Local Notes: Ballinrobe postmaster retires after 55 years of postal service
Martin Walsh, who has retired as postmaster in Ballinrobe Post Office, pictured supporting the Believe in Ballinrobe campaign in 2019.
Martin Walsh, a familiar face and dedicated local servant of An Post, has retired after 55 years with the postal service. Martin spent a considerable part of his career as postmaster, becoming a cornerstone of the local business community.
Walsh has been synonymous with reliability and the announcement of his retirement resonated deeply with the community.
To mark Martin’s retirement, a gathering took place at Flannery’s Bar and Restaurant in Partry, drawing a substantial crowd for what was also a celebration of Martin’s 70th birthday. The atmosphere was one of warmth friends, family, and well-wishers paid tribute to a man whose contributions have left an indelible mark on the local landscape.
Martin and members of his family have been actively involved in local sports and community groups for many years. The location of the post office has now been transferred to Cummins’ SuperValu.
Planning 40th anniversary celebrations later this year was the main topic of conversation at the annual general meeting of Ballinrobe Arch Club last week.The Arch Club, which is a social club for people of all ages with additional needs, was formed in Ballinrobe on February 4, 1984. It will celebrate its 40th birthday on Sunday, April 28, at the Castlecourt Hotel in Westport.
More details will be announced in the coming months and tickets will also go on general sale. Anybody who would like to volunteer to help the Arch Club to run its events or fundraise is asked to e-mail: ballinrobearchclub40@gmail.com The following officers were elected: chairperson, Teresa Burke; vice-chairperson Sadie Burke; secretary Irene Langan; assistant secretary Davy Mellotte; treasurer Teresa Burke; assistant treasurer Norann Kavanagh; safety officer Tom Walsh; designated liaison officer Irene Langan; PRO Mike Finnerty; GDPR Frances Burke.
Ballinrobe mourns the passing of Dr Chantelle MacNamara née Murphy, a native of Ballinrobe, who has passed away in Dunmore East, Co. Waterford. Chantelle was a highly regarded GP in her adopted Waterford and also enjoyed great popularity in Ballinrobe.
She is survived by her husband Fergus, children Deirdre, Sheenagh, Gus, Ronan, and Patrick, sister Stephanie, brothers Fergal and Ken, along with sons-in-law Geoff and Denis, daughters-in-law Mary, Silvia, and Kathy, grandchildren Matthew Christopher, Jenny, Ferg, Andrew, Sarah, James, Ciara, Dylan, Harry, Aoife, Trysan, Alix, and Izzy, and extended family.
Recent funeral ceremonies, held in Waterford, saw friends from Waterford and Ballinrobe bid their final farewells. Chantelle was a member of a well-known business, sporting, and cultural family in Ballinrobe.
Ballinrobe RFC’s defeat to NUIG last week has placed them in relegation peril in the Connacht Junior 1A League. Ballinrobe now have to win their next two games to retain their place in the top flight of junior rugby in the province.
The first game is against Westport this coming week (venue not finalised at time of going to print). The club are hoping for a major turn-out of supporters to get behind the team.
Ballinrobe’s Easter Market will take place on Saturday, March 30, in Church Lane and the Town Hall (formerly known as the Valkenburg), from 11am to 4pm. A huge crowd is anticipated following the success of the Christmas Market, which saw the pedestrianisation of the upper half of Church Lane and the use of the rear of the Town Hall to create indoor and outdoor locations.
Ballinrobe Musical Society’s production of the legendary musical The Phantom of the Opera opened on Sunday in Ballinrobe Community School. The show continues until Saturday, February 17, with all performances commencing at 8pm nightly.
The Phantom is played by Ballinrobe Musical Society stalwart Niall Conway, who is joined by Eve Garavan (Christine Daée), Edward Scott (Raoul Vicomte de Chagny), Richard Crumlish (Gilles André), John Byrne (Richard Firmin), Kate MacDonnell (Meg Giry), Angela Staunton (Meg Giry), Michael Cooney (Joseph Buquet), Catherine Conway (Carlotta Giudicelli) and Joff Manning (Ubaldo Piangi) The Phantom ran on Broadway for over 13,000 performances and remains the second-longest running show in the history of the West End. Scored by the legendary composer Andrew Lloyd Webber, the show features many of the best-loved songs in the history of musical theatre, including Music of the Night, Masquerade, All I Ask of You, The Phantom of The Opera and Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again.
The society extends a sincere thanks to all the volunteers, sponsors, patrons and those who helped out in any way with making the dream of staging this show a reality. Tickets can still be purchased online via a link available on the society’s Facebook and Instagram, or from Tacú on 094 954 2907.
Ballinrobe Town FC has invited expressions of interest from people keen on getting involved with ladies soccer in the club – they are building a new coaching and management team. If you’d like to help out, email Head of Adult Football Pat O’Sullivan on pat.osullivan@ballinrobetownafc.com.
The club is also recruiting new players over the age of 18.
Una McManamon, who passed away in London, was formerly Burke from Liskillen, Ballinrobe.
Anyone interested in becoming a reader, eucharistic minister, basket collector or money counter, at St Mary’s Church, Ballinrobe, should contact the parish office as new rotas will be drawn up in the coming weeks.
Ballinrobe Golf Club are holding a fundraising table quiz in the clubhouse on Friday, February 23. Teams of four can enter at a cost of €40.
Registration is now open for Lake District Athletic Club. The club’s social media profiles have further details.
Roxboro National School will be the venue for a 25 Card Drive on Wednesday, March 13, at 8pm. Entry fee is €10 per person and all proceeds will go towards the school fund.
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The death has taken place John Gavin, Ballinlough, Roscommon, late of Drishaughan, Mayo Abbey. Sympathy is extended to his wife Josie and family, to his grand-nephew Micheál Roughneen, Townaghlough.
The death has taken place of Mary Joyce, Coolmeen, Mayo Abbey. Sympathy is extended to her sister Helen Green, Cloonfad, her brothers, John, Tom, Laurence and Ger.
Sympathy is extender to Christy Flatley, Knockaunakill, on the death of his brother-in-law, Seamus Reid, Claremorris.
The card game will be held in Mayo Abbey Resource Centre on Thursday, February 15, at 9pm. All are welcome.
The numbers drawn on Wednesday, January 31, were 07, 12, 16, and 29. There was no jackpot winner. Consolation prizewinners were; Mike Wilkins, Rosewood, (online ticket); Jarlath Prendergast, Currykirwan, (annual ticket); Derek Vahey, Knockadorraghy (annual ticket); and TC Connolly, Summerhill (annual ticket). Next week’s draw will be this evening, Tuesday, February 13, with a jackpot of €7,300.
Mayo Abbey Centre offer a number of services to the community including; Local Link bus regular service from the parish community to Castlebar departs daily from the Centre (Tuesday – Saturday); computers can be provided or users can bring their own; meals delivery service; weekly Tuesday lunch for active age at Centre; boarding pass printouts; support provided for individuals looking to start their own business; compiling of local notes; wide range of training programmes provided; Thursday morning coffee and chat; free computer and phone support for beginners; hot desk spaces with fibre broadband connection available; facilities available to attend a virtual meeting or interview; printing, photocopying and laminating services and much more. For further information contact 094 9365987.
Mayo teachers in primary and second level schools, whose pupils take part in the annual Texaco Children’s Art Competition, are reminded that the closing date for receipt of entries this year is Wednesday, February 28 next. Now in its 70th year, the Texaco Children’s Art Competition is widely acknowledged as the longest running arts sponsorship in Ireland. Details are available at www.texacochildrensart.com.
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Congratulations to Nicola Grimes, Bohola, who won a jackpot of €440 in the Moy Davitts 50/50 draw on Saturday, February 3. A huge thank you to everyone who supported the draw, it is greatly appreciated. Tickets are available in the usual retail outlets and by clicking https://smartlotto.ie/Bohola-moy-davitts.
The death occurred of Deirdre Nolan, Goatstown, Dublin, on Friday, January 19, and whose funeral took place in Dublin on Tuesday, January 23. She was the mother-in-law of Josephine McNicholas, Ara: Jimmy Holden, Ballyhale, Kilkenny, who died on Thursday, February 1, and whose funeral took place in Ballyhale on Monday, February 5. He was father of Niamh O’Brien, Treenduff; Brigid Burke who died on Saturday, February 3, and whose funeral took place in Dublin on Wednesday, February 7. She was mother of Veronica Woods, Lismirrane; Gerald Hyland, London and formerly of Carracastle, who died recently in London. He was brother of TJ Hyland, Carracastle. Funeral arrangements will be announced later. Sincere sympathy is extended to the bereaved.
Bingo continues every Monday in The Sheridan Memorial Community Centre, Bohola. Doors open at 8pm for an 8.30 start. Community fun and a cup of tea is included.
An information meeting on forthcoming referendums will take place in Bohola Community Centre on Tuesday, February 20, at 7.30pm. Tracey O’Mahony from the Irish Council of Human Rights will outline the implications of both referendums. The first relates to the 39th Amendment on the ‘family’ and the second is on the 40th Amendment on ‘care’. All are welcome.
