Local Notes: Ballinrobe Bridge Club members win at Donegal International Bridge Congress.
Ballinrobe Bridge Club members William Enright and Angela Murphy receiving the trophy for winning the mixed pairs competition at the Donegal International Bridge Congress.
The results of a competition held on Thursday, November 7, were as follows: 1st nett John and Mo Mullin; 1st gross William Enright and Angela Murphy; 2nd Vincent Connell and Claire Mitchell; 3rd Vera Bray and Kitty Farrell; 4th Emer Canny and Irene Walkin; 5th Stella Nalty and Patrica McDonagh. Club members had some wonderful success at the recent Donegal Congress, with William Enright, Angela Murphy, Paul Waldron, and Thomas McNicholas, winning the area masters team event. William Enright and Angela Murphy won the mixed pairs competition.
Willliam Enright and Angela Murphy also represented Ballinrobe Bridge Club at the Spiro Cup National Mixed competition, which was held in Templeogue recently, where they finished in sixth spot, whilst also winning the prize for best area masters. A total of 109 pairs took part in the Templeogue competition.
Well done to all the Mayo and west of Ireland competitors, from Ballinrobe Bridge Club.
The official book launch of ‘On The Way Out’ an award-winning debut novel by Liam Horan, will take place in Ballinrobe Library (Eircode F31 YR60), Main Street, on Saturday, November 22, at 7.30pm. ‘On The Way Out’ was the winner of the Gerald Griffin competition for first adult fiction in 2025.
The book will be officially launched by Ballinrobe native Declan Varley, author of ‘Kittyland and Confessions of Peadar Gibbons.’ Afterwards, a social gathering will take place in a nearby venue and all are welcome.
Further details and information are available by visiting https://liamhoran.info/event/launch-otwo/. The book can now be pre-ordered by visiting https://liamhoran.info/product/on-the-way-out/ The novel will also be on sale at the launch and will be available in local bookstores from Monday morning, November 24.
Ballinrobe Rugby Club recently held a very successful Quid Games fundraiser in the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris. This thrilling event featured six skill-based challenges testing everyone, with both mental and physical challenges.
After some keenly contested battles, the Quid Games champion on the night was Peter Finlay, with Racheal Kinneavey claiming second spot. Both Damien Crowe and Kevin Mullin finished in joint third position. Overall, it was an amazing effort by all the competitors.
The funds raised from this event will go towards the development of club facilities, with the main goal being the purchase of land to help future-proof the club.
Ballinrobe Rugby Club thank everyone who attended on the night, and to all who donated to this major fundraiser. The full list of contestants were follows: Edel O'Malley, Mike Ansbro, Caoimhe O’Toole, Damien Crowe, Rachel Kinneavey, Ann Marie Herward, Dara Whelan, Thomas Lynagh, Tom Carney, Peter Finlay, Ciara Heneghan, Adrian O'Malley, Dylan Keane, Abby Jennings, Liam Burke, Tony Walkin, Conor Costello and John Farrell, Paddy Burke, Eamon Finnerty, Conan Martin, Art O’Neill and Micheál Walsh, and Kevin Mullin.
The organising committee did a huge amount of work in the lead up to the event and they were Deirdre Burke, Evan Gannon, Nicola Burke, Peter McHugh, Eimear Flannery, Shane Watson, Jack O’Toole, Paula Burke, Jill O’Malley and Máiréad Burke.
Ballinrobe Rugby Club held its weekly 50/50 draw on Sunday, November 9, with John Sweeney the winner of €430. Tickets for the weekly 50/50 draw can be purchased in Murphy’s Centra, and Martin Murphy’s Newsagent.
Next Sunday, November 23, the Ballinrobe junior men’s team face a tricky away assignment against Sligo Second XV in round five of the league. The black and white will be hoping to build a winning run, having defeated Westport in their previous league fixture.
There was no winner of the €10,500 lotto jackpot draw which was held on Monday, November 10. The numbers drawn were 3, 22, 27 and 33. The €100 match three prize went to Kieran Concannon and Louise Reilly.
The results from round two of the gents McHale winter alliance competition were as follows: Cat 1 Philip Rossiter (33), Cat 2 Timothy Hanly (31), Cat 3 Tony Humphrey (35).
Ladies 9 hole competition results: 1st Helen King (19), 2nd Eileen Byrne (19), 3rd Marian Walsh (17).
Ladies 15-hole competition results: 1st Marian Scully (31), 2nd Marian Walsh (30), 3rd Connie Darcy (29). The mixed scramble 9 hole competition winners were Ger Hanley, Eileen Conlisk, Noel Galvin, and Evan Moran.
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Mayo Abbey.
The numbers drawn for the Mayo Gaels lotto which was held on Tuesday, November 11, were 11, 13, 17 and 27. There was no jackpot winner. The €30 consolation prize winners were Lorraine Fitzgerald, c/o Willie Fitzgerald; Bridie McIntyre, Cloonflynn, (online ticket); Fr Austin Fergus, Mayo Abbey; and Liam Fitzgerald, c/o Willie Fitzgerald. The jackpot for draw to be held this evening, Tuesday, November 18, is €16,500.
The next card game to be held in Mayo Abbey Resource Centre will be Thursday, November 20, at 9pm. All are welcome.
Mayo Abbey National School is launching a new fundraising lotto. One line will cost €2.50 or three lines for €5. For further information visit www.ourfundraiser.ie/org/mayoabbeyns.
Why not go to the Community Coffee Morning which is held every Thursday for a cuppa, a chat and some freshly baked scones. No booking is necessary. The social dinner takes place every Tuesday but must be booked in advance.
Mayo Abbey Community Services offer free computer/smartphone support for beginners. They have hot desk spaces with fibre broadband connections suitable for virtual meetings or interviews. Mayo Abbey is a pick up and drop off point for Local Link Bus Service which goes to Castlebar daily from Tuesday to Saturday and Claremorris every Thursday. This service is available to all, and is free to travel pass holders. Book with Local Link 094 900 5150. Collection from your home may be possible by calling the centre to find out more on 094 93 65987.
Why not come along on Thursday mornings and join the walking group. Starting from the community centre at 10.30am all are welcome to walk as little or as much as you like and bring a hi-vis. Call Ann on 086 605 7568 or call the centre on 094 93 65987 for further information.
Now that the time has changed and the evening are getting darker a lot more people are out walking and jogging. Unfortunately a lot of people are not wearing hi vis vests, so as part of an initiative by Facefield Community Group and Mayo Sports Partnership, they are promoting a be safe be seen programme and on Sunday, November 30, Facefield community will host a 6km round the lakes walk/run at 2pm and Mayo Sports Partnership will be there to hand out hi vis vests to all participants. It is hoped that schools and various youth groups in the county will support the event.
Visit a new exhibition of art celebrating the transformative power of the arts at every stage of life, in the Courtyard Gallery at Turlough Park. The exhibition is the outcome of a unique arts programme called Hearth - formed in County Mayo in 2009. The project brings creativity directly into the homes of older people through weekly one-to-one workshops, facilitated by a skilled artist and tailored to each individual in the comfort of their own home. Hearth envisions a world where everyone, regardless of age or circumstance, can explore their creativity. Through a range of artistic mediums, the programme nurtures personal expression and sparks meaningful connections. It imagines a map illuminated by creativity - each glowing point representing a person discovering the artist within. This new exhibition celebrates the transformative power of the arts to uplift the human spirit at every stage of life. Eighteen participants share their artwork alongside pieces created by the Hearth artists and mentors, highlighting the rich and collaborative journey of the project.
Hearth will be on display in the Courtyard Gallery at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar, Co. Mayo, from 7th to 23rd November 2025. In 2024 and 2025, Hearth has been grateful to receive generous support from Creative Ireland, Arts and Health, and the Mayo County Council Arts Service. Their partnership helps ensure that creativity continues to reach where it is most needed - one home, and one heart, at a time.
Claremorris Family Resource Centre has announced two exciting new programmes beginning this month — a Furniture Upcycling Workshop and Building Emotional Resilience Workshops for Children. The five-week Furniture Upcycling Workshop offers participants the chance to give new life to old furniture through hands-on paint techniques, creative design ideas, and practical upcycling skills. The course begins on November 17, running Monday evenings from 7 to 9pm at the Claremorris FRC. Funded by MSLETB, the cost is €30 per person. Places can be booked by phoning 094 9377838 or emailing info@claremorrisfrc.ie.
Following the success of a recent programme for older primary pupils, the centre is also launching a new round of Building Emotional Resilience Workshops for children in 3rd and 4th classes. The five-week course takes place on Wednesdays from 4.30 to 5.30pm, also at the Claremorris FRC. Parents interested in registering their child can contact the centre at 094 9377838 or info@claremorrisfrc.ie for more details.
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Islandeady.
There was no winner of the last Islandeady GAA Lotto draw on Sunday, November 9, which was held in the Key West. The jackpot was €11,850.
Results for Monday night, November 10, were as follows; 1st prize went to Jimmy Ruane; 2nd prize was shared by Sean Canny and Frank Sammon, 3rd prize was also shared by John Walsh and Sean O'Boyle. Raffle winners were Peter Reynolds, Nat Ruane, Sean Ryder and Dominic Mulchrone. The game continues every Monday night in Islandeady Community Centre at 8.30pm. Refreshments will be served and everyone is welcome.
