Local Notes: Ballyhaunis teacher retires after almost 40 years of service
Ms Aishling Toal recently retired from the teaching profession after almost 40 years of service, initially in St Mary's Boys school and more recently in Scoil Íosa amalgamated boys and girls school. Fr Stephen Farragher made a presentation to Aishling on behalf of the Board of Management of Scoil Íosa.
Recently deceased local businessman John Dillon, who ran a travel agency from the town square over several decades, drew on his extensive connections for the benefit of Ballyhaunis and the western region, recalls Gerry McGarry, a contemporary and colleague of John in Ballyhaunis Chamber of Commerce.
“John was an enthusiastic activist in the Ballyhaunis-led campaign for European regional development in Ireland. The campaign commenced in 1985 with a trade-fair and a regional conference on the potential for regional development in Ireland, organised in Ballyhaunis and attended by thousands.” Dillon, a board member at Knock Airport, contacted Ulick and Desmond McEvaddy of aircraft leasing firm Omega Aviation, who then provided, free of charge, a private plane and pilot to fly then EU Director General for Regional Policy Dr Pierre Mathieson from Dublin Airport to Knock for the event in Ballyhaunis.
“Mathieson participated in the regional development conference and discussed implementation possibilities,” McGarry recalls. “Running alongside the conference, the trade fair in which John was deeply involved displayed local and regional production and services and was visited by then Taoiseach, Garret FitzGerald. The EU Director General was highly impressed by the exhibits and the total community involvement. John remained active in the ongoing campaign which was approved by government in 1988,” McGarry added.
John Dillon joined the board of Knock Airport in the very early days back in 1985, serving with the late Monsignor Horan, and held the title of airport secretary when Knock opened in 1986. He was also a passenger on the very first scheduled flight into the airport, operated by Ryanair.
Kilvine-based builder Gabriel Cummins was the winner of a three-bay cattle shed recently on the online raffle website, Lucky Day Competitions.
Based in Forkhill near Newry, the website has a loyal following particularly in the construction and farming sectors. The company’s business model is to sell tickets typically at €10 a ticket, making a profit on the difference between the cost of the prize and the revenue from tickets sold.
Among the many local projects completed by Cummins Construction and Plastering is the renovation and extension of Ballyhaunis parochial hall, also known as the Community Hall.
A monthly Social Night organised by Ballyhaunis Community Council drew a good crowd, with €260 from the €5 entry fee donated to the local branch of Western Care. Breege Keogh was the MC for the evening and sang three songs with Bernie Muldowney and Angela Higgins. Other performers included musicians from the local Ukrainian, Brazilian, Filipino and Eastern European communities who joined in with local tradition musicians Connie Gildea, Richard Waldron and Paddy Joe Tighe. Patricia McGarry performed a stunning cover of a Bob Dylan song ‘Don’t Think Twice It’s Alright’. Dancers, meanwhile, took to the floor for several set dances and waltzes.
The next Social Night is planned for July 27. For more details contact 087-9777899.
Images by local photographers Adam and Anna Kaczmarek have featured on the covers of American and Spanish fashion magazines recently.
Shirleen Wamuyu, a Ballyhaunis model photographed by the couple, featured on the cover of magazine in Los Angeles, which, Adam explains, focuses on kids fashion and adult fashion.
“She loves modelling and is passionate about art,” said Adam who runs the AK Photography studio on Main Street with his wife Anna. “We usually do photoshoots as a family but on this particular one it was her 13th birthday and she chose the dresses herself. Her favourite colour is purple. Shirleen just completed sixth class and will be joining secondary in September.”
Another of AK Photography’s models, Jodie Nixon, featured in the Spanish-based wedding wear publication , wearing fashion from the Ballinlough wedding shop ‘The One I Love – Dream Dresses’, run by Lorren Kelly.
Local Ballyhaunis actor and writer Eric Fitzgerald has been chosen to star in a play being produced by a Dublin-based theatre company. Eric will play the lead role in the play, about disabled rights activist Martin Naughton from Spiddal in Galway.
Wheelchair-bound since the age of 18 by Friedreich's ataxia, Eric has produced several short films and in 2022 he published a book, . He’s working on another fictional work at the moment, this time a sci-fi fantasy.
“Two years ago I was called for an audition but I was unable to attend so I sent them a tape but I had no word back until recently they contacted me offering me this part,” said Eric.
“I am very excited. I have acted in various smaller roles but nothing as big as this.”
Locals shared their vision of a waste free Ballyhaunis at a recent Circular Economy forum moderated by Tad Kirakowski of Voice Ireland and hosted by Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns.
The event saw various members of the community interact and share their ideas on how to reduce waste. Among the suggestions was a municipal bring centre where reusable items could be brought to be recycled or exchanged. There was also a suggestion for organised swap events allowing local families to exchange school uniforms and sports gear.
“There was a good crowd there and people wanted to engage which means we can actually get something done,” Tad Kirakowski explained. “There is no lack of ambition in the community which is fantastic to see as well.”
Well done to Ballyhaunis Town FC under 13s who won the Mayo Division 2B Boys League recently after beating Swinford 2-1 in Milebush, Castlebar. “These boys put in a great effort all season and the club has a great panel of players of boys and some girls,” explained Tracy Cunnane, manager and coach.
Athletes from Ballyhaunis Community games took part in the County finals day in Claremorris on June 26.
Ballyhaunis athletes who advanced to the regional finals in Athlone on August 10 were Hannah Skeffington (U16 200m) and Robin Webb (U12 100m) along with Patrick Cuddy (200m).
Katie Conlon and Daniel Buckley (long puck), Hazel Murphy and Heath McDonagh (long throw) are in the national finals on August 24 in Carlow.
Tracy Cunnane, coordinator of Ballyhaunis Sports Hub, which is funded through the local Family Resource Centre, explained that the county finals competition “was a wonderful experience for all the children and families, a great atmosphere and well run event.” Tracy added: “This is a first for Ballyhaunis Area and District for many years and all were superb, well done to those who have progressed to the next stage.”
The Ballyhaunis Area Committee thanks the parents and volunteers who helped out on our local sports day and county finals day. Anyone wishing to get involved with community games can write to ballyhaunis@communitygames.eu.
Ballyhaunis man Craig Hughes and his uncle Brendan Hurley saw another edition of their Night and Day music festival in Boyle pass off successfully in late June with major Irish acts drawing a large crowd to Lough Key Forest Park. Acts included Damien Dempsey, Susan O’Neill and the Frank & Walters.
Now into its second year in Boyle, the festival also set new standards in reducing waste. To get a drink from the bar on site concert goers paid €7 for a non-returnable beer cup – sold as a souvenir – which meant there was very little plastic cups littered across the festival site. Food compost bins meanwhile were placed around the food area to receive the paper plates and food waste.
A newly-expanded Local Link rural transport service is now connecting Ballyhaunis with villages over the border in County Roscommon, with weekly services into the town. The 795 service runs every Thursday serving Loughglynn, Gortaganny, Arderry arriving at Super Valu Ballyhaunis and returning that afternoon on the same route.
A separate service runs every Thursday serving Cloonfad, Granlahan and Ballinlough, arriving at Super Valu Ballyhaunis and returning on the same route. The 796 service runs every Friday serving Tullaghan, Derrintogher, Lecarrow and Devlis Cottage – arriving to both the Square and Super Valu and returning on the same route.
The 794 service meanwhile runs every Friday and serving Spaddagh, Arderry, Killiunagher, Derrynacong, Classaghroe and arriving at Super Valu Ballyhaunis and returning on the same route. The service is free to those in receipt of social welfare payments and costs €2.50 per journey for all other passengers. All services must be booked on 094 9005150 or by emailing mayo@locallink.ie.
Sarah Togher, manager of the Local Link Mayo office, told this column her office has engaged a new marketing team to promote the routes, which are operated by Newport-based bus company O’Haire Transport.
The euphoria around three recent concerts by pop star Taylor Swift is coming to Ballyhaunis Community Hall on Friday, July 12 when a workshop will be delivered from 1 to 3pm by drama and music teacher who’ll show locals how to move like the star.
A note from the organiser explains: “Join us for two hours filled with music, movement, and fun arts and crafts as we embark on a special journey through the iconic eras of Taylor Swift's career. From her country roots to her pop superstar status, we will learn choreography inspired from her incredible world tour and music videos.” More details at danceconceptseu.com
