Local Notes: Christmas gift for Ballyglass RNLI from Corduff Travel, Rossport.
Michael Corduff Jnr Managing Director of Corduff Travel presenting Ballyglass RNLI fundraising members with a cheque for €5,000 for their service.
A cheque was recently presented by Michael Corduff Jnr, Managing Director of Corduff Travel to Ballyglass RNLI for €5,000. Corduff Travel is a long established luxury company with its roots in Rossport in Erris. A family run business that has grown into a National and International brand in the Coach and Bus industry with bases in Mayo, Dublin and Kilkenny. Catering to all passengers and catering for all abilities they continue to grow and develop in a very challenging industry. In lieu of gifts each Christmas, Corduff Travel make a substantial donation to charity. This year Ballyglass RNLI were the beneficiaries of that donation. It is easy to see why Corduff Travel are a success, giving back to the community. We wish every success to Michael Jnr and his team and thank all their customers. As Michael pointed out, “It is thanks to our customers that we can do this”. Wishing all the team and all who travel aboard, a very Happy Christmas and continued success for 2025 and beyond.
Jason Heneghan and his therapy dog Hannah are named Mayo’s County Champions in the ‘Dogs for the Disabled’ national fundraising drive to raise vital funds for their new training centre in Cork. The organisation is a non-Government funded charity since the charity’s creation in 2007.
Dogs for the Disabled has worked to transform the lives of children and adults living with physical disabilities by providing free highly trained assistant dogs from task dogs to wheelchair users to mobility dogs for children with Cerebral Palsy and Ataxia – type condition. The 26 county champions will serve as the face of Dogs for the Disabled in their local community’s and their county as powerful ambassadors for this charity hoping to raise funds to renovate a period house on 11 acres on the outskirts of Cork. Jason and his dog are going to be busy for the coming months organising fundraising events.
For more information on the charity click on www.dogsfordisabled.ie.
An exciting new project in a broadcasting studio in Belmullet commenced recently - WA Studios Unplugged. This format is dedicated to showcasing Irish independent artists, giving them the opportunity to connect with a global audience.
Two incredibly talented musicians from the Gaeltacht region - Bridget McMahon and Joanne Geraghty took part in the pilot episode. The episode was broadcast live on Twitch, Amazon's global streaming platform, which reaches millions of viewers worldwide and is a hub for live entertainment, from gaming to music. Through Twitch and several other channels, viewers from around the globe tuned in to experience their magical music and performances.
The intimate studio setting allowed both musicians to perform together under professional conditions, introducing themselves and their work to the audience. It was hosted by Diana Ó Muircheartaigh who guided viewers through the evening, inviting questions from the live chat and sharing them directly with the artists. WA Studios Unplugged aims to bring the incredible talent of the Gaeltacht to a global stage. The next episode is planned for January, and they are currently seeking another musician to join them for this live production. Behind the scenes, the team was strengthened by local talent: Malachi Gaughan, a musician from the Gaeltacht handled the audio for the performance, collaborating with Daniel Da Silva and Steffen Ritter to produce this high-quality show.
The production, both elaborate and costly, was fully funded by Wild Atlantic Studios. For future episodes, they are seeking industry partners to help them grow and enhance the format.
The Roy v Doohoma Football Match will be held on St. Stephen's Day in Doohoma Banks with kick-off at 1pm. Get ready to shake off the Christmas feast and everyone for an action-packed day in support of Doohoma National School with a special half-time treat. The Mammies of Doohoma V Tullaghan will face off in an epic penalty shootout—don’t miss it! Hot whiskeys will be flowing to keep you warm and spirits high. Come for the craic, the community, and the cause.
On Friday, December 27, beginning at 9pm a special Cara Iorrais fundraising event will be held in the Erris Coast Hotel with comedy hypnotist Adrian Knight who will be hypnotising some local personalities in a must see event. Adrian is returning to the Erris Coast after over 20 years.
On Saturday, December 28, at 9pm Michael Henry, an amazing Psychic Medium who demonstrates his powers to connect with those who have ‘crossed over’ will be performing at the Erris Coast. His gift has taken him all over the world, with a string of international appearances. Tickets for both events available on Eventbrite.
Deepest sympathies to the family of Josie Carey, Coventry, UK and formerly of Bangor Erris; Christy Fergus, 27 Lyndhurst, Castlecourt, Ballina and formerly of Killacrann, Castlehill, Ballina; Richard Barrett (better known as Richie), Attycunnane, Belmullet and formally of Barrett’s Public House, Bangor Erris and Shraigh Hill; Tom Healy (Thomas James), formally of Lucan, Dublin and Ballinaboy; Raymond Gallagher, Cloonkedagh Road, Kiltimagh; Sheila Davitt (née Calpin) Tallaghan Bawn, Geesala; Elsie Gray (née Ginty), Cooga, Culleens Sligo and formerly Roy, Doohoma. May they rest in peace.
As the RNLI comes to the end of its milestone 200th year, the charity is launching its annual Christmas fundraising appeal, with a focus on the volunteer crew members who are preparing to spend Christmas on call. On average, RNLI lifeboats launch over 100 times during the Christmas period every year. Whatever weather winter throws at them, RNLI crews including those at Achill Island and Ballyglass are ready to battle the elements to save lives at sea. These rescues and others all year round, are only made possible by the RNLI’s generous supporters, helping to fund the essential kit, training and equipment needed to keep crews prepared and protected. Christmas is a time for family and friends, but the RNLI’s volunteer crews are ready to leave their own celebrations this festive season and answer the call for help. Among the thousands of volunteers preparing for Christmas are brother and sister Brandon and Kayley Geraghty at Ballyglass RNLI and husband and wife Francis and Orla Blake-Dillon at Achill Island RNLI.
The Ballycroy Women's Group Christmas Cheer event was a resounding success this year, bringing the community together to celebrate the holiday season in the spirit of joy, togetherness and festive cheer. With performances from Ballycroy Women’s Group, the children of Naíonra, Scoil Naomh Bhríde, Drumgallagh, leaves attendees full of holiday spirit. After their performances the children were treated to hot chocolate topped with whipped cream, marshmallows and they left with a goodie bag to remember the day, while the adults warmed up with mulled wine, teas, coffees, home baking and festive treats.
Thanks Alina for the brilliant face painting and Polina for the tattoos - all the children and adults went home looking great, to all who bought raffle tickets, gave donations to the lovely hampers. Very special thanks to Delphine Cleary who gave her time voluntarily to practice with all the groups and who coached all the members of the Women’s Group on how to sing.
Due to the red weather alert recently the annual card fundraiser for the Ballycroy Community Council is postponed until January. More details in the New Year.
Stephen Cafferkey recently presented members of the Belmullet/Erris Order of Malta Unit with medals before standing down as founding Officer in Charge. Stephen was an outstanding Officer in Charge; he has worked with the unit from February 2012 to December 2024 and will continue his work as an EMT for the unit. Congratulations to Damien Reilly who has been promoted to the rank of Sergeant and is now the new Officer in Charge. Damien presented Stephen with an engraved decanter on behalf of the Belmullet/Erris Order of Malta Unit and its members. Well done and best of luck for the years ahead to all members.
Bridge results for December 10: 1st Pat Kilkernon and Mary Maughan (63.8%) 2nd John and Jean Beard (58.3%) 3rd Kay Keoghan and Jim Brown (47.2%).
