Local Notes: Glorious weather for annual Mass on historic Mayo island
Fr Michael Farragher along with Deacon James McLoughlin pictured celebrating Mass on August 15th on Church Island. Picture: Tom Quinn
Parish priest Fr Michael Farragher gave a very accurate and interesting quote at the start of the recent Feast of the Assumption Mass on Church Island.
"You don’t need to be in Croke Park to experience Oasis," he said, "we have it here on Church Island."
Fr Michael, along with Deacon James McLoughlin, was celebrating Mass at the historic island on August 15th last.
On a glorious autumn evening, people arrived by bicycle, golf buggies, cars and boats. The Abbey choir provided music and beautiful hymns. Teas and treats for everyone (rather like the loaves and fishes parable) brought to an end what was an unforgettable evening.
The last guided Tóchar Phádraig walk of the summer takes place on next Saturday, August 30th.
The 35km journey will be led by an experienced guide through fields, villages, and sacred sites walked on for over 1,500 years.
Tóchar Phádraig Group Walks follow in the footsteps of St Patrick from Ballintubber Abbey to Croagh Patrick. This pilgrim path takes walkers through scenic countryside, fields, bogland, and ancient pathways before reaching the holy mountain.
Guided by experienced volunteers, with support stops along the way, this is a truly challenging yet rewarding spiritual experience. Please book your place and take part in this unforgettable pilgrimage.
The annual general meeting of Ballintubber Bulls Basketball Club will take place next Friday night, August 29th, in Ballintubber Resource Centre.
Ballintubber Bulls have been enjoying tremendous success in recent seasons and are a well-run club. All members, parents, supporters and coaches are requested to be in attendance.
Ballintubber Christian Community has welcomed its newest member Katie Brid Una Griffin, baptised in Holy Trinity Abbey, Ballintubber, on last Saturday, August 23rd.
Congratulations to her parents and family.
Dogs fouling on the grounds of Ballintubber Abbey is a major issue of concern. It is also a problem in the adjoining graveyard. A cemetery is a sacred place and some families have been justifiably upset to find fouling on their graves.
Understandably, it has been decided that only guide dogs are permitted in the grounds of the Abbey.
A caretaker/cleaner is wanted for Ballintubber Abbey. Immediate start is possible, 19.5 hours per week, Community Employment Scheme. Flexible working hours are available.
Contact Suellen by email at manager@ballintubberabbey.ie or 094-9030934 for more details and to check eligibility.
There was no winner of the jackpot of €13,700 in the Ballyglass FC Lotto on August 18. The numbers drawn were 17, 24, 29 and 32 and consolation prize winners were Mary Brett, Darragh Ruane, Brian Murray, Kathleen King and Margaret Haywood.
Play now to be in with a chance to win next week’s jackpot by logging onto the club's Facebook page. Thank you for your support.
Congratulations to Muris Vahey (Ballyglass FC) on winning the Carra Catering U18 Division Two Player of the Month for July 2025.
Ballyglass Community Childcare Centre is recruiting staff, both full time/part time early years educators.
If you are interested in applying for a role in this busy and vibrant service, please email ballyglasschildcarevacancies@gmail.com for further information.
Congratulations to Cathal Walsh, Senior Button Accordion and Aodhan Hughes, Senior Banjo, on winning All-Ireland silver medals at the recent Fleadh Cheoil in Wexford. What a splendid achievement by outstanding local musicians.
Ballintubber GAA lotto jackpot stood at €11,500 on Sunday night, August 17th, when the numbers drawn were 5, 10, 30 and 33.
There was no jackpot winner. Consolation prizes went to Catherine Carmody, John O’Malley, Meadhbh Larkin, Gerry Geraghty, Marty Hoban and Francie Hughes.
The jackpot stood at €11, 600 on last Sunday night, August 24th. You can play online.
As part of Ballintubber GAA's involvement in the Fond Uireacht Sheosaimh Mhic Dhonacha, the club is in the process of establishing an Irish language unit to promote and develop the use of Irish. Club members or other persons who wish to get involved, whether fluent or beginners, should contact club officers for details.
Sincere sympathy is extended to Patrick, Martin and Frank Moran, Knockaraha on the passing of their brother-in-law, Michael Mulchrone, Newport.
May he rest in peace.
Ballintubber Abbey Visitor Centre and Gift Shop is open daily. Guided tours are available seven days a week, including Sundays after Mass.
A selection of souvenirs, gifts, books and cards are now available in the gift shop.
All eight local village sign posts are for sale in Ballintubber Abbey gift shop - Ballyheane, Clogher, Carnacon, Ballyglass, Mayo Abbey, Killawalla and Ballintubbe. This would be an ideal gift, especially for those away from home.
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PARTRY/TOURMAKEADY/KILLAWALLA
The jackpot in the Tourmakeady GAA Lotto draw stood at €18,500 for the most recent draw on Saturday, August 16th, when the numbers drawn were 1, 13, 26 and 28. There was no jackpot winner.
The weekly draw take place on Saturday nights and 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.
Congrats to Tuar Mhic Éadaigh LGFA who had a 2-11 to 1-9 victory over Kiltimagh in the Division 4 Cup Final. Congrats also to the men’s side on their 1-17 to 0-14 win over Northern Gaels. (See sports pages for Sunday’s result against Kiltimagh in the Junior Championship, Round 2).
The winner of the Tourmakeady National School lotto bonus ball school fundraiser on Saturday, August 2nd, was Declan and Connie Uí Ghradaigh (ball number 34). The winner on Saturday, August 9th, was Danny and Jennifer Uí Luideain (ball number 10).
Congratulations and many thanks for the continued support of patrons.
Mayo County Council is inviting people who swim at beaches, lakes and rivers to help identify areas that should maintain existing bathing waters designations and areas that are commonly used for swimming but not identified at present. The closing date to contribute to the survey is September 26th. For more details, log onto www.mayo.ie.
Volunteers are needed as readers and Eucharistic Ministers in both Partry and Tourmakeady churches. Interested persons are asked to please give you name to Fr Jarlath or email partrytourmakeadynewsletter@yahoo.ie.
A Life in the Spirit seminar started in Party/Tourmakeady Parish on August 24th and it will run until October 12th.
This will be a beautiful experience in deepening the faith, learning scripture, making new friends, transforming lives and above all receiving wonderful gifts of the Holy Spirit. There will be different speakers each week. It's important to attend all seminars as you’ll get much more from it.
The seminar runs every Sunday from 7 to 9pm and the venue is St Mary's Church in Party For all inquiries, contact Angela on 089-2462524.
All welcome but children must be over 14 years.
The latest draw in the Killawalla Community Council Lotto was held in Pakie McEvilly’s on August 10th when the numbers drawn were 10, 11, 12 and 13.
There was no jackpot winner but consolation prizes went to Ryan Higgins, Ann Duffy and Tom McHale.
The most recent draw was held on Sunday night last, August 24th, in the Community Centre.
Killawalla Community Playschool Committee wish to form a reserve panel of playschool and afterschool staff for September 2025. This panel will be called on to provide substitute cover throughout the year.
Expressions of interest are sought from candidates with minimum QQ1 Fetak Level 5 in Early Childcare. Please email CVs and cover letter to killawallaschool.com or phone 086-3953961 for any further queries.
Sincere sympathy is tendered to Patricia McCaffrey, Cortoon and Bernie Conway, Killawalla on the passing of their uncle and aunt-in law, Michael and Ann Mulchrone, Kilmeena, Westport.
May they rest in peace.
A Poultry Sale takes place at McEvilly’s Pub, Killawalla on the second Sunday of each month. Please contact Joe on 086-1520460 or Johnny on 087-2233245 for details.
Partry Bingo sessions take place in the comfortable confines of Partry Centre on Monday nights each week. There are lots of generous prizes and a lovely atmosphere to savour by patrons. All are welcome.
Partry AFC weekly draws takes place on Wednesday nights each week. Congrats to Dick and Maura Gibbons, Gallagh, Partry, who were recent winners of the weekly flutter.
Partry Residents' Association Draws take place on Saturday evenings with generous prizes in the weekly numbers draw.
Congrats to Michael Walsh, Kilkeeran and Colin Staunton, Portroyal, who were recent €100 winners on number 32.
The latest draw was on Saturday night last, August 23rd. All proceeds are invested in local developments and village enhancement. Tickets are on sale from Jim O’ Neill at 087-2860565. The support of the community is greatly appreciated.
The Dementia Café continues on the first Tuesday of every month at the Tacu Resource Centre, Ballinrobe from 11am to 12.30pm.
All welcome and refreshments supplied. Contact Marie on 087-1708706 for further details.
Want to learn how to capture oral history stories? Oral History Network Ireland's training programme will start in mid-September 2025. Find out more and explore OHNI membership by contacting info@oralhistorynetworkireland.ie or visit www.oralhistorynetworkireland.ie.
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BREAFFY/ BALLYHEANE/ BELCARRA
There will be a Year of the French 1798 exhibition on Wednesday, August 27th, at 8pm in Belcarra Community Centre.
As well as the exhibition, there will be music and refreshments. This is a free event and all are welcome.
There was a great atmosphere at the recent 2025 Belcarra 8K fun run with over 90 runners and walkers of all ages taking part.
The day was a tremendous success with blue skies and great weather adding to the occasion. Everyone had a great time and enjoyed refreshments with a cup of tea and chat in the community centre after the run.
There were some really impressive results, with local man Éamonn Joyce the first male home in a time of 28 minutes and 28 seconds, and the first female, Jo Hughes, finished in a time of 31 minutes and 31 seconds.
The full results were: 1st Male, Éamonn Joyce; 2nd Male, Michael Rocke and 3rd Male, Oisín Flavin.; 1st Female, Jo Hughes; 2nd Female, Doireann Hughes; 3rd Female, Una Mayock; 1st U18 Male, Ruai Silva Dias; 1st U18 Female, Aoife Connor.
The fun continued well into the afternoon with the community sports day which kicked off with the kids' race that went up through the village. There was welly tossing, egg and spoon race, sack race, penalty shootout, skipping, basketball, table tennis, handball, and of course the firm favourite in the village calendar – the Tug of War Battle of the Townlands. The winners of the day were Roslahan (men’s) and Tug Life (ladies).
Massive thanks has been extended to the volunteers, bakers, stewards, all the sponsors, Mayo Civil Defence, An Garda Síochána, and everyone else who made the highly successful day possible.
Belcarra Community Council’s Lotto jackpot stood at €13,100 on Sunday, August 17th, when the numbers drawn were 3, 13, 24 and 27.
There was no jackpot winner but the Lucky Dip winners of €30 were Rowena Ruane, Quinn Family, Claire Cuffe and Mary Tuffy.
Thanks as always for the support of patrons. Tickets are on sale in Cunningham’s Costcutter, Cuffe Car Sales, Nestor's and Flukies or online at clubforce.
The next monthly card game in Belcarra Centre will be on Monday, September 1st. Patrons and new players are most welcome.
Sr Mary O'Malley, who does tremendous work in Kenya, has given an account of all the splendid work that she and the missionaries do, caring for the ill and the people most in need.
If persons would like to give financial help on a once-off or ongoing basis, please contact Sr Mary by email at mary@momalley.or.ke.
There was no winner of the jackpot in the Breaffy GAA Lotto draw on Tuesday, August 19th, when the numbers drawn were 14, 15, 24 and bonus number 3. There were also no Match 3 winners last week. The jackpot stands at €16,800 for the draw on this Tuesday, August 26th.
Thank you for your ongoing support of Breaffy GAA.
Congrats to Thomas Foy from Dublin who was the winner of the Breaffy GAA Oasis draw tickets.
A Coffee Connect morning in order to welcome the public to Mayo Hospice in Castlebar on September 8th between 10am and 12 noon will take place in the restaurant area. Attendees will get an opportunity to meet the team and learn about the different roles and work done at Mayo Hospice, over tea or coffee.
The annual general meeting of Ballyheane Foróige will be held on Friday, September 5th, at 8.30pm in Ballyheane Community Centre.
Membership is open to young people in secondary schools. The club is supervised and parents and guardians of club members are encouraged to volunteer as club leaders. For further information, please call Serena on 087-6692462.
The comfortable confines of Ballyheane Centre is the venue for enjoyable Bingo sessions on Wednesday nights each week at 9pm. There are generous prizes and refreshments are served.
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BALLA/MANULLA
Balla and Ballintubber minors met on last Tuesday evening in Clogher in what was a truly thrilling affair!
As a partisan observer in this Homeland Minor C Championship semi-final, it must be said Ballintubber will surely rue their dormant lacklustre performance in the first 10 minutes in which Balla ran riot and scored 2-6 to zilch for the home side.
It was an inexplicable display from the home side because from then on Ballintubber woke up and stormed into the game. They recorded 1-9 to 0-1 before half-time to leave the minimum between the sides, 2-7 to 1-9, at the break.
The second half was highly entertaining and tense as the vocal attendance were treated to end-to-end attacking play before Balla emerged 4-12 to 2-15 winners.
Balla now take on Gaeil na Daibheadaí (Mayo Gaels and Davitts GAA) in another battle of neighbours in the Mayo Minor C Final.
There was no winner of the jackpot of €5,500 in the Balla GAA Lotto draw, which was held on Thursday, August 14th in The Railway Tavern.
The numbers drawn were 4, 18, 32 and 34, and the €30 consolation prize-winners were Tom Ansbro (cash sale), Geraldine Surdival (online) and John Chambers (standing order).
The latest draw was held on last Thursday, August 21st, in The Shebeen when the jackpot stood at €5,600. Thanks to all who support Balla GAA lotto draws.
Balla Christian community have welcomed Isla June Kearns, Callan James Kearns and Shannon Jeanine Kearns who were baptised recently in St Cronan's Church, Balla.
Congratulations to their parents and families.
Taekwondo for children aged six to 12 years will take place in Balla Community Centre on Thursday evenings from September 4th.
The sessions will run from 6.15 to 7pm and from 7.15 to 8pm. Please make booking to taekwondoshots@gmail.com or WhatsApp 087-9542816. Places are limited so book early is advised.
A big thank you has been extended to Balla Tidy Towns Committee who did a great job cleaning up the graveyard recently. The effort and hard work was greatly appreciated.
People are requested to remove their rubbish with them after visiting the cemetery.
Manulla FC Club Lotto jackpot stood at €2,300 for last Sunday night's draw.
A huge thank you has been extended to Gerry, Colette and all the crew from Casey’s Londis, Balla who have kindly sponsored a Manulla FC U21s kit for the coming season. The club greatly appreciate the support and encourage the people of Manulla to support Londis too by shopping local!
The club would also like to say a huge thank you to Amy in Kit Stop for her wonderful expertise and for her efficiency in getting the club gear ready in a very short timeframe.
A Meals on Wheels service is available from Castlebar Social Services. For more information, please contact the service on 094 90 21378 or email castlebarsocialservices@cvss.ie.
Applications for the monitored personal alarm as part of the Senior Alert Scheme are available at Balla Community Centre for eligible people aged 65 or over.
Please contact Balla CRD at info@balla.ie or 087-1850860 for further information.
The following is the programme for Balla Community Centre:
Tuesday, Sheer Fitness class at 7.30pm.
Balla Active Age Group will meet every Friday at 3pm. New members will be made most welcome.
25 Card Drive i held each Saturday at 9pm. Contact the centre at info@balla.ie or 087-1850860 for details.
Bingo takes place on Sundays at Balla Community Centre or online at 8pm sharp.
There is a generous €12,000 prize fund at the weekend Sunday session. Don't forget to buy your books before 12 noon on Sundays.
Balla Bingo is in need of volunteers. It’s just three hours every six weeks and support for the cause would be hugely appreciated. If you would be interested in volunteering, please drop a message or make contact on 087-1850860.
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 25 card players are always welcome.
The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) are now recruiting in South and West Mayo.
The RSS continues to be a vital part of community and voluntary life supporting local services while offering meaningful placements to eligible participants.
There are currently a range of placement opportunities available for those who qualify under the scheme guidelines. If you’re interested in environmental work, heritage projects, or supporting local voluntary groups, there’s a role for you where you can make a real difference.
If you are interested or know someone who might be, contact 094-9366692 or email info@southmayo.com. You can also check out the website www.southmayo.com.
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ERREW/CLOGHER
Thanks has been extended to all the people who came along to support the usual Tuesday evening walk which took on a greater dimension this week as it was incorporated into a Heritage Week event.
The walkers were introduced to the natural flora and fauna of the hedgerows and the bog. They also saw the native apple trees which have been planted along the way over the past two years to increase the biodiversity and pollinator value of the area.
Afterwards they enjoyed some refreshments as well as a tour of the Heritage Cottage and Garden. The cottage is open to the public each week from Monday to Wednesday, 10am to 4pm. There is no cover charge and there is a great variety of artefacts on display in both the cottage and the forge.
The following are the results of the card games in Clogher on Friday, August 15th: 1st, Martin Moran and Thomas Fitzpatrick; 2nd, Jimmy Connor and Tommy Lyons; 3rd, Gay Conway and Majella Corbett; Last 10, Ruby and Joe Thomas.
The 25 progressive games continue every Friday night at 9pm and everyone is welcome.
The Clogher community have recently organised a fundraising draw in order to maintain and support the many initiatives that are taking place in the community.
If you would like to support Clogher and have a chance to win €500 each month the cost is just €60 for a year for 12 draws. The first draw will take place at the end of August. For full details, please contact finianjbourke@gmail.com.
There will be a fantastic opportunity to visit 'Farming for Nature' ambassadors on their own farms on August 31st. There are three farms in Mayo including Glasraí Organics at Hollymount.
The events are free but booking is essential. Discover two inspiring events: Farm Walks and 'Inside the Gate' (26 farms open nationally for one day). Meet passionate farmers and experience nature-friendly farming up close. Ready to explore - see what’s on and enjoy the great outdoors!
Clogher Heritage Complex is open to the public five days a week from 10am to 4pm. If the cottage is not open, please ring 094-9360891 for assistance. The Heritage Complex is also the starting point of the weekly Tuesday evening walks which commence at 7pm.
The Local Link provides a bus service through Clogher on Tuesday and Thursday each week. Please ring Matt Rowley at 085-1251633 on the previous day to avail of the service. This service is free for travel pass holders.
