Local Notes: Memory Walk, Badminton Returns, Condolences
Benny O'Connell, Anthony Cahill and Cllr Paschal Fitzmaurice at a special Mass last week at Castlerea Mart marking the mart's 50th anniversary. Pic: Liam Reynolds
The Castlerea Alzheimer Society of Ireland Memory Walk will commence at 10 a.m.on Sunday, September 20th, meeting at Castlerea Day Care Centre, F45 A621. Registration is advised ahead of walk on www.alzheimer.ie
The winning bonus ball number in Castlerea Golf Club’s lotto for September 2nd was number 18. Winners were Grace Lyons, Rosleen Flanagan, Ray Joyce, Michael McGovern and Norrie Mooney. Each receive €100.
Castlerea Community Choir welcomes new members. Next meeting is this Tuesday, September 8th in the Trinity Arts Centre at 8 p.m. Over 18 and under 80, a great fun way to pass the winter. Call Breege on 0879310827 for further details.
Western Alzheimer's urgently needs volunteer befrienders in the Castlerea area. Do you have one to two hours per week to spare? Contact Lucy at 094-9364900 or 087- 3694477.
A special Padre Pio Mass will take place in St. Patrick's Church, Castlerea on this Friday, September 11th at 8 p.m.. A relic of Padre Pio (glove) will be present. It will be an opportunity to focus on prayers for physical and spiritual healing. All welcome.

The Parish Magazine Committee has started working on this year's publication and now invites clubs, organisations, schools and individuals to submit reports, articles etc. to be included in this year's magazine. Photos of events and special occasions during the year are especially welcome. Please forward your news to castlereaparishnews@gmail.com. The deadline for accepting all material is Friday, October 23rd.
Mass will be celebrated on the Green Area in Cashel Park on Thursday, September 10th at 7 p.m.. All welcome.

Castlerea Community School will hold a beginning of the school year Mass for 2026 on Thursday, September 10th at 2.30 p.m. in St. Patrick's Church, Castlerea. The intentions of all in the community and a successful academic year ahead for staff, students and families will be prayed for. Grandparents, families, parishioners and all are welcome to attend.
Material for inclusion in the 2026 edition of Cloonbonniffe Review magazine is now being compiled. If you have photos of special occasions, weddings, family gatherings, christenings, communions, confirmations, old memory lane photos, school, local interest stories, articles and other material suitable for inclusion in this special 40th edition, please send to kathleenwall123 @gmail.com. The deadline is Monday, October 19th. No material will be accepted after this date.
Badminton starts on Wednesday, September 9th at 7 p.m. in The Hub. All are welcome. Membership and BUI fees will be collected over the next two weeks, this includes insurance and registration.
A Coffee Morning in aid of Mayo/Roscommon Hospice Foundation will be held on Sunday, September 13th in Campbell’s Bar, Ballinlough at 11.30 a.m.. All support appreciated.

A minute's silence was observed before Tulsk’s Junior B Championship game as a mark of respect to the late Irene Cryan, sister-in-law of David Cryan who passed away recently. The club extends its deepest sympathy to Michael, David and the extended Cryan and Barry families on Irene's untimely passing. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.
With the first full week of school completed, there has been great work in the three classrooms settling back into school life. In the junior room, the Infants have been working hard. The new Junior Infants have taken to life at school with ease, while the Senior Infants have been a great example to their new classmates. All have been busy learning, playing and developing new skills for the year ahead.
NEW PARISH PRIEST FOR BALLINTUBBER AND BALLYMOE
Fr Luke Muhindo, a member of the Congregation of Holy Cross, has become the new parish priest of Ballintubber and Ballymoe, succeeding Fr Julian Lupot, who is taking a sabbatical year. In a letter to parishioners in July, Bishop of Achonry and Elphin, Kevin Doran thanked Fr Julian for his decade of ministry in the diocese, including his recent service in Ballintubber and Ballymoe. The appointment of Fr Luke, a native of Uganda, follows discussions that began more than a year ago between the diocese of Elphin and the Congregation of Holy Cross. The religious order, which already has a presence at the Fr Peyton Centre in Attymass, County Mayo, expressed a wish to establish a new community within the diocese of Elphin. Following a series of meetings, it was agreed that three Holy Cross priests from the congregation’s East Africa Province, which includes Uganda and Tanzania, would come to minister in the diocese. During a summer visit to the diocese by the congregation’s Superior General from Rome, Ballintubber, Ballymoe and Tulsk were identified as the parishes that would benefit from the new arrangement.

Ballymoe FC is celebrating its 50th anniversary on Saturday, September 26th and everyone connected with the club is warmly invited to join in the celebrations. The day will include underage blitzes for the younger players; a special match featuring Ballymoe FC Legends from across the past 50 years; an evening gathering in The Tavern, with refreshments, a raffle, and plenty of time to share memories and celebrate past glories The club would love to see players, past and present, along with everyone who has supported Ballymoe FC over the years. Fifty years of dedication, commitment, and community spirit is a wonderful achievement, and it deserves to be celebrated together. If you have photos or videos from past games, the club would be delighted to see them. Please share email them to kathleenhegarty98@gmail.com.
