Local Notes: Erris Darts Club host the Michelle Gaughan Memorial Darts competition.
Congratulations to Brendan Conway on winning the recent Michelle Gaughan Memorial Darts competition pictured with members of the Gaughan family.
The name John J Shevlin is not one that many would be familiar with but he was born in Belmullet in 1931, the son of Tom Shevlin and Annie Lynskey. Tom was originally from Toorglass, the son of Edward and Mary Gaughan, he was a motor mechanic and taxi driver, he also ran a grocery shop with his wife Annie, she was from Binghamstown, the daughter of Philip and Mary Mangan.
In the early 1960’s the shop moved from its original location to the top of Barrack St., where their son John J. and his wife Bernie took over the business.
There was never a sign put over the shop window, that might have confused the people, it was always known as Dodie’s, the story goes that John J got the name as a child from his late sister, Mary, the name stuck and everyone called him Dodie.
One of Dodie’s great passions was football, the last time Mayo won the All Ireland in 1951, Dodie was there. He left Belmullet with a group of friends including I believe the late Eamon Sweeney who was the driver, there was no scramble for tickets back then, they arrived in Croke Park at half time having made a few pit stops along the way.
Dodie ran a very successful business with the assistance of his late wife Bernie and staff until it closed in 2008, and he has left us with many great memories.
Rest in peace Dodie, you were one of a kind.
I think we can all agree it was a brilliant afternoon and evening in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel as the Michelle Gaughan Memorial Darts competition was welcomed back into the calendar of Erris Darts. Brendan Conway was the worthy winner overcoming Cathal Tighe in a cracking final. Semi finalists were Noel Philibin and Johnny Deane, and Brendan also took home the highest checkout prize with 154. The first 180 prize went to Thomas Meenaghan.
In the youth’s event, Jack O'Grady was a very worthy winner overcoming up and coming youngster Daibhi McLaughlin in a very well supported final. Alex Bielinski and Danny Maloney were the semi-finalists with Brent Kelly taking home the first 180 prize in the youths as well as the highest checkout trophy with 102.
‘Well done to all the 90 plus players that took part throughout the day. At last count over €4,500 was raised for Carra Iorrais, and the emotion and love that was in the room was infectious all day from everyone involved. Thank you to Pat, Leah and Adam Irwin for coming out to support the event so soon after the loss of Evan. He was in the room with us all yesterday. You always hear people saying there's far too many people to thank, but I, for one, know this is definitely true on the day. Those of you who contributed in any way to what was one of the best darting events I've ever had the pleasure of being at, a massive thank you; to the Padden family and staff in Broadhaven Bay Hotel and especially Edward, MJ Nallen and Paddy Joe, for a brilliant organisation; Peter Doherty for taking my scribbled down drawings and making it a reality; Kevin, Alex, Rachel, Keith, Aidan, JT, Liam and Liam Jnr for the help on the Friday night and in the early hours of Sunday morning for the top class set up we put on; to the wonderful ladies from Carra Iorrais and to all the generous sponsors of prizes, a big thanks to you. It is an absolute credit to be part of such a wonderfully supportive community; to everyone who helped chalk games, especially Mark Doocey, for chalking both the youths and men’s finals and resident DJ George for the music, albeit not by request; to the Erris Darts Youth Club who supplied all the boards, lights and ochies needed on the day; to the Gaughan family, especially Michael and Catherine, it was an absolute honour for us to run this competition in Michelle's memory, and your support from day one for darts in Erris will never be matched; to everyone that came out on the day and contributed in any small way to what was a brilliant way to kick off the new season of darts, Erris Darts is growing bigger and better week in week out and I hope to see more teams than ever entered in the upcoming village league.
My final thank you goes to the brilliant Rachel McBride as always for ensuring everything runs smoothly on the day and behind the scenes and, to my right hand man Kevin Rowland for absolutely everything day in day out’, said a spokesperson for Erris Darts.
IT and Me is a short film about how people with intellectual and associated disabilities can use technology in their everyday lives for enjoyment, communication and keeping in contact with their family and friends. The 25 minute film was shown in Aras Inis Gluaire recently. Local advocacy representative for the Belmullet Day Service is Michael Sayers. The film was made by the members of the Mayo Self Advocacy Group. They shared their ideas and stories which provided the story lines for this film. Lorraine, drama facilitator then worked with advocates to put the scenes together. Everyone enjoyed watching the acting skills of the wonderful cast. The cast demonstrated how to use technologies such as making phone calls, WhatsApp, text messages, using Google, watching their favourite soap opera and how it can help with communication. It was the collective talent of the group of advocates from script to the screen.
Members of the support team at the showing included Carmel Brady, advocacy co-ordinator with Western Care Association who works alongside the members of the Mayo Self Advocacy Group and Noreen McGarry who is the Community Inclusion Co-ordinator for Western Care.
Erris Sustainable Energy Community (SEC) is hosting an SEAI and Mayo County Council Housing Grants information evening on Thursday, October 2 from 7-9pm in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel, Belmullet. There will be various experts’ there at the event to answer questions. All are welcome.
The Kilcommon Community Development draw was held on September 14 and the numbers drawn: 1, 2, 3, and 34 for a jackpot of €6,000 with no winner. The house prize winner of €100 was Paddy McGuire, Barnatra and the two €30 offline winners were Ciara O’Donnell, Aughoose and Brian McCann, Belderrig. The two €30 online winners were Geraldine Mason, Pullathomas and Dee Gallagher, Donegal. The jackpot in the latest draw which was held in The Lighthouse Tavern was €6,100.
The Erris Market will be held Aras Inis Gluaire in Belmullet on September 27, from 10am til 2pm. The market showcases the best of Erris handmade and home-grown goods.
Gaeltacht Parents are preparing a new 'Family Conversation' group in Iorrais, for parents and children on October 7, at 5.30pm in Aras Inis Gluaire, Béal an Mhuirthead. There will be an opportunity to meet once a week for conversation, games, songs, rhymes and a cup of tea/coffee, with a chance to practice and improve your Irish in a fun and supportive space. Send a WhatsApp to Siobhán for more information or to book your place on 085 8339491.
The Cill Chomain U8 GAA team attended the county blitz recently with two teams playing in the blitz in Bekan on the day. Both teams played very well showing great enthusiasm and skill in all their games. They were a great credit to the club. They have improved a lot since the start of the year.
The club extend their sincere thanks to the parents for bringing their children to the blitz; to the coaches and everyone who helped on the day, and a huge thank you to Michelle and Jonathan O’Donnell and all the team at "West Coast Crab Sales" for sponsoring new training tops to the Junior Ladies team. Their continuous support to the team and the club is greatly appreciated.
Deepest sympathies to the family of John Joe Shevlin (better known as Dodie), Upper Barrack Street, Belmullet; Seamus Conmy, 22 Seaside, Belmullet and formerly of Toorglass East, Belmullet; Anthony (Tony) Mangan, Swindon and formally of Emlybeg North, Belmullet; Michael Doherty, better known as Mikey, Inver (Caol Dubh), Barnatra; Tony Conway. Tullaghan Bawn, Geesala, Ballina and formally Clapham, London. May they all rest in peace.
There was one winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club lotto jackpot, congratulations from the club to Gerry Sweeney, Maidstone, England on winning the €7,700 prize online. The new jackpot will commence at €5,000 this week.Bingo will take place in the GAA complex Bangor this Tuesday, September 23, at 8pm. The jackpot will be €800 in 51 calls or less. Congratulations to David O’Malley who won €500 and Lawrence Barrett who won €200, the Kiltane GAA Club winners in the club development draw.
Jude Walsh from the Mayo Beekeepers Association will be giving a live demonstration and talk on beekeeping from 2 to 4pm on Saturday, September 27, at the National Museum of Ireland, Turlough Park, Castlebar. Discover the world of bees at this engaging event which will be perfect for nature lovers, families, and curious minds of all ages. Admission is free. Booking is required. Telephone +353 94 9031751 or email bookingscountrylife@museum.ie.
