Local Notes: Swinford St Patrick's Day Parade a fantastic success.
Congratulations to the organisers of the 2025 Swinford St Patrick’s Day Parade which once again was a fantastic success. This year the festivities extended over the full weekend with music, sport, history, culture and quizzes on offer. A special mention to Bríd O’Connell, this year’s Grand Marshall.
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.
Sympathy is extended to the families and friends of Annemarie Durkin, Meelick, York and Salford (daughter of Helen Durkin, Ardhoome, Meelick); Ray Gallagher, Cullane, Swinford; John (Justin) Peyton, Sligo formerly Madogue, Swinford (brother of Henry Peyton, Midfield and Des Peyton, Sydney). May they all rest in peace.
The numbers drawn in the Swinford Community Lotto draw held on March 18, were 17, 20, 21 and 23. There was no jackpot winner. €70 vouchers were won by David J Langford, Tulleague and Peter Sammon, Louisburgh; €35 was won by Teresa Roughneen, Bollingbrook Drive. The jackpot in the draw due to be held today, March 25, is €4,400.
Swinford GAA Club invite you to take part in their Club Survey 2025. Swinford GAA are developing a new Strategic Plan to guide the club’s progress over the next three years and it is essential that this plan is shaped by the voices of the community. Swinford GAA want to hear from everyone with a connection to Swinford GAA – members, volunteers, players, parents, supporters, sponsors, local organisations, community groups, the wider community, their diaspora, and anyone with an interest in the club’s future. The survey can be accessed on Swinford GAA Facebook page.
Congratulations to Ellen McDonagh on winning €450 in the Swinford GAA 50/50 draw held in The Turf Shed, Killasser on Saturday, March 15.
Swinford Gardening Club will hold its first talk of the year on Spring in the Garden on Tuesday, March 25, in the Meeting Room on Lower Main St at 8pm. Everyone is welcome to attend. Non-members €5. Why not take this opportunity to come along and join the club.
Killasser NS annual open evening for new enrolments will take place on April 7, at 5pm. Emma from ECM Dance will be holding a dance class and all are welcome. Drop in, meet the staff, pupils and school community and see the facilities.
Swinford Cycling Club is hosting an adult promotion cycling morning on March 29, at 10am at Julians, Midfield. The event will include a presentation on cycling, bike to work scheme, safety, bike fitting, maintenance and repairs. Club members will be available to provide advice on cycling activities and events and will endeavour to answer questions. Participants are encouraged to bring their bikes as there will be a 10km cycle after the presentation followed by light refreshments. The event is free and the club hope that anyone with an interest in cycling shall join them on the morning.
Congratulations to Clodagh Cronolly who won €575 in the February Killasser Community Centre 50/50 draw with Noel and Christine Barry and Declan Kavanagh winning a €20 spot prize each. Next draw takes place on Sunday, April 6.
Swinford GAA Club will hold a scrap metal collection on March 29 and April 5 at Swinford Community Centre. They are accepting cars, tractors, motorbikes, bikes, batteries, galvanised gates/sheets, barrows, buckets, radiators, copper, aluminium, lead, cast iron, oil ranges, steel. Not accepted will be; timber, glass, tyres, rubber, plastic, washing machines, fridges, electric cookers. Contact the following for further information or to arrange collection of large amounts: Midfield: Paddy Cunney 087 6831960, Killasser: Alan Heaney 087 9066479, Swinford: Derek Kelly 087 2557230, Meelick: Vin Roughneen 087 2619442, Culmore: David Taylor 087 2726297.
Results of the games played in Meelick Community Centre on Tuesday, March 18, are; card winners: John Doyle, Eileen Cafferty, Geraldine Turbitt, Ann Rowley, Noreen Geraghty and Eileen Geraghty. Raffle prizes were won by Paddy Smyth, Mary Higgins and Mary Byrne. Games continue every Tuesday at 9pm.
Killasser Community Care Group will hold their ammual general meeting on Wednesday, April 2, at 8pm in Killasser Community Centre. New members welcome.
Age Friendly Mayo is delivered by Mayo County Council and works to improve the services that older people have identified as being important to them, and the wider community, as they live healthy and active lives. The projects they offer, in conjunction with other organisations include; outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, respect and social inclusion, social participation, communication and education, civic participation and employment and health and wellbeing. The key contributors to this programme are the Age Friendly Alliance and Mayo OIder Peoples Council. The Age Friendly Alliance brings together older people, service providers and businesses to change thinking about aging and how services to our older people are planned and delivered.
If you would like to find out more about this programme email agefriendlymayo@mayococo.ie.
Life after bereavement can feel very lonely. Trained facilitators conduct a weekly ‘Bereavement Support Meeting’ at the Family Centre, Knock Shrine, each Wednesday at 11am. There is also a special meeting for bereaved partners /spouses on the first Thursday of each month at 11am. No appointment is needed. Further information from Monica Morley at 094 9375320.
Senior Line is Ireland’s national telephone service for older people which is open every day of the year from 10am-10pm. Freephone 1800 80 45 91. Callers may feel isolated, alone and may wish to discuss a problem in confidence, or for company during the day. Senior Line’s older volunteers are trained to listen, to support, to discuss options and to refer callers to other helpful services, if necessary. Senior Line 1800 80 45 91 is open every day of the year at the above times.
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Bohola.
Please remember in your prayers the following whose death took place of recently; Herbert Dingerkus, Ardacarra, who was burial in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Bohola, on Sunday, March 16. He was father of Isolde and Karina; Janet McNicholas (née Wrigglesworth), Surrey and formerly of Swinford and Bohola, who died on February 14 and whose burial took place in Bohola on Wednesday, March 12. She was the wife of the late Tim McNicholas, formerly of Tooromeen; Nora Duffy (née Connolly), London and formerly of Carragolda, who died on February 4 and whose funeral took place in Harrow, London on Thursday, March 13. Sincere sympathy is extended to all the bereaved.
Bohola Easter Workshop will be held in Bohola Community Centre on Thursday, April 17, from 10am - 1pm. There will be Easter themed arts, games and dance. The cost is €20 per child/€35 for 2 siblings for ages 4 - 10. Booking is essential. Contact Sandra 086 2108029 or email jivingjuniors@gmail.com for further details.
Bohola NS are having a table quiz on Friday, March 28, at 8pm in The Village Inn Bohola. Teams of 4 cost €40. There will be lots of spot prizes on the night and many valuable prizes to be won. Support your local National School as well as joining in the fun. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
Congratulations to Martin Byrne, Bohola, who won a jackpot of €351 in the Moy Davitts 50/50 draw on Saturday, March 15. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the draw, it is greatly appreciated. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by playing on the club app (Moy Davitts GAA).
A sincere thank you from The Pro Life Campaign to Bohola/Shraheens Parish for the support in the recent church gate collection which raised €350.
The next meeting of the Mayo Stoma Support group will be held in The Ellison Hotel Castlebar on April 24, from 7 to 9pm.
ESB is recruiting electrical apprentices. Apply by Sunday midnight, April 6. Anyone born on or before June 1, 2008, can apply. This is a four year paid programme which combines college-based learning with hands-on experience. Gain an internationally recognized QQI Advanced Level 6 Electrical Trade Certificate and enjoy working indoors and outdoors. For more information and to apply, visit esbnetworks.ie/apprenticeships.
Would you have an hour to spare in the week? Adult mentors are required for Foroige’s Big Brother Big Sister Programme in your area. If you are interested in supporting a young person, this is an enjoyable way to spend your time and have a positive impact on young person’s life. There are many young people waiting to be matched to a mentor and would be delighted to hear from you. Call 086 0471420 to express your interest in volunteering or to hear more information on our recruitment process.
Catholic Marriage Care is seeking facilitators to volunteer to train as presenters for marriage preparation courses. If you feel you would like to help, contact Aisling at the Accord Centre, Maynooth, Co. Kildare on 01 5053112 or email marraigecourses@accord.ie.
A National Youth retreat will take place at Knock Shrine on Thursday, May 8. Students from all over Ireland will gather at Knock Shrine to celebrate the life of Donal Walsh and to reflect on his message to ‘Live Life’. If you are interested in learning more about the day or registering a group email youthministry@knockshrine.ie.
You can drop into your local centre or contact it by phone and email for information, advice and advocacy. Make sure you check your local service’s opening hours if you are dropping in. Appointments are offered as needed following an initial assessment. You can also call the Citizens Information Phone Service on 0818 07 4000, Monday to Friday, 9am-8pm.
Alone is a national organisation that enables older people to age at home. If you are in need of advice, support or information, call the National Support and Referral line (0818 222 024), seven days a week from 8am-8pm.
