Local Notes: Glór na nGael Recognition Award for Erris group
A Recognition Award was recently presented to the Ceathrú Thaidhg Dún Chaocháin committee in acknowledgment of their sustained efforts in promoting the Irish language over many years. Pictured at the awards ceremony are, from left: Bríd Ní Sheighin, Fionnuala Nic Thom (Glór na nGael board), Treasa Ní Ghearraigh, Máire Cáit Uí Mhurchú, and Uinsíonn Mac Graith.
Glencastle National School would like to sincerely thank Michael and Catherine Gaughan and family for choosing their school to receive the proceeds from the recent raffle and auction held as part of the Michelle Gaughan Memorial Darts Competition 2026.
A fantastic total of €4,600 was raised and the school is extremely grateful for this very generous support.
Sincere thanks to everyone who supported the fundraising by purchasing raffle tickets, making donations or taking part in the auction, and to the many businesses and individuals who generously donated money, prizes and auction items. Glencastle NS would also like to thank Erris Darts and the Broadhaven Bay Hotel for their involvement and support.
Studio to stall is a wonderful initiative with Erris Workability, supporting people to develop their creativity, skills and confidence. Participants turn their ideas and creations from the studio into finished products, learning along the way about teamwork, communication, presentation and selling.
The journey from studio to stall provides a valuable opportunity to share their talents with the wider community. The programme takes place in both Ballina and Belmullet, offering a welcoming space to get creative, learn new skills and connect with others.
Eligibility criteria apply.
If you would like to take part, contact Siobhan on 087-4996605 to book your place.
Come along and be part of the journey from studio to stall!
You may recall there was a fundraising tractor run from Northampton to Belmullet during the summer. A presentation night will be held in the Corner House in Belmullet on Saturday, October 24th.
What a fantastic amount of money these lads raised - a total of £71,780. Linda will be delighted to welcome Tom Kelly, Martin Ruddy and others and everyone who worked hard behind the scenes and who took part in this fantastic tractor run.
Glencastle National School special class and Erris branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association will receive €20,000 each. The remaining funds will be divided between the Ben Saunders Foundation and McCarthy Dixon Foundation.
The numbers drawn in Kilcommon Community Development Lotto on October 4th were 11, 15, 16 and 22.
There was no winner of the jackpot of €5,100. The house prize of €100 was won by Philip and Eileen Irwin, Glenamoy and the two €30 offline winners were Martin McCann, Belderrig and Amanda Healy, Ballinaboy. The two €30 online winners were Unsionn McGrath, Glenamoy and Teresa Moran, Glenamoy. Next week’s jackpot is €5,200.
Ballyglass RNLI has issued safety advice to paddle boarders after a number of incidents recently. If you can see it, hear it or feel it, it's too windy to paddle.
Many paddle boarders get caught out by offshore winds because the water can appear calm and inviting, but looks can be deceiving.
A Force 4 wind (20 km/h or 13 mph) can push a paddle boarder around one mile offshore in just 30 minutes.
That's why Ballyglass RNLI advice the following:
Force 4 or more, close the door. Or simply remember: 13 mph = unlucky for paddle boarding; 20 km/h = plenty of wind to remain ashore.
Before heading out, check the forecast, look around and ask: Dust or rubbish blowing? Small branches moving? White horses forming? Wind gusts easy to hear? Wind moving your clothing or board?
If the answer is yes, think twice before launching.
The safest paddle is the one where you return safely.
The U12 Erris United boys team travelled to Westport football club to play a strong Westport United team in the final of the shield recently.
After a few early chances, the goal finally came through an excellent finish from Michael Walsh. Michael later added a second and his twin brother David also got on the scoresheet in the second half. Three goals from man of the match Shane Naughton were enough to seal the victory for the boys on a scoreline of 6-1.
The captain was Matthew Skrip who lifted the shield on behalf of the team and gave a wonderful speech. The victory completes the unbeaten run the team went on this year, winning all three competitions they entered. Well done lads.
We have a world Championships medallist among us. Huge congratulations to Cadhla Ní Chionnaith on capturing not just one, but three, silver medals in the Karate World Championships in Budapest recently. Silver in Kata, Silver in Kumite and Silver in Weapons. What an amazing accomplishment and a special mention to Karate Iorrais for the support and guidance given to Cadhla in assisting her in achieving this goal.
A very special first at the all new MUGA recently and even though the MUGA (Multi-Use Games Area) isn’t officially open just yet, the school had a fairly impressive first attempt on goal on the day with none other than Mayo’s Ryan O’Donoghue and Seamus Howard.
And the first man to make a save was Denny Murphy, who certainly wasn’t going to let the side down against the Belmullet men! A little bit of local rivalry never hurts!
A huge thank you to Ryan and Seamus for coming along to the school and making it such a brilliant occasion for all the children and their parents with the Sam Maguire.
There was great excitement having them both there, and it was a lovely way to mark one of the very first moments on the new MUGA before it officially opens.
The second annual Tom Doocey Memorial Darts event will be held on Sunday, November 1st, in the Valley Inn Bar in Pullathomas, beginning with the Youths (U18 on the day) at 1pm sharp. The main event begins at 4pm sharp. It is confined to Erris.
There will be a raffle on the day with all proceeds to Erris Defibrillator Fund. Please support, all donations and spot prizes welcome.
This year, Glór na nGael launched Ardán 2026, a brand-new competition for Irish-language and Gaeltacht community groups, replacing Glór na nGael’s long-standing competition.
Ardán 2026 builds upon the tradition Glór na nGael has upheld since 1961 of recognising and celebrating the work of Irish-language and Gaeltacht community groups.
At the awards ceremony, held at the Connacht Hotel in Galway City recently, a Recognition Award was presented to the Ceathrú Thaidhg Dún Chaocháin Committee in acknowledgment of the committee's sustained efforts in promoting the Irish language over many years.
Heartfelt congratulations to you all - it is a wonderful achievement!
Recently the village league season began with a Knockout Cup and Shield event all played out on the night in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel.
After a great night of darts and some close battles, we were left with the Cup Final between Emily/Mace and Elly 1 and the Shield Final between The Castle Inn and the Valley Inn 1.
In the Shield, last year’s League champions The Valley Inn 1 proved to strong, running out 4-1 winners. Well done to the Valley Inn 1 team of Brendan Conway, Tony Maloney, Aiden Maloney, Jimmy Lavelle, Harry Bancroft and Gavin Neary.
In the Cup final, the doubles were shared one each as were the first two singles matches. Noel Keane won the third singles match to put Elly 3-2 in front. In the last single, Padraig Monaghan and Mikey Conroy played out an absolute epic game in which Padraig - after being put to the pin of his collar (as he said himself) by young Mikey - came out on top, winning 2-1.
Well done to Elly 1 for getting back into the winning circle and commiserations to Emily/Mace.
Elly 1 team on the night and overall cup champions were Padraig Monaghan, Noel Keane, Eamon Fallon, Sean Deane and Alex Bielinski.
Well done to all teams on a super night and a huge thanks to all the lads that helped with the setup on Saturday morning ahead of the Mayo darts ranking event. Well done also to Ger Kenny and Kevin Kilcoyne on each winning a €50 spot prize on the night and a big thanks to Mairéad and Clare for selling tickets.
Deepest sympathies to the families of the following who passed away recently - Seamus Lynskey, Northampton and formerly from Rathmorgan Bangor Erris; Bridie Keane (née McIntyre), Faulmore, Blacksod; Dean Carey, West Hampstead, London and late of Corclough West; Catherine B. Rowe (née Carey), better known as Bernie, Quay Street, Belmullet, and formerly of Minnesota, USA; Syd McDonnell (née Williams), Carnefowler, Belmullet and formerly of Barrack Street, Belmullet; Mary Kelly (née Sullivan), Rossport, Ballina and formerly of Glenamoy; Frank Gallagher. Townagh, Bellacorick; Mary Cawley (nee Mills), Gorthmelia Upper, Barnatra; Bridget (Bridie) Loftus (nee Grealish), Rossport South; Sean Tighe, Stonefield, Carrowteige; Bridie Healy (nee Dixon), Bunowna, Glenamoy and formerly Cornhill, Pullathomas.
May they rest in peace.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club lotto jackpot of €6,800 with the two €50 winners being Sophia Cosgrove, Naas and Phil Scanlon, Corner House while John and Tisha Cosgrove, Bellacorick and Frankie McGinty, Ballycroy both won €25. The two online winners were Elaine Merrigan, Craughwell (€50) and Martin McManamon, Glenturk (€25).
Bingo will take place in the GAA Complex in Bangor this Tuesday, October 13th, at 8pm. The jackpot will be €900 in 53 calls or less.
The Cill Chomáin GAA Bord na nÓg presentation will take place on next Saturday, October 17th, in Healy’s Hall, Glenamoy, at 5pm. Everyone welcome!
