Local Notes: Ballinrobe Musical Society launch their 2025 production of 'The Hunchback of Notre Dame'.
Members of Ballinrobe Musical Society's committee at the launch of their 2025 production of The Hunchback of Notre Dame. Left to right are Des Treacy (Vice-Chairman), Joanne Heskin, Tom Carney, Emma Loscher (Secretary), Erika Flynn and Richard Crumlish (Chairman).
Ballinrobe Musical Society is delighted to announce the staging of the much-loved 'Hunchback of Notre Dame' as their show for 2025.
Based on the Victor Hugo novel and hit Disney film, this chorus-driven show features several magnificent choral numbers and a captivating story that will appeal to audiences of every age.
Following the success of The Phantom of The Opera, the society has welcomed back its director, Alan Greaney and choreographer Aoife McClafferty for their 2025 production. The society is also delighted to welcome its new musical director, Shane Farrell, who has won AIMS Best Musical Director on four occasions. The Tuam native played the keyboard in two Ballinrobe musicals in 2008 (Titanic) and 2009 (Chess) and brings a wealth of experience to his new role.
The society has thanked all those who attended the launch of The Hunchback of Notre Dame, which was held in Inches Bar, Ballinrobe, recently.
"We feel Hunchback of Notre Dame will showcase all of the strengths of Ballinrobe Musical Society and we are overjoyed to have the privilege to stage this magnificent musical in Ballinrobe in February 2025," said a society spokesman.
"We would also like to extend our best wishes to cast member Melissa Tierney, who is participating in the upcoming Queen of the Lakes competition."
The Hunchback of Notre Dame will be staged in Ballinrobe Community School from February 16-22, 2025. Information on auditions for the show will be published on the society's social media in the coming weeks.
On Thursday evening, July 11, the new traffic lights at the Glebe Street/New Street/ Convent Road junction were officially switched on. These new traffic lights are ‘smart’ traffic lights and were installed in a bid to ease the traffic issues in the town. However, there have been reports that there is still traffic congestion in Ballinrobe, with tailbacks on the Castlebar Road entering the town an issue for motorists on Tuesday and Wednesday of last week.
The development of a new town hall for Ballinrobe has taken a significant step forward with the appointment of three key professional service providers.
KSN Project Management, Tom McNamara & Sons as Quantity Surveyors (QS), and Taylor McCarney Architects as the single point design team, are now officially in place to advance this vital community project. Design and specification work will take some months before the project goes out to tender and it is anticipated that project construction works will begin early in 2025.
Ballinrobe Civic, Arts and Amenity Company (BCAAC) and South West Mayo Development Company (SWMDC) have been working together to transform the historic Valkenburg Hotel complex on the town’s Main Street into a vibrant, multifunctional community facility and hub.
KSN Project Management will oversee the entire project, ensuring that the development remains on track and within budget. Tom McNamara & Sons (QS) bring a wealth of expertise in cost management and financial planning to the project. Taylor McCarney Architects will spearhead the design phase, creating detailed specifications to allow the construction to go out to tender.
Anyone interested in supporting this major project should contact chairperson Michael Sweeney (087 258 8615) or secretary Siobhan O’Malley (087 207 2307).
Directors: Chairperson, Michael Sweeney; Secretary, Siobhan O’Malley; Treasurer, Sean O’Connell; PRO, Liam Horan; Cllr Michael Burke (Vice-chairperson), Margot O’Shea, Sheena Duddy and Des May.
The results of a mixed scramble competition held at Ballinrobe Golf Club on Thursday, July 11, are as follows: 1st, Adrian Dervin, Lorraine Mannion, Declan Burke, and Evan Moran (24.1); 2nd, Darren Egan, Daire Higgins, Phyllis Lee, and Ben Egan (27.2); 3rd, Anthony Sweeney, Vincent Hennelly, Brid De Barra, and Gerard Hanley (27.2); 4th, David Slattery, Orla Sweeney, Peggy Butler, and John Harrington (28.1). The event was sponsored by the Bowers Bar and Restaurant.
There was no winner of the €17,100 lotto jackpot draw which was held in Garrymore, on Sunday, July 14. The numbers drawn were 4, 7, 17 and 28. The €50 winners were Bernard Dolan, Pulbawn, Nigel, Leah and Orla Forde, Bushfield, and Matt Shaughnessy, Kilglasson.
Ballinrobe GAA and LGFA are pleased to announce that they will host a family fun day on Saturday, July 27, at Flanagan Park as part of the Ballinrobe Festival. People are invited to join the club for a free day of fun activities; competitions for all the family; an exhibition of football and an opportunity to meet the club’s special guest for the day, Mayo football star Tommy Conroy.
Some of the fun-filled activities will include a tug-of-war; three-legged race; egg and spoon race; soak the coach; face-painting; an underage girls and boys mini blitz. There will also be entertainment, barbeque, tea/coffee, cakes and plenty of fun.
The event is kindly sponsored by Apache Pizza and Tesco Ballinrobe. Proceedings will get underway at 11am and will conclude at 4pm. All are welcome - club members and non-members alike.
There was no winner of the €23,900 lotto jackpot draw which was held in Biggins’ Bar, on Monday, July 15. The numbers drawn were 9, 11, 13 and 15. The €25 winners were Danny and Lenny O’Brien, and Clare O’Neill.
Congratulations to Ballinrobe rugby player Faith Durkin who has been drafted into the official Connacht U18 Women’s squad ahead of their upcoming interprovincial season. Faith picked up the Ballinrobe U18 Player of the Year accolade at the recent club awards. All at the club are delighted to see that she has been drafted into the Connacht squad.
As part of the 2024 Ballinrobe Festival a ‘Colour Fun Run’ will take place in Ballinrobe, on Wednesday, July 24, with registration taking place at the Parish Centre at 5pm on the aforementioned day. The run will commence at 5.30pm, with the start and finish line being the Parish Centre. Those taking part are advised to bring a white t-shirt and to wear old clothes. The cost to take part is €2 per-person.
Kilmaine LGFA thank D Biggins Fashion, Ballinrobe, for kindly sponsoring a set of jerseys for the club’s U8 girls’ team.
The Maple Youth Centre, Ballinrobe, extend thanks to Venture Out who delivered the Branching Out program that allowed young people to experience nature to support their physical, mental, and emotional health.
Venture Out also facilitated the Unearth 1:1 support program, which helps young people explore the outdoors and participate in adventure activities while taking a break from the challenges of their everyday lives. Both programs are supported by the Tacú Family Resource Centre Ballinrobe, and Rethink Ireland.
A dance workshop for new first year students and also second year students and older will take place in the Maple Youth Centre, Bowgate Street, Ballinrobe, on Wednesday, July 24 (first years) and Thursday, July 25 (second years and older). The dance workshop incorporates hip-hop, contemporary, and musical theatre, and is being run in conjunction with Dance World.
The classes take place from 2.30pm to 4pm on both days. No previous experience of dancing is required and new dancers are welcome. Those interested in taking part are asked to contact Paula at 087 2430695.
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The Annual Islandeady Fun Run/Walk takes place on Saturday, August 3, at 10am from Jack’s Cottage. It is open to everyone of all ages and abilities to participate. 5k and 10k options are available. The fee is €20/ and early bird registration will be €15, and this is greatly encouraged to facilitate the organisers. All money raised will be donated to Islandeady Community Council and Islandeady GAA/LGFA. For more details and information email runislandeady@gmail.com.
In preparation for the Annual Cemetery Masses on August 3 and 4, families are kindly asked to maintain their graves and if you can attend to graves either side of yours that have no family to care for them. Families are asked to please remove all withered flowers and artificial wreaths in poor condition. The cemetery weekend offertory collection will go towards maintenance and improvements at the cemeteries.
Glenisland Cemetery Mass will take place at 7pm on Saturday, August 3; and Islandeady Cemetery Mass will take place at 11am on Sunday, August 4.
In your prayers you are asked to remember the following who died recently: Albert Costello, Derrycoosh; Mary Garvey, Glenisland and UK, whose funeral took place on Friday, July 19, in UK. Eternal rest grant unto them, O Lord, may they rest in peace, Amen.
The National Grandparents Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine takes place on Sunday, July 28, starting at 2.30pm with Anointing of the Sick, followed by Mass at 3pm. All welcome.
The site for the new community centre has been cleared and the timber cleared from the site is nicely piled and now available for sale. The Islandeady Development Company CLG is selling the timber as 1 lot to the best bidder. The timber must be removed from site by September 1. Email your bid to secretary.islandeadyclg@gmail.com by 5pm on Wednesday, July 31.
Sincere thanks has been extended to everyone who baked, contributed and supported the recent Islandeady Community Council Cake Sale where €816 was raised in total. Community Spirit is alive and well.
The next Islandeady Community Cleanup takes place on Friday, Saturday and Sunday, July 26, 27 and 28. All help with this in advance of the summer is greatly appreciated. The community council appreciate the help and co-opertation of everyone to help with the litter-picking in their own area .Islandeady community takes great pride in its beautiful location and community spirit and this is only developed and maintained with the help and support of its members. Keep Islandeady litter- free.
