The September meeting of the Friends of Aras Attracta was held in the Aras Attracta Training Centre on Monday night, September 2, and presided over by the chairman, Pat Molloy. At the outset a vote of congratulations was extended to Sr. Phyl Clancy who last week celebrated her Golden Jubilee in the Mercy Order. Sr. Phyl spent most of her life teaching and encouraging the young and has made a wonderful contribution to the Swinford Community; she was a former secretary of the Friends of Aras Attracta.
Mr Alan Bracken, Head of Sport, thanked all the helpers who accompanied the clients to Knock and also to the Special Olympics in Dublin, where eight people competed and were most successful. He said the weekly outings had re-commenced and the recent trip to Knock Airport proved most enjoyable. He thanked the Friends of Aras Attracta for organising the cinema trips which were also enjoyed by those who went along. It is hoped to visit the Gurteen Heritage Centre in the near future, when arrangements are finalised. A discussion took place on the winter card games and it was decided to have the first game of the season on Sunday night, October 16th, and to donate the proceeds to the Swinford Host Town Committee for the Special Olympic fund. A number of volunteers agreed to act as stewards.
The Annual General Meeting was discussed at length and, depending on the availability of a guest speaker, it will be held on Saturday, November 16th at 2.30pm. A final decision will be made at the next meeting which will be held on Monday night, October 7 at 8.30pm. Sympathy was extended to Mr John Gavin, Midfield, on the death of his mother.
PRH MEETING
An information evening on P.R.H. will be held in O’Connor’s Hotel on Thursday night next, September 12 at 8.30pm. P.R.H. is an educational way to help people help themselves, find meaning in their lives and be happy.
BIRTHDAY BOY
Congratulations and best wishes are extended to Aidan Cassidy, son of Mr Dominic and Mrs Anne Cassidy, Barnacogue, Swinford who celebrated his 13th
birthday on Wednesday, September 4th.
HOST TOWN MEETING
A meeting of the Swinford Host Town Committee will be held in the Training Centre of Aras Attracta on Tuesday night (tonight), September 10 at 8.30pm. This is a very important meeting. All members are requested to attend.
FAIR DAY
Wednesday last was September ‘Fair Day’ in Swinford and the weather was perfect for the occasion as the bright sun shone all day, making it one of the hottest days of the year.
However, most of the tourists and holidaymakers had returned and all the schools had re-opened so the number of people around was quite sparse.
A large number of stalls displaying all types of goods including clothes, shoes, hardware, plants, flowers, shrubs etc. occupied both sides of Main Street but very little business was transacted.
FIFTY YEARS A NUN
Congratulations to Sr. Phyl Clancy, Convent of Mercy, Swinford, who celebrated the Golden Jubilee of her profession last week with her family, community and friends.
Sr. Phyl spent most of her life teaching and since her retirement, she has been Resource Person for Religion, visiting all the National Schools in the Diocese of Achonry.
BOOK OF CONDOLENCES
Mr Frannie Moore, Swinford and Mr Bernie O’Brien, Midfield, were responsible for organising the Book of Condolences for Holly Wells and Jessica Chapman, in the Church of Our Lady Help of Christians, Swinford. Hundreds of people signed the book
FRENCH FOR
SECOND LEVEL
Parlez Pronto Language School resumes its evening classes for second level students on Monday next, Sept. 16th. There are classes for Leaving Cert, Junior Cert and non-exam students. Classes are one hour per week with a native French teacher and results have been excellent over the past ten years.
Class numbers are small, so that early booking is advisable. Full details from Parlez Pronto Language School at Market Square, Castlebar, Tel: (094) 24565.
SYMPATHY
Sympathy is extended to Mr. Jimmy McCrann, Swinford, on the recent death of his sister, Mrs Anne Kelly, Strokestown, Co. Roscommon.
CHURCH HEATING
The total contribution to the Swinford Parish Church heating up to Saturday, August 31, was E29,752.
WEDDING
The Church of Our Lady Help of Christians, Swinford, was the scene of a very pretty wedding on Saturday, August 31, when Miss Annette Gallogly, daughter of Mr Keelan and Mrs Helen Gallogly, the Garden Centre, Swinford and Ballina Road, Swinford and Mr Bryck Robin, son of Mr Bill and Mrs Rosemary Robin, Oberon, Australia, were united in the Sacrament of Matrimony. The bridesmaids were the bride’s sisters, Kathrina and Ciara, and Irene McNicholas. The best man was Declan, the groomsmen, Paul and Tom.
The ceremony was performed by Fr Padraig Costello PP Bohola, assisted by Canon Michael Joyce PP Swinford. The church was beautifully decorated with flowers for the happy occasion. A large number of guests attended the wedding reception afterwards in Knockranny Hotel, Westport. Both bride and groom are very popular and received many congratulatory messages, cards and gifts. The honeymoon is being spent in Italy. We wish Annette and Bryck many long happy years of wedded bliss.
NEW RECYCLING FACILITIES FOR SWINFORD
Mayo County Council wishes to inform householders in the Swinford area that two new facilities are available for the recycling of glass bottles and jars and aluminium drink cans. The recycling banks are located at: Texaco Filling Station on the Kiltimagh Road and Corrib Oil Filling Station on the Dublin Road. Sharon Joyce, Environmental Awareness Officer with Mayo County Council asks the public to make use of these new facilities. Glass bottles and jars and aluminium drink cans should not be sent to landfill. When recycling, Ms Joyce asks people to: remove caps and corks from bottles and jars; wash out food jars; separate jars and bottles by colour - green, brown or clear; crush drink cans to prevent the banks being overfilled; do not place food cans, light bulbs, window glass, drinking glasses, delph or pottery in the recycling banks; take home bags and boxes as illegal dumping and littering will not be tolerated. If recycling bins are full, please do not leave anything near the recycling banks. Please call Rehab Recycling at low call 1850 585 300. Recycling banks are not for commercial use. Mayo County Council wishes to thank the proprietors of both filling stations for their assistance in providing locations for the recycling banks.
RAFFLE RESULTS
The following are the winners of the Siamsa Sráide Raffle: 1st prize Sinéad White, Claremorris; 2nd prize Brendan Phelan, Cloongullane, Swinford; 3rd prize Katie Keaveney, Molloy Tce., Ballina; 4th prize Michael Kelly, Newport; 5th prize Laura Basquill, Swinford; 6th prize Liz Hunt, Gurteen. The organisers express thanks to all who supported this raffle.
PLAYGROUP
Swinford Community Playgroup re-opens in Swinford Community Centre, Park Road on Monday, September 9.
While welcoming all our new children, those in charge wish to take this opportunity to wish last year’s children best wishes in their transition into primary education.
CEMETERY MASS
Mass will be celebrated by Canon Andrew Johnston PP Foxford in Teampaill Maol graveyard on Friday next, September 13 at 7pm.
A new shrine and crucifix have been erected and the new lights which were installed recently will be switched on.
The work has been carried out by the hardworking restoration committee under their chairman, Mr Kevin Hughes. Everyone welcome.
RETIREMENT
GROUP
The Orchard Active Retirement Group will have an evening of aromatherapy on Monday, September 23. Evelyn O’Connor, Likisma product representative will attend and it promises to be a very interesting evening.
DIED IN THE U.S.
The death has occurred in Philadelphia of Mrs Kathleen Kenny, formerly Higgins, Ballydrum, Swinford.
COMMUNITY
LOTTO
The Swinford Community Lotto Draw took place in The Hagan, Market Street, Swinford on Monday Sept. 2nd, 2002. There was no winner of this week’s jackpot of E12,550. The winning numbers drawn were 1, 5, 15, 22. There were 11 Match 3 winners who each receive E30: Colm Lambe, c/o Moores; Teresa, Lisa & Elaine c/o Campbells; Olivia Roughneen, Rubble, Killasser; Brid Spain, Gala; Mary Durkin, Drumshinnagh, Culmore, Swinford; James Byrne, Swinford; Paul Carney, Cloongullane; Sarah Howley, Dunmaynor, Killasser; Seamus Golden, Swinford; Peter, Tallaght; Vera & Myles, c/o Hagan.
Congratulations to our two E70 voucher winners: Delma McNicholas, Meelick; P. McIntyre, 19 Brabazon Heights, Swinford. The Swinford Community Lotto Draw will be in Melletts, Market Street, Swinford on Monday, Sept. 16th, 2002.
Last week’s draw took place in The Court Inn. Results will appear in this column next week. The Swinford Community Lotto paid out a total sum of E470 for week ending Sept. 3, 2002.
KILLASSER DEATH
The death occurred at the General Hospital, Castlebar last week of Thomas Rowley, Cloonfinish, Swinford. Tommy, as he was affectionately known, was a very highly respected member of the community and was very interested in ceili dancing and traditional music and drama. He was also a member of many local organisations, including Killasser Community Centre and Killasser Group Water Scheme. Tommy trained a Killasser camogie team in the early 70’s and this team played in a number of county competitions. A life-long pioneer, he was the holder of a Gold Pin and last year was presented with the Dr. Cullen medal. The news of his passing was received with widespread regret, as was evidenced by the large numbers of people who called to pay their last respects, attended the removal, Mass and funeral, many travelling long distances for the sad occasion. His remains were removed from Campbells Funeral Home on Saturday evening to All Saints Church, Killasser, and were received by Fr Dan O’Mahony, P.P., Fr. Martin Jennings P.P. and Fr Stephen O’Mahony C.C. His funeral took place to Kilconduff Cemetery on Sunday after the 11.30am Mass. He is survived by his wife Lena, son Tomás, daughter Niamh and family circle. The late Mr Rowley was the author and producer of a play some years ago, entitled “Autumn Mist”. Members of Killasser P.T.A.A. formed a guard of honour on both occasions.
SWINFORD DEATH
The death occurred last week of Jerome McNiochlas, Market Street, Swinford. His remains were removed from the District Hospital, Swinford on Wednesday evening to the Church of Our Lady Help of Christians, Swinford and were received by Canon Michael Joyce PP and Fr Peter Gallagher CC. Concelebrated Mass was offered for the repose of his soul on Thursday, chief celebrant Canon Joyce, assisted by Fr Peter Gallagher and Fr James McDonagh, followed by burial in Kilconduff cemetery. Jerome spent several years working in Canada but returned home due to ill-health in 1982. In his homily, Canon Joyce described Jerome as “a man of great faith despite his illness, and it was a pleasure to visit him”. He was predeceased by his brothers, John and Thomas and is survived by his sister Mary, cousins, relatives and many friends. The soloist at the Mass was Mrs Marie Walsh.