Local Notes: Enjoying the Cill Chomain GAA Club awards.
Enjoying the recent Cill Chomáin GAA Club awards were Kieran and Teresa Moran from Glenamoy.
Minister for Rural and Community Development and the Gaeltacht Dara Calleary has confirmed that Belmullet District Hospital refurbishment and redevelopment is included in the HSE Capital Plan 2026. The Minister said, “I am pleased to confirm that €280,000 has been allocated for the next stage of the proposed redevelopment of Belmullet District Hospital. Working with Cllr Sean Carey, I secured a commitment from the previous Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly that this project would be delivered and I am very happy that the present Minister, Minister Jennifer Carroll McNeil has now followed through on that commitment with this tranche of funding to move the project forward.
“The project will include a new 50 bed community nursing unit as part of a broader, on-going initiative to modernise healthcare facilities in the Erris region. It is great news that the appraisal, design and planning stages are moving along and continuing to work with Cllr Carey and the HSE locally, I am satisfied that we will move to construction as quickly as possible.”
Up-grade works on the Ballycroy Community Playground have now commenced. Significant construction activity will be on-going over the coming weeks, and there may be some disruption in the surrounding area as the project progresses. For safety reasons, there must be no access to the construction area at any time during the works. The playground will reopen only once the project is fully completed and officially authorised by Mayo County Council. It is requested that all restrictions are respected until the playground is formally reopened.
Tusla Fostering information night will be held on Thursday, March 5, from 7.30 to 9pm in Kiltane GAA Complex, Bangor, if you or interested or thinking of fostering care.
There are a group of dedicated volunteers, but if you would like to help or know anyone that would be interested in helping out in Belmullet town on Daffodil day, March 20, or surrounding areas taking up the street collection on the day, contact Mary on 087 1343365 or Linda at 086 0564544.
The annual Noel Reilly Dip has raised €5168 for Cancer Care West. The event has raised over €90,000 in 13 years, with 100% of the money that is raised going directly to Cancer Care West. Hopefully with a big push the amount will pass the €100,000 mark.
On Saturday, March 7, Belmullet will be the only Mayo location of Community Connects National Drive and Drop event. From 11am to 2pm, volunteers will collect donations outside Belmullet National School. Míle buíochas to the school for allowing to use the location. Donations of new and unopened baby essentials for families in need will be greatly appreciated by everyone at Ireland's Baby Bank charity – it helps to stock up hubs with basic necessities needed by families all over the west of Ireland and in other parts of the country. Examples of items accepted include: nappies size 1 or 2, baby towels, blankets, bibs, nappy cream, baby shampoo, babygros, vests, baby wipes, maternity items for hospital, gift items for mothers such as hand cream or body lotion. (No candles or glass items please.) Financial donations also accepted on the day, or you can donate online. Find out more on www.communityconnect.ie If you have any queries, send a text message to Rosemarie on 086 835 4755.
A brilliant night of darts recently took place in the Eagle Bar, Corclough, to conclude the 25/26 Erris Village League with 3 finals played out in front of a packed crowd. First up the young guns of Elly 2 powered their way to a 4-1 win against a spirited Healy’s team with Jack O'Grady hitting the winning double. In the shield final, a cracking standard of darts resulted in Doocey’s overcoming Connolly’s 4-1 with John Caff sealing the win. The main event of the evening was the cup final between the unbeaten Valley Inn 1 and the inform team, Glencastle. With two high-quality doubles matches shared as well as a singles win apiece for Jimmy Lavelle and Kevin Rowland, the scores stood at 2-2.
Tom Moran stepped up and played one of the games of the year, starting both legs with a 180 on his way to putting Glencastle 3-2 up and on the cusp of the title. Aiden Maloney dug deep after going a leg down against Kevin Kilcoyne to get the valuable point on the board for The Valley Inn making it 3-3 and sending the match to a one man shootout to decide the title for the 3rd time in 4 years.
The two captains on the night backed themselves, and up stepped Brendan Conway and Tom Moran to battle it out for the title in front of a huge crowd. Brendan flew out of the traps, taking the first leg. Tom pegged him back in the second to send them down to one simple leg of 501 for the title. Brendan found another gear and fired some big scores on his way to pinning the double to win the title much to the delight of the Valley Inn team and supporters. Well done to The Valley Inn 1 and commiserations to Glencastle but a credit to both teams for putting on a hugely entertaining final. Presentations were made to all finalists as well as the overall cup, semi and quarter finalists with €1,350 paid out in prize money.
The individual awards were presented as follows; Most 180s with 5 was Tom Moran; the highest checkout with 140 was Liam O'Donnell from Binghamstown 1; Player of the Year was won by Kevin Rowland, who went unbeaten all year with 8 from 8. Honourable mentions must go Brendan, Aiden, Tom, Pat Deane, John Caff and Cathal Philibin for brilliant individual seasons and some brilliant displays of darts especially in the knockout rounds making it a tough award to call.
Something new is coming to Binghamstown this St. Patrick’s Day. For the very first time, they are lighting up the village with a St. Patrick’s Day Light Parade - and all are invited! Join one and all in Binghamstown on Monday 16, at 7pm as the village lights up for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day parade. Expect an evening packed with atmosphere and craic, food trucks, live music, Irish dancing and lanterns lighting up the night with plenty more surprises along the way. Dress up, glow up, and go as Irish as you possibly can, there’ll be prizes for the best costumes on the night. The celebrations continue afterwards with live music from Michael S. and Clodagh, and DJ Stefan Hegarty.
St Patrick’s Day parade in Ballycroy takes place on March 17, at 1pm after Mass. Bringing the community together for a great afternoon of colour, music and celebration, and they would love to see local groups, clubs and organisations taking part in the floats.
The Erris One Million Stars Project is a community arts initiative that has brought together participants of all ages to weave powerful symbols of light, hope and solidarity against violence. Both young and old have been weaving stars over the last number of weeks transforming simple strips of ribbon into meaningful stars of hope. Each star represents a collective stand against gender-based violence. The finished stars will be showcased at an open event in Aras Inis Gluaire, on Monday, March 9, from 11am-12.30pm. Go along and see the displays created by students of Our Lady's Secondary School Belmullet and Saint Brendan's College. Enjoy some music and refreshments, and learn to weave a star to add to the national project.
McGraths Tours take place to Bundoran on Sunday, June 28, to Wednesday, July 1, staying in the Allingham Arms in Bundoran. The cost of the trip is €405 per person sharing and €480 for single room. This price includes bed and breakfast and evening meal. Breakfast on Sunday morning and evening meal on return. Also price includes entry to Mick Flavin and Philomena Begley on Sunday night. Names as soon as possible with deposits of €100 non-refundable to Mary Irwin 087 9232327, Carmel Gaughan 086 8488266 or Angela at McGraths Tours.
Join in celebrating International Women's Day on Friday, March 6, from 1-2pm in Áras Inis Gluaire in Belmullet, with a relaxed get together, light lunch. The event is free of charge, and all are welcome. For more information call Aras Inis Gluaire on 097 81079 or Rina on 087 1840 214.
