Local notes: West Coast Crab Sales Ltd achieve Bord BIA Origin Green Gold Member Status
Congratulations to Patrick Barrett from Logmore, Belmullet, who has retired from the Belmullet Fire Station after 37 years’ service. Patrick was professional and diligent at all times in his role over the years and an excellent work colleague. He is pictured receiving a presentation from Station Officer, Fabien Shevlin with present and past colleagues from Belmullet and Crossmolina Fire Units.
Comharchumann Forbartha Ionad Deirbhile (CFID) is delighted to welcome the announcement by Minister Joe O’Brien of the approval of a Community Services programme for the new Visitor Experience and Tourism Hub SOLAS: Stories shaped by the Atlantic in the Gaeltacht region of Eachléim, in North West Mayo. Minister O’Brien confirmed that funding has been approved by the Department of Rural and Community Development and POBAL for four new full-time posts to manage and run this exciting new Visitor Experience. The recruitment process for these posts will take place immediately.
SOLAS Visitor Experience and Tourism Hub have been developed by Údarás na Gaeltechta and CFID. The project received capital funding of €4 million from the Department of Rural and Community Development, Údarás na Gaeltechta and the Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media, under by the Rural Regeneration and Development Fund.
Opening in Spring 2024, SOLAS Visitor Experience and Tourism Hub will provide an orientation point for visitors to the Mullet Peninsula, interpretation the heritage and culture of the area with a strong focus on the Irish language. SOLAS will offer a range of services for visitors including a café and a Gaeltacht showcase where visitors can browse and buy products from the local Gaeltacht regions.
SOLAS Visitor Experience and Tourism Hub were conceived by the local community who wanted to celebrate and interpret the history and culture of Blacksod and the Mullet Peninsula. Údarás na Gaeltechta worked hand in hand with CFID to develop the concept for this strategic tourism facility which is located in one of the most rural and pristine sections of the Wild Atlantic Way.
Visitors to SOLAS Visitor Experience and Tourism Hub will learn about the Mullet Peninsula and its offshore islands and hear stories of what it was like to live in a small coastal community on the edge of the Atlantic. They will learn about life on the nearby Inishgé islands and about the Four Lighthouses of Erris. They will also learn about the rich and rare biodiversity on the Mullet Peninsula and the surrounding seas, and how the area is now a unique gem on the island of Ireland for bird life, sea life, flora and fauna.
The Belmullet Local election area selection convention was held recently in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel. Delegates, members, supporters from Erris, Mulranny, and Achill and Ballycroy attended. The chairman, Philip Irwin and secretary Michael J Deane welcomed everyone. The convention was chaired by M.E.P. Maria Walsh with two candidates selected to contest the next year’s elections, outgoing Councillor Gerry Coyle who was proposed by Philip Irwin and seconded by Ian McAndrew with Pat Chambers nominated by Achill F.G. branch, proposed by Eanna Kilbane and seconded by Hughie Garvey. Both candidates then addressed the meeting. In attendance was TD Michael Ring and Alan Dillon TD who called for support for those nominated with MEP, Maria Walsh calling for full support for her campaign for next year’s Europeans election in June. Erris/Achill Fine Gael wish everyone a Happy Christmas and New Year.
A big shout-out Chef John Conmy and congratulations on his new Erris based catering company, bringing restaurant quality food to the comfort of your own home. With everything going up except wages, the cost of living is very real and eating out is again become a luxury. With this in mind, John at Wild Erris Foods will be producing high quality meals at their modern kitchen and selling them at the farmer markets throughout Mayo.
They will also be doing pop up street food and Tex Mex evenings in Erris and various bars and venues.
Wild Erris Foods will be taking specialist food orders for Christenings, Communion’s, Confirmations, Funerals, After Wedding Parties and any other special occasions you may like award winning food for.
Having a special occasion at work or a joyous family celebration, keep the costs down by booking your favourite bar or venue, give us a call and discuss our many options to suit your budget. Then sit back, relax and let John rock up and wow your guests with mouth-watering dishes and international flavours from around the world. They are a small operation so early booking is essential to avoid disappointment with budgets vary depending on numbers and distance travelled. Call 083 4675488.
The Belmullet Committee to organise and lead the Belmullet 200 Bicentenary celebration in 2024 in conjunction with Erris Beo, Belmullet Chamber of Commerce and Aras Inis Gluaire is Eva Reilly (secretary), Agatha Hurst, Ann Nallen (treasurer), Neal Doherty (assistant secretary), Mark Ruddy (chairperson), Brendan Healy, Damien Reilly, Marian Conroy (treasurer), Martina Barrett, and Rosemarie Geraghty. A public meeting will be held in early January if you wish to get involved in planning and delivering events for Belmullet 200. Keep an eye on our socials for updates.
‘It was with a profound sadness recently that we learned of the passing of our dear friend and colleague Sean Creane. Sean was a character to be around at fundraising events, you could be sure to have great fun and laughter and also be guaranteed of an argument about politics.
We offer our heartfelt condolences to Sean’s daughter Celia her husband and children, to Sean’s extended family, neighbours and wide circle of friends’.
It is with great sadness that Ballyglass Coastguard heard of the passing of Maureen Sweeney. Maureen is widely known for her famous D-Day weather forecast, which postponed the D-Day landings by 24 hours and allowed Allied Forces to avoid a storm.
Maureen lived in Blacksod Lighthouse, with her husband Ted, from the 1940's until the mid-1970. The Sweeney family are still the lighthouse keepers in Blacksod to this day. Her loss is felt keenly by all at Ballyglass Coast Guard Unit, Maureen's family, friends and neighbours in Blacksod and the Erris peninsula. Ballyglass Coast Guard extends their sincere condolences to all Maureen's family and friends at this sad time.
Deepest sympathies to the family of Maureen Sweeney (née Flavin), Blacksod, Belmullet, Co. Mayo and formerly of Knockanure, Listowel, Co. Kerry; Sean Creane, Barnagh, Clogher; John Monaghan (better known as Jack), Sneinton, Nottingham and formerly of Drumreagh, Clogher; John James McAndrew, Ardoughan House, Ballina, and Shranoploya, Glenamoy; Catherine McCarthy (née McGuire), Knockaphunta Park, Castlebar and late of Dooriel, Ballycroy; Kathleen Duffy (nee Ruddy), Kilkenny, Castlebar and of formerly of Ardoone, Belmullet; Jackie Connor, Carnerock and formerly of Tallagh Road, Belmullet; John O’Connor, Tallagh Hill, Belmullet and formerly of Ballyduff, Co. Kerry. May they rest in peace.
The club awards will be held on January 5 in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel starting at 7pm. The club will reflect and award great success from underage to senior level over the 2023 season.
The draw was held on December 17, and the numbers drawn was 7, 8, 15 and 35 for a jackpot of €11,200 with no winner. The house prize of €100 was Iarla Calpin, Porturlin and the €30 offline winners were Tony Corcoran, Belderrig and Mary Murray, Glencastle. The €30 online winners were Steve Sheridan, Kiltimagh and Amy Healy, Muinginaune. Next week’s jackpot is €11,300 with the draw in Belderrig Community Centre Saturday, December 23.
Cill Chomain GAA presentation night will take place on December 28, in Healy’s Lounge with music by Adam and Peter. Players of the Year Awards will be presented to the ladies and men’s teams as well as medals for Mayo Comortas, North Mayo Championship, Exclusive Championship and winners of the league. MC on the night is Michael D McAndrew. All are welcome and refreshments will be served.
This year marks 11 years of the St Stephens Day Dips. The event has raised over €70,000 in the past 10 years which is truly amazing and it is all down to all the generous support and donations. Last year’s Dip brought it over €6,500.
All the money raised goes direct to Inis Aoibhinn; it’s a fantastic facility that has been designed to promote an atmosphere which is calm, relaxed, pleasant and supportive for everyone using the facility – residents and guests alike. There can be great comfort knowing that you or your loved one will be staying so close to the hospital where Radiotherapy treatment is being received.
Inis Aoibhinn allows for complete resident privacy and independence while also having dedicated nursing and support staff on hand to provide practical and emotional support during your stay there.
Margaret Sweeney joined An Garda Siochan in December 1991. She was stationed in Mountjoy and Rathmines Garda Stations in Dublin and was then transferred to Belmullet Garda Station in November 1996. She was the first female member of An Garda Siochana in the Belmullet Garda District. She transferred to Ballycroy Garda Station on April 1, 2019 and was attached to the Divisional Community Policing Unit. Margaret retired from An Garda Siochana on December 1, 2023.
It is that time of year when Aughalasheen NS are organising their fundraising raffle for a trip for 2 to New York for the Mayo v New York match on April 7. Tickets are now available from the school on 097 82340 or from the parents and board members.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of €10,600 with the two €50 winners being Ann and Becky McIntyre, Doohoma, and Paddy Corrigan, Bangor, while Ann Carey, Attawalla and Breege Coyle, Tallaghaun, both won €25. The two online winners were Anna Lavelle, England €50 and Michelle Coyle, Turlough, €25.
Bingo will continue in the complex Bangor this Wednesday, December 27, at 8pm with a €600 jackpot in 47 calls or less. The club lotto will also take place this Wednesday, December 27 instead of Monday.
The club extends a Happy Christmas and all the best for 2024 to its many supporters, both at home and around the world for their significant support financially and assistance throughout 2023.
Ballycroy Women’s Group would like to thank all that supported their annual Christmas Cheer in the Community Centre. What a wonderful hour of entertainment from all three schools under the talented conductor Delephine Cleary and teachers with songs in Irish, Ukrainian English and Chinese. Then the Ballycroy Women’s Group took to the stage with some Christmas songs and Delephine closed with the popular Mariah Carey classic “All I want for Christmas is you”. The raffle winners were: 1st John Conway, Castlehill 2nd Joanne Masterson, Kildun, 3rd Finnian McManamon 4th Rose Cormack, UK and Knockmoyleen.
