Local Notes: John Healy Memorial Pool 2026 in the Lighthouse Tavern, Inver.
Members of the Healy family with the winner and runner up William Doherty and Kian Gallagher in the recent John Healy Memorial Pool event.
William Doherty is the 2026 John Healy Memorial Champion after a long day’s play in The Lighthouse Tavern in Inver on Easter Saturday, producing a dominant display in the final against Kian Gallagher.
William came through a very tough top half of the draw, booking his place in the final with wins over John Paul McAndrew, Vinnie Coyle, Sean Noone, Padraic O’Donnell, and David Gallagher, losing only four frames throughout the day. Remarkably, William had not played pool since his first-round defeat in this same competition last year, making his run to the title all the more impressive and a testament to his natural talent.
On the other side of the draw, Kian recorded wins over Jack McGuire, Stephen Gaughan, Rita Walsh, Sean Brogan, and Padraig Healy to reach his first major final. However, he was unable to get going in the decider, with William taking his chances confidently to claim the title for a second time.
In the U16 event, it was a repeat of last year’s final as Jack Gaughan retained his title with a 3-1 victory over his brother Darragh on the Saturday evening.
The continued success of underage pool in Erris was evident, with over forty U16’s taking part on the Friday afternoon. The competition was played in a double-elimination format for the opening two rounds, ensuring each player got to play at least two matches. Jack progressed to the final without being seriously tested, while Darragh had to dig deep edging past Lorcan Barrett 3-2 in the quarter-finals before a strong 3-1 win over Finn Gallagher secured his place in the final.
The players returned on the Saturday evening, and although Darragh levelled the match at 1-1, Jack took the next two frames to retain the title and get his name on the cup for a second consecutive year.
A special mention goes to their seven-year-old sister Emily, who was one of the stars of the Friday evening, winning two matches to reach the Last 32.
A big thank you to all the main sponsors of the competition, as well as the local businesses who generously donated prizes for the raffle. Special thanks to Anthony Healy for sponsoring two pool tables for the weekend - this support was greatly appreciated and helped the event run smoothly. Thanks also to Sinead and Alan Noone, Gerard Coyle and David Gallagher, for their help in the lead-up to the weekend and over the course of the event. Appreciation is extended to Ryan Gallagher Photography for the live stream and to John Cafferkey and Sean Noone for their help on commentary.
Finally, thank you to all the players who took part over the two days, your support is what makes the event possible, and to everyone who bought raffle tickets or made donations, with all proceeds going to the McAndrew family.
It was certainly a day for the ducks at the recent at the Erris Parkrun which had 40 people braving the elements on the Saturday morning. There were 12 first timers braving the elements, there were 4 recorded new personal bests, and representatives of 4 different clubs took part.
The event was made possible by 9 volunteers, who earned their keep this morning in challenging weather. Thank you to Lisa Walshe, Lynda Reilly, Anthony Reilly, Michael John Walshe, Roseleen Reilly, Sarah Walshe, Ann Togher Nallen, Elizabeth Walshe and Seán Walshe.
Belmullet Cycling Club will host its very first official sportive event on September 18. There will be two routes a 60km and a 100km on the day. They have had a great response from cycling clubs in this new event and would like to invite you to consider joining them on the day. Considering the fitness levels all of you have, the event will be very easy, but if you would like some help getting ready, whether around training or indeed a bike just let any of the committee know, they really want to use the event to promote the beautiful area and also to get a few more people into cycling. Their racing days are well past them, they are a steady group who enjoy the social aspects of the sport, maybe you could too.
Thirty two players had a very enjoyable afternoon at the Erris Youth Darts Club event. There was a double elimination competition along with some mini games. Well done to the winners and well done to all that took part. The next youth club is Friday, April 17, at the usual time of 5.30pm.
This year local girl Teresa Gruddy and over 25 of her family and friends are taking on the Great Limerick Run together on May 3. There doing it in memory of her older brother Oisín, who was lost to suicide last year. With the run falling close to his birthday, and being in a place he loved so much, it felt like the right way to come together in memory for him. Between them their taking on everything from the 10k to the marathon, every step is for Oisín.
Alongside this, they have set up a fundraiser for Northwest STOP, a mental health service that supports people in crisis and families going through loss like theirs. Over the past year, they have seen just how important that kind of support is. Services like this give people someone to talk to and somewhere to turn when things feel overwhelming. If you can donate or share, it would really mean the world https://eventmaster.ie/fundraising/pages/TG53890864...
A quiz night will be held on Saturday evening, April 18, in Denny’s Ferry Bar starting at 9pm, Table of 4 is €40, and everyone is welcome.
Sinn Féin TD for Mayo, Rose Conway-Walsh, has recently again called for urgent and immediate government action to address the escalating fuel and energy cost crisis, involving hauliers, farmers, contractors, bus operators and workers from across the county.
Speaking recently, Teachta Conway-Walsh said: “Fuel prices are still rising and people across Mayo are under enormous pressure. The recent protest in Castlebar reflects the real and growing anger among workers, families and key sectors of our local economy. It is part of a nationwide message to the government that people have had enough and need urgent support to heat their homes, fill their cars and put fuel in their machinery”.
The numbers drawn in the Kilcommon lotto which was held last week were; 2, 9, 27 and 34. There was no winner of the jackpot and the house prize winner of €100 was Chris Coyle, Gorthmeer and the two €30 online winners were Michelle McGuire, Gorthbrack and Alicia Shevlin, Portacloy. The two €30 offline winners were Tony Corcoran, Belderrig and Pat Gallagher, Fallaugh. The jackpot in the latest draw was €9000.
In the Junior ladies league Cill Chomáin will take on Claremorris B on Sunday 19 at 11am in Cill Chomáin In the Intermediate men's, league Cill Chomáin will play Ballyhaunis on Saturday, April 18 at 7pm in Cill Chomáin.
Winners of the Mayo V London tickets were; 1st Brendan Moran x2, 2nd Garry Flannery x2 and 3rd Páraicín Uí Ghallachóir x2.
A quiz night will be held on Saturday evening, April 18, in Denny’s Ferry Bar starting at 9pm. Tables of 4 will cost €40, and everyone is welcome.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club lotto jackpot of €7,800 with the two €50 winners being Ann Griffin, Dublin and Maureen O’Donnell, Porturlin while JP Healy, Attawalla and Claire Gaughan, Doohoma both won €25. The two online winners were Bertie Deane, Cork €50 and Bernie Cafferkey, Attycunnane €25.
Bingo will take place in the GAA complex Bangor this Tuesday, April 14, at 8pm, when the jackpot will be €800 in 51 calls or less.
A free workshop for helping people to Get Job Ready will be held on Wednesday, April 22, from 10am to 1pm Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet. The workshop covers; writing effective cover letters, completing application forms with confidence, creating a professional, impactful CV, mastering interview skills – online and in-person. For further information or to book, call or text 087 184 0214 or email RinaGarrett@MayoNorthEastLdc.com.
Naíonra Dhún Chaocháin and Naíonra Ghleann na Muaidhe pre-schools are currently registering children for the term 2026/27. An admission form must be completed for your child before April 17, if he/she intends to start in any of these services next September. Contact Máire on 097 88877 or on 087 4173946 for Naíonra Dhún Chaocháin, and Máire Cáit on 097 87838 or on 087 9714395 for Naíonra Ghleann na Muaidhe. It should be noted that where childcare places are limited, priority will be given to children who will be commencing primary school in September 2027.
Experience traditional Irish buttermaking with Museum educator Fiona Deacy on Sunday, April 25, at Turlough Park, and have a turn at turning the churn handle. Find out more about the history and traditions of buttermaking through a hands on demonstration and talk, learn traditional techniques, and explore Ireland’s rich food heritage in a fun, family friendly setting. Buttermaking demonstrations will be held in the Courtyard Room opposite the Synge & Byrne café. Sessions begin at: 11am, 11.45pm, 2pm, 2.45pm and 3.30pm. Each demonstration will be 30 minutes in duration. All ages welcome, admission is free, and no booking required.
