Local Notes: St Brendan's College, Belmullet visit Leinster House.
St. Brendan’s College third year students who recently visited Leinster House as part of their CSPE Studies. The students were met by TDs, Rose Conway Walsh, Keira Keogh, Paul Lawless, Alan Dillon, Minister for Rural and Community Development, Dara Calleary, and Senator Mark Duffy.
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. In Ballycroy Community Centre from 12.30pm – 2pm Mixies Brixies Lego workshop – Session 1 and from 2.30pm – 4pm session 2 of Mixies Brixies Lego Workshop will be held. There is a Duplo Play Area for younger children all afternoon 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.
In Ballycroy Visitor Centre at 9am is The Mayo Dawn Chorus guided walk and birdwatching; from 11.30am – 1pm there will be Guided Pond Dipping – life in a Mayo pond; and from 2– 4pm there will be a Native Trees of Mayo workshop and take home a free Oak tree.
Mayo Day Treasure Hunt and fun games will be taking place all day at the Visitor Centre. No booking is 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 community centre events are proudly supported by Mayo County Council as part of the Mayo Day 2026 events grant. The organisers are grateful for their support in making this free family day possible. For further information email info@ballycroycc.com.
The draw was held on April 12, and the numbers drawn were;15, 20, 22 and 29 for a jackpot of €9,000 and there was no winner. The house prize €100 winner was Thomas Healy Jnr, Bunowna and the 2 x €30 offline winners were Laura McAndrew, Gorthmellia and Philip Irwin, Lenarevagh. The 2 x €30 online winners were Philomena Healy, London and Kathleen Deane, Gorthbrack. The jackpot in the latest draw held in Denny’s Ferry Bar on Sunday, April 19, was €9,100.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club lotto jackpot of €7,900 with the two €50 winners being Ann Maria and Seamus Gaughan, Attawalla and Bridgie Ruddy, Glencullen while Ann Cosgrove, Coolaba won both €25s. The two online winners were Tanya Barrett, Shraigh €50 and Poilin Ni Chiarain, Belfast €25.
Bingo will take place in the GAA complex Bangor this Tuesday, April 21, at 8pm. The jackpot will be €850 in 52 calls or less.
Proceeds from the Northampton Irish Tractor Run event is going to Belmullet Wheelchair Centre, Glencastle Special School, Ben Saunders Foundation and McCarty’s Dixon Foundation. Thanks to Tom Kelly and Martin Ruddy who are the main organisers of this event.
The Northampton Irish Vintage Tractor Club was founded by Martin and Tom, brought together by a shared love of vintage tractors, Irish heritage, and the sense of community they inspire. For them, vintage tractors are more than machines, they represent history, craftsmanship, and the stories of generations past. The club is about celebrating that heritage, enjoying the journey, and making a positive difference along the way. This year’s charity tractor run marks the start of their story, and they are excited to share it with the community.
From Northampton to Belmullet: 359 miles in 5 days. The inaugural tractor run is their biggest challenge yet. Over five days from the May 25, arriving in Belmullet on May 29, a convoy of vintage tractors will travel across England and Ireland, covering 359 miles from Northampton to Belmullet. It’s a journey of perseverance, friendship, and community, all while raising awareness and funds for important causes.https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfu.../northampton-irish-1....
The Irish Cancer Society thanks most sincerely all who helped them in any way on Daffodil Day this year. To all the volunteers, post offices, schools, wheelchair association, and of course you the public in the Belmullet and wider area, who contributed so generously to this worthy cause.
A total of €6700 has been lodged to The Irish Cancer Society from Belmullet Daffodil Day.
Following on from his recent retirement from the Postal Service Padraig Deane wishes to express his sincere gratitude to all who organised his retirement party on March 28 in the Anglers Rest in Glenamoy and to all his work colleagues family and friends who made it a memorable night and also special thanks to all who made his last day at work so special and all who gave gifts and cards and sent messages.
Well done to all the Erris AC athletes that travelled to Athlone to compete in the Connaught U9-U11 competition recently. Everyone did their best, put in super performances with personal bests and did the club proud. Medal winners on the day were; Louie O’Connor U10 long jump; U9 mixed relay - Réaltin Barrett, Cillian Fitzmaurice, Páidí Padden, Niamh Walsh and Meave Walsh; U10 mixed relay, Emily Gaughan, Louie O’Connor, Eirnin Thompson and Blaithin Shannon; Emily Gaughan U10 60m. Also well done to Saoirse O’Malley who finished 6th in the U11 long jump and Cillían Fitzmaurice finished 5th in the U9 60m.
A big thank you to Connaught Athletics and to all the volunteers for running a great event.
Believe it or not the summer is just around the corner. To help, the RNLI is hosting free one-hour webinars to equip students with the tools to stay safe around coastal and inland waters. You can choose a session to suit. The webinars are currently running until May 28. Select your preferred date on http://www.eventbrite.co.uk/.../free-rnli-water-safety... to receive your Microsoft Teams link.
What will be covered? You will be give top tips on how to swim, paddleboard and enjoy water sports safely; float to live – the five simple steps to stay afloat if you fall into the water unexpectedly and how to survive cold water shock; understand the risks of rip currents, tides, offshore winds; know your beach safety flags; calling for help and who to call (999 or 112) and what information to give.
Carne Golf Links recently saw the launch of a new tourism brochure, celebrating everything that makes Belmullet and the Mullet Peninsula so special. The tourism brochure showcases the natural beauty, culture and community spirit along the Wild Atlantic Way, the brochure highlights the very best of the area - from its stunning landscapes to the people and businesses that bring it to life. Copies will be available at the clubhouse, and all local hotels. Anyone who would like a copy, email info@carnegolflinks.com.
A very successful tractor run was held on Easter Sunday and St Brendan’s College was chosen as the beneficiary of the funds raised which will support the development of its nurture room. Thank you to the Erris branch of the INHFA and Brendan Deane, Victor Healy and Paddy Padden for their great efforts in organising the event, to the Midland Vintage Group and all the drivers which included some students from the school and finally to the local community for their help and encouragement in the event.
Congratulations to the club’s newest National Boxing Champion Frankie Brogan. Frankie collected her first title recently in the finals of the Girl/Boys 1 championships held in the National Stadium in Dublin. Well done Frankie.
Deepest sympathies are extended to the family of Mary Kate Lavelle, Aughalasheen, Belmullet and formerly of Tipp; Michael Lally (better known as Mike), Muings, Barnatra; Nora Mangan (née Kilcoyne), Mount Jubilee, Bangor Erris, and formerly of Snugboro, Castlebar; Paddy Gaughan (better known as Paddy Richard), Corclough East; Bridget Sweeney (née Goonan, better known as Bridie), Geesala. May they all rest in peace.
The Erris Parent, Baby and Toddler Group meet on Mondays from 10.30am to 12 noon at the Irish Wheelchair Centre, Logmore. All parents, guardians and caregivers are welcome. The cost is €3 weekly contribution per family. This event is supported by Erris Family and Community Support Centre and Mayo County Childcare committee.
Erris Family and Community Support provide an affordable play therapy service for children in the Erris community where cost may be a barrier for families. The service is delivered by accredited play therapist Elsa O’Reilly, one day per week from the IWA Centre. The service is supported by Slainte Care Healthy Communities and Mayo CYPSC.
Family Carers Ireland Mayo are holding a coffee morning at the Talbot Hotel, Belmullet, F26 NP08 on Thursday April 23, from 10.30am-12.30pm. There will be tea/coffee and scones and this will be an opportunity to meet with Supports Manager for Mayo, Michelle Moriarty and other carers to discuss what supports or groups or activities you would like to see more of in your communities. No need to register, just turn up on the morning.
Mayo Roscommon Hospice would appreciate your kind assistance in helping them raise funds on National Sunflower Days for Hospice on Friday and Saturday, June 12 and 13. Sunflowers will be on sale at local stores in Mayo and Roscommon on both dates. Any time you can give on any of those dates would be most appreciated. Contact 094 9388666 or email info@hospice.ie.
