Local Notes: Former principals mark opening of Erris school extension
Former principals of Inver National School, Michael McGarry, Maureen Connolly and Maura Harrington at the recent opening of the school room class extension and building renovations.
The board of management, staff and pupils of Glencastle National School wish to sincerely thank Bernie Rowe for her very generous donation of €2,005 from her Christmas Open House, held in memory of Tom, which will support the school's special classes.
A special word of thanks is extended to Regina McNulty for all her hard work in helping to organise and run the event on the day. The school would also like to thank everyone who made sandwiches, baked treats, donated spot prizes, and contributed in any way to the success of the event.
Bernie is a constant supporter of the entire community, and the school greatly appreciates the dedication and effort she puts into organising and hosting this wonderful occasion. It is always a pleasure to visit Bernie’s home and enjoy her amazing Christmas display.
There was no winner of the Kiltane GAA Club lotto jackpot of €6,300 on December 22nd with the two €50 winners being Michael John Carey, Glencullen and Thomas Sweeney, Darlough while Caitriona Munnelly, Geesala and Rosemarie Barrett, Geesala, both won €25.
The two online winners were Marie Robb (€50) and Cora Clarke (€25).
The jackpot also was not won on December 29th when the two €50 winners were Paul Gallagher, Bangor and Amanda Reid, Corner House, Belmullet while Martin Harrington, Geesala and Eileen Hogg both won €25. The two online winners were Breda Walker, Dooyork (€50) and Gerard Sweeney, UK (€25).
Bingo will take place in the GAA Complex in Bangor this Tuesday, January 6th, at 8pm. The jackpot will be €750 in 50 calls or less.
The club's €70 yearly lotto tickets are currently on sale from club officers and the executive.
The numbers drawn in the Kilcommon GAA Lotto on December 22nd were 8, 20, 26 and 36.
There was no winner of the jackpot. The house prize winner of €100 was Tony McGuire, Barnatra and the two €30 offline winners were the McGuire girls, Barnatra and Sean Eoin Keenaghan, Gorthmellia. The two €30 online winners were Annette Conroy, Glenamoy and Brendan Moran, Glenamoy.
The numbers drawn on December 29th were 1, 15, 26 and 27 and there was no winner of the jackpot of €7,500.
The house prize winner of €100 was Tommy Gallagher, Gorthmellia and the two €30 offline winners were James Murphy, Glenamoy and Kevin Barrett, Dooleag. The two €30 online winners were Philomena Healy, London and Bernice McNulty, Belmullet.
The jackpot stood at €7,600 for the latest draw in McGuire’s, Pullathomas.
CLG Cill Chomáin and Kilcommon Community Lotto would like to wish you all a Happy New Year. Thank you for all your continuous support.
Mayo Sinn Féin TD, Rose Conway-Walsh, has said that recent developments around fisheries policy represent an absolute and abject failure of the Common Fisheries Policy, with devastating consequences for Irish fishing families and coastal communities.
“Ireland has once again been failed at both European and national level. What we have witnessed over recent weeks is a complete collapse of the protections that were supposed to safeguard Ireland’s fishing industry.
“The damage done to the sector has been cumulative and relentless. As someone from a coastal county like Mayo, I have witnessed this happen over many years. Fishing families have seen massive trawlers operate recklessly, entirely within the law, while at the same time local fishermen and their families have been criminalised.
“The EU has failed Ireland’s fishing industry repeatedly, but so too has the Government. Brussels has grown accustomed to Irish governments allowing this to happen again and again. Meanwhile, large EU-based corporations have benefited from inflated quotas and overseas investments, while fishing families and communities here are left to suffer.
“We need a fundamental change in how fishing is managed and protected. The current system is not working for Ireland, and it is not working for coastal communities.”
Deputy Conway-Walsh also raised serious concerns about the Government’s proposed Wild Salmon and Sea Trout Tagging Scheme (Amendment) Regulations 2025, which could result in an effective blanket ban on inland fishing, particularly in Mayo.
“Conservation and tradition have never been in conflict in Mayo, but these proposals ignore fishing heritage and rural reality and won’t protect inland fish stocks. Seals in estuaries take more salmon in a month than anglers take in a season, and trawlers at sea take more in a day than anglers do in a year. But it is these fishermen who must suffer because they are perceived as an easy target.
“I have asked the Minister to come to Mayo to meet directly with anglers, draft net licence holders, local businesses and community groups who would be negatively impacted.
“In areas along the River Moy, for example, hundreds of businesses and angling clubs rely on the fishing industry and annual tourism boost. Any proposal that would shut this down cannot be rushed through without proper consultation.
“The Government must put these plans on hold to allow for full consultation with all stakeholders, and to carry out a full impact assessment. The consequences for local livelihoods and the regional economy would be just too severe. This cannot be allowed to happen.”
The Belmullet Sea Angling Christmas Competition took place at Shraigh Beach on December 27th.
Thanks to all the anglers - local and those who travelled far distances - for participating in the annual beach competition 2025. Congratulations to the winners - 1st, Shane Gilavarry, Killala Bay Sea Angling Club; 2nd, Jo Yevhenii Takshyn; 3rd, Sally Gilavary, Killala Bay Sea Angling Club.
Shane Gilvarry also had the prize for the longest fish.
The annual St Stephen's Day match is all over for another year and what a cracker it was.
Huge congratulations to Roy on a hard-earned 3–1 victory over Doohoma. There was serious graft and it was a great game to watch. Well done to all the players on both sides for keeping this brilliant tradition alive.
And the stat that really matters was €1,143 raised for the National School - absolutely unreal support from the community.
Half-time brought the drama too, with the Doohoma ladies taking on Tullaghan in the penalty shoot-out and coming out 2–1 winners.
A big shout-out to super keeper Keith Deane, pulling off heroics when it counted. Mary Ginty, the winning captain, proudly accepted the cup from last year’s winning captain Sophie Gaughan - a lovely moment.
Massive thanks to the managers Trevor and Seán for all the organising and behind-the-scenes work - it’s a job and a half and much appreciated.
A huge shout-out to the lads who look after the set-up year after year, Jonny, Steve, Ritchie, Seán and Donal, for the early starts, heavy lifting, and zero fuss.
Thanks to everyone who donated bottles of whiskey, and to the Mangan Brothers for the teas, coffees and goodies. Special mention to Mary, Danielle and Joanne for their expert hot-whiskey making skills. Fair play to the ref who stepped in at the last minute and saved the day - calm, fair, and no VAR needed.
Big thanks to the kids who helped gather the rubbish at the end - they were absolute stars - and to anyone else who helped out, your assistance did not go unnoticed.
The Battle of the parishes fundraising game between Belmullet and Kilmore took place on St Stephen's day. A huge well done to all the lads and ladies who togged on a lovely crisp day for football at the Tallagh Ground. Over €3,000 was raised for a very worthy cause.
What an epic evening of darts in aid of Ballyglass RNLI. Padraig Gallagher was everybody’s friend so it was an honour to be recipients of this year’s fundraising in his memory. Huge thanks to Celia and Kyle and to all who contributed the many spot prizes on the night. Thanks to Lorraine and staff for being wonderful hosts as always.
The Erris Darts community are a wonderful group and it was evident on the night with how many players joined the event. A credit to them to see so many players out on the oche displaying quality darts.
Thanks to the eventual winner Ultan for his generosity to Ballyglass RNLI. Thanks to all who bought raffle tickets, entered the competition, and thanks to the ladies in the background selling tickets.
Padraig would be very proud of his family, of his local pub and his huge circle of friends who turned out to honour his memory in such a special way. Thanks to the RNLI volunteers for attending what was a brilliant evening of darts and fun.
As always, the RNLI says thanks for your kindness, valued support and generosity to its service.
For 2026, they need more volunteer fundraisers. They have a great team but need more members to cover events, so if your New Year resolution is to help more then what better way than helping a community like Erris.
The operations team and all the crew at Ballyglass RNLI would like to thank and pay tribute to the outstanding dedication and commitment shown by the crews and engineers, past and present, of the outgoing helicopter contractor, CHC.
Bristow Ireland has taken over the Irish Coast Guard’s Sligo search and rescue (SAR) helicopter base. The transition took place recently, with the S-92 used by CHC Ireland replaced by the AW189 flown by Bristow.
Their world-class service from the Sligo base has been an invaluable contribution to the safety of the people of Erris and beyond.
Ballyglass RNLI would also like to wish Bristow Ireland every success, and everyone at the station is looking forward to working with them in 2026.
Belmullet GAA held their club awards recently and congratulation to the winners. The U21 Joint Player of the Year winners were Anthony Barrett and Riain Concannon. Junior Player of the Year was Leo Reuland. Senior Player of the Year was Daniel Barrett and Ladies Player of the Year was Ciara Walsh.
The inaugural Kilmore Pool Competition was held recently and it was a fantastic success on an evening of drama on and off the Green baize.
Teach John Joes defeated the hosts Binghamstown in the Cup Final, captained by Cyril Lavelle, with Steve Lavelle clinching the winning frame to take the illustrious cup back behind the strand. The Shield Final saw Una’s of Blacksod beat the Exiles in a hard-fought encounter and a very emotional team captain Padraig Monaghan take the gold plated shield to Blacksod. A big thank you to Ray and Teresa Whelan for being amazing hosts.
Huge thanks also to Anthony Healy who kindly set up and donated the second pool table for the night. Thanks to everyone who came and supported the club and bought tickets. An amazing €900 was raised.
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