Local Notes: Launch of Masterplan for Moorehall
Pictured at the launch of the Masterplan for Moorehall were, Councillor Al McDonnell, Cathaoirleach of Castlebar Municipal District, Cllr Sean Carey, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary, the Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly, and Alan Dillon, Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment / Small Business and Retail/ Department of Climate, Energy and the Environment with special responsibility for Circular Economy. Picture by Tom Quinn.
A comprehensive Masterplan for Moorehall and its environs was officially launched by Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary at Moorehall and Carnacon Centre on Friday week last October 31. The Masterplan was developed by Mayo County Council in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) and Coillte. It is a visionary strategy to transform Moorehall Estate and Lough Carra into a nationally designated Nature Reserve and Cultural Heritage Destination.
Robert Coyne of Mayo County Council Tourism Dept. was MC for the auspicious occasion. Speaking at the launch Minister Calleary said: “I am delighted to be here at Moorehall today to launch this Masterplan. The imagination and the vision to restore Moorehall, and reimagining of its walled garden along with the creation of a world class visitor centre, will provide new opportunities for enterprise and will position Moorehall as a flagship destination in the West of Ireland.
Cllr Sean Carey, Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council said: “This Masterplan which has been developed by Mayo County Council in partnership with the National Parks and Wildlife Service and Coillte – is a visionary strategy that would see one of the most important historic locations in Mayo transformed into a national designated Nature Reserve and Cultural Heritage Destination.
Chief Executive of Mayo County Council, Kevin Kelly added: “This plan is not just a document; it is a roadmap for the future of one of Mayo’s most treasured landscapes. This Masterplan sets out a visionary strategy to restore and reimagine Moorehall and its environs. The Masterplan will open new opportunities for local enterprise and will position Moorehall as a flagship destination in the west of Ireland, driving sustainable tourism and rural development.” Councillor Al McDonnell gave a thorough outline of the proud history of Moorehall in its many historical, literary, sporting and rare environmental facets. He stated “Moorehall is a place of deep historical, ecological, and cultural significance to not only Mayo but the entire country.” There was a large attendance present including Minister Alan Dillon, Councillors Ger Deere and Patsy O Brien, Mayo County Council personnel and officials from Coillte and the National Parks and Wildlife.
The grounds of Moorehall and the ruins of its 18th century mansion are a popular destination for tourists and local people with an average of 35,000 visiting annually with scarcely any facilities. Moorehall has a walled garden and a many picturesque loop walks through the woodland. The 'Masterplan for Moorehall' will eventually see the estate turned into a national nature reserve and will also see further walkways and amenities developed in the years ahead.
The annual general meeting of Ballintubber GAA Club will be held in Killawalla Community Centre on Sunday, November 16, at 5pm. All members and supporters are invited to attend. Note, that only adult club members who have paid their annual club subscription on or before March 31, are eligible to vote, be nominated or be elected.
Ballintubber GAA lotto jackpot stood at €5,300 on Sunday night, November 2. The numbers drawn were 2, 16, 17 and 28. There was no jackpot winner. Consolation prizes went to Sarah Granaghan, Rita Staunton, Declan Joyce, Cian Corcoran, Lottie Mannion and Cian McManus.
The jackpot stood at €5,400 on last Sunday night, November 9..
The Celtic Strings Ensemble event is on Friday, November 14, at 8pm. Tickets are €20 and available online only. Fundraising Concert and Mass at is at 7pm on that evening. November Harmonies Concert takes place on Saturday, November 22, with free admission - featuring Ballintubber Abbey Choir, Mayo Male Voice Choir and Ballinteer Male Voice Choir. Donations will be welcomed to the Abbey Preservation and Restoration Fund. Ballintubber Abbey is the venue on November 25 for “Voices of the Centenaries”, a musical performance with vocal ensemble Resurge Collegium Chambers Choir and Musicians Malcolm Proud and Siobhan Armstrong as part of Mayo County Council’s Commemorative Programme 2025. The event is free but bookings are required via Eventbrite.
Christmas Time by Simon Casey takes place on Thursday, December 19, at 8pm – €25 proceeds to the Abbey Preservation and Restoration Fund. Tickets are available online only. Info: www.ballintubberabbey.ie.
There was no winner of the jackpot in the Ballyglass lotto draw held on Monday, November 3. The numbers drawn from the drum were 2, 5, 11 and 33. Bernie Conroy matched 3 numbers. Consolation prize winners were Áine Fallon, Patrick Barrett, Kellie Garrett and TJ Macken. The weekend draw had a jackpot of €14,900 up for grabs.
The results from Monday, November 3, were: 1st Margaret Mannion and Patricia Jennings; Matt and Gus Sweeney, 2nd Seamus Nevin and Martin Ford; Chris Turner and Pat Griffith; Mary and Richard Carney and 3rd - Sean Reilly and Seamus Hughes; Tom Fitzpatrick and Majella Corbett; Philip White and Mary Brennan. The best of last 10 prizes went to Dave Gibbons and Noel Costello. The raffle winners were, Mary Brennan and Philip White.
Ballyglass Foróige is currently recruiting new leaders. If you can spare a couple of hours on a Friday evening and enjoy working with young people, contact Sheila on 087 6704916.
If you are unable to commit to a six-week block of classes, why not choose the pay-as-you-go option of €15. Ballyglass Community Centre, Tuesdays at 7.30.
Ballyglass Active Age are continuing with their weekly activities, including the popular exercise class every Tuesday mornings at 11am in the community centre, followed by tea and a chat, and yoga class on Wednesday mornings at 10am. The annual Mass for the month of November, organised by the Active Age group, will be held in Ballyglass Community Centre on Thursday, November 13 at 7pm.
Nuala Heneghan and Bernie Reilly wish to thank most sincerely everyone who supported their recent Hospice Coffee Morning at Ballyglass Community Centre. An amazing €2,500.05 was raised for the worthy cause on the day.
Lough Carra Catchment Association and Lough Carra Life Project were delighted to meet with Environmental Geography and Outdoor Education students at ATU Mayo recently to discuss the ecological importance of Lough Carra and share the current conservation story with them. A big thank you has been extended to Dr Margaret O' Riordan for facilitating the visit.
The Christian Community welcomes its newest member Lucy Kate O’Halloran baptised in Holy Trinity Abbey, Ballintubber, on Saturday, November 8. Congratulations to her parents and the family. The Christian Community also welcomes Saoirse Faith Gavin baptised in St Mary’s Church, Carnacon on Saturday the 1st of November. Congratulations to her parents and family.
Carnacon LGFA clothes collection is back which means it's time to get decluttering those wardrobes. The collection point is Carnacon Community Centre every Saturday morning from 9 to 11am starting November 1.
The weekly card game (25 drive) takes place in Carnacon Centre on Thursday nights at 8.30pm. Admission is just €10. Beginners are welcome and will get help if needed.
*****************
Partry/Tourmakeady/Killawalla.
The death has taken place of Mary Staunton (nee Conway), Drimcoggy Mountain, Tourmakeady, Co. Mayo. Mary passed away peacefully, on October 31, at St, John’s Unit of Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar surrounded by her loving family. Mary was a much-loved and highly respected lady who attended the social club for the past number of years. She loved to catch up with her friends and play a game of bingo.
She was a great supporter of local events and loved to listen to Irish music and culture. Her warm presence and generous spirit enriched every gathering she attended, whether it was a parish celebration, a music session, or a community fundraiser.
Mary will be sadly missed by all but will be fondly remembered for her kindness, her community spirit, and her lifelong dedication to the community of Tourmakeady and the people she held so dear. Pre-deceased by her parents Julia and James Conway, her husband John, her son Peter, and her siblings Anne, Nora, Judy, John, Peter, Tim and Michael, she is deeply regretted by her heartbroken family, daughters Ann (Sean) Lally, Chicago, Nora (Rob) Delance, Chicago, Judy Fallon, Drimcoggy Mountain, son Pat (Noreen) Folan, Westport, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, extended family, neighbours and her many friends to whom sincere condolences are tendered. Her remains reposed at Tourmakeady Community Centre on the Sunday evening from 6pm to 8pm. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. Mary’s Church, Tourmakeady on last Monday at 12 noon with burial afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam dílis.
The Makers Market, Tuar Mhic Éadaigh will be commencing on Saturday, February 7, from 11am to 3pm. It will run every 1st Saturday of the month thereafter Halla Tuar Mhic Éadaigh, F12 C6F2. Now open for applications to trade, or for more info email: makersmarket.tme@gmail.com.
A biodiversity plan for Tourmakeady is being devised at present. The idea behind the plan is that it will document plants, animals and wildlife habitats in the community. It will also look at areas where improvements can be made and where actions can be taken by the community to make Tourmakeady a more nature friendly community. As part of the process, it’s important to get an idea of what is important when you think about the natural environment. Biodiversity refers to all living things.
Copy and paste the link below to access the short questionnaire. https://forms.gle/guWrdB1gkgjWzptQA.
The lotto bonus number’ fundraiser for the school is commencing on November 15. A prize of €100 will be awarded each week based on the bonus number from the main lotto on Saturday night, (without the lotto plus 1 or lotto plus 2). If you wish to take part the cost is €100 for six months. Anyone who is willing to support the worthy cause, contact the school via phone 094 95 44088 or email - snthuarmhiceadaigh@gmail.com.
The weekend lotto jackpot on last Saturday, November 8, stood at €19,700. 11, 16, 22 and 24 were the numbers drawn at the previous draw and there was no jackpot winner.
The beautiful south-west Mayo lakeside community of Tourmakeady has celebrated establishment of its Parkrun on Saturday mornings at 9.30. Parkrun is a free, community event where people can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.
The death has taken place of James Higgins, Coventry, England and formerly Kinuary, Killawalla, Westport. James is deeply regretted by his loving wife Eileen (nee O’Malley), brother Phil, sisters Nora, Judy, Bridie and Marion, brothers-in-law, sisters -in-law, nieces, nephews, neighbours and friends to whom sincere condolences are tendered. His remains reposed in Killawalla Community Centre on last Thursday morning the 6th of November at 11am, followed by Requiem Mass at 12 noon in the Community Centre. Burial ceremonies took place afterwards in the local cemetery. Dia dean trócaire ar a nAinm.
Congrats to Siobhan Jennings who was the recent Halloween bonus ball draw winner. Due to construction works at St Patrick’s Church, Killawalla Masses will move temporally move to the local Community Centre for a period. Training for Ballyheane/Ballintubber First Responders takes place in Killawalla Centre every second Thursday at 8pm. New people would be most welcome to join. Contact Rita at 086 8632145.
Partry AFC weekly draws takes place on Wednesday nights each week. Congrats to Mike Gibbons, Kilfaul and Jennifer and P J Sheridan, Shanvallyard who were recent winners of the popular Partry AFC weekly numbers draw. Partry Residents Association Draws take place on Saturday evenings with generous prizes in the weekly numbers draw. The latest draw was on Saturday night last, November 8. Tickets are on sale from Jim O’Neill at 087 2860565.
Ballinrobe Musical Society will be holding auditions for principal characters for Michael Collins - A Musical Drama in Ballinrobe Parish Centre on Sunday, November 30. The show will feature many characters based on real historical figures, including Collins himself, Éamon de Valera, Kitty Kiernan and Harry Boland. Auditions can be booked by emailing ballinrobemusicsociety@gmail.com or through the booking link available on the society's social media pages. Ballinrobe Musical Society will stage Michael Collins - A Musical Drama from Easter Sunday, April 5, 2026, to Saturday, April 11, in Ballinrobe Community School.
*****************
The death has taken place of Paul Murphy, Breaffy Road, Castlebar, and late of Killough, Co. Down. Paul passed away peacefully in the Mater Private Hospital, Dublin, surrounded by his loving family on November 1, 2025. Paul was a founder member of Bord na nÓg in Breaffy and served as treasurer. He was a member of Castlebar Seniors Golf Society and also the mid Connacht Golf Society. He was a well loved and respected teacher in St Joseph’s Secondary School Castlebar where he earned the respect of his colleagues and students. He was the principal of St Brid’s School where he shared his deep love of music with all the pupils and staff.
Predeceased by his parents Dr Gerry and Kitty Murphy, he is deeply regretted by his heartbroken wife Laurena (Harney), sons Conor (Drogheda) and Gerard (Isle of Man), daughter Eimíle (Drogheda), brothers Dr. Richard (Belfast), Prof. Philip ( Dublin) and Dr. Malachy (Dublin), sister Aoibhínn (Foley, Carlow), sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, daughters-in-law Claire and Jessica, son-in-law James, grandchildren Laurena, Shane, Cillian, Cathal, Joe, Lara and Rory, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends to whom sincere sympathy is tendered.
Paul’s remains reposed at his residence on last Tuesday, November 4, from 4.30 until 6pm and the removal from his residence took place on Wednesday morning at 10.30am for Requiem Mass at 11.30am in St. Aloysius Church, Breaffy. Paul was laid to rest afterwards in Kilgeever Cemetery, Louisburgh, Co Mayo. May he rest eternally in the peace and happiness of heaven.
On the weekend of November 2, the jackpot stood at €3,700. The numbers drawn were 12, 14, 29 and 31. Consolation prizes went to Sharon Ward, Conor Brett, Joe McNicholas and Tony Hetherington. The weekend jackpot stood at €3,800 on Sunday last, November 9.
A wonderful concert is coming to Belcarra, Chloe and David Agnew concert accompanied by Vocalessence Ladies Choir and Mayo Concert Orchestra will perform on the night. This promises to be a truly memorable evening of beautiful music. Please save the date, Sunday, November 30, at 8pm in St Anne’s Church, Belcarra. Tickets for this event are sure to sell out quickly. More information will be available later.
A committee meeting of Belcarra Tidy Towns will take place this Tuesday night, November 11, at 8pm in Belcarra Centre. New members would be most welcome. The group will be planning a campaign of work for the winter/spring months. Congratulations are extended to everyone for a splendid Tidy Towns Report in 2024.
Congratulations are extended to Síobhan Murphy and Sean O'Malley who recently celebrated the Sacrament of Marriage in St Anne's Church, Belcarra. The couple are wished a long life of good health and happiness in the decades ahead.
Breaffy GAA Lotto results for Tuesday, November 4 - the numbers 18, 19, 25 and bonus number 2 were drawn and there was no jackpot winner. The jackpot stands at €17, 900 on this Tuesday, November 11.Thank you for your ongoing support of Breaffy GAA.
Mayo Stoma Support Group meeting will be held on November 13, at 7pm in the Ellison Hotel Castlebar. It is open to all who either have a stoma or care for them. Persons who would like to book a place are asked to text 087 6275766.
***************
An Energy Master Plan launch will take place in Balla Community Centre on tomorrow, Wednesday, November 12, from 6 to 8pm.
The launch of Balla’s Energy Master Plan will be an exciting step toward a more sustainable future for the community.
The evening will feature presentations and insights from: Niall O’Neill, Balla SEC Lead, Lugh Ó Braonáin, Energy Co-Ops Ireland (Balla Energy Master Plan), Dr Orla Nic Suibhne, SEAI SEC Mentor (SEAI Home Energy Grants), Pat Coyle, Churchfield Home Services (SEAI One Stop Shop Services) and Oliver Killeen, Westquay Energy (Solar PV Costs and Case Studies).
Come along to learn, connect, and see how Balla is leading the way in local energy action.
Balla Christmas Market will take place in Balla Community Centre on Saturday, December 6. Folks are urged to get ready for Christmas magic in Balla. Come along and experience the wonder of the season with local crafts and gift stalls, festive food and sweet treats, children’s entertainment and plenty more Christmas cheer. The designated date is Saturday, December 6, from 11am onwards. It will be a perfect day out for families, friends, and anyone who loves a bit of Christmas magic.
Balla GAA lotto draw was held on the Thursday, October 30, in The Shebeen for a jackpot of €6,600. 10, 17, 20 and 35 were the numbers drawn and there was no jackpot winner. The €30 consolation prize winners were Martin Hyland (cash sale), Robert and Orla McGreal (cash sale) and Lorraine Jennings (online). The latest draw was held on Thursday, November 6, in The Rendezvous when the jackpot stood at €6,700. Thanks to all who support the club lotto. In the U21A Championship Balla beat Moy Davitt’s 0-17 to 2-09.
Living well, a HSE programme started on Thursday last, November 6, at 10am. The course helps people living with a long term health condition to manage their condition such as diabetes, arthritis, COPD, etc. and improve their overall wellbeing. There are weekly workshops in progress and advance registration is required. Call Liam at 086 0142675 for details.
The Christian Community has welcomed Danny Noel Joyce and Callum James Cawe who were baptised recently in St Cronan’s, Church, Balla. Congratulations to their parents and families.
Sincere sympathy is tendered to Joe Vaughan, Main Street, Balla, on the recent passing of his sister, Majella Shackleford, Kent, England. May she rest in peace.
Manulla FC Club lotto jackpot stood at €3,300 for last Sunday nights, November 9 draws. The club are deeply grateful for the support of patrons. The Manulla FC Christmas Shop is open. Get kitted out this festive season with all your favourite Manulla FC gear from jerseys and jackets to hats, socks, and more.
Find the perfect gift for every Manulla supporter in your life. Order before November 30, to make sure your items arrive in time for Christmas.
Women’s Circles with Soul Vibration and Wellness will take place on this Tuesday, November 11. Join up for a nurturing and empowering gathering of connection, mindfulness, and positive energy. All women are welcome. Contact Linda 086 3936174 to book your place or for more information.
************
Congrats to Clogher Tidy Towns who this year achieved an increase of 11 points on the 2024 results. Thanks to all the staff and voluntary committee for their time and commitment to ensure that Clogher is looking its best every year. The full report and recommendations from the adjudicators is available at www.tidytowns.ie › the-competition › results - Supervalu Tidy Towns.
Clogher Environmental Group in conjunction with Mayo Co Council are organising an Anti-Litter Poster competition for children U13 years. All submissions must be in landscape style and the closing date is November 21. The entries can be sent to clogherenvirgroup@gmail.com or dropped into the Clogher Community Centre.
Card game results for Friday, October 31 were 1st Martin Moran and Breege Blake, 2nd Jimmy Connor and Mary Mc Donagh and Eileen Moran and Gay Conway. The last 10 winners were Mary Morrin and Pat Griffith. The progressive 25 game continues every Friday Night at 9pm.
Clogher Active Retirement Group enjoyed a mid-term trip to Castlebar and Turlough recently. The first stop was at Mayo Leisure Point to take part in the bowling. This was followed by the trip to Horkan’s Garden Centre for some shopping and followed by lunch in the Bay Leaf Restaurant. Thanks to our driver Martin and to the staff of the Bowling Alley, the staff at Horkan’s and at the Bay Leaf Restaurant all of whom contributed to ensuring the group had a very enjoyable time.
Errew Breathwork classes will be beginning on November 13, (Thursday evenings) from 8 to 9pm. The fees for the 5 week course are €75. This will be a lovely, relaxing class in the cosy setting of Errew Community Centre. Call Carmel to book your place on 087 6972726.
