Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballyhaunis
The installation of the new lift shaft at the former Dillon's building on the Square in Ballyhaunis, which will soon house eight apartments.
Catherine Connolly appears the favourite to win the presidential election judging by a survey of a dozen parents at the Parents and Toddlers Club which meets in the Community Hall on Wednesdays. Of the 12 who spoke to the , eight said they’d vote for Connolly while three said they were undecided and one said he’d not vote.
“She is so well spoken and put together,” said one parent who added that Connolly was “so calm” in handling the controversy over her hire as a researcher of a woman who had served time for a firearms offences.
Another said: “Connolly is a family-oriented person. She’s very well educated, she keeps her cool. She has an air of calm.”
The Irish language was raised by another.
“She can speak Irish, it’s insulting to put yourself forward if you can’t speak the language,” said the parent, who conceded she herself has limited Irish.
There was strong criticism for Jim Gavin from several parents due to his failure to repay €3,500 to his former tenant.
Another parent said there are “some doubts” over Catherine Connolly “but I’d still rather her than Heather Humphreys". Asked about the doubts, the parent explained: “Connolly was very proactive to transgender and non binary...”
Another parent said he planned to spoil his vote.
“It’s a selection not an election,” he said, airing anger over immigration, the health service and the rising cost of living.
“They’re too out of touch,” he said of the two candidates, adding: “Maria Steen was probably the best of a bad lot,” a reference to the candidate unable to get on the ballot paper.
Ballyhaunis is a “wonderful” and “friendly” town according to an émigré with fond memories of the town.
Alvaro Afonso Pereira da Costa spent two years working as a senior technical mechanic at Western Brand near Ballyhaunis before going back to Brazil where he now works as an aeronautical engineer.
“I arrived in the wonderful town of Ballyhaunis in 2022. I stayed until 2024. I had to go back because of my parents, but I can't wait to go back.”
Describing Ballyhaunis as a very family-friendly place, Alfonso said: “The priest knows my name, Álvaro Afonso from Rio de Janeiro. That's what some people called me because I'm from Rio de Janeiro.
“At the supermarket the staff knew everyone by name, it was VIP service. The people of this town are very special in every way.”
Pereira da Costa also recalled fondly Irish traditional music sessions at the Community Hall.
“This cultural centre was amazing. I learned a lot about the culture, the dances, the music, and the movie nights were amazing.”
He also speaks highly of the Friary and its grounds.
“This park is wonderful for meeting people. I used to walk a lot in it.
"I just have to thank everyone in this town and for the affection everyone gave me, I felt at home, like family. Thank you from the bottom of my heart to everyone in Ballyhaunis.”
Alvaro also paid tribute to his local doctor.
The Migrant Rights Centre of Ireland (MRCI) has reached out to workers in Ballyhaunis on work permits, seeking their input to a survey as part of a campaign to reform the permit system.
An email sent recently to workers who have previously sought MRCI help reads: “Are you currently on a general employment permit or have you had one in the past? We want to hear about how you were treated in work and your awareness of rights.”
The MRCI is seeking 1,000 migrant workers with work permits to fill in this survey.
The MRCI has called for the Government to give holders of the general work permit - commonly given to those in the meat processing and horticultural industry as well as care services - to access the same rights as those with critical skills work permits, typically given to IT, research and medical staff. These workers can easily change employer and also bring their family to Ireland.
Ireland was once a major producer of honey because the Congested Districts Board encouraged local small holders to produce honey as a source of income. The renowned food and beverage firm Lipton’s in London was a major buyer of honey produced on small holdings across regions of small low-income farms like East Mayo.
This was one of the many fascinating insights offered during a presentation by the Ballyhaunis Beekeepers' Association at the Centre of Excellence on October 14 as part of Climate Action Week. Beekeepers' Association chairperson Tadgh Buckley and secretary Colm Bohan explained the design and functioning of a bee hive while also describing the life cycle and production patterns of a swarm of bees.
Organiser of the event, Mary Prenty, chairperson of the East Mayo GAA Board, described the event as one of two being organised by the group as part of Climate Action Week, which will also see the launch of the new Climate Action Fund by Mayo County Council.
Often-aired problems with Ireland’s health system cloud the enormous value of the service, according to some migrants who compared the extent of healthcare here with their home countries.
World Health Organisation data shows Ireland spent an average €6,448 per person on healthcare in 2022 (the last date for which universal data is available) of which nearly 80% was accounted for by government spending. Just over 10% was termed out of pocket or paid by individuals themselves.
By contrast, Ukraine was spending an average $243 per capita on healthcare in 2022 with the government supplying just 45% of that spend and the rest coming largely from citizens’ own funds. Describing the Irish healthcare system as “bureaucratic”, a Ballyhaunis-based Ukrainian reader said he found a medical card helpful in seeking treatment.
Irish spending on healthcare is far greater than that in Pakistan which in 2022 spent an average $39 per person on healthcare with government providing just 38% of the funds spent and out of pocket spending covering half of the country’s total healthcare spend.
Speaking to this column, a Pakistani-born resident of Ballyhaunis commended the quality of care locally, despite negative coverage over waiting lists.
"In Pakistan, you can only afford this level of care as a wealthy person, here it is much more democratic."
The African state of Democratic Republic of Congo spends an average $24 per person on healthcare, with government funds accounting for only 18% of that spend, 31% coming from out-of-pocket spending and the rest coming in the form of international aid.
“In Ireland, the healthcare system is very good,” explained a Congolese native who received refugee status in Ireland and now works in the healthcare service.
The German Pointer Club of Ireland has congratulated its local member Damien Waldron and his dog Xabia vom Esteresch, a 17-month-old German Shorthaired Pointer bitch, after they took first prize at the Solms test held by DK Klub Althümmling in Germany.
Damien explained the Solms Test is a field and water test for young German shorthaired pointer dogs, conducted under the regulations of the Deutsch-Kurzhaar-Verband (DKV) or JGHV (Jagdgebrauchshundverband — the German versatile hunting dog association).
Chairman of the Ballyhaunis Gun Club, Damien is planning to return with Xabia to Germany in the Autumn for further tests.
The Ballyhaunis Bike Repair Clinic will return on Sunday, October 26, at the Community Hall starting at 9.30am.
As well as repairing bicycles, the volunteer-run service will be demonstrating how to true or straighten a wheel and also show how to clean or fit new bearings in the bicycle's headset or steering column.
The Bike Repair Clinic on October 16 shared some repair advice at a bicycle swap event organised by Ballyhaunis GAA and LGFA Club as part of Climate Action Week funded by Mayo Co Council. More details can be had from ballyhauniscommunitycouncil@gmail.com.
