Local Notes: Twins celebrate 80th birthday
Twins Mary Lynskey and Anna Kiernan celebrating their 80th birthday recently.
Congratulations to twins Mary Lynskey and Anna Kiernan on celebrating their 80th birthday recently with family and friends. Mary and Anna (nee Donnelly) were born on May 26th, 1946, in Ballinamuck.
On leaving school, they travelled together to England and worked in the operating theatres of London hospitals. Mary met her future husband John in the UK, Anna and her husband Seamus had met in Longford before travelling to the UK and later returned to Longford and raised a family of 10 children, while Mary and John settled in Swinford and raised four children.
Over the years, both sisters have enjoyed full and happy lives, blessed with good health, strong family bonds, and many treasured memories. Anna and Mary celebrated their special milestone in the Radisson Hotel Sligo, surrounded by their families and their four siblings Jim, John, Lily and Eileen. Happy 80th Birthday, Mary and Anna.
Items for inclusion in the notes can be submitted to Julie Ryan by email at ryankneafsey@gmail.com or call leaving a voicemail if not answered/text/WhatsApp 087-7694781 (after 6pm).
The deadline for receipt of items is 6.30pm each Wednesday.
Battle of The Bands event in support of Lovefest 2026 at Siamsa Sraide Street and Arts Festival Swinford will take place in The Whitehouse on July 11th. To participate, please contact Michael on 087-9064865.
Swinford Killasser LGFA will host a car wash and bake sale on Saturday, June 20th, from 10am to 2pm at Swinford Amenity Park. All support will be greatly appreciated.
Are you recovering from a cardiac event? You’re not alone.
Join the Croí Heart and Stroke Charity's Mayo Cardiac Peer Support Group for heart recovery and support. The next meeting will take place in The Ellison Hotel, Castlebar on Wednesday, June 17, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm.
A dietitian will present on a heart healthy diet. Connect with others who understand, share experiences and learn together. This initiative is a collaboration between Croí and the HSE in Mayo.
Congratulations to David Judge who won €402 in the Swinford GAA 50/50 draw.
This week is very busy around Swinford Golf Club as it is President's Week with various events taking place. Check out Swinford Golf Club social media for the programme of events.
It is also a very busy week on the interclub front - The Pierce Purcell team play Strandhill on Tuesday, June 16th, while the Ladies play in the Connacht Women's 9-Hole Challenge Trophy qualifier in Strokestown on Wednesday, June 17th. The Fred Perry team play Ballaghaderreen in the Provincial Semi-Final on Thursday, June 18th and The Jimmy Bruen team play Westport on Monday, June 22nd.
Best of luck to Club President John Sheahan and to all the teams representing Swinford Golf Club.
The results from the competitions played at Swinford Golf Club over the weekend of June 6/7th:
Gents: 1st, Neil Fallon; 2nd, Trevor McDonnell; 3rd, John McCarrick.
Ladies: 1st, Caroline Goldrick; 2nd, Lorena McNicholas; 3rd, Margaret Haran.
The results from the most recent Golf Club Development Draw were: €1,000 - Aidan Moran, Westport; €300 - The Coffin Dodgers; €200 - Dr D McLoughlin.
Swinford Golf Club are running a raffle to coincide with Captain's Day.
If you are interested in buying a ticket, contact Margaret Sweeney, John Sheahan or Mona Curry. Tickets are priced at €10 and limited to 200. The first prize is a Thermomix T6, second prize is an airfryer and third prize is a Slow Cooker.
There was no winner of the jackpot in the Swinford Community Lotto draw held on June 8th when the numbers drawn were 14, 18, 24, and 30.
€70 vouchers were won by Johathon Cronnolly, c/o Moore's and The Tierney Girls, Ardgullen.
The jackpot is now €5,800.
The Siamsa Sraide Committee have 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, as well as a circus show, fire show, award-winning dancers and so much more. All funds raised from this campaign are strictly for entertainment costs only.
Some 90% of Siamsa Sraide events are staged free of charge for all members of the community and visitors to attend and enjoy. 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 7th.
Horticulturist Dennis O'Hara will give a talk on Summer in the Garden on Tuesday, June 23rd, at 8pm in the Meeting Room on Lower Main St. He will be happy to answer any gardening questions after the talk. Dennis will also have flowers, plants, etc, available for sale. Everyone is welcome to attend. Non-members pay €5 for entry.
Get ready to show off Swinford at its best! Join Swinford Tidy Towns Clean-up Blitz on Wednesday, June 17th.
The committee need all hands-on deck to help prepare for the upcoming visit of the national Tidy Towns judges. Whether you're a business owner, resident, part of a sports club, or a member of a local organization, your help is needed to make Swinford shine. There are plenty of tasks to tackle, from litter picking and weeding to painting and planting.
Come together as a community to showcase all that Swinford has to offer. Together, a difference can be made and to help Swinford look its best for the judges.
For more information, please WhatsApp Cathal on 087-6412785.
Rosary on the Reek will take place on Saturday, June 27th. Gather at the Grotto in the car park at 9.45am to begin the climb at 10am. Rosary and Mass at the summit at 12 noon.
For information contact Fina at 096-45374 or 087-6816821.
The Railway Players and Time to Shine will host a Table Quiz in conjunction with Siamsa Sráide Street and Arts Festival and Swinford Comhaltas on Friday, June 19th, at 9pm in Boland’s Bar. Tables of four cost €40.
Pure Mule Productions will peform Jimmy Murphy's powerful Irish drama of laughter and sadness, 'The Kings of the Kilburn High Road', in St Brigid's Hall in Tubbercurry on Friday, June 19, at 8pm, and at Hawk's Well Theatre in Sligo on Saturday, June 20, at 8pm.
Five friends who came to London as young men to make their fortune, now in their 40s, are gathered at an informal wake of one of their mates. The great cast - Peadar Conway, Gerry Farrell, Michael McLoughlin, Niall Brewster and Brian Gallagher - take all in their stride from strong language to deep emotions and do justice to this superb play. Definitely not to be missed.
The Mayo GAA Club Development Draw 2026 is now underway. This draw plays a huge role in supporting GAA club’s and helps generate funding for facilities, equipment, training and much more. Entry available on www.mayogaa.com. Please make sure to select Swinford GAA when purchasing online.
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Kilmovee
The death has taken place of Francis (Frank) Grehan, Kilmovee, and formerly of Camla, Taughmaconnell, Ballinasloe, Co. Roscommon and Templeogue, Dublin, on May 7, peacefully, with his loving family by his side at Mayo University Hospital.
Frank was educated at Garbally College, Ballinasloe, and later found employment with Customs and Excise. He spent many years working with Revenue in Dublin before returning with his wife Mary (née Regan) and family to her native parish of Kilmovee, while continuing his work with Revenue in Davitt House, Castlebar.
A man of sharp intellect, Frank was a great conversationalist with a deep understanding of the tax and revenue system. He was also a man of deep faith, a regular Mass attendee and reader of scripture in the local church. Despite his education and knowledge, he remained humble and approachable, with a great interest in sport, particularly Roscommon football, and enjoyed the banter that went with it.
Frank was predeceased by his parents Arthur and Brigid, brother Malachy, sister Kathleen and sister-in-law Connie.
He is survived by his wife Mary, children Francis, Miriam, Emer and Niamh, grandson Jude, brothers Michael (Dublin) and Ger (Taughmaconnell), sister Nuala (Cappataggle), Francis’ partner Sarah, brother-in-law Christy, sister-in-law Breda, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
He reposed in The Sharkey Funeral Home, Ballaghaderreen, on Saturday, May 9. Removal took place from his home on Sunday, May 10, to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Kilmovee, arriving for Mass of the Resurrection at 2pm, followed by burial in Naomh Mobhí Cemetery.
We extend our deepest sympathy to all who mourn his passing.
May he rest in peace.
Kilmovee Comhaltas will host a family music session after 10am Mass in the Thatch Cottage on Sunday, June 21.
Special guests on the day will include Comhaltas National Youth Officer Breege Gleeson, junior musicians from Swinford CCE, and pupils from St Brigid’s NS, Tooreen, along with their teacher Edel Fleming. Tooreen NS recently performed in the National Concert Hall as part of the Waltons RTÉ Lyric FM Music for Schools competition, having finished among the top six schools in Ireland.
All are welcome and admission is free. A raffle will also take place.
Bingo is held in Kilmovee Community Centre on Sunday evenings at 8.30pm. The jackpot now stands at €550 on 45 calls, with the house lotto at €720 for four correct numbers. There is also a 50/50 draw with a guaranteed winner each week.
The Active Age Group meets every Thursday in Kilmovee Community Centre from 11am to 2.30pm. Come along from 11am for tea, coffee and chat, with exercises around midday and lunch at 1pm followed by bingo.
It is a lovely way to spend a few hours in good company, enjoy some exercise and a good meal. The group looks forward to welcoming new members. The cost is €10 per 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, please contact JWT at 01-6852244 or email info@joewalshtours.ie. For assisted pilgrims staying in the Accueil, please contact Fr Ray Milton on 090-6661115 before June 11.
The numbers drawn in the Kilmovee Shamrocks GAA Lotto on Saturday, May 30, were 3, 15, 24 and 42.
There was no winner of the jackpot.
A Mid-Summer Ramble Night will take place in Balla Community Centre on Friday, June 26. Doors open at 7.30pm, with admission €10 and performances from 8pm to 10pm.
Performers on the night include The Murphy Sisters, Ann Jordan, The Folk Café, Eilish and Mike, Mary McNicholas, Carmel Killgallon, The Straw Boys, and special guest John Cosgrove.
Refreshments and a raffle will be available on the night. All support would be appreciated.
