Tubbercurry

OLD FAIR DAY

Plans are well under way for the Old Fair Day Festival which runs from Saturday the fifth – Wednesday, August 9. In its 32nd year, the festival is considered one of the leading Fair Days in the Country, so put the dates in your diary and spread the word. Filled with lots to see and do for all the family, this year’s event promises to be as action packed as ever. Copies of the festival programme are available in shops and businesses in Tubbercurry.

COMHALTAS UPDATE

The monthly Comhaltas session will take place in Nathy Brennan’s on Friday night, August 4. Junior session starts at 9 p.m. and senior session at 10 p.m.

Many of our South Sligo musicians and singers were very successful at the Connaught Fleadh in NUIG Galway. We celebrated success in a wide range of competitions from solo music to groups. A great achievement celebrated was that of the South Sligo Grupai Cheoil under the tuition of Michael Hurley, who won first place in the under-12 competition. Many of our young branch members were involved and we are delighted for their success.

Many of our branch members also featured in solo competitions and will represent us at all-Ireland level, these include: Ciara Lee; Fiddle. Aoife Johnston; Concertina. Sinéad Johnston; Banjo, Mandolin. Conan Marren; Whistle, Flute. Mark Dunleavy; Uileann Pipes. Lorraine Dunleavy; Whistle. Lauren Hunt; Piano Accordion. Cliodhna Henry;Singing. Hannah and Ciara Lee; duet. Ryan Sheridan and Sinéad Johnston; duet. Aoife Johnston and Conor McDonagh; duet. Aoife Johnston, Ciara Lee and Conor McDonagh; trio. Also, the brilliant Knocknashee Ceili Band will compete at the prestigious senior band competition.

We want to congratulate competitors, tutors and parents for all their hard work and dedication and we wish them all the very best of luck in the all-Ireland Fleadh in Ennis in August.

On Friday, August 4, during our local session you can hear some of our young branch members playing and there will be a raffle held to support our branch members attending the all-Ireland Fleadh. Your support would be greatly appreciated. Míle buíochas.

LIBRARY NEWS

Upcoming Events: August 3 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m.: Art Workshop with Peter Sinclair: Mask Making and Shadow Puppet Theatre. Suitable for 7+. Admission Free.

For more information contact the Library at 071 9111705. Also check out Tubbercurry Library Facebook Page for Story Time at the Library events.

GILLESPIE CUP 2017

Tubbercurry Golf Society and the committee of Tubbercurry Golf Club will host the annual society outing of the Gillespie Cup on Monday, August 14, at Enniscrone Golf Club.

Both the club and society wish to express their grateful and enduring thanks to the Gillespie family for their magnificent hosting of the society for the past 35 years ‘ Memories are made of this.’

If you would like to play in this year’s outing on Monday, August 14, contact John Gillespie at 087 2885980 for timesheet.

SPANISH SUMMER SCHOOL

Fourteen years ago a small group of Spanish students arrived to Tubbercurry with the help of people from town who thought that having a Spanish summer school in the town would have a positive experience for both students and locals alike. Well, now this is a fact and Tubbercurry welcomes every summer a group of Spanish students who come here to learn English.

Now we have got to the end of the fourteenth summer and everything has been much better than it had ever been expected. A lot of work has been done to get to this point by the leaders in charge of the students and the teachers, but nothing would have been possible without the help of the people from the town. Host families have become a second family to the students, that’s why we would like to thank them for their help and support.

We’d also like to thank the Irish coordinators who believed in this project from the very beginning, the South Sligo summer School in which the students learnt Irish music and they really enjoyed it, and of course the whole town for the hospitality that has been given to all of us which made us feel like at home. We will never forget it.

This year, like the previous one, we made a barbecue in which host families, teachers, coordinators and everyone who wanted to attend had a great time. A fundraising took place and all the money was donated to Sligo Cancer Support Centre based in Tubbercurry. Now we have started to work for next year’s course with more enthusiasm than ever. Thank you and see you next summer.

EMIGRANT REUNION

The Achonry/Mullinabreena Emigrant Local Reunion takes place in Killorans Traditional Bar and Restaurant, Tubbercurry on Tuesday, August 8, at 9.30 p.m. On the night there will be a display of photos of the parish from the past (on screen) with performances by local musicians. No cover charge and everyone welcome.

ANNUAL MEMORIAL MASS

The annual Memorial Mass takes place in St Attracta’s Cemetery, Rhue on Friday, August 11, at 8 p.m.

DVD FOR SALE

A DVD of a walk from Ballina to Tubbercurry in May 1997 retracing the route taken by the famous racehorse, Ballyara Lad, transporting grain from Ballina to Tubbercurry during the Great Famine, is now available in the following outlets: Gillespies, Surlis’ SuperValu, Murphy’s Spar, K & B Hardware, Killoran’s Restaurant, Daybreak and Barry’s Pharmacy.

The DVD also includes a re-enactment of an eviction scene at Lough Talt by members of the Phoenix Players. All Proceeds are in aid of the Concern Famine in East Africa Relief Appeal.

PHOTOGRAPHIC EXHIBITION

A Photographic Exhibition of old photos will be held in Moylough Heritage and Arts Centre on the weekend of Saturday and Sunday, August 19 and 20. More details to follow. Anyone with old photographs of the area please contact Michael Fleming or any member of the committee.

CANCER SUPPORT CENTRE

The centre will be closed from Thursday, August 3, at 4 p.m. and re-opening on Monday, August 21, at 10 a.m.

For any information or support, please contact the Cancer Support Centre at 44 Wine St, Sligo by dropping in or calling 071 9170399. Mon-Fri 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

MEDJUGORJE

Led by Spiritual Director, Fr Martin Jennings, our pilgrimage to Medjugorje takes place from September 27 to October 4. For more information contact Breda Durkin at 071 9186123 or 087 1873703.

CARD GAME

Single hand 25 card game every Sunday night in St Brigid’s Hall, Tubbercurry. Starting at 8.30 a.m.

WOMEN’S GROUP

Looking for some crafty time? Why not come and join the Tubbercurry Women’s Group. We meet every Wednesday from 5.30 p.m. till 8.30 p.m. at the community room at the Tubbercurry library. We’ll be delighted to see you.

CLOONACOOL FUNDRAISERS

St Michael’s Church Cloonacool will have a stall at the old fair day in Tubbercurry on Wednesday, August 9, next with a guess the weight of the animal (s) competition. Tickets will be on sale from any of the stewards in attendance on the day.

On Friday, August 25, in Cloonacool Community Centre at 8 p.m., Swinford Drama Group will present their play ‘’The Two Loves Of Gabriel Foley’’ a hilarious comedy by well known author Jimmy Keary.

Proceeds from both of these fundraisers will go towards the church renovation fund. All support for both fundraising events will be very much appreciated.

CORRESPONDENT

Email Roger McCarrick – tubbercurrynotes@eircom.net.