AchonryMullinabreena
WEDDING BELLS
Congrats to Aisling Davey, Chaffpool and Brendan Brett, Broher, Curry who were married recently. Aisling is a daughter of Mary and Christy Davey.
MEMORIAL RUN
A special memorial run, in memory of the late James Feely, Tubbertelly, will take place on Sunday September 16th at 12.30pm. The event base is St. Nathy’s Hall Mullinabreena and all tractors, bikes and vintage cars are welcome. Refreshments before and after with an excellent raffle on return. All proceeds towards a defibrillator at Nace O’Dowd Park. Contact Lorraine on 087 6779836 for details.
PRIZE DRAW
Coolaney/Mullinabreena GAA Club have launched their annual prize draw this week. There are lots of great prizes this year totaling over €2000 in value ranging from a top cash prize to great hotel breaks. Tickets are available from senior players, coaches and committee members. All support is appreciated. Draw takes place on Sunday September 9th.
5K ROAD RACE/WALK
The annual Coolaney road race and walk organised by Coolaney/Mullinabreena GAA will take place on Friday August 31st at 7.30pm. This year it reverts to a 5km route which is sure to be very appealing to runners and walkers alike. This event has grown hugely in recent years and is now very popular on the circuit. The event will be chip timed and refreshments will be served afterwards. Contact Gerry Lee on 086 8282263 for details.
ATHLETICS STAR
Well done to upcoming athletics star Kate Hosey who qualified to compete in the International Athletics competition in Scotland recently. Kate won the long jump at the prestigious Irish Schools and secured her first Irish vest along with 67 other superb athletes from Ireland. Kate is a daughter of Michael and Joanne Hosey and a granddaughter of Bernie Hosey, Chaffpool.
GREENWAY UPDATE
Following the recent publication by Government of a new Greenway Strategy, it seems more likely than ever that Sligo will have a greenway in the future. Greenways provide safe, off-road cycle and walking routes, providing a much-needed local amenity and a great tourist attraction. Sligo Greenway Co-op are the local community working with Sligo Co Co to help create the greenway on the disused line; Sligo To Bellaghy.
You can help by signing up for Co-op membership at these local outlets: Collooney (Centra), Coolaney (O’Grady’s and Mountain Inn), Tubbercurry (Computerbits, Laundy Basket and Coffee Dock), Curry (Yeats County Inn) and Charlestown (Market Café). Membership is also available on the Co-op website,www.sligogreenway.com.
FLEADH
Well done to all the local young musicians on their success at the recent Connacht Fleadh in Ballinamore. Sinead Johnston: 1st Banjo, 1st Mandolin, 1st Duet and 3rd Miscellaneous, age 12-15. Aoife Johnston 1st Concertina and 1st Duet, age U-12. Ciara Lee 2nd Fiddle and 2nd Fiddle Slow air, age 12-15. Well done also to members of the South Sligo Ceili band U-12 including Aoife Johnston and Hannah Lee, U-15 Ceili band members Conor Johnston, Sinead Johnston, Ciara Lee and Michael Gorman who all qualify for the All Ireland Fleadh in Drogheda during August.
TUS SCHEME
Achonry Mullinabreena Community Enhancement Group have a vacancy for the TUS scheme. Contact Ann Marie Gorman on 087 6235468 for details on the eligibility criteria. Upcoming Masses:
MULLACH NA CROISE MASS
Sunday 12th August 10am. Visit to Holy Well: Tuesday 15th August 7pm. Cemetery Mass Achonry: Saturday 18th August 7pm. Cemetery Mass Courtabbey: Sunday 19th Aug 11:30am.
PHOTO/HISTORY EXHIBITION
After almost five months of work on the project, over 2000 photos have now been collected. The group request that the last few photos promised would be handed in ASAP. Please contact Anne Marie Gorman on 087 6235468 or email amgorman12@ gmail.com. Anyone is welcome to visit Ann Marie and help with providing names for photos. All photos will be returned after the event. Thanks to everyone for the incredible response so far. A date for the event will soon be published.
WALKING/RUNNING TRACK
The newly completed walking/ running track at Nace O’Dowd Park is proving a real success with many folk using it on a daily basis. It is contributing hugely to the health and well-being of our community in a real and sustainable way. The club is currently investigating means to fund the installation of lighting for the track. The club continues its appeal for fence sign sponsors at the Park. Contact Ollie on 087 7981827 for details.
LEADER RSS SCHEME
The Sligo Leader Partnership is currently advertising a vacancy for the Rural Social Scheme at Nace O’Dowd Park, Achonry. Please contact Declan Foley on 071-9141138 or email dfoley@ sligoleader.com for more details.
CONTACT
We continue our appeal for new contributors to this weekly column. All correspondence can be sent to ollielee@hotmail.com. to the highlight of the festival – the Old Fair Day on Wednesday 8th August. A five day festival this August in Sligo for all the family to enjoy.
Chairman Sean Mc Donagh explains the highlights of this year’s festival “We are delighted to present our 33rd Festival. The voluntary committee has worked tirelessly trying to organise an event that has something for everyone to enjoy. Our hard work was recognised, and we were delighted to win the Best Cultural Festival and overall Tourism award in 2017 at the Sligo Business Awards. Our festival opens on Saturday 4th August with the return of the successful Teddy Bear Picnic in the Forest Walk hosted by Lollipop Lane Creche & Montessori. This is followed by a free concert on the square with Declan Nerney & band, supported by UNOWHO.
Sunday 5th Surlis’s SuperValu kindly returns to sponsor our Family Fun Day with marquees full of free entertainment from face painting, crafts, competitions to pottery workshops. In addition to various games, bouncy castles, our annual tractor pull and fancy dress. We are delighted to welcome Realta circus performers who will run workshops throughout the day and the Thunder Crews. They will showcase a display of World class BMX freestyle action during the day. They will also run workshops where you can test your own skills on the Sports Mobile Half Pipe Ramp. Entry to both our Saturday night, Family Fun Day and Old Fair Day is free to the public, a tradition we are proud to uphold.
Monday 6th, sees the return of the Headers Cup and 5k Road Race organised by South Sligo Athletic Club in aid of the community park.
Tuesday 7th, is our popular family treasure hunt.
Wednesday 8th is our showcase the Old Fair Day, where people will get the chance to experience the sights and sounds of fair days gone in our arts, crafts and heritage village, artisan food and bread displays, children’s fun zones and enjoy live demonstrations from glass blowing, pottery, spinning, weaving, basket making to thatching and trashing. We have over 50+ heritage and craft exhibitors and demonstrators. Our ever popular and expanding vintage collection of tractors, cars, and machinery will be a centrepiece. You can also visit Bank of Ireland tent who will present a CoderDojo workshop and fun activities. We are delighted to welcome Sligo Volunteer Centre who will host an exhibition, displays from community groups and talks entitled “volunteer voices” in the hall.
As always thanks to the local farmers who bring their prize winning cattle, sheep, pigs and various other animals for our visitors to view. There will be over a hundred exhibitors dotted throughout the town and we are delighted to have the hugely popular Lisa McHugh and her band provide live music proceeded by Shane McGowan and friends. Ocean FM will broadcast live from 9 a.m. with the Niall Delaney show. A fun filled festival awaits you in Tubbercurry during the day and nightly enjoy Murray’s funfair and live music in the local pubs”. We are proud to present our fair as a festival where old and new friends alike can meet and savour the hospitality our town offers. For more information, follow us on Facebook and Twitter or visit our website oldfairday.ie #OldFairDay.
PATSY FOLEY R.I.P.
The recent death occurred of Patsy (Patricia) Foley (nee McManus) late of Rocklands and formerly Wolf Tone Square, Tubbercurry. Aged 75, Patsy had suffered ill health in recent years, but carried it with dignity and was never one to question why it effected her.
Patsy married her husband Paddy in 1961 at the young age of 18 and set up home initially in Ballygawley, Co. Sligo where they ran a small family business.
In 1968 the opportunity came up to purchase a fine business premises in Tubbercurry known as Fergusons, and the young couple Patsy and Paddy took the step to move forward and purchase. That was 50 years ago, and it was a decision they never regretted. Along with their young and expanding family, Patsy and Paddy worked hard in the licensed premises they purchased and developed it into one of the busiest pubs in Co. Sligo. They changed it as necessary to meet changing trends as Tubbercurry from the 1970’s onwards was a thriving and expanding town. Patsy was fully involved in the day to day running of the pub, as well as caring for and rearing the children as they came along. Foley’s corner became a meeting point for young and old.
Patsy was fully involved in the Tubbercurry Business Community and always supported local events as necessary. Her son Michael now runs the business they built up. However, she was also a mother of 8 daughters and one son and rearing her family was her priority.
The death of one daughter, Siobhan, in infancy was a blow to the entire family but Siobhan was always remembered by Patsy and family. Patsy was a kind and generous mother who always could be depended upon. Despite bouts of ill health over her life, she never complained and carried on to help her family.
She was pre-deceased by her husband Paddy within the last 10 years but in the latter years always could rely on the love of her children, grand-children and extended family.
Her remains reposed at the Coen Funeral Home and funeral mass took place in St. John the Evangalist Church, Tubbercurry prior to burial with her late husband at Corrig Cemetery.
Patsy is survived by her son Michael, daughters Teresa, Patricia, Margot, Sheila, Nicola, Claire, & Lisa, 15 grandchildren, sons & daughter in laws and extended family, all to whom sympathy is extended. May she rest gently in Peace.
GREENWAY UPDATE
Following the recent publication by Government of a new Greenway Strategy, it seems more likely than ever that Sligo will have a greenway in the future. Greenways provide safe, off-road cycle and walking routes, provid- ing a much-needed local amenity and a great tourist attraction. Sligo Greenway Co-op are the local community working with Sligo Co Co to help create the greenway on the disused line; Sligo To Bellaghy.
You can help by signing up for Co-op membership at these local outlets: Collooney (Centra), Coolaney (O’Grady’s and Mountain Inn), Tubbercurry (Computerbits, Laundy Basket and Coffee Dock), Curry (Yeats County Inn) and Charlestown (Market Café). Membership is also available on the Co-op website, www.sligogreenway.com.
SUMMER SCHOOL THANKS
The organising committee of the South Sligo Summer School wish to express their gratitude to all those who helped in any way to make the 32nd year of the school of traditional music, song and dance such a resounding success in Tubbercurry from 15th to 21st July last.
This year we had an expanded programme of classes, workshops and other events and many musicians, singers, dancers and followers of the music of our region spent some of their hard earned holiday time in Tubbercurry and the surrounding area during the week. We had visitors from all corners of Ireland as well as from countries as far apart as Canada and Taiwan. We were delighted to have the use of Tubbercurry Community Library again this year. It proved an ideal space for the Junior practice sessions. Thanks to the library staff for facilitating this. Thanks to everyone who provided venues for classes and workshops, ceilis and concerts – St Brigid’s Hall Committee, St Attracta’s Community School Management company, Boards of Management of Holy Family National School and North Connacht College, Lucy & Peadar Kennedy, the Management at An Chroí Enterprise Centre, Sligo County Council for the use of rooms in Teach Laighne & St George’s Community Hall Committee. All our visitors from near and far remarked on the wonderful facilities in all the venues and the great welcome they received in Tubbercurry. The summer school could not be held without all this invaluable cooperation. It is very much appreciated.
Sincere thanks to the people of Tubbercurry who welcomed all our visitors so warmly, to all our volunteers and to the local business community for their help with stewarding, their generous financial contributions and their spirit of involvement all week. We also wish to thank the Sligo Tourist Office on O’Connell Street, Sligo for giving us space to put up a window display this year. Thank you to all the local musicians and to all our tutors, presenters and facilitators, with a special word of thanks to Neansaí Ní Choisdealbha, Head of Music, Raidio na Gaeltachta, who performed the official opening on Sunday evening and to Marian Egan, Aidan Shannon, Theresa O’Grady, Muireann Banks, Junior Davey & Paddy Ryan for presenting the nightly concerts during the week.
Thanks to the Arts Council, Sligo County Council, Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB, Fáilte Ireland & Aurivo for their financial support this year. Thanks too to Raidio na Gaeltachta for recording our Friday Night Concert which will be transmitted during the coming months.
This year once again many of the talks, recitals and concerts were recorded by ITMA (Irish Traditional Music Archive) and we are most grateful to them for this important involvement.
It only remains to mark your diaries for the 33rd Year: 14th to 20th July 2019. And if you are travelling at home or abroad during the coming months be sure to bring some of the South Sligo Summer School brochures with you, available from any member of the organising committee. Go mbeirimid beo ag an am seo arís.
COMHALTAS NEWS
The monthly Comhaltas session will take place in Nathy Brennan’s on Friday night 3rd August. Junior session starts at 9.00pm and senior session at 10.00pm. All musicians welcome. The Connacht Fleadh which was held in Ballinamore was a hugely successful event for our South Sligo musicians. A record number achieved success and will represent not only their Comhaltas branch and County but their province at the ALL Ireland Fleadh which will be held in Drogheda on 17th 18th and 19th of August. We wish them all continued success and congratulate them on their wonderful achievments. A word of thanks to the teachers who do trojan work tutoring these young people. Go neiri libh go leir.
AN CHROI
An Chroi is a new Enterprise Centre developed by Tubbercurry Chamber of Commerce over the last few years in the old office building of Aurivo (Connacht Gold) on Ballina Rd.
The Enterprise Centre is fully equipped for office accommodation and budding business or entrepreneurs can operate out of the offices at very reasonable costs. The centre has recently launched a new website https:// southsligoenterprisecentre.com and bookings for all facilities including office space, training rooms & boardrooms can be done. Short or long term rentals facilitated as are one off bookings for special events.
GOLF OUTING
The South Sligo Golf outing to Enniscrone takes place Monday 13TH August. Formerly known as the Gillespie Cup, it now has a new format but the old people are still involved as it is now called ‘The Masters’ . John Gillespie is taking names & times for the time sheet and it is filling up fast. Call in to him at Teeling Street or ring him 087 2885980. Old and New or young golfers from all over South Sligo or with a connection to South Sligo are invited to attend. A wonderful occasion is always guaranteed where many friends are re-acquainted.
ANNUAL MEMORIAL MASS
The annual Memorial Mass takes place in Rhue Cemetery on Sunday 12th August, at 8pm.
CORRESPONDENT
Email Roger McCarrick–tubbercurrynotes@eircom.net