Local notes: Ruddy family enjoy the London Erris Reunion Dinner Dance
Enjoying the recent London Erris reunion are members of the Ruddy family, Muingmore - Sean, Martin, Josephine, Siobhan with Mary and Sonny Lally.
The Erris Reunion Dinner Dance 2023 was held in the Claddagh Ring in Hendon on November 10 last.
This annual event has been organised by Sean Ruddy and his brother Martin and extended family, and this year Sean’s niece Michelle Lindsey helped with the organising of the event.
Over 100 people attended the dinner dance and music was provided by the wonderful Martin Ruddy and band, free of charge.
Sean first revived the Erris Reunion Dance when the Erris Branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association were fundraising to build the centre in Belmullet in 2011. With the support of Rose Coyle and Rosaleen Lally from IWA the dance was a huge success and paved the way for the new centre to be built in Logmore. Every year since the dance has become a special occasion for Erris emigrants to come together and to raise funds for Erris and London charities.
Over the years this event has raised over €150,000 for Erris charities.
This year’s beneficiaries were Erris Branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association €7000, Glencastle Special School €6000, St Luke’s Cancer Hospice London €8000, Erris Family and Community Support Centre €3000.
Rosaleen Lally wishes to thank sincerely the generosity of everyone who attended the event, sponsored prizes and those who donated so generously.
The draw was held on December 3, and the numbers drawn were 8, 10, 15 and 28 for a jackpot €11,000 and there was no winner. The house prize €100 winner was Mary Gallagher, Gorthmellia Strand and the €30 offline winners were Martin McCann, Belderrig and Tony Ginnelly, Gorthbrack. The €30 online winners were Philomena Healy, Bunalty and Mixie McGuire, Pullathomas. Next week’s jackpot is €11,100 and the draw will take place in McGuire’s Pullathomas.
Ballycroy Naionra thank all who supported their fundraiser card game on November 24, in Ballycroy Community Centre. Thanks to all those who sponsored prizes for the raffle, prepared refreshments and helped on the night. Míle buíochas.
It was the end of an era recently for Ballycroy Community Policing as local Garda, Margaret Sweeney, retired.
Margaret joined An Garda Siochana in December 1991. Margaret was stationed first in Mountjoy and Rathmines Garda Stations in Dublin and then was transferred to Belmullet Garda Station in November 1996 where she made history as the first female Garda in Belmullet District. Margaret then transferred to Ballycroy Garda Station on April 1, 2019 attached to Mayo Community Policing Unit where she helped so many of the community in different areas e.g. schools and the elderly.
Margaret and her family are wished many years of health and happiness and thank her for her great service to the people of Ballycroy.
Congratulations to Our Ladies Secondary School Choir who have had a busy few days recently spreading Christmas cheer in Erris. They performed at the Cara Iorrais Christmas market and really added to the wonderful atmosphere there. They then visited the two nursing homes, Sonas and Aras Deirbhle for a Carol Service. The students had a fantastic time with the residents and it really had everyone in the festive mood. Well done to Ms Gallagher for conducting them and thank you to the local community for the invitations to showcase the talented choir.
