Local Notes: Ballinrobe schools launch fundraising campaigns for major initiatives
The Ballinrobe Community School junior ladies football team who have qualified for the All-Ireland C final. The town’s two schools are currently running major fundraising initiatives
Ballinrobe’s two town schools - St Joseph’s Primary School and Ballinrobe Community School – are pursuing essential fundraising initiatives.
St Joseph’s are rallying support as their fifth class robotics team gears up for the VEX IQ World Championship Robotics competition in Dallas, Texas. The team clinched victory in a number of categories at the All-Ireland finals in Cork, securing their place on the global stage.
Teachers Ms Edel Roche and Mr Sean Flannelly lead the charge and the school is seeking backing to represent Mayo and Ireland. The fundraising target is €20,000 to ensure that the team can represent Ballinrobe with distinction in Dallas.
Meanwhile, Ballinrobe Community School, a fixture in the community since 1989, has unveiled for a transformative fitness gym project. The 250sqm facility, to be constructed adjacent to the changing rooms, aims to serve local clubs and groups when not in use by the school.
The initiative, which will cost €150,000, is a significant step forward for the school’s commitment to fostering community well-being.
Local support is pivotal for both causes. The success of St Joseph’s robotics team not only reflects on the students but elevates Ballinrobe’s standing globally. Similarly, the Fitness Gym project underscores the school’s dedication to community engagement, promising enhanced facilities and opportunities for local clubs. Donations will be appreciated from contributions from locals, past pupils, parents and the diaspora. Donate here: St Joseph’s - https://www.idonate.ie/cause/8378_st-josephs-primary-school.html; Community School - https://www.idonate.ie/fundraiser/BCSWellbeingHub.
Meanwhile, Ballinrobe Community School’s junior ladies football team had a notable success last week when they qualified for the All-Ireland C final, following a 1-9 to 1-2 victory over St Vincent’s, Dundalk, at the St Loman’s GAA Club grounds, Mullingar. The side will now play St Mary’s, Macroom, Co Cork in the decider. The team is coached by Tom Carney, who is a member of Ballinrobe GAA Club, and teachers Ms Eimear Gorman and Ms Ruth Donnellan.
Ballinrobe: K Hughes; S Vahey, A Warde, E Shaughnessy; L Tiernan, K Brennan, R Gallagher; A Hughes, R Burke; M O’Donnell, E Jennings, S Varley; E Keane, E Stagg, U Shaughnessy. Subs: R Butler, Aoibhe Cummins, A Reilly, Aoibhinn Cummins, C Colfar, C O’Brien, I Hughes, I Whelan, K Yates, L O’Connor, L Costello, R Yates, T Boyle, T Fitzpatrick, E Dowling.
St Joseph’s Primary School’s quiz team of Freya Kenny, Ben Heneghan, Brianna Kelly and Jamie Donnellan were placed third in the Credit Union Mayo Quiz final last week. The team was coached by teacher, Mr David Burke.
There was great sadness in Ballinrobe last week with the passing of Anna O’Loughlin, Kilmaine Road. She was heavily associated with Ballinrobe GAA Club and Agricultural Show, and both organisations provided guards of honour at the removal of her remains from St Joseph’s Funeral Home to St Mary’s Church. Anna was laid to rest in the New Cemetery, Ballinrobe, after Requiem Mass on Monday, March 4.
Ballinrobe GAA Club chairperson John Sweeney paid the following tribute to a woman who followed the club’s fortunes at venues near and far.
“It is with great sadness that Ballinrobe GAA Club announces the passing of one of our greatest supporters, Anna O’Loughlin. A native of Kilnaboy, Co. Clare, Anna (87) became an integral part of life in this town after moving here in 1970.
“If there was a match, you could rely on Anna being there, along with her husband, Christy, who passed away 12 years ago. A quietly spoken woman, Anna often sat in the car up on ‘the embankment’ at Flanagan Park where she studied football and hurling encounters with an astute eye.
“Afterwards, she would share with players and mentors a thoughtful word of commendation or encouragement, as befitted the outcome. Her loyalty to the club was undiluted in every circumstance.
“Long journeys to remote venues never cost her a thought, either. Wherever the maroon and yellow of the club – or the blue and white of Ballinrobe CBS and later Ballinrobe Community School – fielded teams in pursuit of victory, Anna and Christy made it their business to be there, an inseparable couple who wanted only the best for the people they knew and loved. Multiple generations of Ballinrobe players regarded Anna with great warmth and respect, and her passing has occasioned much sadness locally.
“Anna and Christy moved here in 1970, when Christy was appointed to work as farm manager at the agricultural research station at Creagh, Ballinrobe. He served for a period as vice chairman of our club and was also heavily involved in the physical developments of our facilities at Flanagan Park. He played an active part in Ballinrobe Hurling Club during the 1970s and 1980s.
“Their sons contributed to some of the best days our club has ever had – a teenage PJ featured on the team that captured our first Mayo Intermediate Championship title in 1979; Brendan played on the 1990 side that won the Mayo Junior Championship; and Fergal played a leading role in our second Intermediate Championship triumph in 2000.
“Fergal figured on the Ballinrobe Community School team that won the historic first All-Ireland Senior B title in 1991. Brendan was a substitute on the Mayo team that won the 1983 All-Ireland U21 Championship.
“The family involvement is as strong as ever and is highly valued by all of our members.
“Anna and Christy’s son, Declan, who also played at under-age level with the club, is a key figure in the club’s ever-expanding ladies football wing. The emergence of a strong ladies football sector in the club dictated that after many years watching her sons star in the Ballinrobe colours, Anna had the great joy of watching her grand-daughter, Ailbhe, shine for the club.
“Grandson Fionn, who is also an accomplished basketballer, has worn the club jersey from an early age. Declan’s wife, Katherine (Butler), is a former club secretary.
“The Christy O’Loughlin Cup was inaugurated in 2012 and Anna presented the cup to winning captains on a number of occasions, including to Fionn in 2018.
“We extend our deepest sympathy to Anna’s sons James, PJ, Brendan, Declan and Fergal; daughter Evelyn; daughters-in-law; son-in-law; grandchildren, great-grandchildren and extended family members on their loss. As a club, we feel acutely the pain of Anna’s passing, and are mindful of the fact that the family have lost a dearly loved mother, grandmother and great-grandmother.”
Ballinrobe Town B defeated Achill Rovers 2-1 in the McDonnell Construction Mayo League 2 last week. Sean Vahey and Conor Jennings scored for Ballinrobe.
Ballinrobe Town: Q Keady, L O’Toole, S Boyle, D Kerr, I Killeen, P Finnerty, I Milohanic, C Jennings, J Muniz, J Daly, S Vahey. Subs used: R Aquino, T Mallon, L Farrell, N McManus, S Flannery.
Ballinrobe Golf Club kicked off the golfing season with a burst of energy and anticipation during the Captains’ Drive-in. The atmosphere was lively as club members gathered to witness the official tee-off by the captains and presidents. John Horan (Men’s Captain), Mary Nalty (Ladies’ Captain), Daisy Finnerty (Junior Girls’ Captain), Max Humphreys (Junior Boys’ Captain), and Tom Hughes (President) took turns launching their golf balls down the fairway in a symbolic start to the new season.
Ballinrobe Bridge Club results: 1, Phil and Kathleen Walsh; 2, William Enright and Angela Murphy; 3, Patricia McDonagh and Stella Nalty; 4, Mary Dalton and Nancy Hughes; 5, Mary Gallagher and Mary Keane; 6, Josie Connaughton and Breda Reilly.
Vincent Egan, formerly of Cloonsheen, Kilconly, Co. Galway, and Chapel Road, Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo, peacefully passed away on March 1. Predeceased by his wife Teresa, along with siblings Mary, Beatrice, Jarlath, and Joe, Vincent’s departure leaves a void felt deeply by the Ballinrobe community. Vincent and his wife Teresa ran a popular hardware store in the town for many years and were known for their friendly and efficient service.
Survived by his beloved children Mary, Michael, John, Kevin, and Liam, and cherished grandchildren Ross, Sean, Micheal, Tomas, Eoin, and Eabha, Vincent’s memory lives on in the hearts of his daughters-in-law, Mary Ann, Fionnuala, and Pattie. Also mourning his loss are his brother Jim (London), nephews, nieces, neighbours, and friends. He was laid to rest following a Requiem Mass at St. Mary’s Church, Ballinrobe, on March 5.
The annual general meeting of Ballinrobe Active Retirement Association will take place at the weekly meeting on Monday, March 25, at 11am, in the Parish Centre. All members are invited to attend.
Padraic Joyce, Lake District AC, will travel to Leiria, Portugal, next week as coach of his son, Oisín, who competes in the U23 Men’s Javelin at the European Throwing Cups. Oisín has represented Ireland on a number of occasions, but this is Padraic’s first time to be chosen as an international coach and is a reward for his continuous upskilling over the years.
Roxboro National School, Ballinrobe, will hold a fundraising 25 card drive on Wednesday, March 13, at 8pm in the school. Entry fee is €10 per person.
Ballinrobe’s St Patrick’s Day Parade will go ahead at the new time of 12.30pm, instead of later in the afternoon, to avoid a clash with the Mayo v Derry Allianz National Football League encounter at Hastings Insurance Brokers MacHale Park, Castlebar. The theme of this year’s parade will be ‘May the Robe Rise to Meet You’.
The organising committee, comprising Ballinrobe Community Development Council and Tacú Family Resource Centre, has urged local businesses to take part in the parade and / or decorate their shop windows. Schools and community groups are also set to turn up in large numbers. The parade is one of the biggest events in Ballinrobe each year. Ideas to enhance the parade are also welcome. Contact Monica Horan on 087 4111 343 for more details.
