story of their mother Noreen Cooke from her childhood in Swinford to her later life in London.
Síamsa Sráide Street Festival Swinford will be holding their first ever Vintage Car and Tractor Run on Sunday, August 3, at 2pm, starting and finishing at Swinford Amenity Park. Registration from 1pm. €20 per vehicle entered. Three lucky entrants will win €100 each plus accompany trophies. For registration and further information contact Brendan on 087 7420617.
On Saturday, August 2, All Our Yesterdays, a film by Breege Rowley will be screened. The film tells the Irish story of the people who came before us, who survived enormous obstacles over the past 250 years. It is a story of resilience, fight and family ties stretched across oceans yet bound together through song, music, and literature. To pre-book your seat, contact: Breege: 087 266 0241 or Brendan: 087 742 0617.
Síamsa Sráide Street Festival Swinford presents “A Grey Wing Upon Every Tide” by Colin Carberry on Friday, August 1, at 2pm in Boland's Bar where 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 "Ghost Homeland".
Monthly creative writing classes are starting in the Kilkelly Trimoige Centre from Saturday, July 19, at 11am. It is a supportive space to make time for your writing and achieve your creative goals. For more information email info@heartfeltdrama.com.
The annual Scoil Cheoil Siamsa takes place this year July 28 to August 1. Music, singing, dancing and conversational Irish classes will take place between 2 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 for the week is €35. Comhrá Gaeilge (conversational Irish) will be free. Rhythm and song sessions for 4 to 6 year olds and performance group sessions for more advanced players will also be held. 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.
The Brennan family, Cloonfinish, Swinford wanted to do something meaningful to honour the memory of their beloved son and brother, Seamus, and to give back to the hospice that provided him with such exceptional care and compassion. Their deep gratitude to the hospice team inspired them to create a heartfelt challenge that would reflect Seamus’s courage and the resilience of those who supported him and they have organised a special Mayo Challenge. The challenge will involve three parts: running a half marathon, cycling the scenic Mayo Greenway, and climbing the iconic Croagh Patrick. Any donation, no matter the size, is warmly appreciated, with all proceeds going to support the hospice that gave so much when it mattered most. www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/themayochallenge.
A meeting to revitalise Swinford Tennis Club will be held in Mellets Emporium on Friday, July 19, at 8pm. If you can help in any way please attend. Queries to Joe Mellett 087 2573752.
Players wanted for Swinford FC U21 men’s team, players born 2005 or after, contact Aiden 083 4032653.
Results from the weekend of June 28/29; Ladies: 1st Annie McNeela 35 points, 2nd Hilary McCrohan 33 points and 3rd Dympna O'Donnell 33 points. Gents: 1st Cormac Fearon 44 points, 2nd James Kilroy 41 points, Andy Murphy 41 points And 4th Charlie Quinn 38 points.
Results from the weekend of July 5/6 Ladies 18 Hole Stableford - Higgins Cup: 1st Dympna O'Donnell 34 points, 2nd Annie McNeela 34 points and 3rd Breege Spain 31 points. Gents 18 Hole Stableford - Mulligan Cup: 1st Edmund Kennedy 42 points, 2nd Brian Turbitt 39 points and 3rd Michael Dee 38 points.
In what can only be described as another absorbing encounter in this year’s Pierce Purcell Shield, Swinford Golf Club emerged victorious against a strong Castle Dargan side on Saturday, June 28, progressing once more by the slimmest of margins.
At home, Sean Geraghty and Pat O’Neill were clinical from the outset, producing a dominant 7 and 6 win in what was undoubtedly the standout performance of the day. The second home pairing Barry Durkan and Keith McHugh found themselves in a far more tactical battle. Level through 14, they edged ahead on the 15th before Durkan delivered a hammer blow; a monster putt on the 16th that all but extinguished Castle Dargan’s hopes of a comeback. They closed it out 2 and 1, giving Swinford a 2-0 lead.
Away from home, however, it was a different story. Both matches, Declan Munnelly and Gary McNeela, and Philip Irwin and Dougie Cairns went to the final green. But unfortunately, both pairings were narrowly defeated, bringing the match to a 2-2 deadlock. And so, for the second round in succession, Swinford were headed for a playoff. This time, fortune favoured them with home advantage. Back stepped Geraghty and O’Neill, calm and composed as ever. A steady par on the first playoff hole was enough to see off the Castle Dargan challenge and seal Swinford’s place in the next round. A high-quality tie played in excellent spirit, and credit to both clubs for contributing to a thoroughly entertaining encounter. Swinford march on - tested, but unbeaten.
Mayo Karate Academy had amazing success at the Central England International Open in Worcester where there were over 1050 entries, 720 athletes, and 71 teams competing.
MKA took home: 3 gold medals: Timur Cerkasin, Ivan Cerkasin and Dylan Reddington; 2 silver medals: Adam Hanahoe and Matthew Skeffington; 3 bronze medals Natasha Reddington, Brayden King and Jason Reddington Well done to Tobias Laszczewski in a fantastic performance gaining more experience at International Level.
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Kilmovee.
Friday, June 20, marked the end of Christina Duffy's career as secretary of Kilmovee and Kilkelly National Schools. Chris, as she is popularly known, had worked in both schools for the past twenty five years. Loyalty, discretion and kindness were hallmarks of those years of dedicated service. Prior to her retirement, presentations were made by representatives of the Boards of Management and Parents Associations of both schools.
As a meaningful final act at Kilmovee School, Chris was given the honour of raising the Amber Flag, newly awarded to the school. Chris is thanked for her many years of long-standing commitment and is wished health and happiness in the chapter ahead.
The Re-return bin is located outside Kilmovee Swimming Pool every day between 3-8pm. Your donations will go towards the upkeep of our pool. Please note that only clean, undamaged bottles with the 'R' logo can be accepted.
The Summer School of traditional music, song and dance continues in Tubbercurry until July 19, with classes, workshops, concerts and céilís throughout the week.
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Bohola.
The secret’s out… and it’s going to be epic. The committee of Bohola Community Park’s 2025 Fundraiser are excited to announce that a Lip Sync Battle 2025 will be held on November 15, in the Park Hotel, Kiltimagh. Get ready for a night of music, moves, and mayhem as local legends take to the stage to lip sync their hearts out — all in support of a great cause. Their goal is to raise €25,000 for a brand new playground for the children of Bohola and surrounding areas.
Whether you're a solo star or part of a dynamic duo or group, they want you, and if you don’t have a group that’s no problem, as they will happily channel their inner Louis Walsh and help create one for you.
It’s going to be a night to remember - full of fun, laughter, and community spirit. So, get ready to bring the sparkle, the sass, and the stage presence. Message Bohola Community Park to register your interest on Facebook or contact any member of the committee.
Pray for the happy repose of the soul of Maura Lavelle, Castlebar, who died on Saturday, July 5, and whose funeral took place in Castlebar on Thursday, July 9. She was the sister-in-law of Peter Lavelle, Bohomore. Sincere sympathy is extended to the bereaved.
The 2025 Moy Davitts Golf Classic takes place on Saturday, August 9, in Ballina Golf Club. Entry fee is €160 per team of 4. There will be major prizes on the day and competitions will include longest drive and nearest to the pin. To book contact Ballina Golf Club on 096 21050 or e-mail info@ballina-golf.com. Early booking is advised.
