Local Notes: Tom McHale, Muinginaune, Barnatra celebrates his 90th Birthday.
Congratulations to Tom McHale from Muinginaune Barnatra who recently celebrated his 90th birthday at a packed Healy's Hall in Glenamoy. Congratulations Tom and good health.
June 30, will see 160 years of Blacksod Lighthouse. The day will begin with a Lighthouse Open Day from 12 noon – 4pm, welcoming visitors to explore the lighthouse, enjoy historical exhibitions, and engage with the Coast Guard helicopter and Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit.
An evening celebration will continue at the SOLAS Visitor Centre (F26X316) from 7.30pm, where Bord Iascaigh Mhara’s Taste the Atlantic Ambassadors will showcase local seafood providers through a selection of delicious refreshments and seafood canapés. The evening will also feature sea shanty singers, a special screening of Keepers of the Light by Fergus Sweeney and addresses from invited dignitaries/partners including CEO Commissioner Irish Lights, Evonne Shiels and Minister Dara Calleary, Minister for Social protection, Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht.
The commemorations will conclude with a special night ceremony at Blacksod Lighthouse at 10pm, where guests will gather for a candlelit tribute marking the moment the lighthouse was first illuminated 160 years ago, followed by a live Radio 1 broadcast from the lighthouse.
The draw was held on the May 17, and the numbers drawn were: 03, 10, 20 and 29 for a jackpot of €9,500. The house prize of €100 was won by Mary Meenaghan, Foxpoint and the 2 x €30 offline winners were Pat O’Malley, Knocknalower and Dolores Kelly, Balla. The 2 x €30 online winners were Unsionn MacGraith, An Droichead and Paul Deane, London. The jackpot in the latest draw held on May 24, in The Lighthouse Tavern, Inver, was €9600.
Are you recovering from a cardia event? You’re not alone. Join the Croí Heart and Stroke Charity, Mayo Cardiac Peer Support Group, for heart recovery and support in the Ellison Hotel, Castlebar on Wednesday, June 17, from 6.30pm - 8.30pm with guest speaker: A dietician will present on a heart healthy diet. Connect with others who understand, share experiences and learn together. This initiative is in collaboration between Croí and the HSE in Mayo.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club lotto jackpot of €8,400 with the two €50 winners being Martin Moran, c/o Stephen Winters and Siobhán McDonagh, Srahataggle while Ann Barrett, Geesala and Michael J Deane, Glenamoy both won €25. The two online winners were Tony McGuire, Preston €50 and Mary O’Malley €25.
Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club and Blacksod Bay Rowing Club are delighted to come together this year to host Rásaí Bhéal an Mhuirthead, which will take place on Sunday, June 7. The regatta, which forms part of the National Currach League, is expected to attract rowing clubs and competitors from all over Ireland, making it a fantastic occasion for the Erris area. The event will provide a wonderful opportunity to showcase not only the talent within our local rowing community, but also the outstanding beauty of the region. All races will take place along Shore Road in Belmullet, providing an ideal viewing point for spectators throughout the day.
Sign-in on the day will begin at 11am. Teams wishing to take part are asked to register before Friday, June 5, by WhatsApp or text to 086 315 9485. Further details regarding race schedules and timings will be announced over the coming weeks. Everyone is welcome to come along and support what promises to be a fantastic day of racing and community spirit in Erris.
Well done to Erris AC athletes recently competing in the Connaught Schools Athletics finals in Athlone. Ailbhe McHugh represented Our Lady’s Secondary School in the junior girls 1200m walk finishing 6th. Emma Naughton, Reyna and Niamh Walsh represented St Brendan’s College. Emma came second in the minor girls javelin. Reyna competed in the minor girls 800 and finished 7th in a very competitive race. Niamh Walsh came first in the intermediate girls javelin.
Huge well done also to Erris ac athlete Michael James Walshe who ran his first half marathon in 1hr 39 at the River Moy Half Marathon recently.
45 athletes represented Erris recently at the County Athletic children’s team games and U12s in Claremorris. Huge congratulations to all who competed.
Individual medallists; Aoibheann Deane U10 Turbo Javelin; Maeve Walsh U9 Long jump; Niamh Walsh U9 Long jump; Michael Walsh U12 600m; Maisy Lavery U11 Turbo Javelin; Sophie Schult U11 Turbo Javelin; Louie O’Connor U10 60m; Emily Gaughan U10 60m; Louie O’Connor U10 Long jump; Roisin Edwards U12 60m; Farrah Healy U12 60m; Shane Naughton U12 Turbo Javelin; Shane Naughton U12 Shotputt; Ben O’Connor U12 60m.
Relay team medal winners; U12 Girls - Erris Conroy, Saraids Deane, Roisin Edwards, Farrah Healy, Fiadh Thompson; U12 Boys - David and Michael Walsh, Shane Naughton, Oliver Reilly and Ben O’Connor; U10 Boys - Austin O Kane, Iollan Gruddy, Louie O Connor, Jack Conroy.
Team medallists: Aoibheann Deane, Paige Gaughan U10 Turbo Javelin; Molly May Carey, Emily Gaughan U10 Turbo Javelin; Maeve and Niamh Walsh U9 Longjump; Maisy Lavery, Sophie Schult U11 Turbo Javelin; Emily Gaughan, Blàithin Shannon U10 60m; Louie O’Connor, Austin O’Kane U10 60m; Realtín Barrett, Ivy Gaughan U9 Turbo Javelin; Louie O’Connor, Kyle Padden U10 Longjump.
Ballyglass ALB Bryan and Gordon were requested recently to launch to a vessel in Broadhaven Bay reported to be taking on water. The vessel was situated 2 nautical miles north east of Ballyglass lighthouse at approx. Once on scene it was established that the vessel was not in danger and those on board had the situation under control. Both craft returned to Ballyglass harbour and the Bryan and Gordon were made ready for service at 8am. Remember, if you see anyone in difficulty on or near the water be sure to dial 112/999 and ask for the Coast Guard.
The annual Connolly’s BBQ for Ballyglass RNLI is set for Sunday, May 31.
Glencastle National School will mark the officially opening of their all new facility’s and extensive renovations on Friday, June 12, at 12 noon. Archbishop Frances Duffy will celebrate Mass and blessing of the new building.
The Great Erris Run 2026 takes place on Sunday, August 9, 9am. This year, this event is being held in loving memory of former staff member of Our Ladies Secondary School, Rob Turner.
Rob is remembered as a deeply compassionate and dedicated man who made a lasting difference to the lives of so many students. The Great Erris Run is a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much of himself to others. It reflects the energy, commitment, and community spirit he brought into his work every day. Rob’s legacy lives on in the students he supported, the colleagues he inspired, and the community that continues to celebrate his impact!
Race registration is now open: https://eventmaster.ie/event/325Yfx4tZW All donations will go to Erris Youth Disability Network (EYDN) a wonderful local charity chosen by Rob’s family. Donate here: https://www.idonate.ie/cause/errisyouthdisabilitynetwork The race is open to:10km ages 15 or older on the day; 5km for ages 13 or older on the day.
Registration is now open for MFitness Kids Summer Camp 2026 from July 13 – 17 in Our Ladies Secondary School from 10am-2pm daily. A full week of fun and games, fitness and activities, teamwork and friendships, confidence building and safe and fully supervised environment. The camp is all about helping kids.
Following the recruitment process held earlier this year in partnership with Mayo Sports Partnership, Ballycroy Community Council CLG is delighted to announce the appointment of Alma Calvey as Sports Hub Coordinator.
Alma will be working over the coming year to coordinate, develop, and expand sport and physical activity programmes across the area for all ages and abilities, building on the strong base of community-led activity already in place.
A community engagement survey will be issued asking for your views on the sporting and wellbeing programmes you'd like to see in Ballycroy. Your input will directly shape the Hub's first year of activity, so please do take a few minutes to complete it when it lands.
There will also be a dedicated Sports Hub Facebook page, where all Hub news, classes, events, and updates will be shared going forward. We'll share the link as soon as it's live.
Looking forward to working with the community, with existing groups and instructors, and with our partners at Mayo Sports Partnership to make sport and active living more accessible than ever in Ballycroy.
Gaeilge Iorrais has recently begun a brand-new drama programme in five Gaeltacht scheme primary schools in Erris. This creative programme seeks to provide young people attending local Gaeltacht schools with the opportunity to further their skills and experience in Irish medium drama. They hope to boost participation in Irish language drama amongst these young people and also to foster socialisation in Irish between the students of the Gaeltacht schools, with thanks to the support of Ealaín na Gaeltachta’s Neartú scheme.
The objectives of Gaeilge Iorrais drama programme include, facilitating practical workshops for class groups during school time to (i) give them a taste of drama games and skills in Irish (e.g. acting, staging, writing and creating sketches) (ii) give confidence and encouragement to the students in Irish medium drama and (iii) build and develop the communication, drama, negotiation, speech and language skills of the students.
Their imagination, self-confidence, and self-expression will also be furthered as they undertake the different games and practices in this creative domain. Participants will be given an opportunity to create their own drama and broaden their linguistic repertoire (especially in regards to the Erris dialects and the local versions of Irish). When these on site workshops are completed in schools, the possibilities to establish Irish medium drama groups/clubs for young people outside of school time in different centres in Erris will be assessed subject to demand/interest of the students. There are nearly 200 pupils from five Gaeltacht primary schools in Erris participating in this brand-new programme, which began in May 2026 under the direction of the well-known artist from Ceathrú na gCloch, in the Erris Gaeltacht, Seoirsín Bashford.
