Local Notes: St Joseph's Primary School, Ballinrobe, are VEX Robotics All Ireland winners
St Joseph’s Primary School’s VEX Robotics team, All-Ireland winners last week.
St Joseph’s Primary School’s VEX Robotics team, comprising the entire fifth class group, emerged triumphant at the National VEX IQ finals held at Munster Technological University (MTU) in Cork last Thursday. The team clinched the Design and Teamwork Champion awards. Further glory came Ballinrobe’s way with the announcement that teacher, Ms Edel Roche, secured the prestigious title of VEX Robotics Teacher of the Year.
The homecoming celebration for the All-Ireland VEX Robotics champions took place in Ballinrobe on Thursday evening, drawing a large crowd to St Joseph’s School. Principal Ms Dymphna Culhane congratulated the children and their teachers Ms Roche and Mr Sean Flannelly on their success. The students involved were: Alannah Broderick Kinnane, Vanessa d'Souza, Donncha de Burca, Caitlin Donnelly, Dominykas Filipovas, Erik Grisbo, Aiza Hamid, Siobhan Heaps, Cathal Horan, Lily Kane, Demians Kvitkovs, James Macken, Enya McGarry, Alan Nowacki, Feilim O'Connor, Jamie O'Toole, Catherine Ryan, Anas Shakeel, Sameer Shakeel, Shay Tierney, Kaylee Varley, Ciara Webb and Dara Yates. Edel Roche and Sean Flannelly are the teachers involved in VEX Robotics and Dymphna Culhane and Laurena Finnerty accompanied the group on the trip to Cork
While the team has qualified for the world finals in Dallas next month, a decision regarding their participation is pending. This national success is a real source of pride for Ballinrobe.
The annual general meeting of Ballinrobe Active Retirement Association will take place at the weekly meeting on Monday, March 25, at 11am, in the parish centre. All members are invited to attend.
The death took place at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar, of Catherine Browne (née McHugh), Inniscouge, The Neale. Catherine was a native of Skeaghbeg, Headford, Co. Galway. Predeceased by her parents Josephine and William, Catherine is survived by her husband Peter, children Carmel (Walsh), William, Angela (Keegan), and Richard, along with her sister Mary Hennelly (Skeaghbeg). She was a cherished grandmother to Liam, Darragh, Clodagh, Georgia, Alexander, India, Timmy, Lilly, and Josie. Catherine’s presence will be deeply missed.
Her remains reposed at Cummins Funeral Home, Ballinrobe, with removal to St John the Baptist Church, The Neale, on Thursday. The Funeral Mass was held on Friday, followed by burial in Ballyholla Cemetery.
Padraic Joyce, Lake District AC, will travel to Leiria, Portugal, next week as coach of his son, Oisín, who competes in the U23 Men’s Javelin at the European Throwing Cups. Oisín has represented Ireland on a number of occasions, but this is Padraic’s first time to be chosen as an international coach and is a reward for his continuous upskilling over the years.
Roxboro National School, Ballinrobe, will hold a fundraising 25 card drive on Wednesday, March 13, at 8pm in the school. Entry fee is €10 per person.
Ballinrobe’s St Patrick’s Day Parade will go ahead at the new time of 12.30pm, instead of later in the afternoon, to avoid a clash with the Mayo v Derry Allianz National Football League encounter at Hastings Insurance Brokers MacHale Park, Castlebar. The theme of this year’s parade will be May the Robe Rise to Meet You.
The organising committee, comprising Ballinrobe Community Development Council and Tacú Family Resource Centre, has urged local businesses to take part in the parade and / or decorate their shop windows. Schools and community groups are also set to turn up in large numbers.
The parade is one of the biggest events in Ballinrobe each year. Ideas to enhance the parade are also welcome. Contact Monica Horan on 087 4111 343 for more details.
Ballinrobe RFC will hold their 2024 End-of-Season Night, in Flannery’s Bar and Restaurant on Saturday, April 13.
Newly promoted Ballinrobe Town AFC opened their Mayo Super League season with a tilt at south Mayo rivals, Claremorris, at Concannon Park, Claremorris. Alas, the home side prevailed on a 1-0 scoreline.
The Mayo League Youths Presentation took place at the TF Hotel in Castlebar where three of the club’s players collected awards. Umar Shafique, Ben Place were all selected on the U18 Division Two Team of the Year. Theo also made the U17 Division One Team of the Year.
Ballinrobe Festival has announced Mike Denver as the star performer at the Festival Race Dance after Ballinrobe Races on Tuesday, July 23. Festival dates this year are July 20 to 28, and another bumper programme is in the offing. Further details will be announced in the coming weeks.
Ballinrobe fondly remembers Mary Kelly, a native of Cahir, Ballinrobe, who passed away at her Creagh Road residence. Predeceased by her parents, John and Sara, sister Catherine, and husband Tommy, Mary is survived by her children Valda, Elaine, Michael, and Thomas, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, relatives, neighbours, and friends.
Friends and well-wishers paid their respects at St Joseph’s Funeral Home on Friday evening, February 23, with removal to her home. Requiem Mass took place at St Mary’s Church, Ballinrobe, took place on Saturday morning, February 24, followed by interment at the New Cemetery Ballinrobe.
Ballinrobe have been drawn with The Neale and Davitts in Group Three of the O’Mara Cup, the opening competition of the season in south Mayo. The opening game of the competition will take place on the weekend of March 15-17 when Ballinrobe will play The Neale. Peter Ford, and his highly capable and committed management team, will again guide the team’s charges in 2024.
Children from Ballinrobe’s St Joseph’s Primary School and Roxboro NS triumphed in the South Mayo Scór na bPáistí competition at Claremorris Town Hall Theatre. The winners, including Enya McGarry for solo singing, Aoibhinn Hennelly for recitation/storytelling, and the Ballad Group from St Joseph’s PS, now advance to the county final at Carnacon Community Centre on March 9.
Éanna Ó Maoileáin of Roxboro NS secured victory in Rince ar an tSean Nós and will also compete in the Mayo finals.
Fromer Kilkenny player Brian Cody, a distinguished hurler who went on to become the most successful intercounty manager of all time, was a charming guest of honour at the Moytura Hurling Club’s annual awards function in Lydon’s, Cong, recently. Brian gave ample time to young and old and participated in a fascinating question and answer session. He also made presentations to the various award winners from the 2023 season.
Claremorris Town Hall Theatre presents ‘The Shadow of a Gunman’ – a Druid Production on Friday, March 8 and Saturday, March 9. Set against the backdrop of the Irish War of Independence, and by turns tragic and comic, O’Casey’s The Shadow of a Gunman is the tale of an ambitious young woman who dreams of a life beyond her Dublin tenement with the mysterious neighbour downstairs.
Directed by Garry Hynes, The Shadow of a Gunman features Druid Ensemble members Rory Nolan and Marty Rea, alongside Gabriel Adewusi, Clare Barrett, Caitríona Ennis, Bosco Hogan, Sean Kearns, Robbie O’Connor and Catherine Walsh. Since it was founded in 1975, Druid has won numerous national and international awards including: Tony Awards (Broadway), a Laurence Olivier – London West End Theatre Award, Irish Times Irish Theatre Awards, and a Sunday Independent Theatre Award to name but a few. Tickets for this unmissable production are available now from www.townhall.ie and the Box Office on 094 931 0999. Doors open at 7pm and the show commences at 8pm.
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The death has taken place of Nora Mellett nee O’Gara, Drishaughan, Mayo Abbey. Sympathy is extended to her sons Ollie (Drishaughan), Henry (Ballyglass), Michael (Balla), John (Castlebar), daughters, Reina Prendergast (Mayo Abbey), Kathleen Sheridan (Castlebar), Helen Jennings (Castlebar), Carmel Bolster (Castlebar), Mary Mannion (Galway) and sister-in-law Marie O’Gara.
The death took place of Ivan Godard, Knockadorraghy, Mayo Abbey, late of Dorset, England. Sympathy is extended to his son James, his friend and fellow musicians.
The next card game to be held in Mayo Abbey Resource Centre is on Thursday, March 21, at 9pm. All are welcome.
The numbers drawn in the Mayo Gaels jackpot held on Tuesday, February 27, were 6, 13, 21, and 28. There was no jackpot winner. Consolation prize winners were; Fran Regan, Michelle Tuohy, Mary Brett, and Jim O’Brien. Next week’s draw will be on Tuesday, March 5, with a jackpot of €7,600.
Cana Talks ‘A Roadmap to Happiness’ will be held in the TF Royal Theatre, Castlebar on Friday, May 31, at 8pm. There will be 6 speakers plus special guests. Each speaker has just 15 minutes to inspire you (from a faith perspective). Enjoy real-life stories, humour, inspiring talks, great visuals, music, and more. This is not a conference, but a show! Tickets cost €20 plus booking fee at www.ticketmaster.ie. Can pay cash at the door.
Claremorris Men’s Shed are holding their annual church gate collection next weekend Saturday, March 9, and Sunday, March 10. Claremorris Men's Shed is located on Presbertery Lane in Claremorrris and it provides a lifeline for many of it’s members, creates a place of belonging, participation, democracy, mutual respect, companionship and community for all it’s shed members.
Fleadh Cheoil Mhaigh Eo will take place in Westport on the weekend of May 10 - 12. Fleadh entries are now open and can be downloaded on the Mayo Comhaltas website. Return entry forms to your branch secretary.
