Around Mayo's towns and villages. . .Westport, Newport, Mulranny, Achill
WESTPORT
FILM PREMIERE
WESTPORT Town Hall Theatre will host a special film premiere on the War of Independence this month.
The new film - the West Mayo Flying Column in the War of Independence - will premiere on January 27 at 8 p.m. Admission is €10 and the film, featuring the West Mayo Brigade, will run for 75 minutes.
Guest speaker on the night is author and councillor Gerry Coyle, whose book on his late father's exploits during the War of Independence has received global recognition.
All proceeds will go to the St. Vincent de Paul. Tickets are available online at westporttheatre.com or call the box office on (098) 28459.
PARENT AND CHILD GROUP
Westport Parent and Child Group meet in the Westport Leisure Park, James Street, on Wednesdays during term time from 9 to 11 a.m. The cost is €3 per family.
All parents, minders, toddlers and babies are welcome.
ADULT COUNSELLING
Westport Family and Community Resource Centre offer a trainee counselling service on Wednesdays during working hours.
Clients can avail of a maximum of 24 sessions, and the cost is €10 per session.
Trainees can work with clients who have mild/moderate mental health difficulties.
The first session is an initial introductory appointment to ensure you can work together, and this session is free of charge. To access the service, please call the centre on (098) 24419.
This is a community-based, affordable service and there is usually a waiting list.
EXHIBITION
Passion, Place, Process is the title of an exhibition of mixed media painting/collage by Marie Wood, opening this month at Westport Town Hall Theatre.
The exhibition will run from January 25 to February 28.
The official opening will be performed by Caroline Masterson at 6 p.m. on Friday, February 3, and all are welcome to come along.
WESTPORT LIBRARY
Story time has resumed at Westport Library every Tuesday between 3 and 4 p.m. All are welcome.
The parent and toddler group has also resumed at the library, meeting on Fridays between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. All are welcome.
IRISH HISTORY AND WESTPORT TOASTMASTERS
Westport Toastmasters resumed their 2023 schedule with a well-attended meeting, which was opened by club president Liam Friel, who welcomed all guests.
He lamented the fact that due to severe weather conditions the pre-Christmas meeting had to be cancelled. He expressed the hope that the club would achieve the Distinguished Club President’s Award this year. However, to attain that award the club needs two new members to join for that goal to be reached.
The president said that the club would be making an important announcement regarding forthcoming club celebrations - details will be available shortly.
Toastmaster for the evening Mary Carr also welcomed everyone before handing over to James O’Doherty who was topicsmaster.
Wide and varied questions drew some animated responses, none more so than a question relating to Irish history, and the uncivil war which is often described as the war of the brothers. In response to an add on, one member posed the question if Arthur Griffith had not died before the tragic event of Beal na Blath would the outcome of Irish history be different.
In the prepared speeches section Carol Passamar spoke on writing a speech with purpose. In her delivery she spoke about the how, why and what of the speech and its ultimate purpose.
Dolores Brady delivered a speech on managing a difficult audience. A highly accomplished speaker, her presentation ranged over numerous areas, in particular electric scooters, the health service and the late former Taoiseach Charles J. Haughey.
Although disrupted on a number of occasions, she did manage to quote the last utterance of Mr. Haughey in Dáil Éireann when he said “I have done the state some service so no more of that”. She did acknowledge, however, that one of the best things he did while in office was to make free travel available to all old age pensioners on public road and rail services.
Anne Casey gave an educational speech on Pathways.
The next meeting is on Monday, January 23, at 8 p.m. in Knockranny House Hotel.
TRIBUTES TO LEE
Westport GAA Club has paid tribute on its social media to Lee Keegan on his retirement from inter-county football.
Westport GAA chairperson Michael O’Brien said Lee was a fantastic ambassador not just for Westport GAA Club but also for young GAA players throughout the country.
He said: “Lee never forgot his roots and he gave just as much to Westport GAA as he did to Mayo. He is such a leader on and off the field.
“Our underage numbers are at an all-time high in the club at present and I put this down solely to the impact and influence of Lee Keegan. Lee is pure gold to our club and every young boy and girls in the area wants to play Gaelic football because of Lee.
“He is so generous with his time, he helps coach the young kids down at the GAA pitch and he is so accommodating and approachable. Lee is an unbelievable person to have around the club and while his Mayo career may be ending, we hope that he will have many more years playing with the club.
“Lee brings the best out of those around him and his leadership is what got us over the line this year in the Mayo GAA senior county final against Ballina Stephenites.”
Current Westport senior football manager Martin Connolly told Westport GAA that Lee was the best player that he ever managed or coached.
“The likes of Lee don’t come around too often and it was a privilege to work with him in Rice College, Westport, and with Westport GAA. He was totally committed and his attitude and application were exemplary.
“Even this year, after all he achieved with Mayo GAA, Lee’s leadership was crucial to our success in the Mayo GAA championship. It is hard to believe, but Lee was the first to arrive and the last to leave every single Westport GAA training session this year.
What I loved about Lee is that he was always willing to learn and he constantly wanted to improve. Lee had this natural athleticism and every time the standard went up a notch Lee was able to respond and match it.
“Another attribute he had in abundance was his hunger and desire to be the best. Over the years, he marked the best GAA players in Ireland and he relished every challenge. Bring it on was his mantra on the pitch and Lee never let you down.
“Looking to the future, Mayo’s loss might be Westport’s gain and I hope he is given the time to recuperate after a hectic county and club championship,” commented Connolly.
NEWPORT/MULRANNY
DARK SKY WALKS
WEEKLY walks in Mayo Dark Sky Park, hosted by Mayo Dark Skies, resumed recently.
Walks take place every Friday at 8 p.m. Upcoming dates and venues are as follows: January 20 and 27 - Letterkeen Bothy; February 3 - Ballycroy Visitor Centre; February 10, 17 and 24 - Letterkeen Bothy; and March 3 - Ballycroy Visitor Centre.
The walks are part of an Irish research project and you may be invited to take part in an interview whilst walking. It is intended that stargazing will take place if conditions allow, however, it is intended that these walks will provide an enjoyable opportunity to walk in nature after dark with an experienced guide.
Walks take place in most conditions (except in weather warnings) and you are advised to wrap up warm and wear sturdy shoes.
The walks last approximately 2.5 hours and the distance is approximately two kilometres.
MULRANNY ART CLASSES
Art classes with Pat Tracey will resume in Mulranny at the end of January in the amenity centre. The classes take place on Mondays, 2 to 5 p.m., and new recruits are always welcome.
If you are interested, please confirm with Mary at (086) 1683894.
ACHILL
CISPHEIL/BASKETBALL
AG braith ar an méid suim agus óglaigh, beidh club cispheile trí Ghaeilge a bhunú anseo in Acaill i mí Feabhra. Beidh deis ag daoine óg ó 6 - 18 a bheith páirteach agus beidh seissiún soisialta le haghaidh mná agus fir fásta. Beidh an club dhátheangach le béim ar an Ghaeilge a feabhsú trí spóirt. Na bí buartha muna bhfuil a lán Ghaeilge agat!
Teacs Colm ar (087) 4298399 má tá suim agatsa no do pháiste.
Depending on interest and the amount of volunteers, an Irish language basketball club will be set up in Achill in February. It will give boys and girls aged six to 18 a chance to play as well as men and women.
The club will be bilngual with an emphasis on learning Irish through sport. Don't worry if you think your Irish is not strong enough, nobody will be left behind.
Mayo Cancer Support
Mayo Cancer Support provides free support services to those affected by cancer at Rock Rose House in Castlebar and (by appointment only) at outreach centres in Ballina every Tuesday and Achill on the third Thursday of the month.
The men’s support group also meets on Thursday, January 19, at Rock Rose House at 7 p.m. and is open to any man affected by a cancer diagnosis or bereavement.
Call (094) 9038407 for full details.