Local Notes: Ballinrobe Community School Junior LGFA in Connacht semi-final
The Ballinrobe Community School Junior LGFA team which has qualified for the Connacht semi-finals.
Ballinrobe Community School’s Junior LGFA team last week defeated Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown, to qualify for the Connacht semi-finals. Despite difficult conditions, a thrilling contest ensued with Ballinrobe emerging as victors with four points to spare. The final is expected to go ahead later this week.
Meanwhile, the school has congratulated students Kayla Hughes, Emma Stagg and Sari Vahey who have been selected on the Mayo LGFA U16 squad for the coming season.
Ballinrobe RFC will hold a quiz night on Friday, January 26, at Art O’Neill’s Bar, Abbey Street, Ballinrobe, at 9pm. The event promises an engaging evening with the inclusion of a raffle and spot prizes. Funds generated will be directed towards nurturing the club’s underage initiatives.
1, William Enright and Angela Murphy; 2, Paul Waldron and Marian O’Connor; 3, Bob Craddock and Nancy Hughes; 4, Claire Mitchell and Vincent Connell; 5, Joan Tighe and Aneta O’Neill; 6, Maureen Donnelly and Mary O’Reilly.
Ballinrobe Musical Society will take up a bucket collection in Ballinrobe on January 27. All support would be greatly appreciated. The society also sends their best wishes to Claremorris Musical Society, who stage Young Frankenstein in Claremorris Town Hall from Wednesday, January 31.
Ballinrobe Musical Society will be staging the legendary musical, The Phantom of the Opera, in Ballinrobe Community School from February 11-17. The first show takes place at 5pm on Sunday, February 11, with all other shows commencing at 8pm. Tickets for The Phantom of The Opera will go on sale on January 29.
Ballinrobe defeated Ballina on a 52-3 scoreline in the first round of the Connacht Junior Cup, at The Green, Ballinrobe. Ballinrobe laid down an early marker when Rory Murphy scored a five-pointer just three minutes into the game. Despite an unsuccessful conversion attempt from Steven Conroy, Ballinrobe continued to enjoy early dominance.
Killian McAleenan’s impressive try extended Ballinrobe lead. The situation worsened for Ballina when Jarlath Mullin’s vision set up Tom Staunton for another try on the 14th minute, with Conroy converting successfully. Continuing their dominance, Ballinrobe secured additional tries from Sean Mullin and Tom Lynagh, resulting in a substantial 31-3 halftime advantage. The second period commenced with a rapid touchdown from Conroy, who also landed the conversion, further widening the lead to 38-3.
Despite their commanding advantage, Ballinrobe maintained intensity, and substitute John Enda Flannelly found space for another try on the 60th minute, followed by Conroy’s successful conversion.
In the closing moments, a fatigued Ballina conceded an eighth touchdown, with Evan O’Brien crossing the whitewash and Conroy securing his sixth conversion.
Ballinrobe: James McTigue, Michael Walsh, Craig Hansberry, Stephen O’Connor, David Madden, Tom Lynagh, Jamie Treacy, Rory Murphy, Cillian Walsh, Steven Conroy, Killian McAleenan, Sean Mullin, Tom Staunton, Eoghan Lynagh, Jarlath Mullin.
Replacements: John Enda Flannelly, Evan O’Brien, Jack Carter, Marcin Mikolajewski, Patrick Moylette.
Referee: Kevin Bolger.
The death has taken place peacefully, surrounded by his loving family at his residence, of Paddy Mc Grath, Ballyjennings Hill, Ballinrobe, and formerly of Kilbannon, Tuam, Co. Galway. Paddy, who was 92 years of age, was a diligent farmer and was a much-loved figure locally.
He is survived by his wife Delia, daughters Olive, Bernie, and Carmel, sons-in-law Kevin Connor and Darren Ruddy, Olive’s partner Francis, and adored grandchildren Cormac, Jason, Ruairí, Jack and Leah. Paddy also leaves behind nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours, and friends.
Funeral ceremonies took place in St Joseph’s Funeral Home, St Mary’s Church and the Abbey Cemetery, where he was laid to rest on Saturday, January 20.
Maple Youth Centre’s Sound Booth is available for local young creators on Wednesdays from 4-6pm. The booth has audio production facilities for podcasts, music tracks, film and audio stories. For more information contact 087 771 4967.
A new Roleplaying Game Club will kick off at Maple Youth Centre, Bowgate Street, Ballinrobe, on Friday, February 2, from 2-4pm. Admission is €5, with the first session free of charge. To register for the club, contact Mark on 087 771 4967.
Ballinrobe Town AFC has extended congratulations to Kelsey Munroe, who has signed for Sligo Rovers for the upcoming 2024 League of Ireland Women’s Premier Division campaign. Kelsey’s career began with Ballinrobe Town at the age of ten in 2012, contributing to the U12 team’s progression to the national finals in 2014.
Throughout her time at Ballinrobe, Kelsey showcased her skills, scoring impressive goals at various underage levels. Her commendable performance and positive demeanour on and off the pitch made her a standout player.
Meanwhile, club players Conor Flannery and Rory Devereux featured on the Mayo U16 team that lost 2-0 away to Donegal last week. The team now faces West Cork in the quarter-final of the trophy competition.
The Headford Lace Trail, launched in the autumn, has taken the top spot in the 2023 Sound Walk September Awards.
The awards, run by organisation Walk Listen Create, celebrate the skills of those composing audio, listening, and sound walks around the world.
Walk Listen Create describes a sound walk as “any walk that focuses on listening to the environment, with or without use of technology, or adds to the experience through the use of sound or voice. This can include a scripted or choreographed score or work that has additional audio elements.” The Headford Lace Trail runs on the SonicMaps platform, a website which uses phone GPS to play audio in listeners’ own earphones as they move along a 55-minute route through the town.
The walk features music specially arranged and performed by composer and clarinettist Matthew Berrill, and stars actors Emma O’Grady, Mary McHugh, and Sophie Morrow – who also sings – plus the guiding voice of Eilís Nic Dhonncha of Headford Lace Project.
The walk includes interviews with locals Teresa Eagleton, Pat Monaghan, and Margie McNamara, as well as historian Norma Owens. It was commissioned by Headford Lace Project and supported with funding from Galway County Arts Office.
Babak Fakhamzadeh of Walk Listen Create, said, “We’ve hosted the Sound Walk September Awards since 2019, and we’re very happy to have seen the quality of the submitted work get better, every year. The increased difficulty of selecting a winner is a nice problem to have, and we’re very pleased to see Ed Coulson’s outstanding Headford Lace Trail surface to the top of the list this year.” From an initial 60 submissions to the awards, an online jury selected a shortlist of 14 sound walks, from Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, Mexico, Scotland and the USA. A Grand Jury then deliberated over a winner.
In the announcement of the result, Juror Annie Mahtani was quoted as saying that Headford Lace Trail “offers a truly engaging experience through storytelling and music. As you travel through the trail, accompanied by a modern day lacemaker also experiencing the sound walk, you hear stories from the present day and the past each contributing to the understanding of the heritage of lacemaking in Headford.
The numbers drawn in the Western Alzheimers lotto draw on January 17, were 29, 28, 14 and 24, for a jackpot of €2,900. If anyone would like to play the lotto phone 094 93 64900 or play on line www.westernalzheimers.ie. The jackpot for January 24, is €3000.
Get ready for St Brigid’s Day with a free, drop-in activity to make a St Brigid’s Cross, from 2 to 4pm on Saturday and Sunday, January 27 and 28, at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar. See some different styles of St Brigid’s Crosses on display and have a go at making your own cross to bring home. There will also be free guided tours at 2 and 3pm on both days, with a special focus on objects, customs and traditions associated with St Brigid. See www.museum.ie for further information.
Join a free drop-in session with the Connacht Textile Crafters from 11.30am to 3pm on Saturday, January 27, at the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar. See some creative and sustainable ideas to re-use Christmas cards. The Connacht Textile Crafters are a group of talented craft workers and artists from across the region. This demonstration takes place in the workshop rooms in the Courtyard (beside the café). No booking required.
Enable Ireland, Mayo Services, require volunteers in all areas of County Mayo to work with children with a disability. Volunteers usually work one to one with a child within their home but also within their community or at the centre in Castlebar. No more than three hours are required per week and work can be arranged around a person’s availability. Training is provided. If you are interested contact Fiona at 087 6808350 or email fscully@enableireland.ie for further information. This is a rewarding activity and volunteers are very positive about their experience.
Life after bereavement can feel very lonely. Trained facilitators conduct a weekly ‘Bereavement Support Meeting’, at the Family Centre, Knock Shrine, each Wednesday at 11am. There is also a special meeting for bereaved partners/spouses on the first Thursday of each month at 11am. No appointment needed. Further information from Monica Morley at 094 9375320.
