Local Notes: Ballinrobe Musical Society stalwarts at Frozen: The Musical
Ballinrobe Musical Society stalwarts (left to right) Gerry Hughes, Mick Sweeney and Eugene O'Malley at the society's recent production of Frozen: The Musical in Ballinrobe Community School. Photo: Helen O'Shea.
Ballinrobe Musical Society will hold its annual general meeting on Wednesday, May 27, in Ballinrobe Parish Centre at 8pm. All are welcome to attend.
Darkness Into Light 2026 will take place at 4.15am on Saturday, May 9, at The Green. This inspiring event symbolises hope, as communities come together to prevent suicide. If you require help registering and receiving a t-shirt, contact the Darkness Into Light Ballinrobe Facebook page. There is a limited supply of t-shirts available.
Africa Day Mayo will take place in Ballinrobe Racecourse on Saturday, May 16, from 1.30pm to 3.30pm. This family day is a free event and all are welcome.
The Craft Mates Group meets every Wednesday in the Tacú Family Resource Centre, Main Street, Ballinrobe, from 10.30am to 1pm. Those interested in joining or who require further information, are asked to contact Lynne on 087 6485959. New members are welcome.
A tea day in aid of the Alzheimer’s Society of Ireland will take place in the Tacú Family Resource Centre, Ballinrobe, on Thursday, May 7, from 11am to 1pm. This event will help support people and families in the local area who are living with dementia. Further details and information are available by contacting the Tacú Centre on 094 9542908 or by visiting www.alzheimer.ie.
Meals on Wheels are hot meals delivered to individuals at home (either on a temporary or long term basis). Meals on wheels can make your life easier. This service covers Ballinrobe and the Lake District area. Deliveries take place on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s and consist of soup, main meal and dessert. People can also avail of two meals on Monday’s and Thursday’s.
Low cost counselling is available in the Tacú Family Resource Centre, Main Street, Ballinrobe. Contact 087 2859973 to talk confidentially and/or to make an appointment. Each call to the low-cost counselling service is dealt with promptly and the caller is matched with a suitable counsellor. This is an extremely confidential service.
Youth Counselling is available by contacting the Tacú Family Resource Centre. Two counsellors are available for young people aged 16-25, who are struggling with relationships, anxiety, worries, or who just simply wants someone to listen to them. Further details and information are available by contacting Mary on 087 2859973.
A gardening club organised by the Tacú Family Resource Centre, meet every Wednesday at 11am in the Ballinrobe Community Garden. New members are welcome. Further details and information are available by contacting 087 4111343.
There was no winner of the €30,000 lotto jackpot draw which was held on Monday week last. The numbers drawn were 7, 14, 19 and 28. The €25 winners were Keith Craddock, Katie O’Connell, James Payne, and Geraldine Donnellan.
There was no winner of the €12,800 lotto jackpot draw which was held on Monday, April 27. The numbers drawn were 2, 3, 6 and 22. There were six match three winners (€50 each), and they were: Eoin Moorhouse, John Ruane, Breda Varley, Marcin Mikolajewski, Mike Killeen, and Orna Donnelly.
A Connacht Rugby Summer Camp will take place in The Green, Ballinrobe, from July 27 to Julu 31, running from 9.30am to 1pm daily. The camp is open to boys and girls between the ages of 6 and 12. Those attending will learn the skills of the game, with fun exercises alongside expert coaches, as well as making new friends. Attendees will receive a Connacht Rugby gift. Parents wishing to register their children are asked to visit www.connachtrugby.ie.
The Ballinrobe U16 boys team recorded a 32-17 victory away to Buccaneers in the Bowl semi-final, on Saturday week last. Ballinrobe will now meet the winners of the other semi-final between Claremorris Colts and Corrib, which was scheduled to take place on Saturday, May 2. No date had been confirmed for the final at time of writing.
There was no winner of the €13,000 lotto jackpot draw which was held on Sunday, April 26. The numbers drawn were 3, 20, 28 and 32. The €50 winners were Niamh McWalter, Garrymore, Tom and Una Healy, Farmhill, and Colm Conway, Scardaune.
The Mayo County Ploughing Championship will be held on Sunday, May 10, on Kelly's Farm, Roundfort, Eircode F12 Y205, with tractor, horse and vintage ploughing. There will also be live music and dancing, sheepdog trials, dog show and free amusements for children. It is a great day for all the family.
The annual Connacht pioneer pilgrimage to Lourdes takes place on August 5, departing from Shannon Airport with bus connection from Knock, staying in Hotel Agena for five nights with full board. The cost is €925 per person. Insurance extra. Bookings with full payment by July 5. For further details contact Fr. Joe Delaney (087) 6660408 or your local Pioneer Centre.
A very important consultation meeting of all pioneers in the Connacht province takes place in the Rest and Care Centre, Knock on Wednesday May 13 from 7.30 to 9.30pm. All pioneers are invited to attend and have their say on the many topics on how the movement can best be promoted.
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The numbers drawn in the Mayo Gaels lotto which was held on Tuesday, April 28, were 13, 19, 28 and 30. There was no jackpot winner. €30 winners were Pauline Wilson, Michael Hurst, Nuala Heneghan and Patricia Lydon. Next week’s draw will be on Tuesday, May 5, with a jackpot of €18,900.
Mayo Abbey Community Employment Scheme has a vacancy in the dining room area. Call Craig or Serena at Mayo Abbey Centre on 094 9365987 to find out more or email craig@mayoabbey.ie. Department Social Protection eligibility criteria apply.
Why not go along to the Community Coffee Morning which is held every Thursday for a cuppa, a chat and some freshly baked scones. No booking necessary. The social dinner takes place every Tuesday but must be booked in advance. Free computer/smartphone support for beginners is offered and there are hot desk spaces with fibre broadband connections suitable for virtual meetings or interviews. It is the pick up and drop off point for Local Link Bus Service which goes to Castlebar daily - Tuesday to Saturday and Claremorris every Thursday. This service is available to all and free to travel pass holders. Book with Local Link on 094 900 5150. Collection from your home may be possible by calling the centre to find out more details on 094 93 65987.
The Thursday Morning Walking Group meet every week starting from the community centre at 10.30am. All are welcome to come along and walk as little or as much as you like and please bring a hi-vis. Call Ann on 086 605 7568 or call the centre on 94 93 65987 for further information.
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A community spring clean took place last weekend Friday 1st, Saturday 2nd, Sunday 3rd and Monday, May 4 in Islandeady, and thanks is extended to everybody that helped out and picked up litter around their own area over the weekend, as other volunteers picked up litter in communal areas. The Village Enhancement Group are planning on entering the 'Tidy Towns and Villages competition and need to start preparations now by getting more people involved and being vigilant in various areas, which can also act as a deterrent for careless disposal of litter.
Islandeady Community Council is celebrating 50 years this year (1976 – 2026) and it has been agreed that this special occasion should be marked/celebrated. A sub committee has been formed and at its first meeting last week it was agreed to hold a number of local events within the community and this is being planned for the month of September 2026.
Results for Monday night, April 27, 1st prize was won by Gerry Gibbons; 2nd prize was shared by Angela Moran and Sean O’Boyle; and 3rd prize shared by Sean Ryder and Carmel Masterson. Raffle winners were Gerry Gibbons, Mag Needham, Dominic Mulchrone and Michael Moore. The Card Player of the Year for 2025/26 was announced and a most deserving player Sean O’Boyle, was congratulated and received his trophy and a cash prize on the night.
The Islandeady card game is now on its summer break and will return again the first Monday night in October. Bernie, Breege and John thank everyone for their support of the game and encourage the younger generation to get into the game of 25 so it won't get lost in the community. It is a lovely way to pass a few hours, enjoy some competition and get to know the people in the parish and surrounding areas. Looking forward to seeing everyone back in October.
Islandeady Walks continue on Monday evenings for 2026. On a lovely Monday evening recently, the walkers started at ' Martys' and walked via Keelogues, New Line, Lismolin and returned via Dooleague approx 5.4km. On Monday, May 4, the group walked the Corha loop, starting outside a private residence in Derrycoosh and walked via 'Reids X', while taking a right turn near 'Carolans'. All flat terrain, but part was along the Newport Road and due care was taken on this busy road. Hi-vis can be supplied if necessary.
There was no winner of the last Islandeady GAA Lotto draw on Sunday, April 26, in the Halfway. The jackpot was €12,450. Underage training continues every Sunday morning at 10am in Islandeady GAA pitch. Thanks to all, managers, trainers and volunteers who organised a lovely social get-together at last weekends training session, it was really great fun for all those who attended, and very encouraging socially for young players.
