Local Notes: Padden family enjoying the St Patrick's Day parade in Binghamstown.
Enjoying the recent St Patrick’s Day Parade in the Binghamstown is Dermot and Joanne Padden and family.
Sinn Féin TD for Mayo, Rose Conway-Walsh, has said that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s failure to address policing numbers is leaving the people of Mayo exposed and putting communities at risk. Commenting on figures presented in the Irish Independent, Deputy Conway-Walsh said it was not good enough that Swinford is down 12 Gardaí at time when the population is increasing, and people want the reassurance of seeing a garda presence in their local area. She added that Fianna Fáil and Fine Gael’s failure to address the problem of too few Gardaí to meet the needs of an increased population was a dereliction of duty, that the Justice Minister Jim O’Callaghan must now tackle this issue seriously as a matter of urgency, and that this would only be done by increasing the training capacity of An Garda Síochána.
Teachta Conway-Walsh said: ‘The lack of Gardaí has very serious consequences for our community in terms of deterring crime, investigating crime and ensuring that people feel safe. Until there is a significant increase in the training capacity of An Garda Síochána, this problem will not be fixed. “From the figures presented today, we see that most of the stations that had a significant increase in number of Gardaí were in the Dublin region, while those that lost Gardaí were outside of Dublin. Mayo cannot be allowed to suffer because of the challenges in Dublin”. “Sinn Féin has called for Garda numbers state-wide to be increased to 16,000. Minister Jim O'Callaghan, as a matter of urgency, must put a plan in place to achieve this to ensure that every community has a sufficient amount of Gardaí assigned to local stations such as ours in Mayo.”
If you are feeling alone, overwhelmed or anxious, if you are grieving or struggling with grief and need someone to talk to, please reach out. The following organisations are available and offer support:
Northwest Stop Suicide Prevention – community-based organisation working to prevent suicide and supporting those feeling depressed or alone. For free counselling service in the Belmullet area contact 0818 444 000.
The Samaritans – for those in distress, struggling to cope or feeling lonely. 24hr support by calling 116123.
Saint Vincent De Paul offers friendship and a listening ear; they provide practical help with financial problems as well as other information about other organisations that also may be able to help you. For the Western Region SVP call 091 563233.
Aware – the national organisation supporting those impacted by anxiety, depression, bipolar disorder and related mood conditions. Freephone 1800 80 48 48 Monday to Sunday from 10am to 10pm.
Pieta House – provide a range of services for people who are experiencing thoughts of suicide, those who engage in self-harm and those who have been bereaved by suicide. Text HELP to 51444 or call the free crisis helpline on 1800 247 247.
Sometimes speaking with someone close to you can help, other times, it can be easier to speak to someone who doesn’t know you at all. Whoever you are most comfortable with, the most important thing to remember is that you are not alone. Reach out, people are ready to help find the support you or a loved one needs. Contact Erris Family and Community Support Centre on 087 0670989.
There was a fantastic evening at the Sea Rod Inn as the club honoured the incredible underage teams for their outstanding achievements. Huge congratulations to the U14 and U16 girls and the U13 and U14 boys, who claimed county titles, as well as the U14 boys, who secured the North Mayo title. A special thank you to Fiachna Barrett for presenting the medals and making the day even more memorable. The club was delighted to take home 1st prize at the St Patrick’s Day parade.
Boxty is the traditional Irish potato pancake. As the interest in Irish cuisine has increased, so the popularity of Boxty has risen. It is not unusual to see Boxty on the menus of restaurants outside the areas with which it is traditionally associated. Congratulations and the best luck to Pat Cosgrove with his serving of Cossie’s Boxty and it’s great to see someone with initiative and a get up and go attitude with his helping of this traditional dish. Cossie’s Boxty will be on the Square in Belmullet on Fridays and Saturdays from 9am-1pm.
Congratulations to Ruairi O'Donnell on winning the All-Ireland Colleges Boxing championships in Dublin recently. Ruairi boxed over two weekends winning all three of his competitions to be crowned champion of Ireland. His unquestionable dedication to the sport from a young boy now as young man is a credit to himself and his family who have supported him all the way on this great and exciting journey. Also, a big shout out to Pavel and his team of coaches at Celtic Eagles Boxing Club Galway who have taken such good care of Ruairi while he continues his studies at college in Galway.
Ruairí has made history in the fact that he is the first Belmullet boxer to have won a college’s title. A big shout out also to Dylan Gibbons a former member of Golden Gloves who is currently studying in Galway and is a big part of the coaching staff at ATU, great work Dylan.
It is simply fantastic to see these young men giving back to the sport well done to all and keep up the good work.
There was an excellent performance in the National Stadium by Chloe Coyle. Chloe started to find her rhythm late into the first round and managed to give her opponent a standing count in the second, which led to a unanimous win. Thanks to Chloe's very worthy and tough opponent for an excellent bout.
On next Sunday, March 30, there is a memorial drive for the late Ciaran Mallon and its going from Halfords in Castlebar by Westport, Newport Mulranny Bangor Erris to Binghamstown. Ciaran would have been turning 30 on March 28, 2025. Money raised is going to Ballyglass RNLI.
A month has passed since the sad passing of Valerie Henry, Shraigh East, Bunnahowen. Born in Wellingborough, Northamptonshire to George and Violet Moody in 1950, Valerie later lived in Northampton. When she was 16 and later she worked as a nurse in the hospital .Valerie met her husband John in 1976 at a Joe Dolan dance and in 1977 they got married and moved to York and welcomed their son Jimmy.
They then moved to Shraigh East were they built a home and during that time Valerie would travel up and down to Galway Hospital to qualify as a mid-wife. Valerie then began working in Belmullet Community Hospital for the next four decades where she was highly regarded as a competent, professional and caring nurse over those years and after she retired Valerie worked as a Hospice nurse.
In later years she was a loving grandmother to her grandchildren Oisín, Ryan and Saoirse. Valerie will be very much missed by her husband John and son Jimmy, daughter-in-law, grandchildren, relatives and former colleagues at the Belmullet Community Hospital who formed a guard of honour at her arrival at the Church of Our Lady of Lourdes Glencastle. Valerie will be fondly remembered and missed by her neighbours and many friends. May she rest in peace.
The Belmullet Sea Angling Club was delighted to make a €1,000 donation towards the development of the new running track at Kilmore Community Ground in Drum. The donation was made to mark the achievements of the club president Eddie Diver’s daughter Sinead Diver, who competed in 2 successive Olympic Games and numerous other world race events to great accolades. Hopefully someday soon another Erris Olympian will emerge from Drum.
A big thank you to Vermilion for their recent donation to Erris Athletics Club. They have purchased new hurdles, javelins, relay batons and other athletics equipment, which were all used at a recent training session in Drum.
This donation has assisted the club in purchasing equipment that will help the club improve and provide better athletics training to the children of Erris.
Eurospar Belmullet recently presented Cara Iorrais with a cheque for €1,000 as part of a nationwide ‘Let’s Celebrate Community’ campaign run by Eurospar Supermarkets.
The Eurospar 'Let’s Celebrate Community’ campaign is an integral part of Eurospar’s commitment to say a heartfelt ‘Thank You’ to those who go above and beyond to help those within their community who might otherwise go without the recognition they so thoroughly deserve. As part of this nationwide campaign, customers to Eurospar Belmullet were asked to nominate a local charity, group or organisation, explain how they go above and beyond within the community to be in with a chance of winning €1,000 for their nominated community group. Fifteen winners from 15 different Eurospar Supermarkets across Ireland were chosen and each presented with a €1,000 cheque.
Blacksod Sea Safari was delighted to have received the Tourism Business Award at the recent Mayo Cathaoirleach Awards. This recognition means so much to them, and they are grateful for the continued support of the community. A huge thank you to all the local businesses that collaborate with them– together, they are helping to showcase the incredible beauty and rich culture of the area. A special thank you to local tourism teams- Visitbelmullet.ie, Discover Erris Mayo North Tourism, Ireland and andAchill Tourism. Blacksod Sea Safari look forward to another exciting spring and summer, continuing the work to highlight everything that makes this place so special and welcoming for all.
Deepest sympathies to the family of Oisín Gruddy, Toorglass, Belmullet; May Togher, Binghamstown, Belmullet; Mary Keane (née Corduff, Owen), Caisleáin, Glosh, Clogher and formerly of Faulmore, Blacksod; Michael Mills (better known as Mickey), Ardmore Lake, Binghamstown; Anthony Conmy, Toorglass East, Belmullet; Mary Ellen Cafferkey, Carne and formerly of Shore Road, Belmullet; JJ Tighe, Tallagh Hill, Belmullet. May they all rest in peace.
The final three Erris Workability drop-in clinics will take place in Solas, Eachléim on Wednesday, March 26; Teach Greannai, Cornboy Wednesday, April 2; Centra, Bangor Erris on Wednesday, April 9. Pop in any time between 11am and 1pm to ask us your questions and find out more information, call or text Siobhán 087 499 6605.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of €5,000, with the two €50 winners being, Mary and Tommy Sweeney, Doohoma and Gary Calpin, Doohoma Head, while Anne Carey (M), Glencullen and Paul Gallagher, Bangor both won €25. The two online winners were Michelle Barrett, Mountjubilee €50 and Evita Coyle, Doolough €25.
Bingo will take place in the GAA complex Bangor this Tuesday, March 25, at 8pm. The jackpot will be €600 in 47 calls or less.
