Local Notes: Ballinrobe native shines at Irish Bayrisch six-a-side tournament.
Harry Murphy pictured with the Irish Bayrisch Cup and the Player of the Tournament accolade.
Congratulations to Ballinrobe native Harry Murphy who was part of the Maree/Oranmore FC side which won the Irish Bayrisch soccer tournament held at Colga F.C., Clarenbridge, on Saturday, July 5. The six-a-side tournament was for over-35’s and featured 10 teams from Germany, Cork, Dublin and Galway.
As well as securing a winner’s medal, Harry Murphy also picked up the Player of the Tournament accolade. In his soccer career, Harry Murphy played for both Galway United and Sligo Rovers in the League of Ireland. Harry was also a talented Gaelic footballer winning a number of titles with Ballinrobe GAA Club including an U21 county title in 2000 and intermediate football championship titles in 2000 and 2002.
Murphy also played club football in England with Fulham Irish, with the wing-back playing an integral role in Fulham Irish securing a London senior football championship title in 2011, and he also played inter-county football with London.
Ballinrobe Musical Society have extended a sincere thanks to Ballinrobe Community School, who have kindly allowed them to stage their next production from April 5 to April 11, 2026. “We are delighted to once again have the privilege of staging our beloved musical in such an excellent facility, right in the heart of our town,” said a spokesperson for the society. “Lifelong friendships, magical memories and unforgettable moments have been shared within the walls of Ballinrobe Community School over the years. Without the school’s ongoing cooperation and generosity, there simply would be no show in Ballinrobe.
We would like to wish school principal Julie Anne Collins and all the staff and students the very best in all their future endeavours.” Ballinrobe Musical Society received two AIMS award nominations for their 2025 production of ‘The Hunchback of Notre Dame’. The society was nominated for Best Chorus, while Sarah Corcoran was nominated for Best Female Singer for her portrayal of Esmerelda. The society’s 2026 production will be announced in due course.
The 2025 Ballinrobe Agricultural Show will take place in Ballinrobe Racecourse on Sunday, September 7. Some of the events on the day will include: horses, ponies, dressage, showjumping, cattle, sheep, dogs, fowl, farm and garden, flowers, cookery, homecraft, tug of war, kids’ section, and trade stands. Further details and information are available by visiting www.ballinrobeagriculturalshow.com.
A summer party for friends of the Tacú Family Resource Centre will take place in The Bowers Bar and Restaurant, on Friday, July 25, at 2pm. There will be food, music, and fun at a sociable occasion, as the town enjoys the local festival. Those wishing to book a place at the summer party are asked to contact 087 2859973 or 087 3802650.
Agnes O’Connor was the winner of €80 in last week’s 50/50 draw conducted by the Tacú Family Resource Centre.
The inaugural Ronan Gibbins Memorial Cup game between neighbours Shrule/Glencorrib and Caherlistrane took place on Sunday, June 1, at Shrule GAA Pitch. The late Ronan Gibbons was a well-liked figure in the local Shrule community, and he ran the popular T.J. Gibbons’ Bar, Shrule. Ronan sadly passed away on Christmas Day 2022, after suffering a heart attack. His sudden death was a complete shock for his wife Lorraine, children Kelly and Michael, Ronan’s family, friends and community.
One of the key aims of the memorial cup match was to raise awareness about heart disease. There were no sponsors of the event and no admission fee into the game, and the organisers relied on the generosity of the public. A total of €7,510 was raised from this fund-raising match and all proceeds went to Croí. The organisers thank everybody who contributed to this fundraising event.
Food Cloud is available from Monday to Friday, 10am to 12.30pm, in the Parish Centre and the Tacú Family Resource Centre.
Pat McGovern and Friends will perform songs from their fund-raising CD ‘Somebody Special’ in the Claremorris Town Hall, on Saturday, August 23. ‘Somebody Special’ is a CD which has been recorded recently by Pat McGovern and a group of musician friends from Hollymount and its environs. The CD is a collection of 10 songs and tunes and has been a labour of love for the musicians who have all given freely of their time and talents to the project.
The album features Somebody Special, Katie Daly, Rainy Night in Soho, Will You Go Lassie Go, The Broad Majestic Shannon, Will You Meet Me on Clare Island, Scorn Not His Simplicity, Beeswing, The Old Man, Hard Times, and a selection of reels.
All proceeds raised from the sale of the CD and concert in Claremorris will go to The Irish Pilgrimage Trust. Those interested in attending this concert are asked to book their tickets by contacting the box office at the Claremorris Town Hall at 094 9310999 or visit https://townhall.ie/event/somebody-special/.
The Somebody Special CD is available in the following outlets: Hollymount Store; Corrigan’s Ballintubber; Martin Murphy’s Newsagents, Ballinrobe; Mace, Castlebar Road, Ballinrobe; Corrib Oil, Ballinrobe; Hunts Service Station, Claremorris; Centra, Claremorris. The album is also available by contacting Pat McGovern at 085 1742082.
The Lake District Athletic Club enjoyed a fruitful weekend at the National Championships held in Tullamore, over the weekend June 28/29. There were plenty of personal bests for the club’s athletes as well as some terrific performances on the national stage.
Some of the highlights for the Lake District athletes included All-Ireland medals going to Fionn Jennings, 3rd in the U15 javelin competition; Sophia Place, 1st in the U15 girl’s javelin; Ben Place, 2nd in the U19 javelin, and Aaron Crowley, 1st in the U19 javelin. Well done to all involved on what was a memorable weekend for the Lake District Athletic Club.
Ballinrobe Town AFC will hold a Summer Soccer Development Camp for girls and boys aged 6 to 14, at The Green from Monday, August 11 to Friday, August 15, 10am to 2pm daily. The main coach for the camp will be Chris McGauley, who is the club’s Super League team manager and is also a UEFA licenced coach. Chris is also the current Mayo U18 League coach.
The aim of the summer camp is to coach children game realistic exercises; skills development; age related soccer fundamentals; small sides games for fun. The cost per-child to take part in the camp is €70, with a €10 discount for siblings who also register for the camp. Parents wishing to register their children for the camp can do so by visiting https://ballinrobetownafc.clubzap.com/categ.../camp/products.
Next weekend the Ballinrobe Town junior (A) men’s will face a stern test in the Benson Cup final against Westport United, at Milebush Park. See the Game On section for confirmation of the date and kick-off time. Your support for the Robesiders in this cup final would be appreciated.
There was no winner of the €27,700 lotto jackpot draw which was held on Monday, July 7. The numbers drawn were 5, 13, 32 and 33. There were no match three winners.
As part of the Ballinrobe Festival, a busking competition will take place in Ballinrobe next Saturday, July 19. This competition is open to all ages and all levels are welcome. 1st prize is €100, 2nd prize, two tickets to any concert at the festival, 3rd prize, two tickets to the Race Dance which features Mike Denver, with two racing tickets as well. Those interested in registering for this competition are asked to text 087 3802650 and to include your name, contact number and how many are in your busking group. This event is kindly sponsored by the Tacú Family Resource Centre.
There was no winner of the €30,000 lotto jackpot draw which was held on Monday, July 7. The numbers drawn were 15, 24, 29 and 36. The €25 winners were Aidan Foley, Siobhan Flynn, Sarah Keady, and Tom Walsh.
There was no winner of the €10,900 lotto jackpot draw which took place on Tuesday, July 8. The numbers drawn were 2, 5, 10 and 33. The €30 winners were Paddy Mylotte, and Fiona Mannion. The €25 winners were Mary Teresa McGrath, and Ashling Sullivan.
The club held its weekly 50/50 draw on Sunday, July 6, with John Joyce the winner of €460. Tickets are available to purchase in Murphy’s Centra, and Martin Murphy’s Newsagent.
There was no winner of the €9,000 lotto jackpot draw which was held in Garrymore on Sunday, July 6. The numbers drawn were 2, 12, 30 and 33. The €50 winners were Clive O’Toole, Scardaune, Tom Healy, Famrhill, and Cathriona Varley, Ballyglass.
Mace Ballinrobe are inviting the local community to a summer fundraising event at their store to raise money for MACE’s charity partner Debra on Friday, July 18. The event is scheduled to take place from 3-5pm and there will be plenty to keep all ages entertained with Mid-West Radio live broadcasting from store, traditional Irish dancing group, face painting, food sampling as well as a charity spin the wheel raffle with ticket sales and other instore offers in aid of Debra, the Butterfly Skin charity.
Debra is dedicated to transforming the lives of people living with Epidermolysis Bullosa (EB), caring for someone with EB, or bereaved by EB, through care, research and advocacy. EB is an incurable and painful genetic skin condition, also known as ‘Butterfly Skin’, as the skin of people with EB breaks and tears at the slightest touch.
Store owner Dermot Fallon said, “We would like to thank our customers for their fantastic support over the past year since our last summer event and we are looking forward to welcoming everyone on the 18th. Our store is focused on providing top service and fresh food to the local community and supporting our charity partners at Debra.”
