Local Notes: Ballyglass RNLI pay tribute to two stalwarts
Members of Ballyglass RNLI recently made presentations to retiring LOM Padraic Sheeran and to former chairman of the fundraising committee, Eddie Diver on the occasion of his 90th birthday and to acknowledge his continued dedication to Ballyglass RNLI.
The recent meeting of the fundraising team for Ballyglass RNLI was a little different from others recently. The Station had two presentations to make, one long overdue and one a little early. The first presentation was to retired LOM Padraic Sheeran. Padraic was presented with a plaque thanking him for his dedication and time given to fundraising, a small gesture but it represents enormous gratitude from Ballyglass RNLI. The fundraising chairman spoke of Padraic's dedication and willingness to help with fundraising and his time as LOM and what it meant to Ballyglass RNLI.
The next presentation was to one of the fundraising team, former chairman Eddie Diver. Eddie was presented with a plaque of appreciation from everyone to acknowledge his continued dedication to Ballyglass RNLI, and to celebrate his 90th birthday, and there was also a bouquet of flowers for Eddie's wife Bridie. The fundraising chairman joked as Bridie received her flowers that they were in appreciation of her continued patience and her years of tolerance!
Eddie then went on to cut his birthday and share it with the great group that came to celebrate. There were former crewmates, current crew members and fundraisers, as well as the crew who are travelling to RNLI HQ in Poole for some lifeboat upgrading.
Eddie spoke of his involvement in Ballyglass RNLI and how it was borne out of commitment and determination from the Belmullet Sea Angling club. Eddie and some of the original crew told stories of the early days, their first ever “shout” in a force 10/11 gale to a Spanish trawler and how they aided her to Killybegs from 50 miles off Eagle Island. They told everyone how all the Ops team in Poole waited up all night worrying about their new team out in such ferocious weather. Eddie concluded that after Bridie and their family, serving in Ballyglass RNLI was one of the proudest achievements of his life.
The numbers drawn in the recent Kilcommon Community Lotto were 3, 17, 22 and 32, and there was no winner of the jackpot.
The house winner of €100 was Peter McNulty, Belderrig and the two €30 online winners were Vincent McGrath, Glenamoy and Dee Maloney, Donegal. The two €30 offline winners were Marty Healy, Ballinaboy and Tony Ginnelly, Gorthbrack.
The next jackpot is €9,400.
Cill Chomáin GAA clothing collection takes place on Wednesday, May 13 (tomorrow). Bags can be dropped off at the old clubhouse.
Thank you for your continued support.
Well done to Iorrais Seamrog U14s who had a great win at home in Bangor against Islandeady recently. They are currently joint top of Division 3 on six points with three wins.
They took to the pitch in their all new amalgamation gear, which is sponsored by McGuire Construction (Steven and Ethel McGuire). The club would like to thank Steven and Ethel for their continued support.
The U14 lads also took part recently in a blitz in Tallagh, Belmullet, playing against St Dymphna’s GAA club from Luton. Locals Enda Barrett, from Doolough and Kieran McGoldrick, Elly, Belmullet were part of the travelling management team.
The staff of Erris Credit Union recently got together for dinner to celebrate Pamela Conroy as she finishes up with the Erris branch after more than 10 years.
Pamela has been a huge part of the team over the years and she will be truly missed by staff and members alike.
Wishing her all the very best in this next chapter and every happiness for the future.
5th Year LCVP students at St Brendan’s College in Belmullet recently hosted a successful enterprise event, titled 'Has St Brendan’s Got Talent', showcasing local talent and entrepreneurship while raising an impressive €640 for charity.
The funds were presented to Margaret Hefferon by Sarah Keane at a recent presentation. Margaret is closely involved with supporting the local community through this service.
All proceeds will go to North West STOP, an organisation providing vital support and intervention services in the region.
Well done to the St Brendan's College U15 Gaelic team which had a win over a strong Our Lady's Belmullet team to progress to the Connacht Semi Final recently.
A massive thank you to Seamus Howard, a past pupil of St Brendan’s College and current Mayo senior player for giving his time to come to the school recently to train the first year team who are in the County and Connacht Finals.
There was no winner of last week’s Kiltane GAA Club lotto jackpot of €8,200 with the two €50 winners being Thomas Cooney, Doohoma and Aishling Barrett, Geesala while Mary Corrigan, Bangor and Jackie Coyle, Meadoran both won €25. The two online winners were Martin McManamon, Glenturk (€50) and Marion Mattimoe, Ballina (€25).
Bingo will take place in the GAA complex in Bangor this Tuesday, May 12, at 8pm. The jackpot will be €1,100 in 55 calls or less.
The Kiltane Community Games track and field competitions will take place on Friday, May 22n, from 4 to 7pm at the Kiltane pitch, Bangor Erris.
Children who reside in Kiltane Parish are eligible to compete.
Registration forms will be distributed through all primary schools in the parish.
The entry fee is €5 per athlete (maximum €10 per family).
The Mayo Community Games Finals will take place in Claremorris on June 14th.
First place in each local event qualifies for the County Finals.
The sun shone in Tallagh recently for the Belmullet/Kilmore Community Games event.
Thanks to the committee, the many volunteers, CLG Béal An Mhuirthead for the use of their facilities, the CLG Béal an Mhuirthead workers for marking out the field, the parents and most of all the many children who took part in the events today. Congratulations to all the participants and winners.
Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club are holding a planning meeting for Crinniú na mBád 2026 which will take place in Holmes pub on Friday, May 22, at 8pm.
Anyone interested in helping out, getting involved, or hearing more about the event is very welcome to attend. New members are always welcome.
The National Bike Week returns on next Sunday, May 17, in association with Mayo Sports Partnership, starting and finishing at the Sea Rod in Doohoma at 1pm. Please wear your Hi-Vis and helmets.
Congratulations to Lorraine O'Connor who was the winner of Erris United's April 50/50 Draw, scooping a fantastic prize of €272.
The club would like to extend sincere thanks to everyone who entered and supported the draw. Your continued support plays a vital role in the ongoing development and success of the club, and it is greatly appreciated by all involved.
Keep an eye out for the next draw in June - entries for that draw are live at the moment and best of luck to all future participants.
Well done to the club's U13 girls who had a brilliant 3-0 win away to Snugboro recently.
The great Erris run 2026 takes place on Sunday, August 9th, at 9am. This year, this event is being held in loving memory of former staff member of Our Lady's Secondary School, Rob Turner.
Rob is remembered as a deeply compassionate and dedicated man who made a lasting difference to the lives of so many students. The Great Erris Run is a fitting tribute to a man who gave so much of himself to others. It reflects the energy, commitment, and community spirit he brought into his work every day. Rob’s legacy lives on in the students he supported, the colleagues he inspired, and the community that continues to celebrate his impact.
Race registration is open now on Eventmaster. There is a 10km for those aged 15 and over and 5km aged 13 and over.
All donations will go to Erris Youth Disability Network (EYDN), a wonderful local charity chosen by Rob’s family. You can donate at www.idonate.ie.
Inver Festival are having a fundraiser next weekend. Join everyone for a brilliant night of '80s, '90s and '00s hits at Healy's Hall on Saturday, May 16. Music from Martan from 10pm followed by a disco with €10 admission at the door.
All support greatly appreciated.
McGrath's Coaches Erris Trip to Allingham Arms Hotel in Bundoran, Co Donegal takes place from Sunday, June 28 to Wednesday, July 1.
The balance of the cost of the trip is now due and they would appreciate it could all be collected by June 5. There are two buses travelling for the trip. The balance will be collected by Mary Irwin on 087-9232327 and Carmel Gaughan on 086-8488266. It is a very enjoyable trip with tours to different places each day.
Congratulations to everyone involved in Ballycroy Tidy Towns on the completion of the playground upgrade. It now looks absolutely fantastic, and the whole community will benefit from it for years to come.
Projects like this do not happen by chance. They happen because dedicated people in the community see something that needs to be improved and decide to do something about it. Behind the scenes there are countless hours spent gathering information, filling out funding applications, attending meetings, working with developers and contractors, following up on every detail, and keeping the project moving at every stage. Most people only see the finished result, but there is an enormous amount of voluntary work and persistence that goes into making something like this happen.
You should all be incredibly proud of what has been achieved. It is a real example of community spirit, hard work, and determination paying off. Well done to everyone involved, and thank you for the commitment you continue to show to Ballycroy and its future. An official playground reopening event will take place in the coming weeks.
Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo is organising an open day in the Seanscoil Community Centre on May 21 from 2 to 6pm.
Information will be available on the role of the co-operative in community development, how to develop and manage projects, the role of state agencies in community development and the various schemes which are available. It will also give the public an opportunity to view the exhibition of photographs of Muintir Dhún Chaocháin, as well as a painting by renowned artist Mick O’Dea which is presently exhibited in the Seanscoil.
