Local notes: Ballinrobe Bridge Club President's Prize
Eileen Comer (left) and Josie Connaughton (right), winners of the Ballinrobe Bridge Club President’s Prize last week, pictured receiving their prizes from Mary O’Reilly (President).
The following are the results of the President’s Prize (Mary O’Reilly) at Ballinrobe Bridge Club:1 Eileen Comer and Josie Connaughton; 2 Marian O’Connor and Mary OReilly; 3 Lena Lowery and Maura McHugh; 4 Kathleen and Phil Walsh; 5 Stella Nalty and Patrica McDonagh; 6 Mary Gallagher and Mary Keane; 7 Mary Dalton and Kitty Farrell; 8 Maureen Gallagher and Mary Connaughton; 9 Teresa Eagleton and Ann Usher; 10 Emer Canny and Irene Walkin.
The club has extended congratulations to William Enright and Angela Murphy who have qualified for the All-Ireland finals of the regional pairs on 24/25 February.
The range of events held in Ballinrobe in the run-in to Christmas was highlighted by Frank Keane, Chairperson, Ballinrobe Community Development Council (CDC) at the organisation’s monthly meeting last week.
Frank said that the tractor parade, Christmas market, Christmas streetlights, the €1,000 shopping giveaway and the annual promotion of the Lakes Gift Card were clear signs of a vibrant community. He thanked all involved in the various events and initiatives and noted that feedback from locals and visitors had been overwhelmingly positive.
Meanwhile, Ballinrobe Foróige Club have thanked the organisers of the tractor parade for nominating the club to be the beneficiaries of this year’s collection. A total of €2,500 was raised. This cash injection is a major boost to the newly formed club.
Five Ballinrobe Town players have been selected on the newly formed Mayo team that will compete in the National U17 League this season. They are Emma Dowling, Sophia McHale, Maura Hughes, Emily Jennings and Kate Brennan.
“They will be making history representing their county at this level, as it’s the first time Mayo will have a League of Ireland team for women. This is a remarkable achievement and a huge credit to the girls, their parents, their coaches in Ballinrobe Town and their coaches in Mayo Schoolgirls who worked so hard to support their development over the past number of years,” said a club spokesperson.
A project management company will be appointed soon for the redevelopment of Ballinrobe Town Hall, following a recent tender process, last week’s AGM of the organisation was told. The meeting was held in the Café room of the Town Hall (formerly The Valkenburg).
Michael Sweeney, chairman, thanked Sabina Trench and Norita Clesham, South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC), for their support over the past year as considerable behind-the-scenes progress was made. SWMDC are the lead partners in the project.
The redevelopment project will avail of €4.87m funding for the redevelopment of Ballinrobe Town Hall under the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund (RRDF).
Recent events held in the venue, including the Christmas market and Santa experience, went off well and are a sign of the need for a community facility of this type, said Michael.
Secretary Siobhan O’Malley said that there is already considerable usage of the venue prior to the redevelopment. Siobhan said there is growing evidence of interest in using the facility when it is redeveloped.
She thanked Monica Horan and Tacu Family Resource Centre for their support. An Taoiseach Leo Varadkar visited the venue in August to learn about the plans for its development.
Michael congratulated Ballinrobe Racecourse on being voted Racecourse of the Year, and particularly complimented Sean O’Connell and Michael Burke, who are members of the Town Hall and Racecourse committees.
The meeting extended sympathy to the families of the late Tony Walkin, Billy O’Carroll and John Joe Murphy, all of whom had strong connections with the Town Hall.
The following are the directors and officers for the coming year: Chairperson, Michael Sweeney; Vice-do, Michael Burke; Secretary, Siobhan O’Malley; Treasurer, Sean O’Connell; PRO, Liam Horan. Directors: Des May, Margot O’Shea, Sheena Duddy.
Ballinrobe Town will face an away assignment against Colga FC (B) in round one of the Connacht Junior Shield on Sunday, January 14, at 2.30pm.
The Connacht Rugby Junior Cup last 16 draw was made on Wednesday night last, with Ballinrobe getting a home draw against Ballina on the weekend of January 13/14. The date and kick-off time will be confirmed at a later date.
There was a large turnout at last Tuesday night’s 25 drive fundraiser for Roxboro NS. The winners were Mike Gibbons and Patsy Feerick. The school have thanked John Gavin and John Burke, who ran the event on the night.
School Principal Aisling O’Neill also acknowledged the support of the following sponsors: JJ Burke Car Sales; Freedom Mobility; Trevor Burke; West Tyres; Flowers4U; Martin Murphy; Liam Jennings Butchers; Paul Cummins Veterinary; Ken Murphy’s Menswear; Treacy’s Chemist / Picture of Health; Willie and Marguerite Culkeen; Fidelma’s Hair Salon; Burke & Burke Construction; Cummins’ Hardware; Caroline’s Hair Salon; Cummins’ Super Valu; Julie Duffy Forever Living; Petals and Buds; Costello & McDermott and Ballinrobe Waste.
The annual Robe Rockets presentation evening, postponed on Sunday week last due to Storm Fergus, will now go ahead on Saturday, January 6, at 4pm in Ballinrobe Community School. The special guests will include several players who won Player of the Year awards at the recent Ballinrobe GAA Club dinner-dance.
Mary Farragher, Ballinrobe, has been bereaved by the death of her brother Tommy Bohan, Moycullen, Co. Galway.
Popular Ballinrobe café McHugh’s last week moved from Glebe Street to Main Street. They’ve taken over the premises formerly occupied by Jarlath Connaughton butcher, who retired in recent times.
Santa Claus brought joy to the Roxboro area of Ballinrobe as he embarked on his annual drive-by visit, spreading cheer to young and old.
Santa met residents, shook hands and graciously accepted letters from excited children. He was accompanied by his local helpers and elves Veronica Feerick and Sarah Gibbons, who are also the main organisers.
Residents expressed their gratitude for the annual tradition, with 43 children visited in total. The community's warm reception, filled with songs and hospitality, made the evening a resounding success.
Special appreciation is extended to Peter Feerick, Liam Horan, Mark Brown, Gerry Donnelly, and the people involved in Believe in Ballinrobe Facebook page, which streamed the visit.
Kate Heneghan and Friends will host an evening concert on Thursda, December 21, at 8pm in Ballintubber Abbey. Donations on night will go to Ballintubber Abbey New Development in honour of Jo and Des Thornton RIP. Tickets are priced at a modest €20 each.
Ballintubber Abbey Gift shop is open daily Monday-Saturday from 9.30 to 4.30 and on Sunday 11.45 to 3pm. Check out the array of local based products available in store, including books, skincare, jewellery, toys and candles. Tours of Ballintubber Abbey are available 7 days a week at the modest fee of €8pp. However it is best to book in advance. The award winning tour guides will impart a vast collection of knowledge about the Abbey and its environs. Ballintubber Abbey choir practice has resumed on Wednesdays at 8pm in the Abbey. All new members will be made most welcome.
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Ireland's cultural community paid tribute following the death of one of the nation’s most renowned playwrights Thomas Kilroy. Thomas who lived in Kilmaine, Co Mayo, for most of his life, had a strong connection with Galway as both his parents were natives of Caltra in East Galway, Tom his father was a Garda in Callan, Co Mayo, and his mother was May Devine. Both were active in the 1916 rising and were married in Galway Jail in 1920.
He loved his Mayo home in peaceful Kilmaine where he did much of his writing. His last major project was to write a monologue on Padraig Pearse for the 1916 Centenary which was performed at the Abbey Theatre and in leading cities around the world.
The Kilkenny-born writer died on December 7, aged 89. President Michael D Higgins led the tributes following his death. “Thomas will be remembered as one of the most significant of a generation of playwrights that included Brian Friel, Tom Murphy and so many others,” he said. “It was that generation who modernised Irish theatre through his work with the Abbey Theatre, and as a ground-breaking founder with visionaries such as Stephen Rea, of Field Day Theatre Company.” A leading figure among Ireland’s creative sector, Kilroy’s ground-breaking plays included The Death and Resurrection of Mr. Roche, The O’Neill, Double Cross and The Shape of Metal.
“Thomas Kilroy’s plays, both in his original work and in his adaptations, were unafraid to cross boundaries, while examining social issues, which would not have been widely considered for audiences in Irish theatre previously,” President Higgins said.
“An example perhaps is The Death and Resurrection of Mr. Roche one of the Irish plays to have a gay central character,” he added.
“In his later work and adaptations, his paralleling of the decline of the Irish landed class with the Russian novel and work such as that of Chekhov was a particularly insightful contribution.”
The numbers drawn in the Western Alzheimers lotto on December 13, were 34, 18, 7 and 29. There was no jackpot winner and the jackpot for next week is €2500. If anyone would like to play the lotto phone 094 93 64900 or play on line www.westernalzheimers.ie.
