Local Notes: Presentation to North West STOP therapist in Belmullet.
North West STOP therapist, Dermot Lahiff recently finished with the outreach service in Erris. Pictured receiving a presentation from members of the Erris Family and Community Support Centre, Northwest STOP and representatives of Saint Brendan's College, Belmullet and Our Lady's Secondary School Belmullet.
Recently the Mental Health sub-committee along with Saint Brendan's College, Belmullet and Our Lady's Secondary School Belmullet made a presentation to North West STOP therapist, Dermot Lahiff as he finishes with the outreach service in Erris. For over 3 years Dermot has been a beacon of light and hope for those going through difficult times in the area. He came to Erris to help set up the service on a temporary basis but he stayed. When they called on Tom O’Reilly of NWSTOP to set up a pilot outreach in Erris, he thankfully did his best to work with them in making that happen, alongside chairperson at the time, Nicola O’Connor.
The service was set up at a time when there were no therapeutic supports available here and the only option was to travel. Dermot’s experience, compassion, humanity and dedication have given the counselling service an excellent start and it is now built on a solid foundation.
Dermot’s time in Erris has come to a close but he will continue to do great work with NWSTOP in the region. Mary Gaughan, Howard Tracy and Claire Togher made a presentation on behalf of the schools of a framed photo of Blacksod Lighthouse taken from the sea. Margaret Heffron presented a gift to Dermot on behalf of Erris FCSC. “You have changed lives. And you have saved lives.” Thank you to NWSTOP and to Dermot for the huge contribution they have made to mental health services in the area.
The Glencastle Cemeteries committee will hold a meeting in Glencastle NS at 8pm on Wednesday evening, April 29. A number of issues will be discussed ie; upkeep and maintenance of graveyards, volunteer assistance, RSS replacement, summer 2026 work programme. All are welcome but in particular anyone who is interested in the condition of both graveyards or has ideas regarding the same or who feels things should be done differently should attend.
It is imperative that this work is kept going as without volunteers it will not continue.
Anne Gibbons-Healy and Chrissie Tighe recently held an Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association – Drink Tea for MND event in Ballycastle Community Hall on Sunday, April 12. They extend thanks to everyone for their incredible generosity in donating to the above fundraiser, either by donating on the day or on line. At the time of writing they have raised to date €5,080.
Anne and Chrissie thank the volunteers who were involved in organising this event, who gave freely of their time in making it such a wonderful success; to the amazing bakers who made cakes, scones, buns, pastries, tarts, cookies, sausage rolls etc; to the Ballycastle Community Hall Committee for their great support and providing them with such a wonderful venue; and to the sponsors: Aurivo, Donnelly's Village Store, Mags' Place, Mary's Bakery, McDonnell's XL Shop, Siopa Suifinn, 'Tea by the Sea'.
There was no winner of the lotto on April 17. Caroline Padden and Sarah Bergin won the €50 lucky dips and Oisín Hegarty won the €25 lucky dip. The jackpot is now €24,600. Preparations are underway in the local National Schools for the annual Blitz na gCamain, la le Iomanaíocht agus Gaeilge a bhéas ar siúl ar an 26ú Bealtaine.
National school children who would like to do extra training for Blitz na gCamáin are welcome to come to the Saturday morning underage training in the Town Park (behind the Civic Centre). It starts at 11am every Saturday morning. Thanks to Joe Murphy and the team in the Sports Complex for hosting the underage training during the bad weather over the last few months.
The draw was held on April 19, and the numbers drawn were 16, 19, 27, 32 for a jackpot €9,100 with no winner. The house prize winner of €100 was Rossport Walkers and the 2 x €30 offline winners were Gerry and Sean Lavelle, Knocknalower and Lee Lavelle, Knocknalower. The 2 x €30 online winners were Darragh Higgins, Claremorris and Michelle O’Donnell, Porturlin. The jackpot in the latest draw held on April 26, in Connolly’s Stonefield was €9,200.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club lotto jackpot of €8,000 with the two €50 winners being Kathleen Carey, Glencullen and Tommy Cosgrove, Dublin while B Doherty and N Munnelly, Geesala and John J Travers both won €25s. The two online winners were Elaine Merrigan, Craughwell €50 and Barbara Ginty, Dooyork €25.
Bingo will take place in the GAA complex Bangor this Tuesday, April 28, at 8pm. The jackpot will be €900 in 53 calls or less.
I am sure that everyone is busy with the last few days checking the Census returns for their own family. One of the new questions on this Census was townland of birth. In the Garda Station in Belmullet on 18th April 1926 there were seven Garda listed, one sergeant and one detective officer. They came from counties Galway, Sligo, Fermanagh, Donegal and Roscommon. There will be many more interesting details to uncover over the next few months.
Congratulations to Emma Gaughan for an epic marathon row that breaks a 12 year record held by Lucy O'Brien since 2014. Emma Gaughan set a new 40-49 lightweight marathon times of 3hr 14 min 10 seconds for the full 42195 metres representing the club on April 19.
A big thank you to the Erris Women’s shed for asking Tullaghan Bay to run a 4 week block of indoor rowing classes recently. The women who took part had never rowed, were of all ages, all abilities, and all showed up for each other. There was laughter from the start, a few nervous moments getting into rhythm, and then that brilliant shift where it all clicked and they just moved as one.
Thanks a million for asking the club, and for the energy, the enthusiasm and the craic. It was a real pleasure and a belly full of laughs.
The Transition Year students had an excellent day recently in Spidéal in Galway. They took part in a range of fun workshops including creative writing, filmmaking, puppetry and acting, and there was certainly no shortage of drama on display. Afterwards, they visited the set of Ros na Rún and got a taste of life behind the cameras. The day was full of laughter, energy and great use of Irish. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed the experience. This trip was organised in conjunction with the ‘Gaelíomána’ project. The college is very grateful for this experience and perhaps they will see some of their students on Ros na Rún in the future.
Prepare for an unforgettable day in Belmullet on Tuesday, August 11, for what is one of the most exciting days in the West. This remarkable event boasts a vibrant line-up of live music, delectable food, exquisite arts and crafts, a deep dive into history, and endless entertainment for the entire family. The festival duration is from August 9-16. If you are interested in showcasing your products or promoting your services at this year’s Heritage Day, now is the perfect opportunity. To express your interest, email belmulletfest@gmail.com, include your name/business name, a brief description of your business, and the space required.
Seize this fantastic opportunity to be part of one of the most eagerly awaited events in Co Mayo this summer!
Ballycroy is delighted to be taking part in Lá Mhaigh Eo / Mayo Day 2026 on Saturday, May 2, with a fantastic free day out for the whole family across two brilliant venues in Ballycroy. Here's what's on: Ballycroy Community Centre from 12.30pm – 2pm Mixies Brixies Lego Workshop – Session 1 will be held and from 2.30pm – 4pm Mixies Brixies Lego Workshop – Session 2 will take place. There is a Duplo Play Area for younger children all day long. Places for the Lego workshops are limited so book your spot now by emailing info@ballycroycc.com. Parents are asked to stay with children aged 5 and under. Refreshments will be served on the day.
At the Ballycroy Visitor Centre from 9am The Mayo Dawn Chorus will commence, which is a guided walk and bird watching. From 11.30am – 1pm there will be a Guided Pond Dipping – life in a Mayo pond; from 2– 4pm a Native Trees of Mayo Workshop will be held and you can take home a free oak tree.
A Mayo Day Treasure Hunt and fun games will take place at the Visitor Centre all day and there is no booking required for the National Park activities. Everything is completely free and open to all the family. Come along and celebrate what makes Mayo and Ballycroy so special. The organisers would love to see you there.
The community centre events are proudly supported by Mayo County Council as part of the Mayo Day 2026 events grant. They are grateful for their support in making this free family day possible.
For further information contact info@ballycroycc.com.
