Local Notes: CLG Tuar Mhic Eadaigh celebrate their 60th Anniversary.

The 1998 Junior County Champions pictured at the CLG Thuar Mhic Éadaigh 60th Anniversary dinner which was held in the Castlecourt Hotel on February 15 last.
The death has taken place of Phyllis Staunton (nee McHale), Clooncruel, Ballyheane, Castlebar and Deerpark, Clogher, Claremorris. Phyllis passed away peacefully at home, surrounded by her loving family. A kind and pleasant lady with a most endearing personality her passing is an occasion of great sorrow to her family and many friends. She was also a well-loved outstanding woman, known for her strength, kindness, and generosity. She had a warm smile and a kind word for everyone she met. A devoted mother, grandmother, and great-grandmother, Phyllis’ legacy of love and kindness will live on in the hearts of those who were privileged enough to have known her.
Predeceased by her husband Richard Staunton, her parents Mary-Ellen and Michael McHale, twin sons Richard and Michael, brother and sisters Delia, Mike, Mary and Kathleen, Phyllis is deeply regretted by her family, daughters Mary and Una, sons David, John, Richard, Eddie and Michael, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, nephews, daughters-in-law and sons-in-law, relatives, neighbours and many friends to whom sincere sympathies are tendered.
There was a large attendance present as her remains reposed at Ballintubber Resource Centre on Wednesday evening from 5pm until 7.30pm. The removal of her remains from her daughters Una’s home took place on Thursday morning to Ballintubber Abbey for Funeral Mass at 11am. Burial ceremonies took place in Ballyheane cemetery. May she rest eternally in the peace and happiness of heaven.
In the senior GAA Club championship draw made on Wednesday night last week, Ballintubber are in Group 3 with last season’s conquerors, Ballaghaderreen, Claremorris and Charlestown Sarsfields. It is quite a tough draw, and much will depend on the timing and the home, away and neutral venue draws. Best wishes to all for the coming season.
Ballintubber GAA lotto jackpot stood at €9,100 on Sunday night, March 2. The numbers drawn were 16, 21, 22 and 30. Consolation prizes went to Nicholas O’Kelly, Shirley O’Toole, Declan Murphy, Jimmy Murphy, Tom and Patricia Walsh and Dessie O'Dea.
The jackpot stood at €9,200 last Sunday night, March 9. Play Ballintubber lotto at https://member.clubspot.app/.../ballintubber-gaa/fundraisers.
The numbers drawn on Monday, March 3, were 15, 2, 26 and 33. There was no winner of the €11,300 jackpot. Match 3 winner was Declan Corbett. Consolation prizes went to John King, Charlie O’ Malley, Celena McCormack, Margaret Walsh and Liz Cosgrave.
The winners from Monday, March 3 were 1st Noel Costello and Breege Jennings, 2nd Chris Turner and at Griffith and 3rd Patricia Jennings and Martin Ford. The last 10 winners were Philip White and Mary Brennan and the raffle prizes went to Sean and Frances Reilly. The 25 progressive games continue every Monday night at 9pm.
Ballyglass Active Age group held their monthly meeting on Tuesday, March 4, following their weekly exercise class. Items discussed included trips for the year and suggestions for activities. No meeting would be complete without a chat over a cup of tea, with a sweet treat. There was also a celebration to mark the occasion of Mamie Glynn’s birthday. Mamie was presented with a bouquet of beautiful flowers, a cake and the good wishes of everyone in the group for many happy returns. As always, new members are very welcome to join the group. Exercise class is every Tuesday morning at 11am in Ballyglass Community Centre.
Congratulations to Ross Malone, who, despite playing with a sprained finger, battled through the pain to claim the Connacht U15 Handball Championship in Newport. Ross, who is the son of Tom and Caroline Malone, Ballyglass, showed great determination and grit and all in Belcarra Handball Club, where he is a member, are extremely proud of their local hero. Well done Ross.
Congratulations to the girls from Mountpleasant NS who recently became the FAI Schools Primary 5s South Mayo Soccer champions. Well done girls and best of luck in the next round.
Yoga classes have commenced in Ballyglass Community Centre from 7.30-8.30pm. A seven-week block costs €85. Contact Emma for details on 087 9973357.
Carnacon LGFA registration for all ages from under 10 to senior is now open for the new season through Foireann. It is important that all players are registered before competition commences. A reminder that while shopping in Lidl to scan your app to collect tokens to help Carnacon LGFA club to be in with a chance to win - and tell your family and friends also to collect for Carnacon LGFA and submit before Sunday, March 16.
Racquetball classes for ladies and men has commenced in Carnacon Centre. No racquets or goggles are required. Contact Thomas at 087 2041967 for details. Eircode for Carnacon Centre F12 NY 38.
The Local Authority Waters Programme (LAWPRO), working on behalf of Ireland’s 31 local authorities to protect and restore good water quality, is awarding €90,704.45 to projects in Mayo. Lough Carra Catchment Association has been awarded €33,135 for a feasibility study for the establishment of a biodigester to utilise slurry from the catchment area of Lough Carra.
The Christian Community welcomes its newest member Rian Colm Geraghty, baptised in Holy Trinity Abbey, Ballintubber, on Saturday, March 8. Congratulations to his parents and family.
Ballintubber/Killawalla Badminton Club are open to new members and beginners are most welcome. The sessions take place at Ballintubber Community Centre on Tuesdays from 8 to10pm. Contact Laura on 089 4011720.
Sincere sympathy is accorded to Bridgie Igoe and Julia Coyne, Knockaraha on the recent death of their sister, Tessie Geraghty, Glenisland. May she rest in peace.
A Pop-up Eco Market will be held on March 14, in the Crave Coffee Shop beside the Celtic Furrow. It will run from 5 to 8pm and there will be lots of local products on sale.
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Loch Measc Distillery is nestled in the heart of Mayo's Gaeltacht and what promises to be an unforgettable “Distillery Open Day” will take place on Saturday, March 29. Tour the distillery, discover the secrets behind the craft, and enjoy tastings of the finest spirits, including an award-winning New Make. They were delighted and honoured to even be nominated, let alone named winners, in the category of Irish New Make and Young Spirit and over all New Make winners for 2025.
Halla, Tuar Mhic Eadaigh, (F12C6F2) at 8pm is the venue for a Splódar Theatre Company staging of the Brian Friel play “Dancing at Lughnasa” on Friday, 21March. Ticéadaí €14, Lacáistí: €12. Phone Nóra on 094 954 4295 for further details.
In the Junior Exclusive Football Championship Group 2, Tuar Mhic Éadaigh is pitted against Kiltimagh, Northern Gaels and Kilmovee. There are some good sides in the group and progression will be a real challenge. Still Tuar Mhic Éadaigh dented the ambitions of some top junior sides last season and will be in prime shape come competition time in 2025.
Thuar Mhic Éadaigh GAA lotto stood at €16,100 on March 1. 9, 15, 23 and 28 were the numbers drawn and there was no jackpot winner. The weekend jackpot on Saturday, March 8, stood at €€16, 200.
A new session of Yoga classes has commenced in Halla Tuar Mhic Éadaigh on last Tuesday evening, March 6, at 6.30pm. The classes will run for the next 5 weeks up until Tuesday, April 8. The cost is €60. If interested and you haven’t already given you name, email Nora at eolas@tourmakeady.com or call 094 9544295 with your name and contact details.
A major clean-up operation will take place in Churchfield and Tourmakeady Cemeteries. A skip will commence its-pickup on March 14, in Churchfield moving on to Tourmakeady Cemetery on March 21.
Tuar Mhic Éadaigh Social Club is due to meet on Thursday, March 13, from 2-4pm. Why not pop along for social get together, light exercise, bingo, make new friends and enjoy the company. New members will be made most welcome.
Sincere sympathy is tendered to Ann Marie Heneghan and family, Goirtin Mor, Tourmakeady on the recent passing of her father, Malachy Jennings, Clogher, Westport. May he rest in peace.
Partry Women’s Circle invites you to try Glass Painting on Thursday, March 13 in the Mons Horan Centre in Partry. Tea and treats will be provided. Bring a vase, glass or bottle to paint on. The event is confined to Over 18s and there is a €5 fee to cover costs.
Congratulations to Dympna Byrne, Partry who was a recent winner of the weekly Wednesday Partry FC Bonus number draws.
Partry Residents Association Draws take place on Saturday evenings with generous prizes in the weekly numbers draw. Congrats to Paul Lennon and Nora Coyne who were recent €100 winners in the popular numbers draw with number 43.
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Breaffy Ballyheane Belcarra.

Belcarra and surrounding communities were saddened last week at the news of the passing of Gerry Londra, Clooney, Belcarra, Castlebar, Co Mayo. Gerry passed away peacefully on February 28, at Mayo University Hospital after a short illness surrounded by his loving family. Gerry was a kind and affable man highly thought off by his peers and many friends. He had an innate gentleness and a very helpful nature.
Predeceased by his parents Michael and Mae, Gerry is deeply regretted by his sister Mary and her husband Jimmy (Murphy), his nephews David and Brian and nieces Paula, Caroline, Sinead and Cathy, grandnieces and grandnephews, extended family, neighbours and many friends to whom sincere condolences are tendered.
His remains reposed at Clogher Community Centre on Sunday evening from 5.30 until 7.30. The removal of his remains from his sisters Mary’s house on Monday to St Anne’s Church,, Belcarra for Funeral Mass at 2pm. Burial ceremonies took place afterwards in Guesdian Cemetery.
Belcarra Community Co-Operative Society Ltd with the support of the SEAI, are sending out an online survey to its members in relation to Belcarra Group Water Scheme. The feedback from this survey will help form an understanding of the home energy needs of the people of Belcarra Community. Should you need a hard copy contact Mary Jo at 087 9282102 or Mary B and they will send you a copy.
A parish mission will take place in Balla and Belcarra Churches on March 24, 25, 26 and 27. The devotions will alternate between the two churches. The mission will be conducted by the FFR, Moyross, Limerick. The friars will preach at the Masses on the preceding Saturday and Sunday, March 22 and 23. Further details will follow.
Belcarra Community Council’s lotto jackpot has now reached €10,800. The jackpot stood at €10,700 on Sunday, March 2. The numbers drawn were 4, 14, 16 and 22. There was no jackpot winner. The lucky dip winners of €30 were Lorraine Ryan Jennings, Noreen McNamara, Micheal Canavan and Ronan Mahon. On March 8, the jackpot stood at €10,800.
The groupings for this year’s GAA club Championships at senior, intermediate and junior levels were made on Wednesday evening last week. Breaffy are pitted in Group 2 with near neighbours Castlebar Mitchel’s, Aughamore and Béal an Mhuirthead. While it is a tough group that should provide some tremendous competition, Breaffy have a really strong team and are vastly experienced at senior level. Perhaps 2025 is the year success will finally see Breaffy grasp success.
Breaffy GAA lotto stands at €15,000 for tonight’s February 11 draw. The Gold Circle membership package is as follows: Breaffy GAA Membership for 2025, 1 weekly entry into the club's lotto and 1 Mayo County Board Draw ticket (six draws with prizes ranging from €10,000 to €200).
Breaffy Bord na nÓg medals presentation evening took place on Sunday, March 2, in Breaffy Clubhouse. The impressive list of awards recipients was: 2024 U13 Div. 9 Winners, 2023/2024 U13 Mayo & Connacht Skills Winners, 2024 U16 B West Mayo Winners, 2024 U17 B County Winners, 2024 U18 B West Mayo Winners and the 2024 U17 B Connacht Winners. The special guests on the evening were the Breaffy senior players.
Support your club and stand a chance to win amazing prizes, including €50,000 cash, exciting weekend packages to the All-Ireland Finals, a holiday voucher worth €2,500, and many more. The draw date is March 26. Membership payments now due are crucial for the day-to-day running of the club.
Mayo FC is hosting a 24 hour Soccerthon in Umbro Park in conjunction with Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation. The Soccerthon will be held on March 14 and 15 from 6pm-6pm. The games will be one hour long and the score will be kept for the full 24hours. Players participating must be 16 or older. Why not get your club, business, friends, family, work colleagues or even an all-star team together and support Mayo FC and Mayo Roscommon Hospice. Click the link below to register your team’s interest. Contact mayofcsoccerthon@gmail.com for more information.
HopeSpace operates throughout the year. 'HopeSpace CLG provides a free one-to-one listening service for children and young people (4 -17 years old) who are impacted by grief caused by bereavement. See hopespace.ie, contact Áine at support@hopespace.ie or call 091 342566/087 4667506 for more details.
There are limited spaces left in each Ballyheane Yoga and Aromatherapy class. Please contact 087 2831400 to book your place! The Yoga and Aromatherapy class takes place every Thursday at Ballyheane centre at 6.50 and 8pm.
A free electrical recycling event hosted by WEEE Ireland and supported by Mayo County Council will take place at The Pavillion, Castlebar, on Saturday, March 15, from 10am – 4pm. A free Electrical Recycling Event will take place in Castlebar on Saturday, March 22, at The Pavillion Road Car Park. The event will run from 10am to 4pm.
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Balla GAA lotto draw was held on the Thursday, February 27, in the Shebeen for a jackpot of €3,100. 5, 7, 22 and 31 were the numbers drawn. Congrats also the lucky dip consolation prize-winners on the night, Rodney Lyons (online), Tony Hetherington (online) and Joseph Lloyd (online). The latest draw was held on Thursday, March 6, in The Rendezvous when the jackpot stood at €3,200.
In Group 4 of the GAA Club senior championship near neighbours Balla and Mayo Gaels are destined to clash once again. They are joined in the group by Knockmore and Westport, two really top senior sides. There is really nothing easy about this particular draw, but championship rarely features any easy options and hope springs eternal in the hearts of players, clubmen and supporters. There is some great competition ahead.
Balla Transition Year students recently attended a talk from a Road Safety Authority (RSA) speaker. They learned about road safety, the dangers of the road and the risks of drunk driving. Students also had an opportunity to try on drink-driving goggles, which demonstrated the effects of driving under the influence. It was an informative and eye-opening experience for all. The student council have organised a whole-school chess tournament. There has been a huge response, and games will start from next Monday at lunchtime. Best wishes to all participants.
Sr Mary O'Malley has acknowledged with deep appreciation to all who contributed a generous total of €3,885 in Christmas Crib donations in Belcarra and Balla. Sr Mary writes “The monies raised will help victims of human trafficking, children out of secondary school, floods and hunger to name just a few. Your donations will make a great difference and salve some of the wounds of extreme poverty. I believe education is one of the best means to eradicate poverty and its ramifications for generations in the future. Thank you".
Are you ready to grow your own fresh, organic veggies this spring? Join up at Balla Community Centre for an 8-week hands-on gardening course with an expert tutor Jimmy Kelly. Whether you're a beginner or looking to improve your skills, this course will guide you every step of the way. The course was scheduled to start on Monday, March 3, at 6pm in Balla Community Centre. Running every two weeks for 8 weeks it will illustrate, best techniques for growing seasonal veggies, soil preparation and composting tips, how to protect plants and maximize yield, hands-on guidance from an expert etc. There are limited spaces, so book now by calling 087 1850860 or Email: info@balla.ie.
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The area finals of the Carra Community Games are fast approaching and will be announced in the coming weeks. There are a number of activities and age groups in sports and swimming, as well as art, handwriting, model making and chess. More information is available from Berni at 087 2721574. There is also information to be had on the Carra Community Games Facebook page. The Mayo Community Games annual Church Gate Collection will take place on the weekend of March 22/23. Your support would be greatly appreciated.
The Clogher community futures project is continuing apace. The stakeholder interviews have now been completed. The household survey will be distributed on Thursday, March 20, and collected on Monday 24. Every household is encouraged to engage with the survey in order to influence the future for the people of Clogher.
There will be a Youth Night with an independent facilitator for young people aged between 12 and 18 years, so that young people can have their say also. Thanks to all who are getting involved. Meetings of the community futures steering group continue every Thursday at 8pm in the community centre.
The results of Clogher card game held on the February 28, were as follows; 1st Martin Moran and Seamus Jennings, 2nd Bridie McDermott and Michael Giblin, 3rd Mary McDonagh and Eileen Moran. Last 10 Tommy Fahey and Derek Quinn. Game continues every Friday night.
Condolences are extended to the Staunton family of Clooncruel, Ballyheane on the sad passing of their mother Phyllis Staunton (nee McHale). Phyllis was a popular member of the Clogher Active Age Group for many years. May she rest in peace.
Due to unforeseen circumstances the Basket Weaving class will now commence on Wednesday, March 12. There is one place still available so if anyone would like a new basket for their Easter Eggs this year. Please contact the organisers in Clogher.
National Tree Week 'Planting Trees, Growing Together' is currently taking place from Sunday last, March 9, to Sunday, March 16. National Tree Week, Ireland’s largest annual tree celebration, is proudly organised by the Tree Council of Ireland in partnership with Coillte. This special week invites communities across the nation to come together to appreciate the beauty and crucial importance of Ireland’s trees. To support this initiative, Coillte is supplying sapling trees to county councils for distribution to communities nationwide. For more information, please visit: https://www.nationaltreeweek.ie/.
Errew NS is only 7km from Castlebar. There are small classes and great teacher/pupil ratio and a unique school culture with a caring learning environment. Contact the school secretary on secretary@errewns.com or ring 094 9030615 with any enquiries or to make an appointment to come and view the facilities. Check out what the children have been doing at school lately via the website errewns.com.
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Afternoon tea hosted by Mayo Abbey full time cookery students in Mayo Abbey Centre will be held on Thursday, March 27, from 12 noon – 2pm. Tickets cost €15 with all proceeds going to Irish Cancer Society. Booking is essential.
The next card game is held in Mayo Abbey Resource Centre on Thursday, March 20, at 9pm. All are welcome.
Why not come along on Thursday mornings and join our walking group. Starting from the Community Centre at 10.30am. All are welcome, walk as little or as much as you like and please bring a hi-vis. Call Ann on 086 605 7568 or call the Centre 094 93 65987 for information.
The numbers drawn on Tuesday, March 4, were 10, 14, 26 and 35. The €30 consolation prize winners were Paul Walsh, Ardcorkey (online), Anthony Morrin, Lisblowick (annual ticket), Deirdre Heneghan, Weatherfort (online ticket), and Jarlath Prendergast, Currykirwan (annual ticket). The jackpot for draw tonight, Tuesday, March 11, is €12,900.
Mayo Abbey Community Employment Scheme have a number of vacancies in various departments; childcare, maintenance/caretaker worker, gardener, cook, cleaner, admin/ reception. Department of Social Protection eligibility criteria apply. Call Craig at Mayo Abbey Centre 094 93 65987 to find out more or email craig@mayoabbey.ie.