Local Notes: All-Ireland champions St Brendan's College cross Bellacorick Bridge
The triumphant St Brendan’s College Senior C Basketball Champions side with management and supporters crossing Bellacorrick Bridge with their second National title in five years.
An exhibition of Mixed Media Paintings/Collage by Mary Woods will be launched in the Civic Centre in Belmullet on next Friday evening, January 26, at 7pm, with guest speaker: Val Rogers (retired rector, Westport). The exhibition runs from January 26 to March 8.
Marie Woods studied and trained in Birmingham, and then worked in art education in both Birmingham and Cumbria for nearly 20 years. She has been working as a professional artist for 23 years and has been living in Mayo for almost 10 years, having moved from the UK. Marie has exhibited widely in public and commercial galleries throughout Scotland, England and Ireland. Her first solo exhibition was in the National Gallery of Scotland, Duff House; and twice she has exhibited works at The Royal Scottish Academy in Edinburgh. Marie has works in private collections in Ireland, UK, America, Italy and France.
Her work is a distillation of the spirit of the Mayo landscape, revealing a sense of the extraordinary, looking past the obvious and capturing the fleeting magical light. The land/seascape images are all mixed media painting/collage which cast a fresh eye on the visual riches of Mayo, in all its drama and moods, always spellbinding. Energy and passion are a constant presence throughout the works.
Mary delights in the pleasure of seeing; being totally in tune with her surroundings, and somehow trying to find the right alchemy between the medium, the subject and the moment. Her camera is her sketch book, and the photographs she takes are often the starting point for working, influencing composition and colour of each new piece. Mary is not interested in portraying a likeness but wants to create something which represents the total experience and excitement of that place, at that time.
‘I use prepared experimental painted and printed papers that create an unusual palette of textures and colours, these materials throw up unexpected pathways into the work. When applied, they take on a life of their own, creating a new order, an equivalence, which invariably develops its own dynamic aesthetic beyond the initial photograph, often more abstract, but beating to the time of the initial idea.
I am excited to be the first artist showing in the Aras Inis Gluaire Exhibition Programme for 2024. This is a particular honour as 2024 also sees Belmullet celebrate its Bicentenary. Many of the works on view, reference the area and are all rooted in Mayo’ stated Mary.
One of the highlights will be a recently completed painting of Blacksod Lighthouse which includes a portrait of Maureen Sweeney. Sadly Maureen died recently at the age of 100. She has been feted for her famous D-Day weather forecast which resulted in the Normandy Landings being postponed for 24 hours thus changing the course of the WW2. This work is Homage to her.
The organisers thank everyone who came out and supported the first Tracey Moran Memorial Darts Competition. There was a fantastic turnout with 90 players taking part. Fair to say there was some cracking games of darts. Special thanks to Bernie and Michael and all the staff in The Anglers Rest (Healy’s) in Glenamoy for allowing to have the competition there; to Damian Reilly for use of the sound system, to those who sponsored the board, lights and the equipment needed to make the day possible; to Shane McHale for all the help and keeping things running on the day; to Mark Doocey for chalking the final; to everyone who gave spot prizes for the raffle and to those who bought tickets with a massive €3000 raised all going to a great cause, Cara Iorrais.
Congratulations to the winner Cathal Tighe, well deserved. Runner up was Kevin Rowland. The semi-finalists were Noel Keane and Shane McHale who also had the highest checkout on the night. Thanks again to everyone that played and came out. Hopefully we see ye all back again next year.
Congratulations to Zack Ruddy who won his first Irish ranking title by becoming the U18 champion in Ballinasloe recently. His hard work over recent months on the practice table is now showing at the highest level. It was an unbelievable performance from Zack as he beat some of the best players along the way including the U18 European Champion Shane Hopkins in the quarter finals. Well done also to Leo Reuland who also performed brilliantly as he reached the semi-final of the U18 event.
Ballyglass RNLI thank the following local company Westire Technology who sent them a donation that came from another Mayo company Electric Skyline. They were delighted to receive a generous donation to their service which stated that the company owner Sean Corcoran has always been impressed by the work they do and wanted to help towards their fundraising efforts. Thanks to both Sean’s from both companies. Mayo folk doing what they do best, supporting each other and continued success to both of these great company’s.
Well done to volunteer trainee helms Men Ryan Geraghty and Ciarán Deane who have successfully completed their towing assessments with assessor trainer Seán Ginnelly recently. A lot of hard work and dedication mean this volunteer crew are ready and competent to go to sea to save lives at the drop of a hat.
Ryan only has the Search and Rescue module to complete and the next step will be operational pass out, hopefully by the end of March. Go n-éirí go geal libh lads.
The Order of Malta shop on Church Street in Belmullet announced recently that unfortunately due to the increase in running costs in particular commercial rates, sadly they have to close their charity shop. This decision is a hard one, they were proud to have a fully voluntary charity shop that sourly supported their ambulance corp and charitable projects in Erris. They thank all who supported them over the 6 years and to all their volunteers who put in countless hours. They will be having a closing sale in the coming weeks.
Mayo North East Partnership will hold clinics by appointment every Tuesday at Belmullet Civic Offices from 10am until 1pm. If anyone has an available local property that can be rented out to people whose homes are impacted by Pyrite, contact Caroline Wilson on 087 482 8261 or email: carolinewilson@mayonortheast.com.
The draw was held on January 15, and the numbers drawn were; 17, 22, 26 and 35 for a jackpot €11,500 with no winner. The house prize €100 winner was Sinead Doherty, Gorthmellia Strand and the 2 x €30 offline winners were Mary Gallagher, Gorthmellia Strand and Tom McAndrew (T), Gorthmellia Upper. The 2 x €30 online winners were Shona Coultry, Belderrig and Shona Coultry, Belderrig. The jackpot in the latest draw which was held in McGuire’s Pullathomas was €11,700.
If you grew up in Belmullet you will have heard of Laurel Villa situated at the end of Chapel Street, it was demolished in the 1970/80’s and the present residents built by Miss Quinn. The first mention found, to date, of Laurel Villa was in 1872, it was the residents of Dr James Mullaney The Mullaney family tree is as follows; James was first registered as a doctor in 1859; James married Margaret Walker bef 1857; William Joseph 1857 – 1912 in Liverpool, he was also a doctor, he was registered in the Bangor Dispensary in 1890 and registered in Belmullet 1895-1897. He married Alice Jane Mullaney and they had 3 children, all born in Belmullet, Elizabeth b 1892, James b 1894 and Alice Josephine b 1895. They immigrated to Liverpool and William worked as a Ships Surgeon.
Anne Margaret 1858. Frances / Fanny 1861-1941, died in Dublin , never married. In the 1901 Census she was living in William St with the Tighe family and in 1911 she was living in High St with Anne O’Halloran.
Mary Louise 1861 – 1864 (twin to Frances). Ellen Mary 1863 – 1877. Lizzie 1864 – 1890. There may have been another son Thomas Walker Mullaney c 1862 – 1940, died in N.S.W. James Mullaney died 1887, age 66, Informant son William. Margaret Edith (Walker) Mullaney died 1889.
Thank you to all who played the Kilcommon lotto on weekending January 14. All funds collected were donated to the Mills family fundraiser in Inver. A total of €1,000 was raised. Thank you for your continuous support.
Cill Chomáin GAA is organising conversational Irish classes in the clubhouse, Gleann na Muaidhe every Thursday at 7pm beginning on January 25. The class will help to improve your vocabulary and fluency in the language. Anyone who would like to improve on their existing ability is welcome to attend in a welcoming and informal setting. For further information contact Michelle on 086 4075057. Bain trial as an cúpla focal.
Seachtain na Gaeilge, which takes place this year from March 1-17, is one the biggest international Irish language festivals. To coincide with this Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo plans to organise various activities. Keep an eye out for updates, notices etc.
At a meeting of Coiste Dúiche Mhaigh Eo de Chonradh na Gaeilge, which was convened in the Seanscoil in November, it was decided that the annual conference of the organisation would be held in Ceathrú Thaidhg this year. Further information will be made available nearer to the date.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of €11,000 with the two €50 winners being Martin Carey, Muinginaune and Gerry Dalton while Katie Dalton and Sean McKenzie, Attawalla, both won €25. The two online winners were Gerard Jones, London €50 and Aishling Murphy, Attycunnane, €25.
Bingo will continue in the complex Bangor this Tuesday, January 23, at 8pm with a €500 jackpot in 45 calls or less.
