Local Notes: Maureen Conroy retires from Belmullet Community Hospital
Congratulations to Maureen Conroy from Barhaue, Belmullet, on her retirement from the support staff at Belmullet Community Hospital after 30 years pictured with Director of Nursing Mary Noone and colleagues.
The Tom Rafter Darts Memorial competition was held in Healy’s Glenamoy on Sunday, February 11. The organisers extend thanks to all who supported it and those who gave spot prizes, and congratulations to the winner Cathal Tighe who defeated Thomas Moran in a thrilling final. One thousand euro was raised for Cara Iorrais.
The draw was held on February 12, and the numbers drawn were 5, 6, 8, and 21 for a jackpot of €12,000 with no winner. The house prize of €100 was won by Michaela Healy, Glenamoy and the 2 x €30 offline winners was Nancy Keenaghan, Gorthmellia and Thomas and Nancy Healy, Bunowna. The €30 online winners was Angela McGrath, Galway and Anne Doherty, Glenamoy. The latest jackpot was €12,100 when the draw was held in McGuire’s, Barnatra.
Ireland Lights Up Walks take place every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 6.15pm starting at Cill Chomain Astro with physio led pilates in Cill Chomain Clubhouse upstairs: Class 1 – Over 55 Wednesday at 5.30pm; Class 2 – Ladies Wednesday at 6.30pm; Class 3 - Ladies Wednesday at 7.30pm.
Ciorcal Comhra gach Deardaoin ag 7.30. Failte roimh cach. Irish Conversational classes are held every Thursday at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome to come along.
Exercise classes with Justin take place for ladies every Tuesday and Thursday at 6.15pm and for men every Tuesday and Thursday at 7.30pm.
Jimmy Ruddy Memorial Charity match will take place on Saturday, February 24, at 1.30pm. All money raised will go to Mayo Roscommon Hospice.
The bridge club is up and running again. They meet every Tuesday at 7.30pm in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel. New members would be very welcome. If you’re interested in joining but don’t know how to play, free lessons will be given. For further information contact Tom on 087 6501592 or Jean on 087 2398919.
Staff and students from Our Lady’s Secondary School together with Lauren’s mother Shelley joined together recently for a very special 5km loop walk in memory of their past pupil Lauren Padden.
Mr Holmes held an assembly with students where he spoke about the schools past pupil Lauren, her contribution to school life in OLSS, her bubbly personality and of how Lauren’s favourite thing to wear was a hoodie of some sort.
In paying a special tribute to Lauren, all staff and students came to school today wearing their favourite hoodie and accompanied Shelley on a 5km loop walk. A huge thank you to all involved. We wish Shelley and the crew at Cois Cuain Restaurant and Take Away Belmullet who have taken on the ‘1000km Challenge in Memory of Lauren’ the very best of luck. They are delighted to have raised €503 whilst also honouring Lauren’s memory. Ní neart go cur le chéile ‘Mamma Mia – The Musical’.
Our Lady’s Secondary School are proud to present the TY production of ‘Mamma Mia - The Musical’ on Wednesday and Thursday, February 28 and 29 at 7.30pm in the school hall. Join them and fall head over heels for the sunny, funny tale of a mother, daughter, and her three possible fathers on a Greek island idyll, where everything unfolds to the magic of ABBA’s timeless songs! Tickets are €10 and €5 for U8s. Tickets are only available to buy in the school office and cannot be reserved without payment due to demand. For any ticket enquiries contact the office at 097 81157. We look forward to seeing you there.
On Sunday, February 4, the Mayo Open Darts Championship for ‘the Michael Geraghty Memorial Cup’ took place in Flynn’s Sports Bar, Castlebar with men’s and ladies events. The place was rocking all day with 6 dartboards in operation. First up were the men’s starting at 2pm with 43 players taking part. The format was knockout the best of 9 x 501 up to the semi-final which was best of 11 x 501 and the final the best of 13 x 501. A lot of the early rounds saw some very tightly contested matches with the score lines not reflecting the true story of the games. Some of the darts thrown were just as good as on the TV. Before long they were down to the quarter finals.
Q-finals: Dylan Dowling (5) v Martin McDonald (3), John Heneghan (5) v Liam Armstrong (0), Derek Morrin (5) v Paul Barrett (1), Conor Heneghan (5) v Darren Ruddy (3).
Semi-finals: Dylan Dowling (6) v John Heneghan (5), Conor Heneghan (6) v Derek Morrin (1).
Final:Conor Heneghan (7) v Dylan Dowling (3).
The ladies started at 4pm with 14 ladies taking part. The format for the ladies was the best of 5 x 501 up to the semi-finals which was best of 7 x 501 and final best of 9 x 501.
Q-finals: Catherine Fleming (3) v Helen Gannon (0), Michaela Fallon (3) v Helen Kenny (1), Sara Moran (3) v Sandra Cronnolly (1), Patricia Joyce (3) v Sharron O’Donnell (2).
Semi-finals: Catherine Fleming (4) v Michaela Fallon (3), Sara Moran (4) v Patricia Joyce (3).
Final: Catherine Fleming (5) v Sara Moran (2).
Catherine Fleming retained the title she won in 2023. Even though he has been at the forefront of Irish darts for a number of years and has 3 televised 9 dart legs on his CV, this is Conor Heneghans first time winning this event.
Martin thanked Flynn’s Sports Bar for hosting the event and the continued support of Tony Flynn, David Flynn and staff. ‘I would also like to say a special word of thanks to Kenny Cook for helping me run the tournament throughout the day. Thank you to all the chalkers and anyone that helped to make the day a success. Thanks also to Stephen Flynn for calling and Kenny Cook for chalking the men’s final’, said Martin.
A raffle was held on the day with all proceeds going to Mayo/Roscommon Hospice. Thank you is extended to everyone that bought raffle tickets, donated prizes or donated to this worthy cause. The total gathered along with a donation from Flynn’s Sports Bar was €500.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of €11,400 with the two €50 winners being Siobhan Healy, Ballinaboy and Seamus McGuire, Doohoma, while Johnny Flynn, Knockmore and Ned Coyle, Tallaghaun Duff, both won €25. The two online winners were Mark McGuire, Navan €50 and Evita Coyle, Geesala €25.
Bingo will continue in the complex Bangor this Tuesday, February 20, at 8pm with a €650 jackpot in 48 calls or less.
Huge thanks to TJ the DJ along with all who attended his fundraising dance in the Merry Monk in Ballina recently. ‘To say we had a blast would be an understatement. The room was filled with likeminded people who had fun and laughter all night long. The floor was busy all night long with dancers waltzing, jiving and bopping away as TJ played a variety of tunes. Huge thanks to all the dancers who supported the event and to the sponsors of spot prizes for the raffle on the night; Mary Murphy, Anne Gilmartin, Killala Co Op, Homeland, Flannery Fish, Ollie and John Clarke, and Stephen Rooney.
A brilliant night was had by all. May you never stop dancing and having fun like we all had last night.
Golden Gloves Boxing Club Belmullet had 3 boxers in action recently at the Castlebar Boxing Club tournament. Well done to Jayden Geraghty, Sean Reilly and Shane McWilliams who put on a great display of boxing to come away with 3 wins. Great day out for the club.
Congratulations to the two boxers from Geesala Boxing Club who were in action recently in the Castlebar boxing show. Makayla Ampong and Peter Conway came away with two good wins against tough opponents. This contest is great preparation for Makayla before she competes in the Connacht championships next weekend. Peter made his debut and has gained great experience from this contest. Well done to all involved.
On another sad occasion in our community the Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club Extends deepest sympathy to the family of the late Vincent Donohue, Tallaghan Bawn. Vincent’s love of the fishing was as recognisable as he was standing on the strand, a tall strong fisherman. You would know him from a mile away.
He was behind the club from the start. He gave them his boat every year for Cruinniú na mBád and spent many days getting ready and organising the boats at The Ferry. He was patient with them when things went wrong and was always helpful.
There were many races won in Vincent’s boat but it didn’t matter who won, he’d have a good word for all and the boat would be turned and ready to go again. He will be greatly missed. Ar dheis De go raibh a anim.
Tá seirbhísí réamhscoile Naíonra Dhún Chaocháin agus Naíonra Ghleann na Muaidhe ag clárú páistí anois le haghaigh an téarma 2024/25. Tá sé riachtanach foirm iontrála a líonadh isteach le haghaidh do pháiste roimh 1ú Márta 2024 má sé beartaithe aige/aici tosnú in aon cheann de na seirbhísí seo i mí Meán Fómhair seo chugainn. Tá tuilleadh eolais le fáil ó Máire ag 097 88877 i leith Naíonra Dhún Chaocháin. Is féidir teagmháil a dhéanamh le Máire Cáit 097 87838 faoi Naíonra Ghleann na Muaidhe.
The Belmullet local election area selection convention was held recently in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel. Delegates, members, supporters from Erris, Mulranny, and Achill and Ballycroy attended. The chairman, Philip Irwin and secretary Michael J Deane welcomed everyone. The convention was chaired by M.E.P. Maria Walsh with two candidates selected to contest the next year’s elections, outgoing Councillor Gerry Coyle who was proposed by Philip Irwin and seconded by Ian McAndrew with Pat Chambers nominated by Achill FG branch, proposed by Eanna Kilbane and seconded by Hughie Garvey.
Both candidates then addressed the meeting. In attendance was TD Michael Ring and Alan Dillon TD who called for support for those nominated with MEP, Maria Walsh calling for full support for her campaign for next year’s Europeans election in June.
Erris Community Based Family Support Service will have an open door, drop-in on Wednesday mornings, starting Wednesday, February 28, from 9.30am - 1pm and every Wednesday thereafter. Parents can drop-in without appointment to see the Family Support Worker, Leah Owens in confidence. This service is suitable for families who may be experiencing challenges and need some information, advice or support. Appointments can be made for other days and times also. The Family Support Service is a project of Erris Family and Community Support Centre, funded by Tusla, and located at Irish Wheelchair Association, Logmore, Belmullet. Email: l.owens@mayofamilysupport.ie. Tel: 0877059705.
Organisers of Kiltane Christmas Market presented a cheque for €775 to co-ordinator of Erris Family and Community Support Centre, Leanne Barrett recently. The centre was chosen as a beneficiary of the funds raised at the market held last year. They will be used to assist with the provision of mental health supports for children.
Become a volunteer befriender to those living with dementia and give Family Carers a short break. Can you spare a couple of hours per week? A little time goes along way. Contact Caroline on 087 3694477 or 094 9364900, or email: Volunteer@westernalzheimers.ie.
Join a fascinating talk about Irish design with woodturner and lecturer Ambrose O'Halloran at 3pm on Sunday, February 25, at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co Mayo. Discover the story of how a simple bowl, designed by Kilkenny Design Workshops in the late 1960s, led to a reimagining of the traditional skill of woodturning and its resurgence in modern crafting in Ireland. This is a free event. Booking is required. Email BookingsCountryLife@museum.ie or telephone 094 90 31751.
Anam Cara Mayo, the organisation that supports bereaved parents will meet Wednesday, February 28, at 7.15pm in the TF Royal Hotel, Castlebar, Co Mayo. This event is free and open to all bereaved parents regardless of the age your child died, the circumstances of their death, or whether their death was recent or not. They also offer an online support service too. Contact info@anamcara.ie or 085 2888 888 for any queries.
A meeting of the Mayo Stoma Support Group will be held on Thursday, February 22, at 7pm, in the Ellison Hotel, Castlebar. Contact JJ on 087 2300580 if attending.
