Local Notes: Trad Night, School Football, Surprise Party
John Raftery and Tommy Finneran on stage at the Trinity Arts Centre, Castlerea during a production of 'For Love & Money' staged last week by the Trien Players. Pic: Liam Reynolds
Congratulations are extended to Patsy Finan, Cahir Castlerea who recently celebrated his 70th birthday with family and friends in Tully’s Hotel. Patsy is a staunch member of the trad group and it was no surprise that so many of them were present on the night, Terry McGowan, Connie Kildea, Paddy Joe Tighe who also sang, William Cornwall, Denis Igoe, Kevin Igoe (jr), David Cornwall who sang, Paddy Lyons, Richard Waldron, Michael Whyte who also sang, Margaret Waters, Christopher Cornwall, Makela Dillon and of course Patsy himself. There was a bar of a song form Johnny Raftery, Padraic Gorman and Margaret Whyte. They provided great entertainment and all present enjoyed the night. Patsy would like to thank all the musicians, the singers, Tully’s Hotel and the members of his family for organising the party and all who attended. A special thank you to all who sent presents, cards and good wishes. Wishing Patsy many more birthdays in the years ahead.
The last Sunday of the month trad night held in Mulvihill’s on Sunday, February 22nd was again a great night with the one and only Terry McGowan and his top class musicians namely Paddy Joe Tighe who also sang, Denis Igoe, Connie Kildea, Eamon Kelly who also sang, Michael Whyte also sang, Francis Murray who also sang, Joanie Beatty, David Cornwall who also sang, Jimmy Moore who also sang, Sean(Bozo) Moran on drums who also rendered a few songs. The following singers in attendance also rendered a song, Margaret White, Fr. John McManus, Danny Burke, Seamus Beatty who did a great job on the Woodlands of Loughglynn and whistler Junior McLoughlin. A great night was had by all. Looking forward to the next trad night on Sunday, March 29th.
The Castlerea Community School boys’ juvenile team had a good win over Castleblaney in the Connacht Colleges (D) Championship at the Centre of Excellence, Ballyhaunis, on Wednesday, February 25th on the score of 7-17 to 3-6. The first half was even enough with Castlerea leading at half time by 3-4 to 1-5. The second half was one sided with all Castlerea subs getting a run. Team and scorers: Aaron Cryan, Patrick Foley, Tom Vaughan, Pauric Durr, Nik Knapkis, Kevin Chiforoiuc (cpt), 0-1,Diarmuid Fleming, Ciaran Higgins, Alex Doyle 2-1, Wiktor Dabrowski 1-1, Rory Hawkshaw 2-5, David Walsh, Odhran Higgins 0-1, Evan Kelly 2-6, Aaron Harte 0-1. Subs used Daniel Higgins, Bobby Harpur, Isaac Lafferty 0-1, James Keaveney, Alan Malone, Senan Higgins, Daniel Foley, Sean Gill, Jaisen Ali, Aaron Hayes, Kyle Lyons, James Hanily, Lorcan Walsh, manager, Paul Gooney with Danny Burke.
A surprise 87th birthday party for Danny Burke was held in Mulvihill’s on Friday, February 20th. It was organised by the Friday evening Happy Club in Mulvihill’s. There was a great selection of food on the night, which was supplied by Miriam Gannon, Celia Mulligan, Enna Conry, Bride Malone, Monica Bruen and Caolin Doherty. The birthday cake was made by Lilly Connell and presented by Dermot Mulvihill and there was great excitement when Danny blew out the candles. Prior to that, John Mulligan who was MC on the night said that they were there to honour a legend, stating all the organisations Danny has been involved in over the years (and still is). He said that he was always there when called upon to lend a hand when needed. There was plenty of talent present with the Moran brothers suppling the music. Sean (Bozo) who played with Mike Denver for years and Tommy who was very involved in Glinsk Song Contest with his later father-in-law JJ Flannery and they were joined on the night by Terry McGowan and Joanie Beatty, and they really brought the house down with their selection of music. There were also songs from Castlerea Brass Band members, Michael Conroy, Sean T. Kelly, Francis Murray, Mildred Beirne who also played the drums, Patrick Lavin, whistler Junior McLoughlin who did a great job on Stranger on the shore and Danny himself. Band chairman Sean Mannin did not sing as he was saving his voice for the band’s trip to the USA. Enna Conry, Bridie Malone and Monica Bruen rendered a poem entitled The Nun’s Story and it went down well with all present. Danny thanked MC John Mulligan and all present, all who organised the party, provided food, the musicians, all who sang, the Mulvihill family, all who sent him good wishes, cards and presents. A good night was had by all. Here’s wishing Danny many more happy birthdays in the years ahead.
Danny Burke would like to congratulate Castlerea Community School on winning the All-Ireland Senior (B) League Basketball final in Cork, on Thursday, February 26th, beating Kildare Town Community School in the final. The coach of this team is Thomas Callaghan. His granduncle James O’Brien from Ballintubber, was the coach to the Castlerea Convent of Mercy girls team that won the senior All-Ireland cadets basketball final in 1976. They went on to win the European Schools’ Championship that same year. Most of the team were from Ballintubber/Castlerea. Team: Brid O’Brien, Katie Collins, Marian Collins, Brid Conama, Teresa Shanagher, team captain Sheila Conama, Ann Marie Collins, Deirdre Collins, Mairead Bradley, Finola O’Brien. This was a wonderful achievement as they were the only school in Ireland to achieve this honour since basketball was introduced by the Irish Army in 1923.
The winning bonus ball number in Castlerea Golf Club’s lotto for February 25th was number 1. Winners of this week’s lotto were Faolan Silke, Dylan Silke Mannion, Marie Hanmore, Liam Ryan, and John Hester. Each receive €100.
