Search Results for 'Ernie Sweeney'

Growing up in Castlebar in the 1950s and the 1960s Ernie Sweeney encountered a number of health problems which meant he missed periods of school over the years. This resulted in him falling behind and he had great difficulties with reading and writing. Being a member of a large class as was fairly normal in those days, he had little chance of getting any extra attention for his difficulties. Those were the days also prior to the presence of special needs teachers in schools. People like Ernie were often treated as being stupid and as result there was a huge stigma attached to the inability to be able to read.

It is told that the then Nan Denning was in a world of her own, singing away as she made her way down McHale Road, Castlebar, at the ripe old age of 14, when she was overheard by Tony O’Grady from Manulla. He enquired if Nan would sing in his band which comprised John Lally on saxophone, Toddy Buckley from Knockthomas on drums, Gerald Ralph from Moneen on drums, and Tony himself on accordion. Nan’s first gig was at the Eclipse Ballroom in Ballyhaunis with her opening number “Buttons & Bows”. From there started a long and talented singing career which brought Nan from the dance halls of Mayo to the Castlebar pantomime stage.

It takes immense courage to put your name on the ballot paper and your face on an election poster. Actually thanks to literacy campaigner, Castlebar man Ernie Sweeney, we now have faces on ballot papers too.

The annual Bob Kilkelly Memorial Walk in Castlebar takes place on St Stephen's Day.

From the Plain of the Yew Tree provides 151 pages of pure goodness and an insight to a young man and his musical career. This is the amazing story of a musician, a Castlebar man, from the Westport Road who brings us down into his father’s shop, Christy Hoban’s in Castle Lane.

With the cold snap interfering in the normal running of life for most people in recent weeks, one of Castlebar’s most colourful characters, Ernie Sweeney, shares some words of wisdom with Mayo Advertiser readers this week.

Ernie Sweeney recommends an inspirational read — From the Plain of the Yew Tree: The Lifetime Journey of a County Mayo Musician by John Hoban.

The sad passing of popular Castlebar man Johnny Morgan was mourned by large crowds at his funeral this month.

Mayo Remembrance Concert is a unique event which will take place in the Royal Castlebar Theatre and Event Centre on Monday, October 6. This special concert is being held in honour of all those from County Mayo who served and died in both world wars and in the many conflicts of the past century in the cause of world peace. The fallen will be permanently commemorated in the Mayo Peace Park Garden of Remembrance which will be officially opened on the following day by the President of Ireland, Mary McAleese.

Fine Gael leader Deputy Enda Kenny has condemned those responsible for dumping rubbish at the graveyard beside Lough Lannagh. The dumping is taking place at the weekends and has occurred twice over the past fortnight. The Mayo TD visited the area last Saturday morning to see the damage for himself and assisted in the clean-up with Councillor Ger Deere and Mr Ernie Sweeney.