16-05-2025
Around the Districts: Ballyhea, Castlemagner and Freemount
Church Notes
Mass Times - Thursday 15th May 10am; Friday 16th May 10am; Saturday 17th May 10am & 7.30pm; Sunday 18th May 8.30am & 11am
Adoration & Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament will take place on Thursday after 10am Mass
Holy Communion - Only those receiving Holy Communion should approach the Altar & only on a seat-by-seat basis.
Anniversary Masses - Booked Anniversary Masses are accepted on the understanding that Funeral Masses and Month's Mind Masses take precedence.
Month of May - The month of May dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary
Feastdays for the coming week - Thursday 15th May St. Carthage; Friday 16th May St. Brendan, Abbot; Saturday 17th May St. Adrio; Sunday 18th May 5th Sunday of Easter.
New Crucifix - The Parish has acquired a large out-door Crucifix from the Redemptorist Monastery in Esker, Co. Galway. To defray the purchase and transport costs a subscription list is now open for anyone who would like to support this initiative. Subscriptions may be left into the Sacristy at any time.
Collectors for May - 7.30pm Vigil Mass: Eileen Hanley. 8.30am Mass: Jim Horgan. 11.00am Mass: Cathy O'Donoghue.
Readers - Saturday 17th May: May Ger. O'Shea. Sunday 18th May: Mary Byrne. Saturday 24th May: Louisa Carroll. Sunday 25th May: Sheila Fennessy.
Church Altar Flower Arrangers - Saturday 17th May: Theresa O'Keeffe. Saturday 24th May & Saturday 31st May: Gretta Donegan Kenny.
Pilgrimage to Medjugorje – Leaving Cork on August 20 to September 4. Early booking offers available. Money can be paid in instalments to spread out the cost. For more information, please contact Mary Cott, Group Leader 086 1220850.
Church gate collections – No church gate collection taken up at St Mary's Church, Ballyhea is endorsed by the parish. Any group or organisation intending to collect outside the church gates are asked to present copies of their permits in the sacristy, together with copies of letters of authorisation of those collecting on their behalf. This should be done before the collection commences.
Parent and Toddler Group
The parent and Toddler Group in Ballyhea is now meeting Friday mornings from 10 a.m. to midday in the Parish Hall. Coffee and tea is provided. €3 donation please.
Ballyhea National School enrolment.
Application forms (Admission notice) for September 2025 are available on the School Website ( or by calling to the office at Ballyhea NS Completed forms to be returned as soon as possible. Prospective parents may contact the school at 083 1475817 for further information or to facilitate a school visit.
Healthy Eating information mornings.
Further dates have been added for Healthy Eating information mornings at Ballyhea National School: Mondays May 19 and 26 from 9.30 a.m. to 11.30 a.m.
Come along for information, tips, recipes, demos and mindful meditations to improve overall health' with Joanne O'Callaghan.
GAA club news
Lotto – The numbers drawn on 3rd May were 11, 12, 28. There was no winner of the Jackpot of €2800. Lucky tips winners: €30 Padraig Morrissey c/o Eamon Dundon, €30 Bernie Crowley c/o Bernie Crowley €30 Orfhlaith Ryan c/o Dave Ryan, Saturday Morning Lotto
Get your tickets before 5pm on Saturday from Costcutters Ballyhea, Corbett Court, The Idle Hour or from any of the ticket sellers or they can be purchased online at Thank you for your continued support.
The first 3 numbers of the National Lottery Main Draw will be the Jackpot numbers. If a number higher than 42 is drawn in the first 3, the draw will continue with the next number drawn under 42.
The Club appreciates the support of lottery players and supporters during these difficult times and are very grateful for your continued support. Keep safe and the best of luck in draw!
Club membership – Membership fees for 2025 are currently being taken. Anyone wishing to pay online can do so by going to and selecting Ballyhea Club. Memberhip can also be paid to any committee member. All players must have membership paid before the commencement of all competitions. Membership fees for 2025: Adult €75, Adult Player €100, Juvenile player/student €50, Family €150, OAP/Unwaged €30.
Ballyhea in Black and White – 'Ballyhea in Black and White' is a collection of memories from local photographer Michael McGrath and photos that have been collected. It features some great GAA and camogie memories from down through the years. Books can be purchased at Costcutters shop in Ballyhea for €20.
Online Shop – The club's online shop is proving to be very popular. All the latest club gear can be purchased from the O'Neill's website. Check it out at
Ballyhea Community Alert
Ballyhea Community Alert has successfully set up a Text Alert Network to immediately alert our community when an incident occurs. Prompt information to and from Gardaí deters criminal activity. If you are interested in becoming a member of our Text Alert Network please phone any of the following people for information and sign up details – Phil Ryan 087 2937465, Pat Daly 086 1220114, James Horgan 087 2572271, Willie Meaney 087 1936842, Con Walsh 086 8570355. The fee for this service is €10 annually.
CASTLEMAGNER
Bealtaine Evening Cabaret returns to Castlemagner
The Castlemagner Sinsir Club is delighted to present its much-loved Bealtaine Evening Cabaret on Thursday, May 22nd at 8pm, as part of the annual Bealtaine Festival.
This vibrant evening of entertainment will celebrate the creativity and vitality of our older generation, featuring a rich mix of storytelling, solo performances, and group singing from across the Duhallow region. Special guests include singing groups from Donoughmore and Tureencahill, alongside the Castlemagner Community Singing Group, all bringing their unique voices to the stage.
In keeping with the reflective spirit of Bealtaine, the programme will also include screenings of locally produced documentaries that capture the essence of community and the season's themes.
Held in a warm cabaret-style setting, with the audience seated at candlelit tables and served tea and light refreshments, it is a joyful celebration of the invaluable contribution older adults make to our lives, while also highlighting the power of music and singing to support wellbeing and mental health.
All are welcome for what promises to be an uplifting and memorable evening.
FREEMOUNT
Weekly 45 Drive
The weekly 45 Drive was well attended on Sunday night last. The following is a list of the lucky winners.
Top prize went to Esther Hayes, Kilbrin and Eileen O'Sullivan, Kanturk. Ladies prize was divided between: 1 Eileen Scott and Delia Conroy, Churchtown; 2 Margaret and Theresa O'Regan, Kilmeedy. Gents prize was won by Frank O'Brien and John Mulcahy, Kilbrin. Mixed prize was won by Mary Noonan, Freemount and Paddy O'Leary, Glash. Spot Prize was won by Mike Scanlon, Feohanagh and Ben O'Sullivan, Freemount.
The following won raffle prizes: 1 Maurice Healy, Liscarroll; 2 Paddy Hartnett, Newmarket; 3 Maurice Healy, Liscarroll; 4 Brendan O'Kelly, Ashford; 5 Maurice Healy, Liscarroll; 6 Michael O'Callaghan, Freemount.
The 45 Drive continues every Sunday night at 8pm sharp. See you all then.
Social Dancing
Afternoon dancing continues every Sunday in Freemount Community Centre from 3pm to 5.30pm. All top bands are booked for the year ahead, so set your satnav (P56 P893) and head for Freemount and enjoy a great afternoon's dancing this Sunday May 18th, with music supplied by Bernie Heaney. Coming on Sunday May 25th is Stuart Moyles.
Duhallow Heritage Society
Duhallow Heritage Society are holding a Photography Exhibition 'Captured Memories: Kanturk in the 50's and 60's through the Lens of Danny O'Sullivan' at Kanturk Library from May 23rd to June 2nd (excluding Bank Holiday June 1st). Launch Night May 23rd, 7pm to 8.30pm. Everyone Welcome.
Freemount Community Alert
Freemount's Be Alert Text system is set up to help prevent suspicious or criminal activity in our community. The annual membership fee of €10 is now due. Renewal forms are available in Freemount shop or from Josephine (087 2255757). Alternatively you may renew online at and pay using debit/credit card or by PayPal. If renewing online, the Organisation name is Freemount Community Alert, Code FRE0001. We ask you to please join up to help us keep our community safe.
Tidy Towns Committee
A meeting of the Tidy Towns Team was held last week and a full plan of action has been drawn up. We will meet weekly on Wednesday evenings at 7pm at the Garden of Remembrance All volunteers are welcome and would be greatly appreciated
Community Food Services
Duhallow Community Food Services provide a home delivery meal service for the elderly or housebound. Meals can be booked on a long or short term basis. Dinner and desert €9.50 per day delivered to your door, Monday to Friday. Menu changes daily and special diets are catered for. Chilled meals are also available for you to heat up at home when required. For further details contact Orlaith/Olive at 029-76375.
St Joseph's Church Lismire
Mass in honour of St Pio will take place in St Joseph's Church, Lismire on Wednesday May 14th at 8pm.
Recent Death
The death took place recently of Martin Enright, formerly of Freemount. Martin was a very talented hurler and footballer for Freemount and played a vital role in a number of historic victories for the club.
He was a key member of the first Freemount Juvenile team that won a Duhallow Juvenile Championship in 1982. A year later at the age of 16, he was the youngest member of the Freemount under 21 team that won its first ever Duhallow under 21 hurling and football championship. In 1988, he scored 1.1 in the Duhallow Junior Hurling Final Replay against Kilbrin when Freemount won its first ever Duhallow Junior Hurling Championship.
Our sympathy to Martin's children Kieran, Martina and Sharon, their mother Geraldine, sister Mary, brothers John, Patsy, Brian, Jerry, Damien and Michael and extended family. May he rest in peace.
Thursday Club
The next get together of the Thursday Club will take place in Cois Abhann on Thursday May 29th at 2pm. Make a special effort to join us for 2025.
Pioneers
If anyone would like to join the P.T.A.A. or get a Gold (50 years)/Silver (25 years) Pin, please contact Mary on 087 9744500 or Eileen on 083 4042919.
St Michael's Church
Weekend Mass in Freemount will be at 6pm every Saturday evening. You can now tune into all Masses in St Michael's Church by tuning into Freemount Church on your phone, computer or tablet, as new equipment has been installed. This is great news for all those unable to attend Mass in Church.
Mass on TV - Did you know that R.T.E. broadcast Holy Mass every morning on the News Channel (21) at 10.30 am, Monday to Friday.
G.A.A. club news
Lotto - Results for weekend May 11th. Numbers drawn were 3-7-12-36. There was no Jackpot winner. Lucky Dip winners were: 1. MaryO'Connell, Ballybahallow, Freemount. 2. Mike and Sadie O'Callaghan, Ballinla, Freemount. 3. Eileen Broderick, Knockeen, Freemount. 4. Graeme Kennedy, Glounicommane, Freemount. 5. Timmy Vaughan,Ballybahallow, Freemount. Jackpot this weekend is €2,000. If you are not in you can't win!
Club app - Freemount GAA are delighted to announce the launch of our new app. This app is a one-stop-shop for all things Freemount GAA. Stay up to date with all local news, fixtures and results. Our GAA Lotto is now also available online through the app. To download the app, simply search 'Freemount GAA' in the app store or play store. Your support of the app would be greatly appreciated.
Notes
