Category: News

A new map of Currane

Achill, Corraun and Clare Island map

Barry Dalby is a surveyor and cartographer who publishes maps of various areas. His company is EastWest Mapping and can be found here: www.eastwestmapping.ie.  In April of this year he came to visit Currane and spent some time surveying the area, meeting with local sheepfarmers and recording many of the placenames that are used. Of course recoding these placenames is important in order to protect our heritage.

His new map Achill & Corraun – Clare Island was launched in August and is now available to purchase in several local shops or online. The map is at 1:7,500 scale, very detailed and is printed on water and tear resistant paper.

I’ve found they make excellent gifts for anyone with an interest in or connection to Currane (or Achill and Clare Island) and are great to pour over on a rainy day.

Barry himself has a Currane connection as his Grandfather, Michael Matthews (Mathews) worked as a gardener at Currane House around 1924.

There is an interesting discussion regarding Corraun/Currane spelling on Barry’s company Facebook page, including some maps. One dates back to 1658 and shows Currane as an island.

A second performance of The Maiden Aunt

For those of you who missed it the first time around, Cumann Drámaíochta a’ Chorráín, The Currane Drama Group, will be reprising their production of The Maiden Aunt at Glór na dTonn. The performance will take place on Friday April 8th. Doors will open at 7.30pm and the curtain will rise at 8.00pm. Tickets 10.00 Euro.

We were lucky enough to attend the Good Friday performance. It was a very entertaining evening. So much effort had been put into the production. Those involved should be very proud.

The Group will also be performing at the Ballycroy Community Centre at the later time of 9.00pm on Saturday April 9th (doors open 8.30pm).

Good luck everybody! Break a leg!

Maiden-Aunt

The Currane Challenge 2014

The Currane Challenge is organised by Muintir a Chorráin and is an outdoor adventure duathlon. The plan is to promote fun and fitness and to raise funds for the community and a chosen charity. This year The Currane Challenge takes place on Saturday October 18th.  The Challenge includes cycling and hiking up Currane Hill although participants who don’t wish to complete the whole course are welcomed. For details of the course, timetable, training tips, contact details and a pre-registration form, visit the Currane Challenge web site. You must register to take part.

Good luck. Here’s hoping for lovely weather on the day.

Currane National School Centenary

Ian Boyle has made a video/slideshow of images of Currane National School and the Community to celebrate the schools centenary in 2013.

John Hoban has kindly provided the music. The track is Hollow Bones.

Currane National School Centennial

Celebrations start tonight and continue over the weekend. There is a special mass at 8.pm this evening (Aug 2nd) and celebrations continue in Glór na dTonn afterwards.

Is Currane National School Closing?

I heard a rumour that it was. In fact, last week I was told that it actually had. The summer holidays have started so it’s hard to tell.  I don’t have children attending the school either. This seemed so sad to me as I’m pretty sure it celebrates it’s centenary this year. The rumour was that the school was being merged with Tonragee National School and that pupils would travel there to be educated. No one I spoke to seemed to know for sure. I checked all of the local press and looked online but could find nothing to tell me that the school was closed.

I decided to go straight to the ‘horses mouth’ and ask the Department of Education. I’m impressed that they even replied to my email to be honest. Anyway, they’ve confirmed that the school hasn’t closed. Of course, this doesn’t mean that it won’t at some point in the future.

I’m so pleased to hear this. I know this is a ‘non-news’ story but no news is good news sometimes and it’s better to know, rather than listen to rumour.

This is what the School Capital Appraisal Section, Department of Education and Skills had to say;

 

I refer to you email below regarding Currane NS, Gob a Choire, Achill, Co Mayo.

I can confirm that this school is still open, the enrolment was 11 in 2012.  The staffing was Principal only.

I hope this information is of assistance to you.

So, there we are. I’m glad I asked. Smile

A message from Mayo County Council. Electrical Recycling Event – Currane Community Centre/Church Carpark – 7th March, 2013

A FREE Electrical recycling event hosted by WEEE Ireland and supported by Mayo County Council will take place in the Community Centre/Church Car-park, Currane, on Thursday, 7th March, 2013, from 10am – 3pm.

Anything which is operated by a plug or a battery (large or small appliance) and is at the end of its useful life will be accepted for recycling free of charge.   Also, all types of batteries and energy saving light-bulbs will be accepted for recycling.

For further information, please contact Sharon Cameron, Environment Awareness Officer, Mayo County Council at (094) 9047360.