Local Notes: Cormac and James ran 5km every day in November to raise funds for Mindspace.
A representative of Mindspace Mayo receiving a cheque for €5,015 from Cormac Ó Muirithe and James O' Donnell from Belmullet who took on the challenge of running 5km every day over the month of November.
You might recall that Cormac Ó Muirithe and James O’Donnell from Belmullet last November took on the challenge of running 5km every day that month to raise funds for Mindspace. Their efforts raised over €5,000 and recently they called into the office in Castlebar to present the cheque and get a tour of the building. ‘To Cormac and James, thank you both so much for this fantastic undertaking, for raising much needed funds for our service and also for spreading the word about Mindspace and the work we do’, said a spokesperson.Mindspace operates a Belmullet outreach service every Tuesday - just give them a call on 094 906 7001 for more information.
With the recent death of Maura Valkenburg it brings to an end 100 years of the family in Belmullet. Those of us of a certain age will recall Maura and her late brother Buddy in their shop on the corner of Carter Square, their friendliness and sense of community was very evident in their business and private lives.
Not an Erris surname or an Irish surname, the name was first found in Southern Netherlands, where they grew to be an influential family and were elevated to the ranks of the nobility. The first Valkenburg came to Ireland to work for Charles Bianconi, who revolutionised public transport in the first half of the 19th century with his “long cart”.
The first record of a Valkenburg in Ireland was the baptism of Maria Teresa in 1812 in Kilcullen Co Kildare, her father was John Valkenburg, and there are Baptismal records for two more daughters in Kilcullen. In Griffith’s Valuation taken in the 1850’s there was just two Valkenburg households, one in Dublin, Edward, he had two houses and two stables and one, Peter, in Cong North, Co Mayo who had a stable, house, shed and garden. As both Edward and Peter were listed as having stables, it is possible that they housed horses for Bianconi. Local historian states that the original Valkenburg who came to Ireland, probably John, had three sons so Edward and Peter would be two of them.
According to the history of Ballinrobe John Valkenburg had been the manager of a hotel for the local landlord, Knox. Bianconi had hotels in various locations in Ireland where people could stay overnight before continuing on their journey so it is possible that Bianconi had this hotel leased and John Valkenburg managed it on his behalf. About 1858 the Valkenburg family bought the Hotel from Knox for £1,000.
The first marriage for a Valkenburg was in Cong, Co Mayo in 1855, Mary Anne the daughter of Peter whose occupation was, hotel keeper. So sometime between 1818 and 1855 the Valkenburg family came to Co Mayo. Their Dutch heritage was evident in the naming of one of the children, Herman, born in 1888 in Ballinrobe.
Sometime after 1911 Andrew John Valkenburg came to Belmullet and in 1932 he married Bridget Agnes Kiely who was from Co Waterford. On the marriage cert her occupation was given as an instructress. She worked for Roinn na Gaeltachta, and his occupation was merchant. He died in 1960 and she died in 1993, they are buried in Glencastle Main Graveyard. They had three sons and two daughters who are all now deceased.
Ancestors of Maura Valkenburg: Parents - Andrew Valkenburg and Bridget Agnes Kiely; Grandparents - Edward Valkenburg and Elizabeth Lynch; Great grandparents - Peter Valkenburg and Sarah Dunne; Great great grandparents - John Valkenburg and Anne Keighy.
Commenting on the aftermath of Storm Éowyn Sinn Féin TD for Mayo Rose Conway-Walsh has said that power and water outages illustrate the lack of investment over decades in Mayo’s critical infrastructure. She has also called for the reconvening of the Dáil as quickly as possible to enable a coordinated response across the state.
Rose Conway-Walsh said: “Storm Éowyn has battered the entire country and thousands of people remain without power and water. Parts of Mayo have been very significantly affected with widespread outages and in some cases unacceptably long timeframes for reconnection. I commend the emergency and statutory services that have been working round the clock doing tremendous work, but the fact remains that the government’s failure to invest in vital infrastructure means that it will take much longer to recover from this terrible storm. I also commend the trojan community initiatives being taken around the county”.
“The fact that there are water treatment facilities across the state with no generators is something that must be immediately addressed. The government must now give serious consideration to a programme of undergrounding some electrical cables to ensure that future storms do not have this effect”.
“My offices will offer any support possible over this difficult period and people should feel free to make contact with me on rose.conwaywalsh@oireachtas.ie and on 087 7638843 / 087 2444048.”
The Cill Chomáin GAA Club Dinner Dance will be held on Friday, February 14, in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel at 7.30pm with music by Finian Quinn followed by DJ. Tickets are available from Michelle and Maureen at 086 4075057 /087 6198205. The last date for purchasing tickets is February 7. All previous tickets purchased remain valid.
Minister Dara Calleary has welcomed confirmation that Inver NS has received approval to proceed to construction with a proposed extension. "The Department of Education has issued approval to Inver NS to now proceed with their long anticipated extension. I have worked closely with the outgoing Minister Norma Foley to get this project over the line. I also want to acknowledge my colleague Cllr Sean Carey and the school management under the guidance of Diane Cosgrove for their commitment to the project. It will be a fantastic addition to the school," he said.
Results of the game held on January 21; 1st Ann and Vincent McDonnell, 2nd John and Jean Beard, 3rd John McDowell and Deirdre Fitzpatrick. A club lunch in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel on Sunday, January 26, proved a very enjoyable occasion. Thanks to all the staff in the hotel for good food and relaxing atmosphere. Lessons for beginners commenced on Sunday, February 2, from 2 - 4 pm. This was the first of a series of four lessons which will be held each Sunday during the month. Contact Jean text or phone 087 2398919 or any club member to join in or for more information.
Deepest sympathies are extended to the family of Maura Valkenburg, Quay Street, Belmullet and formerly of The Square, Belmullet; Pauline Sweeney nee Corrigan, Doolough, Geesala and formerly of Briska, Bangor-Erris; Frank McHugh, Springfield, Bangor Erris and late of Tarsaghaun, Ballycroy and London; Ann Hegarty née Winters, Glencalry, Belderrig and formerly of Muingerean, Moygownagh; Kevin McGrath, Portacloy, Carrowteige; and Monica McAndrew Gortmore, Bangor Erris. May they all rest in peace.
The Noel Reilly St Stephen’s Day dip at the local tidal pool raised €6,017. A big thank you to everyone who took part on the day which makes a real difference to Cancer Care West. Over the past 12 years the event has raised €84,000. This incredible achievement would not have been possible without the support of everyone who comes out to help, participate, donated and promote.
The annual Tom Rafter Memorial Darts competition will be held on Sunday, Febuary 9, in the Anglers Rest in Glenamoy with check in time at 5pm and the event beginning at 6pm. Funds are for Help Mags Find Relief fund.
A charity memorial match in memory of John MacAndrew’s 20 anniversary will be played at the Kilmore ground played by John’s friends and team mates on Saturday, February 22, with all proceeds raised going to Cancer Care West.
