Local Notes: 'The Perfect Match' at Trinity Arts Centre, a Stemtacular day and school football
Dermot Lyons with his wife Gretta, and children Bobby and Danielle at the opening of the Lyons Mace Filling Station on the Knock Road in Castlerea last week. Pic: Liam Reynolds
The Trien Players are ready to stage their production of ‘The Perfect Match’. The group will bring the three act comedy by Jim Keary to the stage at the Trinity Arts Centre, Castlerea on Thursday, March 13th, Friday, March 14th and Sunday, March 16th at 8.30 p.m. nightly.
The Castlerea Guild of the ICA held its AGM on Monday, March 3rd. The following officers were elected to committee: President, Adrianne Murphy; Secretary, Siobhan Earley; Treasurer, Eileen Mulvihill; PRO, Marie Stenson; committee members, Bernadette Crawley, Frances Carty, Dymphna Lambert, Kathleen Freyne and Mary Hawthorne. The Guild members would like to express their gratitude to Mary Heaney, Kathleen Hester, Sheila O'Flanagan, Mamie O'Connor, Elizabeth Devine, Helen Farrelly and Pauline Glynn for their commitment, dedication and hard work over the past number of years on committee. The Guild meets on the second Monday of each month in D'Gaff. Next meeting is April 14th at 8.30 p.m..
What a fantastic morning at Castlerea parkrun in the Demesneon Saturday March 8th for International Women's day. Castlerea Crusaders Athletics Club members, both junior and senior were out in force to support the local parkrun Ireland and to support Women in Sport Week. Thank you to everyone who came out, everyone who helped and volunteered and a special thank you to Michelle Flatley, the club ‘s Women's Support Officer. Castlerea parkrun is a wonderful timed 5km event brought to you weekly by fantastic volunteers in the fabulous Demesne in Castlerea. You can either run or walk. All Welcome Saturdays 9.30 a.m..
Well done & heartiest congratulations to Fifth & Sixth Class pupils at St. Paul’s NS who secured the prestigious title of “Best Overall School 2025" at the Stemtacular finals in Ballinamore. The school submitted seven projects in total, encompassing a wide range of topics from the world of ecology, electricity, physical wellbeing and commercial cleaning agents. The aim of the competition is to inspire and ignite curiosity in pupils showing them just how exciting & impactful STEM can be. Pupils develop vital skills such as communication and teamwork, bridging the gap between what pupils learn in the classroom and real-life application. The school was thrilled to be interviewed by the News2day team and even provided an impromptu dance for the benefit of the cameras. Securing Best Overall School 2025 in this competition was no mean feat considering over 800 pupils participated in the Stemtacular Exhibition on the day. The school received a spectacular trophy and fully sponsored trip to the University of Limerick where pupils will showcase their skills of presentation and get a chance to work alongside cutting-edge technology and UL professors of Science & Engineering. Congratulations to the pupils, staff and principal Mrs Walsh on bringing this prestigious title to the town of Castlerea & St. Paul’s, the real home of STEM.
Al-Anon Family Group meetings take place every Thursday at 8 p.m. in Castlerea Family Resource Centre, St. Patrick’s Street. Castlerea. The Al-Anon family groups are a fellowship of relatives and friends of alcoholics who share their experience, strength and hope in order to solve common problems. Al-Anon's one purpose is to help families of alcoholics. If this resonates with you are welcome on Thursday nights to join us for a cup of tea, a chat and to give the programme a try.
The winning bonus ball number in Castlerea Golf Club’s for March 5th was number 17. Winners of this week’s lotto were Mary & Paul Lafferty, Joe Devine, Emmet Featherstone, Junior McLoughlin, and Frank McGuinness. Each receive €100.
The death occurred peacefully on Thursday, February 27th at Ballina District Hospital, surrounded by her heartbroken family, of Mrs Freda Egan (nee Shanahan), St. Patrick’s Street, Castlerea. She was predeceased by her parents, Timothy and Winifred, sister, Mae, brother, Donald, her cousin Molly (McDermott) and her loving husband, Jimmy Egan. Deceased was a very kind, gentle and jolly person, and a wonderful neighbour. She was great company and loved to socialise with her family and friends and was a great mixer. She helped her late husband Jimmy run their shoe business for many years until they retired. She was very devoted to the church and the Adoration Chapel in St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea. She was a wonderful family person and adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved when they would all come together for the family gatherings. She would always tell you about the kind neighbours she always had in St. Patrick’s Street, especially her great friend Angela Webb. Her late father, Timothy Shanahan, was one of the first Gardai to be stationed at Castlerea Barracks in 1922. He later ran a bar and shoe store on Main Street for many years. She was a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and she will be sadly missed by her daughters, Marie Clarke (Ballina) and June Duffy (Castlerea); sons, Donald (Knock), and Denis (Spiddal); grandchildren, Ruth, Rory, Rachel, Ian, Sarah, Alison, Grace, Hannah, Luke, Andrew and Isabelle and her fourteen great-grandchildren, sons-in-law, Felim and Chris, daughters-in-law, Teresa and Colette, nieces, Grace and Susan, nephew, Paul, extended family, loyal neighbours, wonderful friends, especially her lifelong friend Angela. Her remains were removed from Gaynor’s Funeral Home to St. Patrick’s Church, Castlerea, and following Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Fr. Chris Garrett, with co-celebrant Canon Joe Fitzgerald, Roscommon, cousin of the late Jimmy, Freda’s husband, burial took place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Castlerea. Before the final blessing her daughter Marie gave a eulogy on Freda’s life and she thanked all who were so kind to her over the years. After Holy Communion her son-in-law Chris Duffy gave a rendering of ‘Our Lady of Knock’ on the trumpet. The ceremony was enhanced by the beautiful music and singing of Jacqueline Kenny. May her gentle soul rest in peace. The Castlerea Brass and Reed Band would like to extend sympathy to Chris and June Duffy and the Egan family on their bereavement.
The death occurred peacefully at home on Tuesday, February 25th of Mrs Bridget (Bobbie) McDermott, (nee Flanagan), Taughnarra, Castlerea and formerly of Breanmore, Loughglynn. She was predeceased by her parents, Jim and Ann, husband, John, brothers, Tommy and Patrick, sisters, Nora, Maggie and Frances. Deceased was a very kind, gentle and jolly person. She was great company and was a highly respected member of the community. She had a great interest in sport and was a great supporter of fundraising events in the area. She was a wonderful neighbour and always made anyone who frequented her home most welcome. She was a great family person and loved when they would meet up for family gatherings. She adored her grandchildren and great-grandchildren and loved when they would come to visit her. She was a woman of great faith, a loving wife, mother, grandmother and great-grandmother and she will be sadly missed by her sons, Michael (Ballyhaunis), James (Castlerea), John (Cloonbonniffe), Dermot (Taughnarra); daughter, Ann Keegan (Castlerea); grandchildren, Liam, Kieran, Sean, Shane, Jamie, Kevin, Shauna, Joseph, Jonathan, Siobhan, Jack, Colm, Amy, Aisling, Megan ad Connor; great-grandchildren, Tadgh, Daithi and Oisin; son-in-law, Sean; daughters-in-law, Bridie, Finola, Caroline and Olivia; nephews, nieces, cousins, extended family, neighbours and friends. Her remains were removed on Friday morning to St. Brigid’s Church, Cloonbonniffe and following Mass of the Resurrection celebrated by Fr. Chris Garrett, burial took place in St. Joseph’s Cemetery, Castlerea. Before the final blessing her son James gave a eulogy on her life. The ceremony was enhanced by the music and singing of Carmel McLoughlin. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
The Castlerea Community School juvenile boys’ team sponsored by Creighton Aluminium, defeated Cregga, Mountbellew, in the Connacht Colleges Championship at O’Rourke Park, on Friday, February 28th on the score of 3-10 to 4-3. They have now qualified for the quarter-final on March 13th. Team and scorers: Cathal Mockler, Patrick Foley, Bobby Harpur, Diarmuid Fleming, Padraic Durr, Eddie Finneran (cpt) 0-1, Ciaran Higgins, Tuari Curran, Martin Sharkey 0-2, Kevin Chiforic 0-2, Rory Hawkshaw 0-2, Daniel Higgins 1-0, Ethan Neary 2-1, Evan Kelly 0-1, Wictor Dubrowski 0-1, subs used: Sean Gill, Aaron Cryan, John Garvey, James Hanley, Alan Malone. Manager: Mr. Richie Britten.
The Castlerea Community School First Year boys’ team sponsored by Cahill’s SuperValu, defeated Mohill, in the Connacht Colleges, Division (D) Championship after a high scoring game of 10-12 to 9-6 at O’Rourke Park, on Monday, March 3rd. They now play Roscommon Community College in their final game of the group next week for a place in the quarter final. Team and scorers: Aaron Cryan, James Hanley, Padraic Durr (cpt), Andre Mupfure, Kyle Lyons, Diarmuid Fleming, David Walsh, Alex Doyle 1-0, Rory Hawkshaw 2-3, James Keaveney 0-1, Ciaran Higgins 1-0, Wictor Dubrowski 0-1, Evan Kelly 1-5, Ethan Neary 5-2, Sean Gill. Subs used: Aaron Hayes, Issac Lafferty, Aaron Ascmmann, Nathan McGrath, Amaan Satter, Nik Knapkis. Team Manager Paul Gooney with Conor Hussey and Danny Burke.
