Local Notes: Medal presentation in Ballyhaunis
Ballyhaunis Town Football Club and coaches held a Christmas party and medal presentation ceremony at the Community Hall recently. Picture: Adam Kaczmarek
The reduced opening hours of the Ballyhaunis branch of First Choice Credit Union group were raised during the recent annual general meeting of the group, held online. Opening hours at the Ballyhaunis branch were reduced to three days a week earlier this year, prompting a petition organised by local members who also sought an extraordinary general meeting of the organisation.
A question submitted by a local member and former director of the Ballyhaunis Credit Union – part of the First Choice group since 2015 – read: “How does the oversight committee justify denying signatures to the petition [by members of Ballyhaunis branch] their legal rights under article 79 of the Credit Union Act 1997.”
The answer, provided electronically during the AGM, reads: "Credit Union legislation sets out clearly the requirements that must be fulfilled in order for a special general meeting to be held. The petition did not meet the requirements under the Act and this was communicated to the local group in our correspondence at the time.”
The local credit union member said online meetings were difficult to navigate, compared to an in-person meeting.
“On one occasion after the report from the board oversight committee, I used the software to put my hand up to ask a question but this was taken as me proposing a motion that had been suggested so I didn’t get to ask the question.”
During the AGM, another member from the Ballyhaunis area raised a question about cash availability over the Christmas period. The cash machine located at the Ballyhaunis branch is, in fact, operated by a commercial company completely separate to the Credit Union.
The former director from Ballyhaunis said that the large Ballyhaunis credit union building on Clare Street, which cost €3 million to build in 2008, is now open only three days a week and offices are unused on days in which counter staff aren’t present.
Fr Stephen Farragher has paid tribute to a group of local women who helped organise the annual senior citizens Christmas party held recently in the Communal Centre, Clare Court.
“Each year a group of local women undertake the organising of this lovely festive occasion,” explained Fr Stephen. “Planning begins weeks in advance, advertising the event and securing sponsorship.
"The Communal Centre is an ideal venue for such an event. It is a warm, intimate space, with wonderful kitchen and toilet facilities.
“Each year a group of local musicians volunteer to provide the music and entertainment which follows the meal. This year the musicians were Richard Waldron, Connie Gildea, Paddy Joe Tighe, John McGarry and Martin Fitzmaurice.
"The senior citizens present rolled back the years by taking to the floor to dance to the music and by singing their favourite songs of yore.
"Thanks to the wonderful ladies who each year ensure that the members of our community who may be in their twilight years are not forgotten and feel appreciated.”
Ballyhaunis-based animal shelter Mayo Society for the Protection of Cruelty to Animals (MSPCA) has welcomed €36,375 in funding from the Department of Justice, part of a €128,225 support package to three Mayo-based animal welfare organisations.
"The funding will help our charity meet rising costs during the winter months, including veterinary bills, heating, lighting, and other essential expenses," said Marian Biesty, founder and manager of the MSPCA.
“This support is invaluable,” she added. “It allows us to continue our work and care for the animals that depend on us. From all of us - and all the paws you’ve helped - we send our deepest gratitude.”
MSPCA, which has been serving the community for over two decades, relies on donations and volunteers to rescue, rehabilitate, and rehome abandoned and neglected animals.
Anyone wishing to volunteer can contact the organisation at info@mayospca.ie.
Minister of State, Alan Dillon TD, said the Department of Education is “actively considering” an application from Scoil Íosa, Ballyhaunis for funds to construct new buildings under the Additional School Accommodation (ASA) Scheme.
“The ASA scheme is designed to ensure that schools have the necessary infrastructure to meet the needs of their pupils. Its primary purpose is to provide essential mainstream classroom accommodation and facilities for pupils with special educational needs where existing school accommodation cannot cater for current or projected enrolments.”
Minister Dillon also congratulated Kevin Henry on his recent appointment as principal of Scoil Íosa and thanked Kenneth Dennedy for his 16 years of service.
The cost of living and shortage of housing continue to be key issues for users of the local Family Resource Centre (FRC).
"The main presenting needs here are lack of housing, affordable and good quality rental accommodation and access to medical care in the community,” said Ann Flynn, coordinator of the Ballyhaunis Family Resource Centre. “There is also a high demand on the Food Cloud and the supports provided by Vincent de Paul," she added.
The FRC is a local distribution point for the Food Cloud which provides free food to the needy. In 2024, Food Cloud, a Dublin-based social enterprise, redistributed 3,896 tonnes of food donated by food producers and retailers, equating to over 9.25 million meals.
Food Cloud claims its operations in 2024 led to a reduction of 8,960 tonnes of carbon emissions related to food waste. Among the donors is frozen foods firm Green Isle Foods which last year contributed 1.2 million tons of the Food Cloud total food collected and redistributed.
Well-known Dublin retailer and Ballyhaunis native Dom Byrne was the focus of an admiring article in recently in which he indicated he’ll retire next year from The Sweater Shop, which he runs on Dublin’s Nassau St.
The store, which opened its doors in 1986, is popular with visitors seeking Aran knitwear. The company’s focus on quality and tradition is the antithesis of modern-day fast fashion, Dom’s son Paul explained to .
“With Dom set to retire in 2026 - although his children laugh at this suggestion, saying he’ll only be retried in 'name only' – it’s an exciting time for the next iteration of The Sweater Shop,” the article notes.
There are plans to expand its e-commerce business to new markets and continue to grow its bricks and mortar offerings.
Former government minister and MEP Jim Higgins has joined the local chapter of Fáilte Isteach, a programme which matches migrants seeking English language exchange with local volunteer teachers.
Jim signed up for a six-week block of lessons, hosted by the local Family Resource Centre and said the classes went well.
“Anne at the Resource Centre says that the participants are very happy. A lovely bonding.”
He and his fellow teachers feel their students would need at least another six weeks “and we are resuming another six weeks block in January”.
Fáilte Isteach is run by Third Age Ireland, a Meath-based charity, and is funded by the Community Foundation Ireland as well as Solas, a state agency for further education.
Eastern Gaels GAA club has submitted an application to the LEADER rural development fund for support to help it build a walkway at an all-weather pitch in Brickens.
The club is hoping for support from the government’s Sports Capital Grant for the installation of an all-weather astroturf pitch at Kelly’s Field, a joint development of a site adjacent to Brickens Community Centre, Little Acorn’s childcare centre and Lohan Park housing project.
Eastern Gaels reached the Mayo Junior Football Championship Final this year, a milestone in the history of a club founded in 1984.
The annual general meeting held recently heard a series of highlights for the club, including numerous underage titles which “showcase the bright future” for the club, noted club secretary Michael Murphy. The launch of a ladies football team and inclusion of a second team in the junior championship were also highlighted.
Club chairman Seamus Horan thanked the club executive and coaches at Eastern Gaels as well as St Jarlath’s, the associated club which pools underage players from Eastern Gaels and Ballyhaunis GAA. He also thanked management of the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence, located in Eastern Gaels’ traditional Bekan-Brickens-Logboy territory, with facilitating pitch hire.
The opening of McGuire’s bar in the village was credited with increasing the surplus from the club lotto to €10,423 from €6,000 in the same period in 2024. Likewise, there was a significant 60% increase in membership fees to €19,413.
Club chairman Seamus Horan explained there had been a significant increase in sponsorship to help cover the approximately €30,000 spent on getting the club’s senior team to the county final. Eastern Gaels has in 2024 and 2025 received a €3,500 annual grant from Cork-based PWWP Developments Limited which operates a wind farm in the Bekan townlands of Magheramore and Cregganbrack.
The AGM returned the outgoing executive for another term, with treasurer Ronan Forde and county board delegate Michael McHugh also reappointed. Aisling Tully is club registrar and assistant secretary for 2026 while Laura Godfrey is public relations officer. Shane Glynn is player’s representative, Paul Biesty is coaching officer and Johanna Doran is children’s officer with Elaine Prendergast serving as health and well-being officer. John Clancy takes the Bord na nOg position and Luke Murray is Irish language officer. Michael Morley and Michael Lyons are vice chair and assistant treasurer respectively.
