Local Notes: Ballinrobe students participated at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.
Ballinrobe Community School LC1 students Emma Sweeney, Emily Butler and Luke Molloy alongside Alan TD, at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.
Congratulations to Ballinrobe Community School LC1 students Emma Sweeney, Emily Butler and Luke Molloy, who participated in the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition held in the RDS, Dublin, last week. The students produced an impressive project on Swift Conservation, which focused on the observation of the feeding habits of fledging common swifts correlating to weather conditions.
The death took place of Iris McGoey, Fearna Nursing Home, Castlerea, Co Roscommon and formerly of New Street, Ballinrobe, Co Mayo. She was predeceased by her parents Michael and Nancy, brother Mícheál, sisters Philomena and Attracta.
Iris was the beloved younger sister of her brothers John Desmond (London) and Donal (Ardee), sisters-in-law Chris and Olive, nephews, nieces, community in Fearna Nursing Home, relatives and friends. Burial took place on Monday, December 30, in the New Cemetery, Ballinrobe.
May her gentle soul rest in peace.
The death took place of Éilis Maloney, Currabuí, Ballinrobe. She was deeply loved, forever cherished, treasured and most sorrowfully regretted by her heartbroken parents Carmel and Vincent, her brother Seán and her sister Claire, Sean's fiancée Niamh and Claire's partner Cillian.
Éilis will be lovingly remembered by all of her aunts, uncles, cousins and extended family, her neighbours and a very wide circle of friends. Burial took place on Thursday, January 2, in the New Cemetery, Kilmaine. May her gentle soul rest in peace.
Ballinrobe Musical Society thank everyone who supported their recent church gate collection at St Mary's Church in Ballinrobe. The society will stage the Hunchback of Notre Dame - a musical inspired by the much-loved Disney film and Victor Hugo novel in Ballinrobe Community School, from February 16 to February 22.
Connect Café is a Thursday coffee morning group for members of the community, and takes place from 10.30am to 12 noon in the Tacú Family Resource Centre, Main Street, Ballinrobe.
Some of the benefits of attending the connect café as follows: enhance connections with others; make new connections; create a sense of community and belonging; create a space to have open and meaningful conversations; learn about the importance of connecting with others; reduce isolation and loneliness; learn about yourself and others. For further details and information you are asked to contact the Tacú Centre at 094 9542908.
The weekly game of bingo scheduled to take place on Tuesday, January 7, was postponed due to the adverse weather. However, bingo is set to return tonight (Tuesday), in the Parish Centre, Ballinrobe, at 8.30pm. For those wishing to play via-Zoom or who require further details and information, you are asked to contact Monica at 087 4111343.
There was no winner of the €25,100 lotto jackpot draw which was held on Monday, January 6, in John O’Hare’s Bar. The numbers drawn were 2, 9, 16 and 34. The match three winners (€100 each) were Trish Connolly, Saoirse Barry, Kevin Donnellan, and Patricia Grimes.
A fundraising raffle draw in aid of the Ballinrobe Christmas Lights, took place in John O’Hare’s Bar on Monday, January 6, and the winners were as follows: 1st prize (one night stay and breakfast in The Lodge at Ashford Castle) Orla McCormack; 2nd prize (pamper hamper) Breege Biggins; 3rd prize (Ballinrobe GAA Club annual entry into lotto draw) Dee Pell; 4th prize (Ballinrobe Rugby Club annual entry into lotto draw) Irene Langan; 5th prize (pair of Ballinrobe Festival 2025 tickets) Dee Pell; 6th prize (pair of Ballinrobe Festival 2025 tickets) Gerry Donnelly; 7th prize (Ballinrobe Races and Race Dance Tickets) Tanya Gill; 8th prize (Ballinrobe Musical Society tickets) Marion Macken; 9th prize (pair of Dancing at the Crossroad Cong tickets) Michelle Finlay; 10th prize (pair of Dancing at the Crossroads Cong tickets) Orla Feerick.
The organisers of this fundraising draw thank everyone who bought raffle tickets, and a special word of thanks must also go to the kind sponsors of the fabulous prizes on the night.
Ballinrobe Rugby Club held its weekly 50/50 draw in John O’Hare’s Bar, on Sunday, January 5, with Michael Langan the winner of €436. The Ballinrobe Second XV team were in Junior Two (B) League action on Sunday, January 5, when they hosted Corrib Second XV at The Green, in what was an eagerly awaited derby clash.
Both sides played their part in what was an entertaining joust, however, it wasn’t to be for the locals as the Headford outfit secured an impressive 24-12 victory on the day.
Ballinrobe Second XV: Gary Hopkins, Krishjan Mitrovic, Liam Dever, John Carter, Sean McTigue, Caoimhín Burke, Warren Kelly, Darragh Lynch, Conor Byrne, Simon Boyle, Daniel Ferriter, Harry Smith, Shane Biggins, Evan Kinneavey, Steven Conroy.
Replacements: Conor Heneghan, Paul Gibbons, Marcin Mikolajewski, Carrick Roberts, Kevin Mullin.
Corrib Second XV: Damian Whelan, Ruairí Langan, Kevin Reilly, Michael G. Conroy, Dara McDonagh, James Biggins, Senan Walsh, Eoin Stiffe, Iarlaith Kelly, John McCarthy, Gerard Flynn, Aaron Murray, Finn O’Loughlin, Stephen Casey, Ronan Casey.
Replacements: Connor Reilly, Daniel McGaugh, Eric Flynn, Michael Derrig, Jack Reynolds, Conor Moylan, Kalem Redmond, Martin Mannion, Michael Garvey.
Referee: Gavin McLoughlin.
The Ballinrobe Second XV return to league action next Sunday, January 19, when they face East Galway outfit, Ballinasloe Second XV. This aforementioned match is scheduled to kick-off at 2.30 p.m. at The Green, and your support for the Black and White would be appreciated.
As part of the GAA Healthy Club’s initiative, The Neale GAA Club will hold a weekly 5k walk around the club’s new walking track at their facilities in Cong. The walk takes place every Wednesday (commencing January 15) at 7pm, with the weekly get-together lasting for six weeks. Registration takes place at 7pm at the club’s AstroTurf pitch, and Hi-Vis jackets and a torch are recommended. All are welcome.
There was no winner of the €28,000 lotto jackpot draw which was held on Monday, January 6. The numbers drawn were 3, 34, 35 and 38. The €25 winners were Brian and Aisling McLoughlin, Matthew Murphy, Shane Nally and Sean Higgins.
Mayo Genealogy Group meet on the second Saturday of every month in Turlough House at 11am. All are welcome and new members are especially welcome.
There was no winner of the €6,500 lotto jackpot draw which took place in Garrymore, on Sunday, January 5. The numbers drawn were 2, 8, 28 and 36. The €50 winners were Andy Tierney, Roose, Jill Burke, Garrymore, and Bridie Murphy, The Heath.
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Used Christmas postage stamps are being collected for the Capuchin Centre – please leave 1cm of paper around the stamps when you cut or tear them from an envelope and post them to Ms. Concepta Moran, Drimneen, Islandeady, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
To book a Mass in Islandeady or Glenisland please text Fr Chris at 087 1962 674 or email him at parishig2017@gmail.com. The Mass diary for 2025 is still open. Parishioners are asked to be mindful that during 2025 Fr. Chris is covering neighbouring parishes and your date might not be available, so please check. New volunteers are needed to become offertory collections - male and female. With recent deaths and retirements there are a few vacant slots. Phone James O’Malley on 087 6777751 or contact the priest for further information.
Confirmation will be celebrated on Friday, May 9, at 12 noon and First Holy Communion will be celebrated on Saturday, May 10, at 12 noon both in Islandeady Church.
In relation to the new N5 Road Development, which opened in June 2023, Mayo Co Council received a grant towards an art project, for the communities impacted by the imposition of the new N5 Development. The communities were Turlough, Breaffy and Islandeady. Following this grant interviews and submissions on project ideas were submitted to Mayo Co. Council on subjects that would be deemed to represent the story/ history of each relevant area.
Mr James Winnett, a Scottish sculptor with a huge interest and understanding of Irish history was selected. James held several community talks and workshops in each community over the last eighteen months to learn more about the communities’ peoples and history. He then interpreted their stories by painstakingly sculpturing them into beautiful carved stonework. James also had to source suitable areas to site these magnificent pieces of art, which took quite some time. James has recently been in touch with community members again and he is hoping to finalise his project in the coming months with a community launch planned for June 2025. A copy of the project journey from the very beginning will be made available to the community soon. Further details to follow. Any queries contact 087 2889264.
SeniorLine is Ireland's national telephone service for older people, open every day of the year from 10am to 10pm, Freephone 1800 80 45 91. Callers may feel isolated, alone, wish to discuss a problem in confidence, or for company during their day. SeniorLine's older volunteers are trained to listen, to support, to discuss options and to refer callers to other helpful services if necessary. So don't be alone if sharing a problem would help. Phone SeniorLine 1800 80 45 91, open every day of the year, 10am to 10pm.
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, 094 9375320.
