Local Notes: Erris ladies raise funds for Cancer Care West by completing the Sea to Summit Challenge.
A massive thank you to these fantastic ladies from Zone Fitness who recently completed the Sea to Summit Challenge in support of Cancer Care West services, raising a €10,555 in the process. Pictured are (l-r): Michelle McGuire, Jemma McGuire, Sandra Ginnelly, Orla Cunniffe (Cancer Care West), Sinead Doherty, Sharon Sweeney, Sinead Cosgrove and Eileen Maloney (standing in for her mum Louise Maloney). Missing from photo is Abby McGuire.
The Slaintecare Healthy Communities Programme was launched in North West Mayo in 2021 with a view to providing long-term continuous investment in the area to strengthen local communities from a health point of view.
They are making a difference in people lives by providing free evidenced based health programmes such as; smoking cessation, health food made easy, social prescribing, parenting and community based nutrition initiatives.
To date they have helped over 150 people quit smoking, which places additional money in their pockets, they feel healthier, have more energy and have a greater zest for life. Smokers always think about giving up the cigarettes in January, let Slainte Healthy Communities Programme help you. They provide a one to one service throughout the year with a Stop Smoking advisor. They will meet with you on a weekly basis to help and guide you along your journey. They will also deliver a ‘We Can Quit’ community based stop smoking support group in Achill in January 2025. Free Nicotine Replacement products are free to all who participate, 10 out of 12 participants on the last course have quit and now opt for a brighter healthier future. Call Brenda on 087 448 4711 if you are thinking about stopping smoking.
Slainte Healthy Communities Programme will be commencing their ‘Healthy Food Made Easy Courses’ in early 2025. These courses are very popular, with over 250 people having completed them since 2022. It is a 6 week course and is delivered in a fun, informal setting. Participants learn to cook easy healthy meals and at the end of each night, they eat together whilst discussing menu choices, shopping on a budget and menu planning. Call Rina on 097 20808 if this is something you or your community group would like to do.
These food initiatives are supported by Ciara, the Community Food and Nutrition Worker. Ciara will deliver a number of courses over the coming months such as; the ‘Cooking from Home’ online cooking project, funded through Safefood Ireland, while the ‘Waste Wise Kitchen’ programme will commence in early 2025 to support young adults (16-25 years) across Erris and Achill, integrating sustainable food practices into their cooking practices. Ciara also works closely with the network of community based organic gardens across the area in addition to delivering Airfryer courses and Nutrition workshops. For more information, call Ciara on 087 929 8956.
Slaintecare Healthy Communities joined forces with Mayo Local Sports Partnership to deliver the Staying Fit for the Future, Better Balance Workshops. These workshops are free if you live in the Erris and Achill areas. The workshops will support older people to improve their strength, balance and flexibility and offset a decline in muscle mass and bone density. They will now be delivering this course in Belmullet and Achill. Register through Eventbrite from January 3, at msp@mayococo.ie Ballina; register through Eventbrite from January 4 at msp@mayococo.ie Glenamoy; register through Eventbrite from January 11 at msp@mayococo.ie. All enquiries to eomalley@mayococo.ie.
The launch of the 2025 Slaintecare Healthy Communities Calendar in Aras Inis Gluaire will take place on January 8, and in Achill Tourist Office on January 10. For the 2025 calendar they hosted a photography competition among all ages to secure wonderful scenes that could be included in the calendar. While only 12 photographs were chosen, they will showcase the other 120 photos that they received at the launches. Feel free to come along at 12 noon on January 8 or January 10, to see the majestic scenery in Erris and Achill. Free calendars will be available at each venue. Call Paul Gillen on 087 4066 518 or email paul.gillen@hse.ie for a free calendar.
They are also continuing to provide a host of programmes and initiatives in the parishes of Ballycroy and Kiltane from early 2025 onwards. These include activator pole walking, craft workshops, music circles, creative cafes, health checks, the Living Well programme, parenting workshops, knitting groups, book clubs, health information evenings etc. If you want to find new interests or broaden your social circle call Marina in the Achill area on 083 092 3226 or Maria in The Erris area on 087 185 7280.
For more information on the Slaintecare Healthy Communities Programme call Paul Gillen on 087 4066518 or Mairéad Carney on 087 296 3991.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of €15,800 with the two €50 winners being Sean and Aine Friel, Drummin and Aaron Carey, Attawalla while Stephen McGuire, Dooyork and Tony and Claire Murphy, Cloontakilla both won €25. The two online winners were Tony McGuire, Preston €50 and Ann Marie Doherty, Geesala €25.
Bingo will also take place on Sunday, December 29, at 7pm in the complex.
The club wishes to thank most sincerely all its patrons and supporters for their outstanding help and assistance throughout 2024, and wish everyone all the very best for the coming year.
The draw was held on December 15, and the numbers drawn were; 1, 5, 15 and 18 with no winner for a jackpot €8,700. The house prize of € 100 was won by Ray Gunning, Portacloy and the €30 offline winners were Eileen and Sean Murphy, Lenarevagh and Renee Maloney, Glengad. The €30 online winners were Nicola Loftus, Rossport and Liz Rafter, Glenamoy. The jackpot in the latest draw which was held in Belderrig Community Centre on December 22, was €8800.
On Stephen's Day, December 26, a charity match for over 30s/past players versus 2024 team at 1.30pm on Cill Chomáin pitch. Money raised will go to Mayo Roscommon Hospice and refreshments will be served. All are welcome. The CLG Cill Chomáin celebration dinner dance will take place on Friday, January 24, in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel. MC on the night is Michael D McAndrew. Tickets are on sale at €45 in local shops/pubs and from any committee members. No tickets available on the night.
CLG Cill Chomain congratulate Justin Healy on being named as Mayo Junior Player of the Year at the Mayo Podcast All Stars awards in Knockranny recently.
The annual general meeting of Cill Chomáin takes place on Saturday, January 11, at 5pm, upstairs in the clubhouse.
C.L.G Cill Chomáin and Kilcommon Community lotto wish you all a Happy Christmas and Happy New Year. Thank you for all your continuous support.
Ní raibh aon buaiteoir ar lotto na seachtaine seo (12/12/2024). The numbers drawn were 1,14, 24 and bonus 2. There was no winner of the €500 Match 3 prize. Lucky dip winners were €50 James Kelly (online) and €25 Donna Forde (Gladree). Buíochas lenár urraitheoirí SolarWest agus Rendmaster. All proceeds from the lotto funds the development of hurling and camoige in Iorras. Next weeks lotto (draw on Thursdays) is €17,600 and you can play online at bit.ly/GILotto.
5th year LCVP students recently raised €950 for North West Stop by having a non-uniform day and a draw for a load of turf as part of their Action Project. They recently presented the cheque to Erris born Tom Reilly of North West Stop at the college. Well done to you all, an example of what can be achieved by the school community when all work together. “Ar Scáth a Chéile a mhaireann na daoine”.
Belmullet Sea angling club will be holding their annual Christmas competition at Portacloy beach on December 27. Check-in is at 10.30 and fishing commences from 11am-3pm. The fee is €10 with valuable prizes on the day.
Join in the swim on January 1, at 2pm for this year’s New Year’s swim at Blacksod. Sponsorship cards are available by contacting 086 0713097. Refreshment and music after the swim in Teach John Joe.
The Erris correspondent wishes all the readers at home and abroad a very Happy Christmas and a Happy New-Year.
Bangor Erris Senior Citizens held their Christmas party recently and it was a very enjoyable event and congratulations to the winners in the waltzing competition with 1st place Faye Carey and Agnes Carey; 2nd place winner was Mary Redmond and Paddy Joe Gaughan; 3rd place winners were Mary Leneghan and Fran Mulligan. All trophies very kindly sponsored by Malachi Gaughan, Belmullet.
