Cloonacool
CLOONACOOL PLAYERS
On stage for St Valentine’s weekend are Cloonacool Players in their hilarious production of Sam Cree’s ‘Don’t Tell the Wife’. You’ve waited a year and now the actors are back with this sparkling comedy. Just mentioning the cast makes everyone smile: Peadar Conway, Geraldine Lundy, Denis Ross, Mary.
Kathleen Johnston, Brid Calvey, Daragh McGarry, Regina Henry and, of course, John McIntyre.
It will be a great night of entertainment so tell everyone that the place to be is Cloonacool Community Centre on Friday the 14th, Saturday and Sunday, February 15, and 16.The Cloonacool card game takes place each Monday evening at 8.30 p.m. in Cloonacool Community Centre.
CARD GAME
Cloonacool Community Park Draw: The Community Park lotto draw for January took place in Brennan’s at the weekend. There was no winner of the €3,800 jackpot. There were three matchthree winners. Congratulations to Martin and Patricia Gavaghan, Siobhán Surlis and Cloonacool church. Next months jackpot will be worth €3,900 many thanks for your continued support.
DÓNAL CLANCY CONCERT
Dónal Clancy, son of the late Liam Clancy, plays a house concert at Moy River Folk Club in Cloonacool Saturday, February 1, next at 8 p.m. The show titled ‘Donal Clancy’s Folk ‘n Blues’ includes versions of many great folk and blues songs from the last 50 years. The gig really highlights his amazing guitar playing. Booking is necessary at 087 2512030.
OPERATION TRANSFORMATION
Cloonacool GAA is currently running Operation Transformation for a second year. There will be a torch lit walk in Tubbercurry forest walk each Wednesday evening, as well as the popular local Sunday morning walks. We will conclude with a finale in Brennans.
Contact Brian McIntyre (087 2705372) if you would like to enter a group or need more info. It was a huge success and very enjoyable outing last year. It promises to be a great social event with already a big numbers assigned into groups.
CRAFTERS GROUP
The Cloonacool Crafters group meets in the Cloonacool community centre, every Monday morning at 10.30. New members are welcome. The group have worked on card making, knitting, crochet and more, and members can learn new skills and share existing ones with members. Anyone interested in the group can call in any Monday from 10.30 a.m.
YOUR NEWS
Please send in your notes to Emma Gallagher by Thursday to cloonacoolnotes@gmail.com. ing locations. More details next week.
CHRISTMAS LIGHTS
The committee involved in securing and erecting the new Christmas Light features in Tubbercurry wish to extend a sincere Thank You to the many members of the community who donated money to the fundraising drive run by the said committee. Nearly €15,000 was required as a community contribution in addition to a grant aid secured, and while the full amount of required community funding has not yet been achieved, local donations have gone a good bit towards the end figure. People can still donate whatever they can afford to Geraldine Brennan at the Laundry Basket, or John Gillespie in Gillespie’s Drapery. Again, thank you to all contributories.
NORMAL PEOPLE
The TV Show ‘Normal People’, based on the book of the same title is due for release shortly, as trailers of it were recently released in both the USA and the UK Part filmed in 2019 in Tubbercurry, it follows the story of two young adults from a small town in the west of Ireland (like Tubbercury) as they make their way into adulthood. It is steamy, tragic and funny and it is hoped to be a big hit once released. It is a 12 part series and was directed by Oscar nominated Lenny Abrahamson. It could well put Tubbercurry on the world map of film destinations. Watch out for release details.
ELECTION FEVER
Canvassing for the General Election is in full swing at present and best wishes are extended to all candidates. Fianna Fail Leader Micheál Martin was in Tubbercurry last week and met various local residents and business people to hear of issues of concern. All that spoke to him raised concern of the forgotten West of Ireland, a them that has been constant for decades. Lets see if a new Government listens this time.
DRAMA FESTIVAL LAUNCH
The Western Drama Three Act Drama Festival Launch takes place in St Brigid’s Hall Theatre at 7.30 p.m. on February 15.
This year Daniel Davey will launch the 2020 Three Act Drama Festival. Already there is a brilliant buzz and air of expectation for the coming drama season. An interesting programme is planned for the event which kicks off at 7.30 on February 15 (Valentines Weekend) in St Brigid’s Hall Theatre.
Daniel loves the theatre, having been raised the midst of drama in his formative years, being a son of renouned actor and Director Peter and multiple award winning actress Eileen. He is delighted to launch the festival and introduce the excellent programme of plays on offer in our 2020 WDF which will run six to March 14 – St Brigid’s Hall Theatre at 8 p.m. nightly – see website westerndramafestival.com for details.
This will be a fun night where a special ambiance, and Valentines magic will be created by WDF Why not do something a little different this year for Valentines. We look forward to meeting you there, take a break from the telly and come out to meet friends and enjoy our wine and refreshments while chatting about the plays.
Daniel is author of the book, Eat Up Raise Your Game, and will no doubt take the opportunity to offer advice on the optimum manner to celebrate the Valentines or any occasion while keeping an eye on a balanced approach to indulgence.
This promises to be an interesting evening as the WDF hosts this novel event; no doubt there will be plenty of drama about.
MICHELLE BELL R.I.P.
The recent death occurred of Michelle Bell (née Armstrong) of Monivea, Co. Galway and originally from Ballyglass, Cloonacool. A young mother and wife in her early 40’s, Michelle battled illness bravely for a number of years before finally passing peacefully, surrounded by her heartbroken family.
Michelle was born in Ballyglass, Cloonacool to parents Michael and Peggy Armstrong and was educated in Cloonacool National School and Banada Abbey Secondary School. She studied Finance Accountancy and HR in college and developed her career in the Galway area where she met and married her beloved husband Rodney. They were blessed with two children Harry and Jamie, and while living in Co. Galway they all loved to visit Cloonacool as much as possible in the all too few years they had together.
Michelle’s remains reposed in Cloonacool where many hundreds of her friends called to pay their respects to a wonderfully brave lady and her family. After Funeral Mass in St Michael’s Church Cloonacool, burial took place in Cloonacool Cemetery. Michelle is survived by her beloved husband Rodney, sons Harry and Jamie, parents Michael and Peggy, sisters Catherine, Martina and Sharon, brother James, parents in law, aunts, uncles, in laws, nieces, nephews and many cousins, friends and relations, all to whom sympathy is extended. May her gently soul rest in peace.
TOM COLLINS R.I.P.
The recent peaceful death occurred of Tom Collins, late of Carrowilkeen, Curry. In his early 60’s Tom was the youngest of the family of the late Tom and Mary Collins. In his young days Tom was a very talented gaelic footballer and starred on both underage and the senior team of Curry in the 70’s and 80’s.
A fine singer also, he represented Curry GAA in the Scor competitions for many years. Tom also played both hurling and soccer (Curry United) and was competitive to the last. Through his working life Tom farmed the family holding at Carrowilkeen, and was always a good neighbour for those needing help. In latter years Tom suffered poor health but bore it without complaint. He was pre-deceased by three brothers, Noel, Eamon and Paddy.
His remains reposed at St Theresa’s Funeral Home, Curry prior to removal to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Curry and burial took place in Bunnacrannagh Cemetary. Curry GAA Club provided a Guard of Honour for Tom from Curry Church to his final resting place. Tom is survived by his sisters Pauline Webb (Coventry) and Bernadette Pyne (Dublin), inlaws, nieces, nephews, cousins and friends, all to whom sympathy is extended. May he rest in peace.
KEVIN WALSH R.I.P.
The recent peaceful death occurred of Kevin Walsh late of Brackloonagh, Charlestown. In his mid 70’s, Kevin was a popular outgoing man who ran a great hardware, builder providers and general merchant business from his yard in Rural Charlestown.
What he achieved in business goes to show that a good business man does not need a prime High Street location. His wife Maureen also ran bed and Breakfast from their house for many years, and Kevin loved to inform and entertain the guests, all of which helped the visitors to enjoy their trip to Ireland.
Kevin also farmed both at Charlestown and Banada, and was a regular visitor to Tubbercurry when in the vicinity. He was a great supporter of the Tubbercurry Old Fair Day and for years, and with his encouragement, his children busked on the streets to add to the atmosphere.
His remains reposed at the Horkan Funeral home Charlestown prior to removal to St James Church, Charlestown and burial took place in adjoining cemetery. Kevin is survived by his wife Maureen, sons Chris, Kevin, Cathal, daughters Elaine and Olivia, grandchildren, inlaws and extended family, all to whom sympathy is extended. May he rest in Peace.
GRADUATION
Best Wishes are extended to Peter Gallagher, Lovers Lane, Tubbercurry on recently graduated from Galway/Mayo Institute of Technology with a Degree in Physics and Instrumentation. Peter is a volunteer at present in the Vincent de Paul Shop in Tubbercurry and is son of Colin and Mary Gallagher and brother of Colm Jnr.
ACTIVE RETIREMENT
The local Active Retirement Association have resumed activities with Curling in Teach Laighne on Mondays from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m., and group meetings in the local Health Centre on Tuesday afternoons at 3 p.m. Bowling, yoga and Book Club continue as usual, with various outings to be arranged. New members are very welcome to join us and enjoy the many social, mental and physical benefits that the ARA offers.
Of particular interest will be the Well-Being Programme, given by the HSE, dealing with the Five ways of Well-Being, Mental Health and Stress Management. This course will be covered over two afternoons in the Health Centre and commences on Tuesday, February 4, at 3 p.m. All interested are welcome.
The popular annual holiday, starting on May 31 and for six days/5 nights, is this year based on West Clare staying in the Falls Hotel, Ennistymon, and with our usual JMG Luxury Coach available for all travel and tours. Deposits of €100 per person are required by March 1 with full payment by May 1 – total cost is €485. For further details please ring 087 7720950 or 087 9042319.
PHOENIX PLAYERS
2020 will be a busy year for the Phoenix Players celebrating their 75th year. The final stages of rehearsal are now under way for their festival play, The Communication Cord, by Brian Friel, directed by Peter Davey. The cast includes Frank Brennan, Shane Loftus, Mary Barry-Leonard, Terri Brennan, Claire McLoughlin, Eamonn Gallagher, Shane Keyes and Catriona Coleman. The play will be performed for local audiences in St Brigid’s Hall on February 8 and nine at 8 p.m. Meanwhile rehearsals have commenced for a special musical show to mark the 75th Anniversary which will be staged for four nights: March 27 and 28 and April 3 and four.
CLOONACOOL PLAYERS
Don’t miss Cloonacool Players in the hilarious three-act comedy ‘Don’t Tell the Wife’ by Sam Cree – St Valentine’s weekend Friday 14, Saturday 15 and Sunday, February 16 – in Cloonacool Community Centre. Great entertainment.
WINDMILL PLAYERS
Windmill Players presents the hilarious murder mystery, WANTED – One Body by Charles Dyer in Ballintogher Hall on Friday the seventh and Sunday, February 9, at 8 p.m. Admission €10. Tickets now available 087 9964143.
CARD GAME
The Cloonacool card game takes place each Monday evening at 8.30 p.m. in Cloonacool Community Centre.
HOUSE CONCERT
Dónal Clancy, son of the late Liam Clancy, plays a house concert at Moy River Folk Club in Cloonacool Saturday, February 1, next at 8 p.m. The show titled ‘Donal Clancy’s Folk ‘n Blues’ includes versions of many great folk and blues songs from the last 50 years. The gig really highlights his amazing guitar playing. Booking is necessary at 087 2512030.
CORRESPONDENT
Email Roger McCarrick – tubbercurrynotes@gmail.com.