Local Notes: Launch of Erris Workability took place in Aras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet.
Launching the Erris Workability event in Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet recently was Minister Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Dara Calleary TD, Rose Conway Walsh TD, Councillor Sean Carey and others.
A very enjoyable event was held recently when Minister Minister of State in the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Dara Calleary TD launched Erris Workability in Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet. The organisers extend a big thank you to Minister Calleary and to every single person who attended the launch on the day. They hope you enjoyed it as much as they did!
If you want to find out more about Erris Workability, email rosemariemangan@mayonortheastldc.com or call Siobhán on 087 499 6605. Erris Workability is working to create inclusive structures and equal opportunities for young people with special needs across education, training, employment and society as a whole.
Ballyglass RNLI volunteer Ciarán Deane took to the pitch for the All-Ireland senior football championship semi-final at Croke Park, to promote the charity’s water safety partnership with the GAA. This year the RNLI is marking its 200th anniversary. The partnership’s water safety activation on the day delivered key messages to over 55,000 people who were attending both the Tailteann Cup final between Down and Laois and the All-Ireland semi-final between Armagh and Kerry. Before the throw-in at the Armagh and Kerry decider, the RNLI and GAA’s activity consisted of a flag display on the pitch with one highlighting an image of an all-weather lifeboat at sea and the other, highlighting the message, Float to Live.
The flag bearers consisting of RNLI people dressed in lifeboat gear and water safety t-shirts, unfurled the flags as they crossed the touchline on the pitch and paraded towards the Hogan Stand before coming to a halt and allowing the flags to be displayed ahead of the National Anthem. Among the crew was Ciarán Deane, a crew member at Ballyglass RNLI who stood at the tunnel as both teams took to the pitch before the game. Now in its seventh year, the RNLI and GAA water safety partnership serves to raise awareness of drowning prevention and to educate communities on how to stay safe in and around the water. The partnership is part of the GAA Healthy Clubs’ programme and has seen RNLI lifeboat crew visiting GAA clubs around Ireland to deliver water safety talks to all age groups.
Speaking about Saturday’s event in Croke Park, Ciarán said: ‘It was particularly special for the RNLI to be in Croke Park this year as the charity marks its 200th anniversary. For a charity to have survived 200 years based on the time and commitment of volunteers, and the sheer generosity of the public donating to fund it, is truly remarkable. ‘This partnership highlights the shared values between ourselves in the RNLI and the GAA, notably volunteerism and the importance of communities. It is always a privilege for volunteers like ours at Ballyglass, to be invited to Croke Park on such a big day in the GAA’s championship calendar and have the opportunity to promote a key drowning prevention message, float to live. ‘If you find yourself in difficulty in the water this summer, tilt your head back with ears submerged. Relax and try to control your breathing. Use your hands to help you stay afloat. It's ok if your legs sink, we all float differently. Once you are through this initial shock, call for help or swim to safety if you can.’
On Monday, August 12, there will be an official launch of the Erris Branch of North West Stop counselling service. This will be followed by a 5km fundraising walk. North West Stop have been providing free counselling in Erris since October 2022. Over 200 sessions of counselling have been provided so far this year. 'We invite you to join in the celebration of the launch and to walk with us in support of this important local service; remembering those we have lost, those who are struggling and to give hope and strength to all who need it', said a spokesperson. To register for the walk, scan the QR code on posters in the community, or visit www.northweststop.ie. The event takes place at The Broadhaven Bay Hotel. There is late registration available from 6.30-7.15pm. The official launch will be held at 7.30pm and the walk sets off from the hotel at 8.30pm. Refreshments will be served afterwards. For enquiries contact Leanne on 087 0670989.
The draw was held on July 15, and the numbers drawn were 1, 5, 7, and 11 with no winner for a jackpot €6,500. The house prize of €100 was won by Margaret Healy, Portacloy and the €30 offline winners were Joe Mills, Glenamoy and Honey Healy c/o Norah Healy, Gorthmellia. The €30 online winners were Sinead Mills, Tallagh and Paul Deane, London. Next week’s jackpot is €6,600. This week’s draw will take place in Connolly’s Stonefield.
There was no winner of this weeks Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of €13,600 with the two €50 winners being Aisling King, Bangor and Ann Keane, Doohoma while John Scanlon, Dooyork and Bridgie Ruddy, Glencullen both won €25. The two online winners were Martin Skey, Mountjubilee €50 and Paul Stack, Tallaghaun €25. Bingo will continue in the complex Bangor this Tuesday July 23rd at 8.00pm with a €750 jackpot in 50 calls or less.
Sinn Féin spokesperson for Public Expenditure has called for a full explanation from government on why they followed policy advice from the Attorney General to limit redress but ignored legal advice about pursuing wrongdoers.
Teachta Conway-Walsh: ‘Correspondence released by The Ditch between the Attorney General and the Minister for Housing from September 2021 reveals a concerted effort at the very heart of government to block and limit financial support for these homeowners as their homes and lives crumbled before their very eyes. The contents of the Attorney General’s letter to the Minister for Housing are shocking. He claims that any improvements to the scheme would “likely increase the number of applicants” to the scheme. This shows no recognition that victims of this crisis were facing financial ruin and hardship and only ever wanted fairness, justice and a safe home for themselves and their children. “The AG called into question the competence of certified engineers, questioning their expertise, and even claiming that they would be pressurised by homeowners to recommend anything other than what was right. “This is an unacceptable overreach as the Attorney General’s job is to provide legal advice, not policy advice on an issue that has destroyed the lives of so many. “The government accepted much of this advice, which limited financial support to so many homeowners. “But when the Attorney General said in his advice that it was important to urgently engage with local solicitors to pursue wrongdoers – quarries and block manufacturers. This advice was ignored. “He said there was considerable urgency with this. And, made it clear that even a company going into liquidation could still be pursued, and a claim made against them or their insurers. “In May of this year the Department confirmed to the Housing Committee that a senior counsel had still not been appointed to go after wrongdoers. “This raised the most serious of questions about whose interests the government are interested in defending. The government should come forward with a public explanation for people in Mayo and others counties impacted by the Defective Block Scandal.”
The Belmullet School Leavers Service group had an amazing annual trip to Inishkea island recently. From island exploration to beachside laughter, each moment was truly unforgettable. A big thank you to Sean and Josh Lavelle for making the day fun-filled and smooth sailing. Here's to creating and cherishing memories!
Conor Kilker is delighted to announce that he will be back at Official Erris United FC/Iorras Aontaithe this August 12 to 14 for three days of football and fun with new games and syllabus for the three days. The camp is open to all boys and girls aged between 6-14. To book text your child’s name and age to 083 1753142.
In golf, a big congratulations is extended to Declan Healy who won the Frank Brogan Memorial Erris Cup at Carne in a tight final which went down the 19th hole before Declan prevailed over Ronan Gaughan. Ronan had prevailed in the MacNicholas Cup earlier this year and was going for the ‘double’ in mathchplay competitions but it wasn't to be this year.
Thanks has been extended to everyone who went on the trip to the Slieve Russell Hotel in Cavan. The organisers thank McGraths transport for their excellent service; Fr Sean Noone for the lovely Mass; readers; Eucharistic ministers; all that helped out with the raffle and all the lovely singers; to the sponsors of the raffle, Capital Sky, Martin Maloney, Gorthbrack and Luton, Paul Dean London and Glenamoy, Broadhaven Hotel, Erris Coast Hotel, Centra Bangor Erris, Brogans Eurospar Belmullet, Shevlin’s Paint and Hardware Belmullet, Lavelle’s Pharmacy Bangor and Belmullet, Centra Belmullet, Máire Ni Ruane, Erris Tours and all the people who helped make this a memorable trip.
