Local Notes: Writers' Club, Soccer News, Pioneer Dinner Dance
Martina Durkin, project coordinator and Caroline Duignan, facilitor, with a group of attendees at a recent 'Have Your Say' event in Ballaghaderreen. Pic: Breda Durr
A community fundraising event will take place in Creaton’s Bar, New Street, Ballaghaderreen on Saturday, March 7th at 7 p.m. with a Shave, Wax & Dye night and a raffle to raise much-needed funds. Wax & Dye has chosen to support Sunflower Children’s Hospice, with all proceeds going directly towards building a new, state-of-the-art dedicated children’s hospice in Castlebar, the first of its kind along the Western Seaboard, providing vital paediatric palliative care and respite services for families in the west of Ireland. Support is being sought from the wider community and local businesses, with donations of any size appreciated, and further event details to be shared on social media in the coming days. Sponsorship cards are available throughout the town and links for donations are available from Creaton’s Bar Ballaghaderreen and on their social media account.
The AGM of the Roscommon branch of Multiple Sclerosis Ireland will take place on Tuesday, March 3rd in Durkin’s, The Square, Ballaghaderreen, starting at 7 p.m. with a Guest Speaker from MABS. Refreshments will be served on the night. All are welcome.
Conversational English with Kelly, runs every Tuesday from 10.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. in the SICAP Office, The Shambles, Ballaghaderreen, starting on September 2nd. For details call 094 9862565 or 0868194698. All are welcome.
The Ballaghaderreen Writers’ Group experienced and new writers meets every other Friday in Ballaghaderreen Library from March 6th, 11 a.m.- 1 p.m. For more information call 087-1202432.
The Scrabble Club continues to meet every Thursday at Ballaghaderreen Library from 5-7 p.m.. All are welcome.
Are you stuck in a reading rut and finding it hard to find something you like? Never fear, your local library has a challenge just for you. To celebrate Ireland Reads Day on February 28th the library is asking you to pick a theme-based book. Each month the theme will change.. The theme for February is Home.
The next meeting of Ballaghaderreen Women’s Shed takes place today, Tuesday, February 24th from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Community Park Club. A qualified solicitor will be attending to discuss wills, including how to create them, how they work in practice, tax implications and probate, and will also answer questions from those present. Guests are welcome, with a €4 fee per session, and additional membership benefits are available.
A six-week basic computer course is starting on Tuesday, March 3rd. Classes run every Tuesday from 12 noon to 1 p.m. at The Shambles. To sign up, contact Lauryn on 094 9862565.
Kilmovee Swimming Pool is currently recruiting Life- guards for the coming season (approximately June 8th - August 29). Check out the Facebook Page for more information or -mail kilmoveeswimmingpool@gmail.com The closing date for applications is March 18th.
Ballaghaderreen GAA has announced details of a fundraiser night in London on Friday, April 10th. The venue is The Claddagh Ring, 10 Church Road, Hendon, London and is on the eve of Mayo's championship game v London. There will be a monster auction and raffle on the night, with prizes. This is a great opportunity for Ballagh people in London to meet up for the match. The club thanks Finbar Holian and the Claddagh Ring for their cooperation with this event.
The FC 50/50 club draw on Tuesday last for a jackpot of €225 was won by Marie Madden, sold by Imelda Towey. Next draw takes place on February 24th at the Community Park. Thank you for your continued support. Tickets are available in outlets throughout the town and online at Clubforce.com, and annual tickets are available for €90.00.
On Sunday last Ballaghaderreen FC recorded a 4–2 win over Cloonfad Utd in the PK Trailers RDFL 1st Division. Scorers for BFC were Peter Horan (2), Crippy Dunne, and Cathal Horan. Well done to the team and management. Ballaghaderreen FC is seeking coaches and volunteers for several positions and is always in need of voluntary help to keep the club running at the high standards it provided to the local community.
The Ballaghaderreen Notes are a space for the community — if you have local news, a story worth sharing, an upcoming event, a fundraiser, a milestone, or anything happening in and around Ballaghaderreen, feel free to send it in so it can be included for others to see. Whether it’s a club update, school achievement, charity drive, “thank you” note, community notice, or a reminder about something coming up, this column is here to reflect what’s going on locally and to help keep people connected. Contact Erik Nielsen at ballaghaderreennotes@gmail.com
The newly founded Killaraght Active Age group is hosting a public meeting at 8 p.m. on March 5th in Killaraght Community Centre where the guest speaker will be Sergeant Cara Kiernan, crime prevention officer, Sligo-Leitrim Garda Division. The presentation will cover home security, scam awareness, personal safety and community crime prevention. It will be followed by a question and answer session. Admission is free and all are welcome.
Sincere thanks to the sell-out crowd who attended the Monasteraden Lip Sync event at the Landmark Hotel on Saturday, February 21st. A fantastic night of fun and craic captured the wonderful spirit of Monasteraden Community Enhancement, and heartfelt appreciation goes to everyone who donated and voted, with support that has been both incredible and humbling. Thanks are also due to the funny, talented and brave groups who took part and helped make the night so special, along with the dedicated committee, backstage crew, choreographer, and the light and sound team who ensured the event ran so smoothly. Gratitude is extended to the judges for the difficult decisions on the night, and special mention goes to Ella for her huge work behind the scenes, including blowing up 250 balloons, creating the ice glass, and coordinating the glow stick crew (Denis Kaleb and Niamh Foley) who distributed 280 glow sticks throughout the hall. A huge word of thanks is also offered to the generous sponsors and to everyone who supported the event in any way. Apologies to anyone inadvertently missed, but it was a fabulous occasion that will be long remembered.
The death took place on Sunday, February 18th of Mrs Mary McIntyre (nee Love), Lifford, County Donegal. She mother of Claire O'Grady ,Kilfree Gurteen. Sincere sympathy is extended to Claire and husband Pat, and grandson Sean- her dad, John, three sisters and three brothers. Her funeral took place in Lifford on Friday last. May her soul rest in Peace.
The death took place suddenly on Saturday, February 14th of Mr Michael O'Grady in Northwich, Cheshire, son of the late Brian and Josie O'Grady, Knocknashammer, Gurteen. Michael was a regular visitor to Gurteen. Sympathy to his sister, Kathy and brother Bernard. Interment will be in Northwick.
The Achonry pioneer dinner dance will be held on Friday, March 20th at 8 p.m. in the Yeats County Inn, Curry. Music by The Duets. Tickets €40 p.p. To book contact Thomas 087-2344338.
The annual fundraising concert on Saturday, February 28th at 8 p.m. will be held in the Coleman Centre, Gurteen always a special night of great entertainment . Guests include Fr James McDonagh, John Dwyer, Nora O'Connor, PJ Hernon, Maureen O'Dowd, Seamus O'Donnell, Lily Rothman, Junior Davey and many more. To book tickets ring 071-91 82599 or www. colemanirishmusic.com EASTERN HARPS The 50/50 Eastern Harps draw for €649 was won on February 16th by Patsy Hannon, Battlefield, Culfadda. The club appreciates all who support the draw each week.
Bingo is held in Gurteen Hall on Fridays at 8 p.m..
