Ballinrobe in the Spotlight
Ballinrobe Kayak Club members pictured before their 40km paddle lap of Lough Mask
As Ballinrobe Racecourse basked in glorious sunshine for the local Agricultural Show on September 3, thoughts turned to absent friends for whom this event was a centrepiece of their year. Anthony McCormack, Cloongowla, Ballinrobe, who passed away recently in his 91st year, was one such friend.
As the year turned inexorably towards show day – held for virtually all of his life in The Green before moving to the majestic surroundings of the racecourse in more recent times – Anthony got himself ready: out on his bike, he’d earmark wild flowers that his wife Kitty could enter; many hours were spent deliberating over which elements of his abundant garden produce he’d put forward; while black stone turf hewn by hand from Cloongowla Bog was a regular winner.
A Sheaf of Oats, Three-fodder Beet, Three Heads of Cabbage (early York) – these, and countless other disparate categories, captured Anthony’s imagination over the years.
Show day truly was show day for Anthony. “Have it good and show it off well,” he would declare with the trademark glint in his eye.
At the 60th Ballinrobe show in 2012, Anthony won the Best Overall in the Farm and Garden section while his sister, Bertha Donnelly, who has also since passed onto her eternal reward, was named Best Overall in the Jam section. Both were lifelong exhibitors at the show.
If the weather was good, and the people had come from far and near, Anthony would survey the show day scene and declare “that’s a mighty crowd”. It signalled the imminent passing of another year, but he was grateful for the things that he loved about rural life.
The excitement of show day has been transmitted to the next generation with Anthony’s grandchildren continuing in the long tradition. The categories have expanded to free range eggs and decorating wellies. In 2022, grandson Matthew McCormack claimed the inaugural rosette for The Maura Varley Memorial Short Story competition.
“I’m a self-employed farmer all my life,” Anthony would reply with an impish smile when asked what he did for a crust.
He had a deep and genuine love for Ballinrobe. He took great joy in highlighting various aspects that made the place special to him – the lakes, the golf course, the World Cup fly fishing competition for which he was a boatman for many years, and so much more.
In Cloongowla, and around Ballinrobe, Anthony was known as a generous and warm-hearted neighbour. In company, he interspersed wit and wisdom with ease.
He was a man who valued family, friendship and local accomplishment – his wife Kitty and himself attended numerous events held every year, always keen to offer a word of encouragement to the promoters of undertakings that added colour and excitement to local life.
Anthony’s role as a grandfather was a source of immense joy and fulfilment. The names James, Matthew, Grace, Siobhan and Roisin were music to his ears, and his interactions with them were filled with laughter, stories and endless affection.
Anthony was predeceased by his sisters Mary Flannelly and Bertha Donnelly. He is deeply regretted by his wife Kitty, daughter Bernadette, son Sean, son-in-law Peter, daughter-in-law Orla. He is sadly missed by his adored grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends.
His remains reposed at his residence, Cloongowla, Ballinrobe, on Monday, 14th and requiem Mass was held in St Mary’s Church, Ballinrobe, on Tuesday, August 12, followed by interment of his remains at the New Cemetery, Ballinrobe.
Ballinrobe enjoyed what might have been dubbed Super Sunday on September 3, marked by three significant gatherings and favourable weather conditions. The day began with the local Agricultural Show held at The Racecourse, drawing huge crowds and proving highly entertaining from morning to evening.
Mid-morning, football enthusiasts gathered in The Green to witness Ballinrobe Town FC’s crucial match against Kiltimagh Knock United. A Ballinrobe victory was imperative to sustain their Premier League championship aspirations, and hopes were pinned on another match happening 25 miles east – Ballyhaunis Town facing Claremorris, Ballinrobe’s fellow title contenders.
However, neither event unfolded in the way local fans wished, with Ballinrobe held to a 5-5 draw and Claremorris claiming a convincing 3-0 win over Ballyhaunis Town. Nonetheless, Ballinrobe’s season has been commendable, their second-place finish in the Premier League securing promotion to the Super League.
The day’s final noteworthy event took place at Flanagan Park, where Ballinrobe clashed with Kiltane in the Mayo Intermediate Football Championship. The match was a hard-fought battle, and Liam Burke’s goal from a penalty proving pivotal in Ballinrobe’s 1-14 to 1-11 victory. The stage is now set for Ballinrobe’s final game in the group stages against Hollymount-Carramore in Garrymore at 7.30pm on Saturday.
Both teams have registered victories in their first two games, and this eagerly anticipated local derby promises to be a fiercely competitive showdown.
Ballinrobe Musical Society have announced the principal cast for their 2024 production of the world-renowned musical, The Phantom of The Opera: Niall Conway (The Phantom of The Opera), Eve Garvan (Christine), Edward Scott (Vicomte Raoul de Chagny), Catherine Conway (Carlotta Giudicelli), Richard Crumlish (Gilles Andrè), John Byrne (Richard Firmin), Angela Staunton (Madame Giry), Kate MacDonnell (Meg Giry), Joff Manning (Ubaldo Piangi) and Michael Cooney (Joseph Buquet). The society have extended their thanks to all those who showed up to audition for the show, which will be staged from February 11-17.
“We are delighted with the level of interest in The Phantom of The Opera,” said a society spokesman. “It was so heartening to see the talent and enthusiasm at our auditions. We simply cannot wait to get back rehearsing.”
The second annual Roxboro Community Walk, organised by the local defibrillator committee, will take place on Sunday, September 17, at 1.30pm. Those who wish to walk should register from 1pm onwards. The event aims to bring the community together and raise funds for the ongoing maintenance of the defibrillator through donations on the day. The walk will suit walkers of all fitness levels. For further details, contact any member of the committee: Chairperson, Cathy Lydon; vice-do, Veronica Gilligan; secretary, Noreen Gilligan; joint treasurers, Dympna Malone and Marie Burke; PRO, Liam Horan.
Eight members of Ballinrobe Kayak Club completed a 40km paddle lap of Lough Mask on Sunday, September 3. All funds raised will be donated to Daisy Lodge and Corrib Mask Search and Rescue.
Ballinrobe Town U12 boys’ B team defeated Claremorris 5-2 in the Mayo Cup last week, at Claremorris. The goalscorers were Demians Kivtkous, Donnacha Burke (2) and Cian Walsh.
The C team travelled to Kilmurry and came home with a 4-1 win thanks to goals from Jayden Colfar (2), Conor Dowling and Patrick Duffy.
Lakeside Sports and Fitness Centre is running a new strength class for new mothers. MomFit is a class specifically designed to rebuild strength, mobility and fitness levels in a safe and effective way post birth. You can get more information by calling the centre on 094 95 41364.
Barry Langan, Lake District AC, captured a gold medal in the U15 javelin event at the AAA Championships in Birmingham. Barry was chosen to compete in the event as part of the Irish team after achieving the qualifying standard at the National Juvenile Championships.
Michael Lee captured Bart Grimes’ Captain’s Prize at Ballinrobe Golf Course last week. Good weather conditions made for a memorable day’s golf, and the full results were as follows: 1, Michael Lee, 84; 2, John C Burke, 88; Gross, Brendan Sheridan, 99; 3, Cian O’Grady, 88; 4, Peter Flaherty, 89; 2, Gross, John Lydon, 10; 5, Tomas McHale, 90; Category winners and runners-up, 1 Alan Sammon and Kevin Keane; 2, Eamon Higgins and Geoff Diskin; 3, Michael Higgins and Keith McTigue; 4, Stephen Byrne and Bart Grimes Jnr;
Past-Captains: Ray Darcy; First 18 hole, Justin Keady; Front Nine, Aidan Foley; Back Nine, Kieran O’Reilly; Back Five, Kevin Finnegan; Longest Drive, Brian O’Connor; Nearest the Pin, Rory Bane.
Captain’s Prize to the Ladies: 1, Geraldine Ryan, 65; 2, Sharon O’Malley, 71; Gross, Laura Daly, 73; 3, Mary Daly, 72; 4, Carmel Sweeney; Category winners: 1, Clarice Evans; 2, Catherine Walsh; 3, Ann Joyce; Front Nine, Aileen Tierney; Back Nine, Lydia Cummins.
GolfStyle Open Friday, 1 September: 1, Michael McManamon (9), 46pts; Gross, Sean O’Connor (Galway, 31gpts; Qualifiers, Micahel Vahey, Adrian Fahy, Cian O’Grady, Michael Rattigan, Ciaran Hennelly, Joe Cradock.
Captain’s Mixed Scramble: 1, Billy McGrath, Tony O’Toole, Breda Keane, Mary Farragher; 2, Ailish Gleeson, Mary Hynes, Brian Flood, Martin Summerville; 3, Aiden Foley, Niamh Foley, Aiden Keane, Mary Timon-O’Brien.
Ballinrobe’s annual Culture Night event will take place on Friday, September 22, in Ballinrobe Community School from 7-9pm. An invitation has been extended to everyone from an international culture to come along and showcase their food, songs, dance, crafts or other traditions. Contact Mary on 087 285 9973 for more details.
Margaret Murphy, Neale Road, and Bernie Keane, Carrowkeel, have been bereaved by the death of their brother Tommy O’Malley, Liscarney, Westport. Tommy, better known as Blondie, was a well-known and popular figure in Ballinrobe as he worked in Jennings’ meat factory for many years.
Leaving Cert results in Ballinrobe Community School were of an exceptionally high standard this year. One student, Diarmuid Duffy, who studied eight subjects, achieved the maximum of eight H1 grades. This is the best set of grades ever recorded by a male student at the school. Diarmuid is going on to study Veterinary in UCD “This is an exceptional achievement by Diarmuid,” stated School Principal Mr William Culkeen, who added that the results overall were very good, and the school is delighted for the students and their families.
Another student, Jamie Treacy, achieved the maximum 625 points. Jamie will study Pharmacy in Aberdeen. In total, 18 students achieved 500 points or more this year which is just under 20% of the year group.
