Local Notes: Community Development Workshop at Carnacon Centre

Mr. Seanan Turnbull, a specialist in Community Organisation Development, Mary O'Sullivan and Tony Roper pictured at Carnacon Centre after the recent Community Development Workshop. Picture by Tom Quinn.
The Passion Play takes place on the grounds of Ballintubber Abbey next week on Monday, March 25, Tuesday 26th and Wednesday 27th. The powerful re-enactment of the passion, death and resurrection of Jesus is a powerful performance put on by local actors and actresses. Each year this event attracts large crowds so those attending are requested to be in place on time and be suitably attired for the weather. Admission is free but all donations will be greatly appreciated.
There was no winner of the jackpot in the latest Ballintubber GAA Lotto draw on Sunday, March 10. 16, 22, 24 and 33 were the numbers drawn. The winners of the consolation prizes of the €20 special €52k draw tickets on the night were Vinnie Duffy, Nora Conroy, John Larkin, Geoff Prendergast, Collette Maloney and Enda Keane. On last Sunday, March 17th the Jackpot stood at €4, 100. All lucky dip winners get a ticket for the 'Win 52k' draw.
Ballintubber GAA Club is offering a lucky winner the chance to earn €1,000 a week for a year in their recent ‘Win €52k’ fundraiser. The attractive fundraiser will see one lucky winner claim a cash prize of €52,000 paid out at €1,000 per week into their account. Tickets are reasonably priced at €20 each or three for €50 and can be purchased through the club fundraiser website www.win€52k.ie or from any of the club’s executive. The winner will be drawn in the club’s Clogher Clubhouse on Sunday, June 2, and will be broadcast live on the club.
The Ballyglass Market was back with a bang last weekend after a hiatus of two months. There was an enthusiastic crowd out on Sunday to celebrate Mother’s Day by picking up some nice crafts, gifts and delicious treats for all the mammies. This month’s market also included an information table for the upcoming Darkness into Light event in May and a stall being run by some young businessmen who are taking part in the Junior Entrepreneur programme in Mountpleasant NS. There was musical entertainment half way through in honour of our upcoming national holiday by the wonderfully talented Hannah and Molly Pittendrigh, and even an impromptu performance of Shoe the Donkey by local ladies, Nora Conroy and Rita Nestor.
There was a free raffle for all the ladies, in honour of both Mother’s Day and International Women’s Day. The winners of this were Michelle Gill (Bouquet), Emer Corcoran (Hair voucher sponsored by Helen Malone) and Louise Conroy (chocolates). The monthly community council raffle also took place. The winners were: Rory Murphy (painting), Annette Jordan (brandy), Rita Nestor (wine), Breege Jennings (Easter egg), Karen/Matteo Serantes (Mayo jersey sponsored by Elverys), Noel Heneghan (Easter basket), Matthew (Easter egg). Thanks to everyone for supporting the raffle and a huge thanks as ever to the generous sponsors. Make sure and attend next market on Sunday, April 14.
The results of the card games held on Monday, March 12, in Ballyglass Community Centre: 1st Judy Clarke and Kitty Rumley, 2nd Martin Forde and Seamus Nevin and 3rd Philip White and Chris Flatley. The last 10 winners were Tom and Patsy Flatley and the raffle prizes went to Margaret Mannion and Patricia Jennings. The games continue every Monday evening from 9pm.
The numbers drawn on March 11, were 2, 9, 12 and 27. There was no winner of the €6,200 jackpot. Match 3 winners were John Walsh, Mary Burke. Consolation prizes went to JP Reilly, Fergal Burke, Kevin Reilly, Lisa Noonan and Stephanie Gilligan.
Mayo Yoga with Aromatherapy has begun a new block of classes in Ballyglass Community Centre on Tuesday evenings at 7.30pm. This class is designed for everybody. Contact 087 2831400 for further information and to book your place.
Ballyglass will hold an official Darkness into Light 5km walk this year in aid of Pieta House at 4.15am on the morning of Saturday, May 11. Volunteers will be needed to ensure everything goes smoothly and safely on the day so anyone who would like to be a steward, or help out in any other way, let anyone on the Community Council know closer to the time. To sign up go online. This event is open to everybody, and registration is open online now. More details to follow.
The next Tochar Phádraig Walk will take place on Easter Monday, April 1. This is a guided 15km walk of the Tochar Phádraig pilgrim path between Ballintubber Abbey and Aughagower. To register for this walk please contact Ballintubber Abbey at 094 9030934 or email info@ballintubberabbey.ie. Suitable clothing and footwear is advised.
A Community Spring Clean in Ballintubber and surrounding areas will shortly take place. Those taking part are asked to meet at the Graveyard Carpark on Saturday, April 13, at 11am. Make the community environment cleaner, greener and more beautiful.
Confirmation will take place in St Mary’s Church, Carnacon, at 12 noon and at Ballintubber Abbey at 2.30pm on April 15. First Holy Communion will take place in Carnacon Church on May 11 at 12 noon and in St Patrick’s Church, Killawalla at 2pm. The Sacrament will be administered in Ballintubber Abbey on May 18 at 12 noon.
There will be a Pastoral Council meeting in the Dorter Room at Ballintubber Abbey on this Tuesday night, March 19, at 8pm. All members are asked to attend. Guided tours are usually available at Ballintubber Abbey. Monday - Friday at 12 noon and 3pm. Contact 093 9030934 or info@ballintubberabbey.ie.
There was a large attendance of local people present in Carnacon Parish Centre on Wednesday, March 6, to discuss the formation of a new Community Development Association committee. This meeting was facilitated by Mr Seanan Turnbull a specialist in Community Organisation Development. There was a wide ranging discussion on all aspects of local development and a process agreed which will see a new Community Development body in place in coming months.
Sincere sympathy is extended to Noreen Corbett, Carnacon, on the recent passing of her brother, Michael Farragher, RIP, Muckersaune, The Neale. May he rest in peace.
Multiple Sclerosis Ireland, South Mayo Branch would like to thank everyone who donated to and organised the recent Church Gate collection in the parish - €314.72 was raised at Ballintubber Church, €157.60 was raised at Carnacon Church and €305.27 was raised at Killawalla Church.
Irish classes Irish conversation classes take place in Carnacon Community Centre on Wednesdays from 7 until 8pm. For further information contact Mary 087 9747247 . Failte roimh do gach duine.
Congratulations are extended to Beth Hoban, Derrynacanna, who captained her team from Sacred Heart School, Westport, to their second All-Ireland senior final in a row. Beth is a member of the Carnacon LGFA senior squad and a student at Sacred Heart Secondary School Westport. Carnacon LGFA is seeking expression of interest for management of the club senior ladies team. Anyone interested contact carnacon.mayo@lgfa.ie.
2024 Carnacon LGFA Club Registration is now open for all ages on Foireann. U10 players up to seniors are requested and required to register. Club coaches are looking forward to seeing all players back with the club for the coming season.
Ballintubber National School Board of Management are currently seeking applications in the form of Expression of Interest from suitable candidates interested in leasing and operating their Preschool and School Age Childcare Service, located on the grounds of the school premises in Ballintubber. For more details contact Ballintubber NS 094 9030969 or email ballintubber07374G@gmail.com.
The Over 55’s Group meet every Monday morning at the resource centre at 10.30am. New members are always welcome to drop in for a chat and a cup of tea.
Is your community planning a festival or running an event in May this year? Would you like to be part of HomeToMayo 2024? Applications are now open from event organisers to avail of funding from the Home to Mayo Grant Fund. For more information visit: https://mayo.ie/news/Home-To-Mayo-Festival-Grants.
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Congratulations to the Tuar Mhic Éadaigh Waterfall committee on receiving an award in the Voluntary Community Publications Section at the Mayo Cathaoirleach Awards held last week in Breaffy House Hotel. It is wonderful to see the dedication and the hard work of the committee for the past 36 years being recognised by receiving this prestigious award. The award was highly merited recognising the immense contribution to Tuar Mhic Eadaigh community and diaspora around the globe.
Tuar Mhic Éadaigh ‘Out of the woods 8k’ will take place on Sunday, April 14. The organising committee look forward to welcoming all athletes and participants to what will be as great a day out for everyone as last year was. There will be plenty of prizes and refreshments on the day. Register online here: https://eventmaster.ie/event/rkJ4tPmS9y U16s go free but must register.
The latest Thuar Mhic Éadaigh GAA lotto draw took place on March 16th for a Jackpot of €11,100. 3, 12, 20 and 28 were the numbers drawn in the previous draw. There was no jackpot winner. Eva Heffernan and Anna Staunton were the online winners.
There are two online prizes of €40 and also a €40 Cairde prize each week. You can play on line / Ticéadaí le fáil ar líne ag: https://smartlotto.ie/clg-thuar-mhic-eadaigh/.
Tuar Mhic Éadaigh Social Club takes place on Thursdays in Halla Tuar Mhic Éadaigh from 2-4pm. Come along for social get together, light exercise, bingo, make new friends and enjoy the company.
Tesco Ballinrobe is running a blue Token collection. The more tokens that are collected locally, the more funding the Tourmakeady/Partry Swimming club will receive. Please add tokens after you’re shopping. The scheme runs for the next two months.
The next conversational Irish class will take place again on this Wednesday morning, March 20, from 11 to 12 noon. Evening Irish conversational classes have also commenced on Wednesday nights from 7.30-8.30i.n in Halla Tuar Mhic Eadaigh. All are welcome and more information and details is available from Stiofán opt.cdst@gmail.com / 087 3970227.
Tourmakeady and Partry Community Games Athletics Day has been organised for the May Bank Holiday Monday. There will be a 2pm start at Tourmakeady GAA pitch. All young enthusiastic athletes in the area should commence training shortly.
Sincere sympathy is extended to Bernie Conway, Killawalla, on the recent passing of her mother Celia Teresa Feehan, Kilmeena. May she rest in peace.
Killawalla Community Council would like to invite as many people as possible to come and join them for the annual litter pick around the Killawalla area over the Easter Weekend, Saturday, March 29th –Monday, April 1st on your own time. The filled rubbish bags will be picked up on Easter Monday, April 1st on the community centre grounds. Bags, pickers and gloves are available at the community centre or telephone Carmel on 087 2879701, Siobhan on 087 6713940 or Peter at 087 9961422.
On Easter Sunday, March 31, Killawalla Community Council have organised an Easter Egg Hunt for all children from 11.30-1pm on the Community Centre grounds. All children are welcome to come along and enjoy the fun. The cost is €5 per child or €10 per family. There will also be a cup of tea and treats for the Adults.
Congratulations to Michelle McGing, Kinuary, who lined out for Ireland in the Masters International Rules game on a recent weekend. Michelle is no stranger to success having All–Ireland glory on her list of achievements. She is wished great happiness by her husband Johnny, daughter Shauna and son Conor, her parents Jimmy and Teresa and the entire community.
Darkness into Light Saturday, May 11, the Darkness into Light walk will take place in support of Pieta House.
Anyone wishing to renew their annual subscription to the local lotto should contact Carmel Carter on 087 2879701, Siobhan Jennings on 087 6713940 or any committee member. Monies from the community development lotto go towards the promotion of community initiatives in the local area.
Congrats to Michael and Emer Morris, Kate Walsh, the Flatley family, Alan Duffy and family, Michelle Lally and family all of whom were recent winners of the Partry FC weekly Wednesday bonus number draws.
Congrats to Jim and Cathy O’Neill, John Lally, Freedom Mobility, Ballinrobe and Noel Gallagher all of whom were recent winners of Partry Residents weekly draws. The latest draw was on Saturday night last, March 16.

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Breaffy GAA lotto stands at €19,200 for tonight’s draw on March 19. The numbers drawn last week on March 12 were 3, 9, 18 and bonus: 4 and there was no jackpot winner. Also there was no Match 3 winners and congrats to the lucky dip winners. The club have extended sincere thanks to all who support the weekly draws.
Congratulations are extended to the children of Breaffy NS who had wonderful success in this year’s Scór na bPáistí competition.
The county finals were held in Toreen Hall on Saturday, March 9.
Breaffy NS had qualified from the West Mayo competition to compete in 4 sections. Instrumental Group - Róisin Moran, Anna Clarke, Seán Cafferty, Robert McTigue and Rory Brogan. Ballad Group members were Taylor-Lee Hurst, Aisling Loughnane, Clodagh Fitzgerald, Patrick Murphy and Shakthi Sethuraman. The Recitation - Patrick Murphy and Novelty Act / Drama - Rory Brogan, Conor Corley, Luke Heneghan, Lily Hurst, Naoise O’Brien, Luke Lavin, Ellie Mulroy and Tadhg O’Connor.
All of the children performed brilliantly on the day, and there was tremendous excitement when Breaffy NS claimed county titles in both the Ballad Group section and the Instrumental Group section.
Well done to Mags Gallen who prepared both music groups and Seán Grealis who looked after the drama and recitation groups.
Belcarra Community Council’s latest lotto draw featured an attractive jackpot of €5,600 on March 11. The numbers drawn were 7, 13, 26 and 31, and there was no winner. The lucky dip winners of €30 were John Nestor, Belcarra, Jimmy Murphy, online, Maeve Coleman, online, Noel Feeney, online. The latest jackpot on March 18, was for a jackpot of €5,700.
Sincere condolences are tendered to Anne Marijke Bootsma, Clooncundra and the recent death of her mother, Freeda Bootsma, Holland. May they rest in peace.
Ballyheane and surrounding communities First Responders Group is looking for volunteers to join their group. With defibrillators available in most if not all communities, it is important that as many people as possible are trained to save lives when an emergency arises. Volunteers from all areas are welcome in particular volunteers from Errew and Killawalla are needed most. All training and equipment is provided.
Perhaps a great way to break up the long Easter break would be attendance at a fun camp at Ballyheane Buttercups Community Childcare Service Easter Camp. The Ballyheane Buttercups camps will be running from March 25-29 costing €75 and from April 2-5, €50. School age children will participate in Easter themed crafts, baking, face painting and a disco. The event will run from 9am to 1pm each weekday and children should bring a snack. Email info@ballyheanebuttercups.ie for further details.
Ballyheane FC is looking for girls interested in establishing a team. Interested persons can contact the club via their Facebook page.
Jiving lessons will commence in Ballyheane Community Centre on April 4, in the lead up to the very popular Ballyheane Goes Country Music festival which takes place in early June. The lessons take place from 8-9pm and booking and payment will be in advance. Social dancing takes place from 9-10pm. Booking and further information is available from Brian Gibbons at 087 7077074.
Ballyheane Walk and Talk group meet every Thursday evening at 7pm at the community centre. Come along and join in the fun if you can crawl, walk or run.
The Heritage Council has launched its Community Heritage Grant Scheme for 2024. The maximum amount available per organisation is €25,000. The closing date for applications is next Monday, March 25, at 5pm. The scheme supports community/voluntary groups nationwide with heritage projects- built, natural, and cultural. Find out more at https://ow.ly/AZho50QHKZU.
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The death took place last week of Johnny Kenny, Coolfox, Balla. Predeceased by his father John and his mother Annie, Johnny is deeply regretted by his brother Tommy, sister-in-law Mary, nephew Jonathon, cousins, neighbours and wide circle of friends to whom sincere sympathy is extended. His remains reposed at Balla Funeral Home on Tuesday evening from 6.30 with removal at 7.30 to St. Cronan’s Church, Balla. His Funeral Mass was celebrated on Wednesday morning at 11am with burial ceremonies taking place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Ar dheis De go raibh a nAinm.
Balla GAA Club lotto jackpot prize stood at €5,400 for the draw on Thursday, March 7, in The Rendezvous. The numbers drawn were 17, 21, 24 and 29. There was no winner of the jackpot. The €30 winners were Gerard Flanagan (online), Georgina Murphy (online) and Martin Vahey (standing order). The most recent draw was held on Thursday, March 14, in The Shebeen when the jackpot stood at €5,500. Thanks to all who support Balla GAA lotto draws.
This year's Senior Scór county final will be held in Balla Community Centre on Friday, March 22. The night gets underway with the quiz at 7pm. This will be followed at 8.15pm approx. by stage events incorporating music, song, drama and dancing. Clubs are encouraged to do their best to enter at least one act into the competition. Further information is available from local GAA clubs or by emailing scor.mayo@gaa.ie.
Congratulations are extended to Manulla FC ladies team, who have booked a well-deserved spot in the Connaught Cup final after their 2-1 victory over Salthill Devon recently in Carramore. They will now meet Corrib Celtic in the final on April 7. Congratulations and best wishes to all involved.
Congrats also to Grace and Anna on winning the recent SFAI Inter League Shield final with Mayo Schoolboys\Girls and Youths AFL Mayo team. Well done also John Hennelly and Susanne Cunnane who managed the squad to their victory against Wexford.
The clubs lotto Jackpot stood at €13,400 for March 10 draw. The club are deeply grateful to their weekly patrons. Play online: https://manullafc.ie/lotto/.
Online registration is now open for both new and returning members.
Click the link below, or scan the QR code to go to the club website.
https://reg.sportlomo.com/club/fai/mayo/manulla.
Balla Christian Community have welcomed baby Jack Oisin Connellan who was recently baptised in St Cronan's Church, Balla. Congratulations to his parents and family.
Balla Community centre Easter Market will take place on Saturday, March 30, from 11am to 3pm. Phone 087 1850860 for information.
A Willow Workshop will take place on Sunday. April 7, at Balla Community Centre running from 10am to 4pm. There are limited places - phone 085 1850860 too book a spot.
A Seán Keane Concert will be held on Friday, May 31, in Balla Community Centre. Tickets are on sale at the centre and in local shops. All proceeds are in aid of The Sensory Garden and strong support is urged for the worthy cause.
The Croagh Patrick one-day festival will be held on Saturday, April 27, and proceeds from the event will go to Croi. The walk will be guided, and costs only €25. This will cover a barbeque at Campbell’s Pub in Murrisk, soup and sandwich lunch, tea/coffee and a breakfast scone in the morning and bus transport to the beginning point of the walk.
The route stretches 20km from its beginnings at Aughagower Community Centre, to the lovely seaside community of Murrisk near Westport.
The entire Croagh Patrick Heritage Trail is a 60km stretch which usually takes three days to walk, and it runs from Balla to the foot of Croagh Patrick. This year however, participants are only taking on the final stretch of the walk, although that may change next year to include the entire 60 km. People are advised to book on the following website www.croi.ie/croaghpatrick/ although it is possible to pay with cash in person on the day of the festival. For more details view the website www.cpht.ie or you can contact us at info@cpht.ie.
Balla Centre hosts a 25 card drive every Saturday night in Balla Community Centre. Call the Centre at 094 9365843 for more information. Manulla 25 card game takes place at 9pm in the local Centre on Sunday nights. New players are always welcome.