Local Notes: Carnacon ladies win Castlebar nines tournament.
The Carnacon Ladies team pictured after winning the Castlebar nines tournament recently. Picture by Tom Quinn.
On Monday, May 12, at 7.30pm Ballintubber Abbey will host an inspiring illustrated talk and the launch of a landmark book by one of Ireland’s foremost voices on pilgrimage—John G. O’Dwyer. O’Dwyer, a respected Irish Times contributor and chairman of Pilgrim Paths Ireland, will present 'Discovering Our Heritage through Ancient Pilgrim Paths' - an illustrated journey through Ireland’s sacred walking routes. His talk promises a captivating exploration of paths once walked by saints and seekers alike, including the revered Tóchar Phádraig which begins at the very doors of Ballintubber Abbey.
The evening also marks the launch of Great Irish Pilgrim Journeys, is O’Dwyer’s sixth and most comprehensive guide to date. Mayo holds a unique place in this national story. One of only two counties in Ireland to feature two major pilgrim trails, it is home to both the ancient Tóchar Phádraig and the scenic Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail. Admission to this event is free, and all are welcome.
The death has occurred last week of Nora Crishel née Donavan, Lecarrow, Hollymount, Co Mayo. Nora passed away peacefully on Wednesday, April 23, after a long illness borne with great dignity, in the tender loving care of her family. Her passing is an occasion of great sorrow to her family, numerous friends; work colleagues down the years, who held her in the highest esteem. Predeceased by her father John, mother Josephine, brothers, Frank and Timothy and her nephew Jonathan, she is deeply regretted by her loving family, husband Michael, beloved son David, daughter-in-law Sandra, her adored grandchildren Chloe, Keeva, Conor, her brothers Pat, Kevin, James, Declan and Brendan, sisters Mary, Martina and Deirdre, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends to whom sincere condolences are extended.
A devoted mother and grandmother, her warmth, kindness and gentle spirit touched all who knew her. There was a huge attendance present as her remains reposed at St Joseph’s Funeral Home, Ballinrobe, on the Saturday evening from 5pm with removal at 7pm to her home. Removal from her home took place on Sunday morning to the Church of the Immaculate Conception Roundfort for a packed Requiem Mass at 11.30. Afterwards the funeral ceremonies took place in Roundfort Cemetery. May her gentle soul rest eternally in the peace and happiness of heaven.
Gaelic Football under the new rules at senior club level is proving highly entertaining. At full time on Saturday week in Clogher, in the Senior League Division 1B, Ballintubber and Westport played out a 0-18 to 1-15 draw. It was a top-class club encounter and while the Westport team deserve great credit for pulling back a 7 point deficit late on – some of the “’Tubber boys of the old brigade” deserve a special mention. In goal, the wily old silver fox Padraic O’Connor pulled off three tremendous saves and his kick outs were of the highest order. Wing back Michael Plunkett was the outstanding player on the field with three super two pointers to cap an overall brilliant display. At midfield the evergreen Jason Gibbons and his opposite number Conor McGraynor fought a ferocious fight for primary possession in what was a real battle of the midfield Goliaths! Up front Cillian O’Connor with his assured wily connivance was a vital cog in the Ballintubber wheel contributing 0-6. Ballintubber had many other notable performances also and seem to be achieving a nice balance between the club elder players and young aspirants. An interesting season lies ahead.
Ballintubber GAA lotto jackpot stood at €9,900 on Sunday night, April 27. The numbers drawn were 6, 7, 24 and 27. Consolation prizes went to Michael Corcoran, Claire Gallagher, Mattie Joe Connolly, John C Lally, Sean and Ann Corcoran and John Larkin. The jackpot stood at €10,000 on last Sunday night, May 4.
The death took place last week of Greg Warde, Corner House, Claremorris, Co Mayo. Greg passed away peacefully at Galway University Hospital. Widely known across the region, Greg was the owner of the famous Old Ground Hostelry in Ballyglass for many decades. Predeceased by his father Michael, mother Nora and sister Patsy, he is deeply regretted by his wife Ann, sons Michael, Patrick, Colman, Gregory, daughters Nina, Aisling and Natasha, brother-in-law’s Tommy and John, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, nieces, nephews, relatives and many friends to whom sincere sympathy is tendered.
Greg’s remains reposed at Gilligan’s Funeral Home, Market Square, Claremorris on Sunday, April 27., and the funeral Mass was celebrated on Monday, April 28, at 1pm in St Colman’s Church, Claremorris, with burial ceremonies taking place afterwards in St Colman’s Cemetery. Ar dheis De go raibh a nAinm.
The numbers drawn on Monday, April 28, in the Ballyglass FC lotto were 19, 21, 24 and 36. Consolation prizes went to Kathleen Killeen, Martina Hughes, Cathal Gill, Michael Conroy and Leona Nestor. The weekend jackpot stood €12,200. Go to smartlotto.ie to play. Ballyglass Card game winners.
Winners from Monday, April 28 were 1st at Griffith and Francey Conway, 2nd Peter Glynn and Tomas Solan and 3rd Seamus Nevin and Martin Ford. The last 10 winners were Mary Brennan and Philip White and the raffle prizes went to Peter Glynn and Tomas Solan. The games continue every Monday night at 9pm. Ballyglass FC Monster raffle.
Ballyglass FC recently announced a raffle as part of its year of celebrations to mark the 50th anniversary of the founding of the club. The prizes, all generously sponsored by Riain Group, include a €1,200 Center Parcs voucher, €500 cash and a €250 Blue Book Hotel voucher. The draw will take place on June 2, and tickets are available on idonate.ie/raffle/BallyglassFootballClub50thAnniversaryRaffle.
If you would like to be part of the group of volunteers who keep Ballyglass village looking its best, contact Breege on 087 6292164 to get your name added to the group. There will be nothing too strenuous, just some sweeping, weeding, gardening and litter picking one evening per week. Many hands make light work.
Yoga Classes are starting up in Ballyglass Community Centre on Wednesday mornings from 11.15am to 12.15pm. For further information contact Maureen Murphy on 087 2990357.
The next Lough Carra Catchment Associations public meeting will be held on May 20.
The new Pre School in Carnacon are currently taking enquires for September 2025. If you would like more information contact the provider, growingmindspreschool0@gmail.com with any questions or enrolment information.
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Congratulations to Hugh Molloy from Killawalla, boxing out of St Anne’s Boxing Club Westport who won B1, 62kg National Championship All Ireland title in Dublin on Friday, April 25. This is a huge achievement and his family and community in Killawalla are very proud of him. His colleagues in St Anne’s Boxing Club and Ballintubber U12 GAA team has also extended their warm congratulations. The talented young man is wished ongoing success in his sporting career.
The weekend lotto jackpot on Monday, May 5, stood at €17, 000. 3, 21, 28 and 31, were the numbers drawn at the previous draw and there was no jackpot winner. The draws take place on Saturday nights weekly and there are two online prizes of €40 and also a €40 Cairde prize each week. All funds raised support club development and the support of patrons is deeply appreciated.
The annual 2025 Cúl Camp will be held at Páirc Naoimh Muire running from July 21 to July 25 running from Monday to Friday. Places can be booked at kellogsculcamps.gaa.ie.
In the lotto bonus number fundraiser for the school which will be commencing on May 17, a prize of €100 will be awarded each week based on the bonus number from the main lotto on Saturday night, without lotto plus 1 or lotto plus 2. For those who wish to take part the cost is €100 for six months. Anyone who is willing to support the school, contact via phone 094 95 44088 or email snthuarmhiceadaigh@gmail.com before Wednesday, May 12.
Congrats to Culann Walsh-Kelly, Goirtin na Collie, Tuar Mhic Eadaigh who recently celebrated his 21st birthday with family and friends at Máire Luke’s Bar. He is wished every success and many more joyous occasions in the decades ahead.
Tuar Mhic Éadaigh Social Club is due to meet again on this Thursday, May 8, from 2-4pm. Why not pop along for a social get together, light exercise, bingo, make new friends and enjoy the company. New members will be made most welcome.
Next Sunday, May 11, is First Communion Day in St Mary’s Church, Tourmakeady, with a special Mass at 12.45pm. Volunteers are needed to read and do Eucharistic Ministry in both Partry and Tourmakeady Churches. Interested persons are asked to give you name to Fr Jarlath or email, partrytourmakeadynewsletter@yahoo.ie. Trócaire Collection: Please return your collection to both churches.
Killawalla Sunrise Walk will take place on Saturday, May 10. Participants will meet at The Centre at 4am, and all donations will be to suicide charities. Bring your own hi-viz jackets and head-torch. There will be refreshments at the centre afterwards.
Sincere sympathy is accorded to Michael Lyons, Ballyburke on the recent passing of his brother, Fr Tommy Lyons, Oranmore, Co Galway. Dia dean trócaire ar a nAinm.
Partry FC bonus number draws take place mid-week on Wednesday nights. Congrats to Vincent Hennelly, Tooreen, who was a recent winner of the popular flutter.
Partry Residents Association draws take place on Saturday evenings with generous prizes in the weekly numbers draw. Congrats to Noel Gallagher and Freedom Mobility, Ballinrobe who were recent winners of the draw.
Progress is being made on the new Geo-trail initiative identifying boulders for Tourmakeady Woods Trail. January’s Storm Éowyn was very severe on people, buildings, trees and forests, but it hasn’t prevented work identifying boulders to fit in a geodiversity trail in Tourmakeady Woods. This walk, funded by Geological Survey Ireland, is a partnership with Coillte and the local Coiste Pobail Thuar Mhic Éadaigh. It is being implemented by the Geopark in association with Comharchumann Dhúiche Sheoigheach Teo. Quarries and some other landowners in the Geopark region are generously providing boulders of particular rock types for the trail. The walk will consist of 10 to 12 boulders of distinct rock types set at intervals along the 500m walk from the Woods carpark to Tourmakeady Waterfall with a small information panel beside each. There will also be additional panels identifying various native species present in this People’s Millennium Forest. The development will strengthen the link Tourmakeady, and other communities, have with the wider Geopark and develop the woods further for education and enjoyment.
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The elected members of Castlebar Municipal area met in Belcarra Community Centre for their monthly meeting last week. Members of the Belcarra Community Council welcomed the councillors and council officials. Deane Kenny PRO of the local committee outlined three outstanding quests and sought the District’s Officials assistance. The village needs improved public signage – including road markings and speed controls. The community are also seeking GMA funding for the staging of the annual Fun Run on June 22, and they also require action on vacant and derelict sites in the area. Fionnán Nestor, Chairman of the Belcarra Community Council spoke on Midwest News about what it meant to the community to host the prestigious monthly meeting of Castlebar Municipal District.
Looking to get into running in a relaxed, social and enjoyable environment? Look no further! Join the “Couch to Belcarra 8k” running programme, kindly led by Ann Heaney. Preparations began on last Sunday, May 4, and will continue every Sunday thereafter until the Belcarra 8k on June 22. The Belcarra 8k fun run will take place on Sunday, June 22. More details will follow, regarding registration etc. It’s sure to be another great weekend in the village.
Belcarra Community Council’s lotto jackpot has now reached €11,600. The jackpot stood at €11,500 on Sunday, April 27. The numbers drawn were 11, 13, 18 and 20 and there was no jackpot winner. The lucky dip winners of €30 were Isla Brett, Geraldine Casey, Lorraine Nolan and Deirdre Flatley.
Kiddie’s handball classes are commencing in Belcarra Sports Centre. The fun event will be held on Sundays. The classes are open to all and no experience is needed. The Sunday morning handball sessions are set as follows: 10 to 11am for 7 to 10 years and 11 to 12 noon for 10 to 12 years. Come learn the game, have fun, and get active. If you have any questions, feel free to send Belcarra Handball Club a message on face book or WhatsApp.
Handball practise for 4th, 5th and 6th class girls takes place in Belcarra Handball Alley every Wednesday after school from 2.45 to 3.45pm.
It’s all about fun, friendship, fitness, and building confidence through sport. This is a brilliant opportunity for girls to get active, learn a fast-paced and exciting sport, and be part of a fun, supportive team environment. Whether they’ve played before or are complete beginners -everyone is welcome.
The numbers drawn in the Breaffy GAA lotto on April 29, were 4, 6, 17 and Bonus number 4 were drawn and there was no jackpot winner. Congrats to the weekly lucky dip winner. The jackpot stood at €15,200 on May 6. Thank you for your ongoing support of Breaffy GAA. Congrats to Yousif Coghill and the Mayo U20 team and management on their hard-fought victory in the Connacht final last Wednesday evening.
SafeTALK training organised by the GAA will take place in order to help reduce and prevent suicides. Please note this training will take place in the Dr Michael Loftus Room in McHale Park on Thursday, May 15, from 6.30pm to 10.30pm. As places are limited, complete your booking through the link; https://bookwhen.com/srotraininggmr. When booking, the relevant event is entitled….. safeTALK Mayo GAA May 15.
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Balla Vintage and Classic Motor Show and Auto-jumble will take place on Sunday, May 11, at Balla Mart, Co. Mayo, Eircode: F23 EC99. Start your engines for a day of vintage motoring magic in Balla. Enjoy a stunning display of classic cars, vintage bikes, tractors, and much more. At the auto- jumble hunt for rare parts, retro finds and motoring memorabilia. The event is family friendly and great fun for car lovers and casual browsers alike. Gates open at 7am for exhibitors and at 11am for public admission which is a modest €10. Exhibitors and children go free. Proceeds of the day will go to several charities. For further information call Liam on 087 8171479 or Peter at 087 2661512.
Congratulations to all of the players, students, teachers, coaches and staff of Balla Secondary School on winning the FAIreland Schools Minor 'B' National finals last week against their vaunted opposition Coláiste Eoin, Finglas with a 1-0 victory. This was a wonderful achievement for the players, the school, the community and the parish of Balla. Well done to all.
The death has taken place of Patrick (Patsy) Roughneen, Balla, Co. Mayo and Athlone, Co. Westmeath. Patsy, as he was fondly known, passed away peacefully in the exceptional care of the doctors, nurses and all the staff of Garbally Ward, Portiuncula Hospital on Monday, April 28. He was predeceased by his wife Bridie (nee Lyons), his parents James and Annie and his brothers Seamus and Martin. Patsy is deeply regretted by his son Robert, daughter Caroline, his son-in-law Bernard Holmes and daughter-in-law Kathryn Gibbons, his adored grandchildren Lauren, Pierce, Daniel and Katie and step-grandchildren Evelina and Fiona, his brother Tomás (USA) and his wife Julie, brothers-in-law Timmy and Tommy Lyons, sister-in-law Maura Lyons, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours to whom sincere sympathy is tendered.
Patrick’s remains reposed in Flynn’s Funeral Home, The Strand, Athlone, on Wednesday, April 30, from 6 to 8pm. Requiem Mass was celebrated on Thursday, May 1, at 12 noon in Our Lady Queen of Peace Church, Coosan, Athlone followed by private cremation ceremonies in Shannon. Dia dean trócaire ar a nAinm dilis.
Balla U16 girls played Belmullet LGFA last week at Nally Park in the Mayo LGFA U16 Star League final and came out victorious to bring the first bit of silverware to the club for the new season. After a tough first half, Balla captain Grace Daveron King led her side to yet another trophy for this fantastic crop of Balla girls. Congrats to Lucy English who was awarded player of the match. The full-time score was Balla LGFA 3-13, Belmullet LGFA 2-08.
A new 6 week block commenced in Balla on Tuesday, April 29 at 6.30pm - full body circuit and 7.30pm -women’s beginner boxercise. Both classes were popular the last time around and all are looking forward to starting again. The sessions will focus on basics and good technique (of course lots of fun too). There will also be something new to keep you stimulated and coming back for more - €70 for the 6 week blocks and there are16 spaces in each class. Call/text 086 0581956 to book your space.
Balla Community Resource Development (Balla CRD) inform the community that a “Meals on Wheels” service is available through Castlebar Social Services. For more information contact: info@balla.ie or phone 094 9365846 / 087 1850860.
Balla GAA Lotto draw was held on the Thursday, April 24, in Flukies of Belcarra for a jackpot of €3,900. 13, 15, 22 and 23 were the numbers drawn and there was no jackpot winner. The €30 consolation prize winners were Tony O'Donnell (Standing Order), Norita Dunne (Online), Bernie Burke (Cash Sale). The latest draw was held on in Flukies on Thursday, May 1, in The Railway Tavern when the jackpot stood at €4,000. Thanks to all who support Balla GAA lotto draws. Congratulations to Balla GAA clubmen - David Dolan, Jude Clarke and Oisin Cronin for the Mayo U 20 victory over a good Roscommon side on Wednesday last week. Good luck to all for the upcoming semi-final against Louth.
The latest Manulla FC jackpot stood at a massive €19,400 on last Sunday night, May 4. The club are deeply grateful for the weekly support of their patrons. Manulla FC online registration is now available for all members. Please follow the link below: https://reg.sportlomo.com/club/fai/mayo/manulla. Congratulations to Manulla man Luke Mc Nicholas for getting promoted to championship football with the Wrexham AFC team last week. All at Manulla FC are delighted to see and hear of Luke's progression and successes. Keep on achieving Luke.
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There are still places available for the walk on May 10. All proceeds from the day will go towards the Mayo Roscommon Hospice. The last bus will leave Murrisk at 8.30 and the walk itself will leave Aughagower at 9.30. There are light refreshments at Aughagower in the morning and again at the halfway stage at Brackloon. At Campbell’s of Murrisk there will be a celebratory barbecue and a time to wind down and relax. There is always a back-up car available if required. So come along and enjoy the countryside, the scenery, good company and food and know that you are supporting a good cause. Please register at croaghpatrickheritagetrail@eventbrite.ie.
Card results for Friday, April 25, in Clogher Hall were 1st Derek Quinn and Tom Fahey, 2nd Mary Morrin and Pat Griffith and Mary McDonagh and Breege Blake, 3rd Martin Moran and Thomas Fitzpatrick. The last 10 winners were Margaret Mannion and Majella Corbett. The 25 progressive game continues every Friday night at 9pm.
The Steering Group of the Clogher Community Futures thank all the people from the community who attended the Community Futures Day on Sunday, April 27. Thanks to the Mayo Co Council and South West Development Co who analysed the results of the survey and presented them on the day. Thanks also to the local businesses that provided an outdoor display for the day and to all the children and adults who presented artwork for the exhibition. It was a very enjoyable day, and we look forward to the results of the voting and the next chapter.
Yoga with Fiona returns to the Clogher Community Centre F12 EK24 this evening, Tuesday, May 6, for five weeks from 8-9 pm. For further details contact Fiona at 086 3310012.
