Local Notes: Ballinrobe Musical Society attend 'The Wizard of Oz'.
Pictured at Castlebar Pantomime's production of The Wizard of Oz in the TF Royal Theatre in Castlebar are (left to right): Oisín McGovern, Emma Daly, John Morley, Ethan McNea, Lorna Dennehy and Enda Mulchrone. Photo: Ballinrobe Musical Society.
A public meeting will take place in Ballinrobe on Tuesday, February 10, which aims to highlight the challenges faced by wheelchair users and people with mobility issues in the town. The meeting will take place in the Crann Mór Centre (behind Youthreach, The Neale Road), at 8 pm.
Last October an accessibility survey took place to highlight the daily challenges faced by people with mobility difficulties must deal with on a daily basis in Ballinrobe. Some of the challenges faced include broken and uneven footpaths, and accessible parking. There is also a need for additional pedestrian crossings.
The survey was initiated by Delia Costello and was in partnership with Ballinrobe Community School Transition Year students, under the guidance of Mr. Shane Conlon, and in conjunction with Western Care (Crann Mór), the Ballinrobe Retirement Group, and several local wheelchair and mobility scooter users.
Delia Costello is a person with a disability and is an advocate for accessibility in the community. When the accessibility survey was completed, copies were issued to all relevant local stakeholders, including councillors, council engineers, and local political representatives.
However, a workshop, which was supposed to take place last November, never materialised.
In the absence of progress, the public meeting on February 10 aims to continue advancing the important and urgent issue of improving accessibility for people with disabilities in the town of Ballinrobe. All are welcome to attend the meeting, and invitations are extended to local representatives, Councillors, TD’s, relevant agencies, and media.
The results of a competition sponsored by Shaws and which was held on Thursday, January 15, were as follows: 1st gross Nancy Hughes and Bob Craddock; 2nd gross William Enright and Angela Murphy; 2nd nett Breege Connolly and Sean O’Neil; 3rd Patrica McDonagh and Stella Nalty; 4th Joanne Hynes and Eileen Carney; 5th John and Mo Mullin.
On Friday January 16, the Ballinrobe Community School U16 boys’ basketball team were involved in two epic All-Ireland play-off games against Athlone CC, and Coláiste Chroí Mhuire, An Spidéal, at the Lakeside Centre, Station Road. Hosts Ballinrobe defeated Athlone 47-38, and in their second game defeated Coláiste Chroí Mhuire 34-22.
Ballinrobe Community School thank their kit sponsors, JJ Burke Car Sales, as well as those who provided food and refreshments on the day, which included the Ballinrobe Community School canteen, Ms. Henry’s TY class, Devour, Cloonan’s Bakery, SuperValu, Centra, and Mace.
Ballinrobe can now look forward to the All-Ireland quarter-final on Friday, February 6, when they face Limerick’s Coláiste Chiaráin, Croom, in Castleknock, Dublin.
Well done to the U15 Ballinrobe Community School girls’ soccer team who defeated Loughrea 7-0 at Michael Keaveney Park, Ballyglass last week, to secure their place in the Connacht final.
Ballinrobe will now face either Presentation College Headford or Coláiste na Coiribe in the U15 Connacht Schools final. At time of writing no date had been confirmed for the provincial final.
Congratulations to the Ballinrobe Community School first year boys team who defeated St. Colman’s College Claremorris in the Mayo Schools final on an impressive score-line of 5-20 to 3-16. This was certainly a high scoring encounter, and the match took place on Tuesday, January 20.
Commencing on Friday, February 20, the Tacú Family Resource Centre, Main Street, Ballinrobe, will hold an open clinic from 10.30am to 12 noon to help people with CV’s, interview techniques, plus much more. Thereafter, this clinic will be held on the third Friday of every month and is provided courtesy of Sli Nua Careers. This is a complimentary service.
The Dementia Cafe continues on the first Tuesday of every month in the Tacú Family Resource Centre, with the next scheduled meeting to take place on Tuesday, February 3, from 11am to 12.30pm. Further details and information are available by contacting Marie by emailing marie.philbin@alzheimer.ie or by contacting the Tacú Centre at 094 9542908. All are welcome to attend, and refreshments will be served.
The Tacú Family Resource Centre can provide befriending phone calls to those feeling isolated or who just want to have a friendly chat over the phone. Those interested in availing of this service are asked to contact the centre at 094 9542908.
The Money Advice and Budgeting Service (MABS) have an outreach service in the Tacú Centre. This service can help if you are struggling with bills, payments, and debts. This outreach service can meet you by appointment. You can make initial contact by calling 076 1072000.
There was no winner of the €11,400 lotto jackpot draw which was held on Monday, January 19. The numbers drawn were 11, 17, 18 and 28.
Mary Walsh was the winner of €485 in the weekly 50/50 draw conducted by Ballinrobe Rugby Club. The draw was held on Sunday, January 18.
There was no winner of the €11,600 lotto jackpot draw which was held in Garrymore, on Sunday, January 18. The numbers drawn were 6, 12, 14 and 24. The €50 winners were Maura O’Malley, Churchquarter, Jimmy Hegerty, c/o Country Club, Hollybrook, and Stephen Higgins, Ballycushion.
Visit a new exhibition of art celebrating stories, symbols and Celtic myth on display in the Courtyard Gallery, Turlough Park. The exhibition has been developed by the Luisne Art Project - a nationally recognised and highly successful arts initiative for people with disabilities, based in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. Established in December 2005, the project is supported by Mayo County Council Arts Office and Western Care, with administrative support provided by Tacú, Ballinrobe Family Resource Centre. The project’s mission is to offer a long-term, high-quality art programme that is responsive to the individual talents and needs of participants at the Crann Mór Centre. At its core, Luisne recognises the profound role that art and creativity play in fostering expression and building community.
In 2025, the Luisne artists collaborated with art facilitator Noreen Lydon and guest mentors Michael Gannon and Ruby Staunton, exploring the rich tapestry of Celtic mythology. Drawing inspiration from ancient folklore and symbolic imagery, the artists worked with acrylics, watercolour, and gold leaf to create a body of work that is vibrant, and evocative. The result is Celtic Tales by Warrior’s Hand - a compelling collection that celebrates imagination and heritage. Each piece is a story, a symbol, a personal interpretation of Celtic myth rendered through the unique lens of the Luisne artists. Admission is free.
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Mayo Abbey Community Employment Scheme have vacancies in payroll and a dining room assistant. Department Social Protection eligibility criteria apply. Call Craig or Serena at Mayo Abbey Centre on 094 9365987 to find out more or email craig@mayoabbey.ie.
The numbers drawn for the lotto which was held on Tuesday, January 20, were 16, 20, 25 and 31. There was no jackpot winner and consolation prizewinners were; Sile Moran, Michael Conway, Karen Keane, and Judith Morley. The jackpot in the todays draw Tuesday, January 27, is €17,500.
A free full time professional cookery course is starting soon in Mayo Abbey Centre. If you are aspiring to be a chef and want to train for a career in hotels, restaurants, schools, nursing homes, crèches, bakeries, patisserie, deli, cruise liners or self-employment contact us now to find out more about our course. Participants may be eligible for a training allowance. Call 094 93 65987 or email training@mayoabbey.ie.
Mayo Stoma Support Group will be having their next meeting on January 29, at 7pm in the Ellison Hotel, Castlebar. It is open to all who either have a stoma or care for them. If you would like to book a place, text 087 6275766.
Why not go along to the Community Coffee Morning which is held every Thursday for a cuppa, a chat and some freshly baked scones. No booking necessary. The social dinner takes place every Tuesday but must be booked in advance. The centre offer free computer/smartphone support for beginners, hot desk spaces with fibre broadband connections suitable for virtual meetings or interviews, pick up and drop off point for Local Link Bus Service which goes to Castlebar daily Tuesday to Saturday and Claremorris every Thursday. This service is available to all, free to travel pass holders. Book with Local Link 094 900 5150. Collection from your home may be possible by calling the centre to find out more on 094 93 65987.
Why not go along on Thursday mornings and join the Mayo Abbey Walking Group. The walk starts from the community centre at 10.30am. All are welcome, walk as little or as much as you like and please bring a hi-viz. Call Ann on 086 605 7568 or call the centre 094 93 65987 for information.
Join a Museum curator at 12 noon on Saturday, January 31, to learn about traditions and objects associated with St Brigid, at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar. Then enjoy some St Brigid’s cross-making workshops at 2pm or 3.30pm. Telephone 094 90 31751 or visit www.museum.ie for full booking details.
