Local Notes: National Gold STEM award was presented to Scoil Naomh Bhride, Ballycroy, by Ryan O'Donoghue.
Ryan O'Donoghue surprised the children in Scoil Naomh Bhríde on Thursday, June 20, when he arrived unexpectedly to the school with the coveted GOLD STEM award - a National Gold Award that recognises deep engagement in teaching and learning in Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths (STEM).
The death took place of Eileen Gibbons, Attycunnane, on June 16, at her family home in her 96th year. Eileen was born in Knocknalower on July 25, 1928 to Michael Deane and Margaret Staunton. She was one of five children and her only brother Anthony died as an infant and she was predeceased by her three sisters Mary McAndrew, Annie Ginty and Maggie Flannery.
Eileen went to school in Pullathomas and like many of her generation she immigrated to Scotland aged fifteen to work on the farms, returning home during the winter. It was during these trips home that she met Mike Gibbons and in1955 she returned to Ireland to marry him and came to live in Attycunnane. Tragedy struck in 1967 when her husband, Mike, died in a road accident. She worked for many years in The Palm Court as a cloakroom attendant and became an agony aunt for many of the young girls. She was well known for her beautiful gardens and many people would call for advice or a slip of a flower or bush. She was awarded for her efforts when she won the inaugural Belmullet Tidy Towns, People’s Choice Award for her garden. She was known for her impeccable style and glamour even into her 90s. Not a woman to sit still, she opened her house as a B&B, Sally Gardens, for about ten years in the 1990s. Up until two weeks prior to her death she enjoyed the company of her family, friends and her nightly soaps.
Eileen is survived by her son Michael, wife Anne and grandchildren Laura and Michael Jr who resided with her; her daughter Anne, husband Bernie Healy and their family; her daughter Maureen, husband John Reilly and their family; daughter Rita, husband Thomas McAndrew and their family; daughter Veronica, husband Thomas Reilly and their family; and daughter Eileen, husband Noel Kearney and their family. She had eighteen grandchildren and fourteen great grandchildren.
Her funeral was attended by her only surviving sister-in-law Sheila Burke, many of her nieces and nephews and her late husband’s nieces and nephews and extended family members, her eighteen grandchildren and ten of her great grandchildren. Funeral Mass was celebrated by her neighbour and friend from Knocknalower, Fr Sean Noone, and her burial took place in Glencastle Main Cemetery. May Eileen rest in peace.
Well done to the six super stars that travelled to Tullamore and represented Erris AC so well at the National Children's Games recently. First up for Erris AC were the boys in the U10 60m sprint - Ben O’Connor, David Walsh, Oliver Reilly and Michael Walsh ran brilliantly and both teams finished in the top 10.
Next up was Emma Naughton who finished 5th in the shot-putt with a throw of 7.89. Emma finished 8th in the Turbo Javelin with a throw of 21.29. Ben and Oliver were up next in the U10 Long jump. Both boys jumped amazingly and were placed third overall. Last up was the U10 boys relay. The team of Ben, David, Michael, Oliver and Shane gave it their all and finished an impressive 4th.
Medal winners on the day were: Ben and Michael U10 60m - bronze; and Oliver and Ben U10 Long jump - bronze.
Recently Bangor Hibs responded to Snugboro win in League two as they beat Westport United C 3-2 in Ballybeg Park. Stephen Doherty gave them the lead after just six minutes and veteran striker Brian McHale doubled their advantage midway through the half. Westport pulled a goal back just before the break through Jack Walsh and James McNamara levelled matters on the hour mark. It was all to play for at this stage but it was Bangor who would get the winner as Doherty struck his second of the day on seventy minutes to move Hibs just a point behind Snugboro in second place in the table.
Iorras Aontaithe moved back above Fahy Rovers into second place in league one with a comprehensive win over Crossmolina B. Their goals came from Dara Padden (3), Brendan Conway (2), Killian Flannery (2), Oisin Reilly, Ryan Ruddy, Ivan Barrett and Mark Gilbert. Mícheál Gill got the sole consolation goal for Crossmolina B.
Due to popular demand the Kilmore Drama Group are delighted to announce the return of The Farmboy. After their hugely successful stint earlier this year they are absolutely delighted to bring it back……but that’s not all folks!
They are also bringing this production to the great people in Northampton Town UK. To say the group is excited about this is an understatement.
Dates to remember are: Belmullet November 8 and 9 and venue to be confirmed and Northampton on November 12, in The Old Savoy Home of the Deco.
The Erris Agricultural Show is excited to be back for another year, on Sunday July 28, for what promises to be a great day of music and entertainment for people of all ages. The last day for entries into the show is July 15.
Hopefully the weather will be kind for all concerned to make the day enjoyable with lots of exhibits, music, show jumping, donkey derby. The committee has put together a great day’s spectacle of events on the day.
The show book is out now and available from committee members and also will be in shops.
A national series race of 2024 in association with Triathlon Ireland will be held this year on September 14. Registration is individual entry €60, and relay entry €150. Register now through Triathlon Ireland and be part of this National Series event. The race route features rolling sand dunes, magnificent Atlantic views, and dramatic sea cliffs. The event is very popular consisting of a 1500m endurance swim in Blacksod Bay, a 43km cycle to Belmullet town, passing the highest point on the Erris peninsula and an exhilarating 10km run across the scenic Faulmore.
This triathlon has been sanctioned as a National Series race for 2024 by Triathlon Ireland following a tremendously successful 2023 event.
Joe McNulty presented the final count and a cheque of €13,020 to Cancer Care West-Inis Aoibhinn which were funds raised after his cycle from Cavan to Belmullet. Joe said that everyone was so kind with donations and sponsorship without having to ask twice, some not even once! This community is definitely a fantastic one, as there is great understanding and empathy for each other, keeping in mind our own loved ones who may have, or who may in future need support from the facilities of Inis Aoibhinn.
He thanked Orla and David from Inis Aoibhinn for their support, and Marion and Peter and Alice; family and friends, all the cyclists, safety van drivers (Darren, Richie and Patrick), Michael (the mechanic) who gave up their time to be by his side from Cavan to Belmullet; Michael Conroy for sponsoring the use of a van and a full thank of diesel and Malachi Gaughan and sons for providing transport and signage; to both families of Vincent and Felix who were delighted to have the cycle in memory of their loved ones; big shout out to all the sponsors and all who gave donations. ‘It was beyond my expectations to have raised this amount, and we have all done it together!’ said Joe.
Deepest sympathies to the families of Tommie Walsh, Gleneadagh, Ballycastle; John Campbell, (JP), Dooriel, Ballycroy and London; Michael Barrett, native of Mount Jubilee, Bangor Erris; Teresa Carolan (nee Dunleavy), Scribley, Letterkenny, formerly Corclough, West Belmullet; Eileen Gibbons (née Deane), Attycunnane and formerly of Knocknalower, Barnatra; Hubert Conway, Leenamore, Pullathomas and formerly of Inver, Barnatra. May they all rest in peace.
Defective Concrete Blocks Community Facilitator, Caroline Wilson is employed by Mayo North East Partnership and is supporting homeowners through the application process and facilitating access to the relevant support services. Caroline holds clinics by appointment in Ballina, Ballycastle, Belmullet, Crossmolina, Castlebar, Foxford, Killala and Westport to meet with the public and provide one to one support. These clinics are free of charge and are completely confidential.
Caroline is also reaching out to anyone who may have storage units, rental property, holiday home or vacant property that is available to rent to homeowners affected by Defective Concrete Blocks in North Mayo, Castlebar, Westport or surrounding areas.
Contact Caroline Wilson to book a clinic appointment or if you have any queries on: 087 482 8261 or email: carolinewilson@mayonortheast.com.
The draw was held on June 23, and the numbers drawn were; 2, 14, 18, and 27 with no winner for a jackpot €6,200. The house prize of €100 was won by Annette McGuire, Barnatra and the €30 offline winners were Paddy McGuire, Barnatra and Lisa, Rose and John Tighe, Graughill. The €30 online winners were Edel Ruddy/Horgan, Dublin and Martin McManamon. The jackpot in the latest draw which was held in The Lighthouse Tavern, Inver, was €6, 300.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of €13,300 with the two €50 winners being Marion O’Malley, Liscarney and JP Healy, Attawalla while Bertie Deane, Dooyork and Tony Leneghan, Mountjubilee both won €25. The two online winners were Anna Lavelle €50 and Bridie Healy, Kill, Co Kildare €25.
Bingo will continue in the complex Bangor this Tuesday, July 2, at 8pm with a €600 jackpot in 47 calls or less. Over the next number of weeks the club will give priority to the sale of the €100 club development draw tickets with a prize fund of €97,000.
