Local Notes: Delight in Carra Country as local councillors are returned
Cllr Al McDonnell celebrates with family and friends after he was elected to Mayo County Council. Picture: Michael McLaughlin
Congratulations to local Mayo councillors, Al McDonnell, Fianna Fáil and Cyril Burke, Fine Gael, both of whom have been returned once again to serve on Mayo County Council for the next five years.
Both men polled really strongly with Cllr McDonnell topping the poll in ten booths around the region and achieving a first preference total of 1,548. Cllr Burke also polled impressively, achieving a first preference total of 1,309 votes.
The importance of rural communities in supporting rural candidates cannot be over-emphasised as urban centres continue to grow and expand often claiming a lion’s share of finance, infrastructure and development funding. Rural decline, loss of population, the vast rural public roads network, restricted planning etc. can only be compensated for by electing hard-working local councillors who understand and care about the issues and who will represent the interests of small isolated rural communities to the best of their ability.
There was no winner of the jackpot in the latest Ballintubber GAA Lotto draw on Sunday week last when the numbers drawn were 5, 7, 11 and 29.
The winners of the consolation prizes were Aodhan Hughes, Paul Prendergast, Marcella O'Connor, Eileen Hallissey, Mary Derrig and Helen Malone.
On last Sunday, June 16th, the jackpot stood at €5,400 for the weekly draw. All proceeds from the lotto draw at the weekend were donated to the Cancer Fund for Children. This charity is currently building the Daisy Lodge respite centre in Cong, which will provide extremely valuable short stays to children with cancer and their families.
You can play Ballintubber Lotto online on the ClubSpot App.
Congratulations are extended to Joe Geraghty and Sarah Granahan who recently announced their engagement. They are wished great success with their future plans.
There will be a Céilí in Carnacon Community Centre on Saturday night, July 13th, running from 9pm till late.
If dancers need to brush up their skills before then, set dancing classes with Chris Oates will take place on June 20th to 27th from 8.30 to 10pm in Carnacon Community Centre at the modest fee of €8 per class.
The numbers drawn in Ballyglass FC Lotto on June 10th last were 7, 10, 19 and 23. There was no winner of the €7,500 jackpot. The Match 3 winners were Blackie Gavin and Jason O’Regan. Consolation prizes went to Dominic Curran, Niall, Stephanie and Niamh Gilligan, James Loftus, Matteo Serantes and Cathal O’Malley.
Play now to be in with a chance to win next week’s jackpot by going to www.smartlotto.ie. Thanks to everyone for their support.
The Ballyglass card winners on Monday, June 10th, were: 1st, Kitty Rumley and Judy Clarke; Patricia Jennings and Margaret Mannion; 2nd, Chris Flatley and Phillip White; 3rd, Seamus Nevin and Martin Ford.
The last 10 winners were Thomas Fitzpatrick and Mary Brennan and the raffle prizes went to Tom and Patsy Flatley.
The 25 progressive card games continue every Monday evening from 9pm in Ballyglass Community Centre.
Thanks to all who supported the monthly market in Ballyglass Community Centre on Sunday last. The winners of the community council raffle were Rita Nestor (hair voucher sponsored by Helen Malone), Conor Nestor (beach toy set), Mary Hughes (two bottles of wine), Seán Corcoran (whiskey) and Geraldine Kilgallon (teapot).
The winner of 'Guess the Number of Jellysnakes' was Liz Cawe who correctly guessed 135! We will see you all again for the next market on Sunday, July 14th.
With only a few days to go, why not embark on an unforgettable journey through history. Join the walking group next Saturday, June 22nd, for the Full Tochar Walk along the captivating 35km scenic historic route.
This immersive experience is a highlight of Pilgrim Path Week 2024, promising breathtaking landscapes and rich cultural insights. Avail of this opportunity to connect with the past and forge unforgettable memories.
Don't miss out on this extraordinary opportunity to explore Ireland's ancient pilgrimage trail in the company of like-minded individuals. Lace up your boots and join up for an adventure like no other!
Ballintubber Cycling Club’s annual Ollie Roache Memorial Cycle was scheduled to take place on Sunday last, June 16th.
Running since 2018, it is the highlight of the cycling calendar and this year Errew Community Committee were delighted to be helping out. Supporting this worthy cycle helps local communities and clubs, such as the newly-refurbished Errew Old Girls’ National School, now serving as a community centre.
The cycle was run over two routes, leaving at 9am (80k) and 9.30am (40k) and departed from Ballintubber Resource Centre.
Best wishes to Sean Derrig who recently celebrated his 30th birthday. He is wished many more such joyous occasions in the years ahead.
Minister for Rural and Community Affairs Heather Humphreys recently announced funding for women’s groups in Mayo.
Congrats to Carnacon LGFA who have received grant aid of €2,862.66. These grants are a major help, empowering each group to enhance their facilities and equip themselves with the necessities needed to thrive.
A part-time employee is required to join the team at Ballintubber Abbey. The position is mainly Saturday work only. There may be additional Hours/days during busy periods. Flexibility to cover holidays and days off is desirable.
The job includes giving guided tours of the 800-year-old Abbey to visitors and groups, looking after the gift shop, setting up for weddings, Masses and events and cleaning and maintaining the Abbey and public areas. Apply in writing with CV and cover letter to manager@ballintubberabbey.ie.
Ballintubber Abbey Visitor Centre and Gift Shop is open daily. Guided Tours are available seven days a week including Sundays after Mass, as well as Monday to Friday at 12 noon and 3pm. Contact 093-9030934 or info@ballintubberabbey.ie.
A selection of wedding and baptism gifts and cards are now available in the gift shop.
Cemetery Masses will be celebrated on July 6th and 7th. A Light the Fire Open-Air Mass will be held on Sunday, August 4th, on the grounds of the Abbey.
PARTRY/TOURMAKEADY/KILLAWALLA
The latest Thuar Mhic Éadaigh GAA lotto draw took place on June 8th for a jackpot of €12,300.
The numbers drawn were 5, 6, 27 and 31 and there was no jackpot winner. Online consolation prizes went to Brenda O'Malley and Rita Whelan.
The jackpot stood at €12,400 on last Saturday night June 15th. There are two online prizes of €40 and also a €40 Cairde prize each week. All funds raised support club development and the support of patrons is deeply appreciated. You can play online at www.smartlotto.ie.
The Kellogg’s Cúl Camp will take place in Tourmakeady from July 22nd to 26th. The website for booking children into Cúl Camp is now open at www.kelloggsculcamps.gaa.ie.
Gaeilge Dhúiche Sheoigheach agus Thuar Mhic Éadaigh are offering two scholarships for the Spleodar Rosmuc Gaeltacht Summer College (Course B - pupils in 5th and 6th Class or First Year from 28/06/2024 to 20/07/2024).
Applicants must be attending one of the following schools in this Language Planning Area: Scoil Bhríde, An Mám; Scoil Mhuire, Corr na Móna; Scoil Naomh Pádraig, An Chloch Bhreac; Scoil Naomh Pádraig, An Fháirche; Scoil Náisiúnta, Thuar Mhic Éadaigh; Coláiste Naomh Feichín, Corr na Móna; Coláiste Muire, Tuar Mhic Éadaigh.
More information and application forms available from Stiofán at 087-3970227 or email opt.cdst@gmail.com.
The annual Ceol na Locha traditional music festival will take place in Tuar Mhic Eadaigh this year from August 12th to 16th. Bookings are available at ceolnalocha@gmail.com and ceolnalocha.com.
The annual Tourmakeady outing to Knock will take place on Wednesday, June 28th.
The bus will depart from O'Toole’s at 10am in order to be present for 11.45am Mass celebrated by Fr Jarlath Heraty at the Shrine.
Lunch will be served at St Mary’s Restaurant in Knock at 12.30pm and the return trip will commence at 4.15pm approximately, arriving back in Tourmakeady at 5.30pm.
Places can be booked from Katie Clarke at 087-9650811, Kathleen Gibbons at 087-7660081, Sally Gibbons at 087-2974375 or Nora at the Halla at 094-9544295.
The Knitting Circle Group meets in Halla Tuar Mhic Éadaigh every Monday evening from 7.30-9.30pm. Further details are available from 087-7657191.
The Parent and Toddler Group meet in the Halla on Tuesdays from 10.30am to 12.30 pm. There are plenty of toys for the children, and parents can have chat and a cuppa. New members welcome.
Tuar Mhic Éadaigh Social Club meet on Thursday from 2 to 4pm. Come along for social get-together, light exercise, bingo, make new friends and enjoy the company.
New members welcome.
Sincere sympathy is extended to the Carter families, Killawalla on the death last week of their sister, Mary Brady, Newport.
Mary passed away peacefully at home in the company of her family. She was predeceased by her husband Charlie and daughter Caroline, brothers Michael and Fr Seamus, sisters Kitty and Sr Sarah.
Her funeral took place from her home to St Patrick’s Church in Newport, and following concelebrated Requiem Mass, Mary was laid to rest in Burrishoole Cemetery.
Mary will be greatly missed by her family Ruth, Christina, Nicholeen, Michael, Mary, Gerard, Majella, Cathal and Seamus; 28 grandchildren; brothers Walter, Tom, Sean and Peter; sisters, Sr. Bridget Ann, Bernadette, Evelyn, Martha and Ann, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, extended family, relatives, neighbours and her many friends.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dilis.
The details of the Killawalla Community Day 2024 on July 7th are as follows: Gates open from 12.30pm with races at 1.30pm sharp.
The usual fun and games are on the programme plus more additions including fun races for parents!
Claremorris Bouncy Castles will be in attendance with something for the kids and kids at heart and also a food truck and treats will be provided by Corbett Catering. Other activities include children and adult races, wellington throwing, penalty shoot-out, horse-shoe throwing, Guess the Weight and fun and games for all.
The entrance fee is modest at €5 per adult and kids free. There will be a small charge as usual on novelty events and to cover costs on the bouncy castles. There will be a raffle on the day and music after from 8pm in McEvilly’s with Conor Duffy.
So rain or shine there's something for all the family. Please support the event and thanks to all who committed sponsorship and prizes so far. Stay tuned for more updates.
On Sunday, July 7th, Mass will be celebrated at 10am in Killawalla Cemetery.
This will be followed by a blessing and dedication of the new extension to the cemetery.
All are welcome to this special spiritual morning in Killawalla.
For the next few weeks, Killawalla Pioneers will recite the Rosary at the Grotto beside Killawalla Church after 10am Mass.
Congratulations to Sean Óg Burke, Partry and Niall Tiernan, Tuar Mhic Eadaigh who were recent winners of the Partry AFC weekly Wednesday draw.
Congrats also to Stephen Broderick, who was a recent €100 winner of Partry Residents' Association Saturday night bonus number draw.
Congrats to Sheila Barker, Gortfree, who was a recent winner of the Tour Mhic Eadaigh National School weekly €100 prize draw. Please send in any outstanding money owed for this new round of lotto bonus ball.
Details of the national school draw can be had from 094-9544088 or emailanthuarmhiceadaigh@gmail.com.
The remote working hub in Partry Community Centre is almost complete with just some small issues to be resolved. If anyone would like to trial the hub over the next few weeks, free of charge, please do not hesitate to contact Brendan Duignan (Partry Community Council) at 087-2835082.
St Mary’s National School, Partry are holding a clothing collection this Tuesday, June 18th.
All unwanted clothes, bags, belts shoes or bedclothes would be greatly welcomed but no duvets or pillowcases can be accepted.
Bags can be dropped off at the school and those wishing to donate clothes after school hours should ring 087-3141868. The support of the community would be greatly appreciated.
Partry Bingo takes place on Mondays at the usual time.
The committee loves meeting followers of the numbers game and please bring a friend. A great night is assured.
There is a cosy atmosphere and generous prizes. All welcome.
BREAFFY/ BALLYHEANE/ BELCARRA
Breaffy GAA Lotto jackpot stands at €21,800 for the draw this evening (Tuesday, June 18th).
The numbers drawn last week were 3, 4, 19 and bonus number 4, and there was no jackpot winner. There were also no Match 3 winners.
Congrats to Lucky Dip winner Fintan Sammon, who won a €100 ticket for the 2024 Mayo GAA Club Development Draw.
All players for this week will be included in a draw to win a €100 ticket for the 2024 Mayo GAA Club Development Draw with €97,000 to be shared in prizes across six draws. The club have extended sincere thanks to all who support the weekly draws. You can play online at www.lottoraiser.ie.
Breaffy GAA grounds hosted a non-competitive blitz for over 150 girls and boys in the 3rd and 4th classes from Ballyheane, Breaffy and Derrywash national schools.
The blitz was an opportunity for the kids to showcase the skills taught by Gerry Jennings, the club’s development officer (CDO).
Thankfully, the rain stayed away to allow for a fabulous morning of football with some great determination and skills on display from all the schools.
Thanks have been extended to all the teachers, parents, siblings, referees and volunteers who helped out and to the kids themselves for taking part. They were a lovely bunch and left the place spotless - a credit to their parents/guardians and teachers.
Special thanks to Gerry for all the time he has put into coaching the kids, Mulroy’s for the sandwiches and Mary Mangan and the ladies' club for organising refreshments and the ice lollies.
The day was about allowing the kids to experience fun games within Breaffy club and, hopefully, they will remember the experience for years to come.
Mass will be celebrated in Drum Cemetery on Friday, July 5th, at 7.30pm and in Balla Cemetery on Sunday, July 7th, at 11am.
Mass will be celebrated in Guesdian Cemetery on Friday, July 12th, at 7.30pm and in Elmhall on Friday, July 19th, at 7.30pm.
Belcarra Community Council’s latest lotto draw featured an attractive jackpot of €6,900 on June 9th when the numbers drawn were 5, 9, 15 and 23.
There was no jackpot winner. Congrats to the Lucky Dip winners of €30 each - Ann McAuliffe, Ciara, Kate and Holly, Michael Kilgallon and Bernie McDonnell.
The weekend prize was €7,000. Tickets are on sale in Cunningham’s Costcutter, Cuffe Car Sales, Nestor's and Flukie's. Thanks as always for the support of patrons.
Errew NS have organised a fundraising draw for painting the school. Win a fabulous Mayo Go-Kart for only €5 a line!
Contact any parent from Errew NS to purchase a line or private message Errew Community Committee to arrange Revolut purchase.
Please support the worthy cause.
The draw will be held tomorrow, Wednesday, June 19th.
Ballyheane Ballintubber Community First Responders provide an important service to the community and they desperately need funding.
The group is calling on any local business, group or individual that can help them out to please get in touch. They require equipment for the group, and they are planning to install more public-access defibrillators at locations locally, which will save lives. They can only continue the service with the generosity of the local community, so if persons can help, please do so.
You may be in a position to donate a defibrillator or training equipment for the group, and any individual donation goes a long way to help continue the service. If you can help, please make contact through the Facebook or Instagram pages or by contacting any of the committee members on 087-9846401, 087-7667842 or 087-6101087 or email on ballyheanecfr@gmail.com.
Persons can also donate through www.idonate.ie.
Accord Castlebar have marriage preparation programmes available on the following dates: September 13th and 14th and October 18th and 19th.
The programmes are being held in the Ellison Hotel in Castlebar. Interested persons can book places on www.accord.ie.
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Balla/Manulla
Balla GAA Club Lotto jackpot prize stood at €6,800 for the latest draw on Thursday, June 13th, in The Shebeen.
The numbers drawn the previous week on Thursday, June 6th, in The Railway Tavern were 5, 18, 25 and 27, and there was no winner of the jackpot. The €30 winners were Catherine Larkin (online), Aidan Armstrong (online) and Rita Armstrong (cash sale).
The club are deeply grateful for the ongoing support of the community.
Congratulations to former Manulla FC senior ladies player Orla Dempsey who will be undertaking a 1,500km row to the Arctic shelf as part of a scientific expedition, gathering samples and collecting vital data for climate change studies.
Manulla club, who are trying to be more environmentally friendly and promote this ethos as much as possible with members, feel this is fantastic and will really bring awareness to climate change issues. It will also highlight and champion gender equality.
Orla will be the first woman in history to row the Arctic. With so many young female players and members in Manulla club, this is an important message for all, that gender doesn’t define you and you can do anything regardless of your gender.
Orla, everyone at Manulla club is very proud of you and supporting you all the way. Everyone in Manulla and its environs wishes you the best of luck with your training and with the big adventure ahead.
The latest Manulla FC Lotto draw was held on Sunday, June 16th, for a massive jackpot of €14,800.
The numbers drawn on June 9th were 13, 24, 25 and 28 and there was no jackpot winner.
The €25 consolation prizes went to Leanne Ryan, Ballyclogher (online); Linda Campbell, Moat, Balla (online); Ciarsa Freyne, Burris (online). Tickets are available at www.lottoraiser.ie.
Manulla FC Summer Camp will take place from August 19th to 23rd this summer. The camp will run daily from 10.30am to 2.30pm and is suitable for boys and girls aged between 6 and 14 years. The fees are €60 per child or €110 for two children and €160 for three children.
It promises to be a great week of fun this summer with a UEFA B license coach. Book a brilliant week by contacting Conor on 083-1753142.
Congratulations to the parents and families of Molly Bridget Mullaney, Árón Gerard Joyce, Sean Thomas Connolly and Emma Rose Dyra, all of whom were baptised recently in St Cronan's Church, Balla.
The No Name Club, dedicated to supporting 15 to 18-year-olds, are looking for enthusiastic individuals who are interested in making a positive impact on the youth of the community and interested in enabling a youth club for young people.
Balla Bingo takes place on Sundays at Balla Community Centre or online at 8pm sharp.
There is €12,000 in the prize fund on Sunday nights. Indeed, there are great prizes every Sunday night, 50/50 winners in-house and online, and a free book giveaway on the night. Don't forget to buy your books before 12 noon on Sundays.
Balla Bingo volunteers are required from 7 to 10pm every six weeks to help sell books, count money or record winners. Those who feel they can help should contact 094-9365846.
Balla Community Centre hosts a 25 card drive every Saturday night. Call the Centre at 094-9365843 for more information.
Manulla 25 card game takes place at 9pm in the local centre on Sunday nights. New players are always welcome.
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Clogher
Clogher Environmental Group has been chosen by Tesco to be a recipient of the Blue Token for the next 10 weeks or so.
Anybody shopping in Tesco is encouraged to support Clogher by placing their tokens in the Clogher Environmental Group slot. Many thanks for your continued support.
Card Game results from Clogher on June 7th last were: 1st, Martin Moran and Breege Blake; 2nd, Cathal Hennelly and Majella Corbett and Jimmy Connor and Tommy Lyons.
The last 10 winners were Michael Giblin and Peter O'Malley.
The homely 25 card game continues every Friday night at 9pm.
The Tuesday evening walking group resumed for the 2024 season on Tuesday evenings at 7pm.
This has proved to be a very enjoyable event over the past few years and the organisers are hoping that all the walkers from previous years will return as well as some new Bog Walk enthusiasts.
Please can everyone meet at the Heritage Cottage at 7pm (F12 PF99). Different lengths of walks are available. Tea and biscuits provided afterwards. Everyone is welcome.
The plant swap and takeaway stand are still in situ at the Heritage Cottage. There are various kinds of potted plants there at the moment including tomato and strawberry plants which are free to take away.
Visitors can also leave a plant if that suits. At the Community Hall, there is a book swap/takeaway with a large number of bestsellers, historical novels and reference books available.
The Community Centre is open Monday to Friday. Please feel free to avail of these facilities.
