Active Retirement Assoc. gets back into swing

9/4/2002 -

Now that the chill of winter is approaching fast it is time for the Westport Active Retirement Association to get back in full swing. On Thursday next, September 5th, there will be a social in the Plougastel Centre between 9 p.m. and 11 p.m. Music will be provided by The Hillsiders and refreshments will be served.

The next outing will be on Wednesday, September 11th and the destination will be The Coleman Heritage Centre in Gurteen, Co. Sligo. This will consist of a meal and two hours of music, dancing and craic. Tea and coffee will also be served. The coach will leave Mill Street at 3 p.m. and seats must be booked immediately by contacting B. Walsh on 098-26257. There will be no bingo on September 11th because of the outing.

The Western Division Festival (ARA Go On) will begin in The Castlecourt Hotel on Sunday October 6th. Lunch will be served at 1.30 pm with an afternoon dance/social to follow. Tickets are now available and should be booked as soon as possible as admission will be by ticket only. ARA members from all over the west are expected so everyone is encouraged to come along for what should be a wonderful day.

The week following the festival, Westport ARA will host members of the Silver Threads Club from Limavaddy. This is all part of the co-operation between both towns following last years twinning ceremony.

PHOTOGRAPHY COMPETITION

The unique photography competition being run by the Croagh Patrick Archaeological Society at present gives everyone a chance to enter their image of Ireland’s Holy Mountain. The month of September is particularly good for photographers with the cloud formations and early morning light giving enthusiasts endless opportunities to capture beauty. The prize fund for the competition is e1500 and the closing date for entries is October 1st. It is hoped to publish some of the photographs in a commemorative book in 2005 to celebrate the centenary of St. Patrick’s Church on the summit of the reek.

There is also a separate competition running for the best old photographs of the mountain. These photographs must have been taken before December 1998 and there is a prize fund of e500.

Both competitions are open to the public and entry forms are available from all libraries in County Mayo, The Croagh Patrick Information Centre and Campbell’s Pub in Murrisk.

CHAMPIONS

Twenty years of waiting were brought to an end in Urlar on Sunday last when Westport United won the TSB Super league with a 7 - 1 demolition of the home side. The celebrations went on long into the evening and both young and old recalled many tales of former days. Congratulations are extended to everyone concerned and as this is a very young side it is hoped that this is just the start of many such celebrations.

BIG TIME RUGBY

Inter-provincial rugby comes to Carrowholly on Saturday next when Connacht take on Ulster in the Westport Rugby Club grounds. This is a very prestigious day for the club and it is hoped that a large attendance will turn out to witness some quality rugby. The big match kicks off at 2.30 p.m..

TABLE QUIZ

A Table Quiz in aid of the McBride Home takes place in “Blousers” tonight (Tuesday). As this is such a worthy cause everyone is asked to turn out and show their talent with general knowledge.

DISMAL WEEKEND

There was little or no success for the Cois Farraige teams at the weekend on the G.A.A. scene. Westport hurlers went down to Tooreen in the County Senior semi-final in McHale Park. The footballers of Westport were surprisingly beaten by The Neale in a vital league match while Louisburgh were heavily defeated by Kiltane in a division one clash in Bangor. Burrishoole were on the wrong end of the scoreline in their league encounter with Swinford so all in all it was a depressing weekend for most of the clubs along the west coast.

ENGAGEMENT

Congratulations are extended to Paula McGreal, Kilsallagh and Patrick Needham, Culleen, on their recent engagement.

OXFAM EXHIBITION

The development agency Oxfam is currently running its Fairtrade exhibition in Westport Public Library. This exhibition is aimed at showing Irish consumers how they can make a difference to the lives of millions of workers in developing countries by their purchases.

The exhibition entitled “Small change, Big difference” shows through images and commentary the necessity for fairtrade and the benefits it brings to some of the poorest people in the world. It also shows how the ordinary people can make a difference by buying Fairtrade goods with the Fairtrade mark.

The exhibition will run until September 14th and admission is free.

PIONEER MEETING

The monthly meeting of the regional Pioneers will take place in Cushlough Community Centre at 9 pm tonight (Tuesday), September 3rd.

RECOVERY INC.

Recovery Inc are up and running in Westport and hold weekly meetings every Thursday evening at 8 pm in the Parish Centre. At these meetings one can learn self-help techniques with depression, fears, panics, phobias, anxiety etc.

BIO-ENERGY

A Bio-Energy clinic will take place this week in Westport Leisure Park. The course runs from today, Tuesday until Thursday. The course begins at noon each day and runs until the evening with therapists Tom Griffin and Margaret Jennings on duty. Margaret is from Ballinrobe and is available for appointment on 087-2737037 or 092- 41365.

All are welcome so why not come along and experience Bio-Energy healing for yourself.

GET WELL

Get well wishes are extended to Christy Ferris, Clogher after his recent illness. His wide circle of family and friends wish him a speedy recovery.

BIDDY’S BIRTHDAY

Congratulations are extended to Mrs. Biddy Gallagher, Curraun, Achill who celebrates her 100th birthday today, (Tuesday). She is wished many more years of happiness and good health by her wide circle of family and friends.

STONE PICKING

Fahy Community Development Committee extend their appreciation to all the young people who gave of their time and energy to pick stones in the local play field. Their hard work will be rewarded with a beautiful pitch.

WATER LEAKS

Members of the Fahy/Kilmaclasser Group Water Scheme are asked to check their lands, out houses and drinking troughs for leaks or dripping taps. It is very important that these leaks are found and repaired as some houses are experiencing water shortages. All leaks can be reported to 087-2360525.

OLYMPICS BOUND

Congratulations to Padraig Maher, Brocagh, who recently qualified for the World Special Olympics Summer Games. Padraig qualified in the Bowling section and is wished every success from all his fans in Mayo.

GARDENING CLUB

The autumn season of the Gardening Club commences on Thursday, September 5th with the annual prize-giving night for the winners of the July gardening competition. In addition to the prize giving there will be a slide show of the gardens in the competition and competition judge, Jane Stanley will be in attendance to answer all questions. Members of the club and anyone else interested in gardening are asked to attend. The meeting will begin at 8.30 pm in the Lecture Hall, Newport Rd.

CHORAL SOCIETY

Westport Choral Society is a four part choir specialising in major choral pieces and extracts from some old and some modern musicals. Its members, both men and women, are from a varied age group. Their common interest is a love of choral music.

Rehearsals will commence for the new season on Tuesday next, Sept 10th, in St Patrick’s Girls National School, Altamont St, Westport at 8.00pm.