Geevagh

LOTTO DRAW

The Geevagh Community Resource lotto draw was held in Des McDonagh’s Bar on Saturday, July 8, for a jackpot of €8,000. The numbers drawn were 5, 13, 15 and 23. There was no winner. The next draw for a jackpot of €8,100 will be held on Saturday, July 15, in Paddy’s Bar. The winners of €20 each were Damien Cogan, Barroe; Martha and Donal Conlon, Geevagh; Evelyn Fitzpatrick, Co Kilkenny; Mickey O’Rourke, Geevagh and Yvonne Frazer, Ballindoon.

CHARITY CYCLE

The annual charity cycle will be held on Saturday, August 12, There will be a 70k and a 30k option. Registration will commence from 10.30 a.m. with the long run off at 11.30 and the 30k going 15 minutes later. On the night there will be a social and raffle in Paddy’s. All proceeds this year will go towards the MS North West Therapy Centre in Sligo. Further information is available from 087 9266551.

AMOUNT RAISED

The total amount raised from the recent walk in aid of North West Hospice was €801.50. This was an outstanding amount and many thanks again to all who supported it. The money has been left in to the Hospice office in Wine Street car park.

JOSIE ANNIVERSARY

Josie McDermott, well-known local musician and composer died 25 years ago. To mark the anniversary a number of events are planned for Sunday, July 23, A wreath-laying ceremony will take place in Kilmactranny cemetery at noon. Following this, patrons will return to the house where Josie lived to hear local musicians perform some of his compositions and have a cuppa. Then at 3 p.m. those who wish can walk to Ballyfarnon along the same track that Josie would have used. Weather permitting a music session will take place on the Crescent in Ballyfarnon at 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome.

KNOCK PILGRIMAGE

The annual parish pilgrimage to Knock Shrine takes place this year on Tuesday, July 25. Fr Cullen will celebrate Mass, including the Sacrament of Anointing in the Apparition Chapel at 12.30 p.m. Refreshments will be served in St John’s Rest and Care centre on arrival and again at 4 p.m. The bus will depart Ballyfarnon at 9.15 a.m. and proceed to Geevagh 9.30, Conway’s Cross, 9.45, Gleann Community Centre, 10 a.m., Des McDonagh’s, 10.15 and Castlebaldwin at 10.30 a.m. It is expected back in Ballyfarnon at around seven o’clock. To book a place please contact any of the Legion of Mary members or phone Mai at 087 6430533. All are welcome to come along.

SUMMER CAMP

Valley Rovers are hosting the FAI summer camp in Geevagh from July 17 to 21 for six- to 14-year-old boys and girls. To register online please go to faisummercamps or alternatively call Fergal at 086 0247878.

GLAD CLEAN-UP

A few GLAD members and a few volunteers came together recently to strim and trim some of the village area.

It is amazing how much work can be done in a short time.

In about an hour and half all along the main road and up as far as the church and around the bridge over the Feorish was strimmed and the hedges cut and all swept and tidied.

Hopefully this effort has now made our village area much cleaner, tidier and above all much safer for everybody.

The amount of rubbish strewn along the roads is unbelievable. The appeal goes out to everybody to be more responsible about litter.

Please don’t throw rubbish out the window of the car as you drive along and we should all show the good example to our children and grandchildren of disposing of our rubbish responsibly.

It is sad to think that some people will throw empty drinks cans and indeed the odd glass bottle on the side of the road or the footpath beside the re-cycling bins. Would it not be appropriate to put them in the respective bins?

Thank you to all who make the effort and a big thank you to all who helped with the clean-up.

PIONEER ASSOCIATION

Geevagh Pioneer Association is holding a fundraising raffle in Geevagh Church on Monday evening, August 14, after Mass. Tickets will be on sale in the church porch after the masses on Saturday, August 5 and 12, and Sunday, August 6 and 13. Tickets will also be on sale before mass on the evening of August 14 There are six nice prizes and tickets cost €2 each or a book of three for €5.

BENSON CUP

Congratulations to the men’s team who brought back the Benson cup recently following their win over St John’s. Hopefully this will not be the only silverware of the season. Also a big shout-out to the under-14 boys who won the shield final recently.

Despite the weather being a bit unfavourable on Sunday, big crowds turned out around the area to watch the Sligo Stages rally. There were some great viewing points around the area and spectators were treated to some fine exhibitions of driving. Well done to all the crews who took part and to the organisers and marshals. It was a job well done and hopefully it won’t be too long till it comes back to our area again.