Local Notes: Garrymore GAA present their 1st Rounders of the Year Award.
Fintan Hession (right) was awarded Garrymore's very first Rounders Player of the Year award by club chairperson Pat Hession (left). Garrymore first formed a Junior Mixed Rounders Team in 2024. Garrymore GAA's presentation night was held recently in The Ranch, Claremorris.
The theme for this year’s St. Patrick’s Day Parade in Ballinrobe is ‘Rooted in Tradition – Enriching our Community.’ The schedule of events will include music and dance in Cornmarket from 2 to 3pm, and the parade will commence at 3.30pm. There will be tea and coffee afterwards in the parish centre.
The organisers of the St Patrick’s Day Parade in Ballinrobe are seeking volunteers/stewards to provide help on what is always one of the highlights of the year in the town. Volunteers are needed for roles such as parade stewards (1 to 2 hours), help lining up the floats (1 to 2 hours), social media and promotion help, and those who would like to help with setting up gazebo’s, cones, and bollards.
Those who would like to volunteer for any of the roles are asked to contact the Believe in Ballinrobe Facebook page, or the Tacú Family Resource Centre, Main Street.
The results of a competition held on Thursday, February 26, were as follows: 1st nett Joanne Hynes and Eileen Carney; 1st gross William Enright and Angela Murphy; 2nd Mary Kelly and Kathleen Nally; 3rd Lena Lowery and Maura McHugh; 4th Teresa Eagleton and Ann Usher; 5th John and Mo Mullin.
Ballinrobe Golf Club will hold a fundraising table quiz on Friday, March 20, at 8pm, in the clubhouse. There will also be a raffle and sport prizes on the night. Your support for this fundraiser would be appreciated.
Well done to the Ballinrobe Community School Transition Year students who raised €1,150 from a bucket collection held earlier in the year in aid of the Galway Simon Community.
The Sing Song Social is a pop-up choir from Ballinrobe, who meet up on a regular basis and just sing for fun. These pop-up singing events are very relaxed and sociable, and you get a great sense of achievement from singing the finished product. There is also no commitment to the group and you can join in the singing as little or as often as you like, and each event is new to everyone. The group meets at Ballinrobe Bright Beginnings, in the church in the old Convent, Convent Road, Ballinrobe. Those interested in joining are asked to visit the Sing Social’s Facebook page. New members are welcome.
Meals on Wheels are hot meals delivered to individuals at home (either on a temporary or long term basis). Meals on wheels can make your life easier. This service covers Ballinrobe and the Lake District area. Deliveries take place on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s and consist of soup, main meal and dessert. People can also avail of two meals on Monday’s and Thursday’s.
Low-cost counselling is available in the Tacú Family Resource Centre, Main Street, Ballinrobe. Contact 087 2859973 to talk confidentially and/or to make an appointment. Each call to the low-cost counselling service is dealt with promptly and the caller is matched with a suitable counsellor. This is an extremely confidential service.
Youth counselling is available by contacting the Tacú Family Resource Centre. Two counsellors are available for young people aged 16-25, who are struggling with relationships, anxiety, worries, or who just simply wants someone to listen to them. Further details and information are available by contacting Mary at 087 2859973.
Well done to the Ballinrobe Community School U19 boys’ team who recorded a great 7-0 victory against Davitt College in the U19 Connacht Shield, which took place last Wednesday. The goals scorers for Ballinrobe on the day were Luke Muniz (a hat-trick), Stephen Gibbons, Kyle Burke, Niko Petrovic, and Nathan Dooley.
Next up for the U19’s is a Connacht Shield semi-final against Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew.
Hollymount-Carramore GAA Club’s 60mx40m 3G astroturf pitch is available for bookings. This pitch is ideal for training and also for games up to seven-a-side. Bookings can be made by contacting 086 0409974 or 086 8108582.
Kilmaine GAA Club’s astroturf pitch is available for bookings. This facility is ideal for teams wishing to train, community events, or groups who would like to meet up for a game of football. For bookings or for further details and information, you are asked to contact Brian Shaughnessy at 087 419 6448.
There was no winner of the €12,000 lotto jackpot draw which was held on Monday, March 2. The numbers drawn were 5, 15, 22 and 32.
There was no winner of the €12,200 lotto jackpot draw which was held in the Ranch Bar, on Sunday, March 1. The numbers drawn were 15, 18, 20 and 29. The €50 winners were: Padraic Colleran, Caltra; Alan Donnelly, Ballyglass, and Trevor O’Brien, Garrymore.
The club held its weekly 50/50 draw on Sunday, March 1, with Kieran and Alannah Finnerty the winners of €430. Tickets for the weekly draw can be purchased in Martin Murphy’s Newsagent, and Murphy’s Centra.
Visit a new exhibition of art celebrating stories, symbols and Celtic myth on display in the Courtyard Gallery, Turlough Park. The exhibition has been developed by the Luisne Art Project - a nationally recognised and highly successful arts initiative for people with disabilities, based in Ballinrobe, Co. Mayo. Established in December 2005, the project is supported by Mayo County Council Arts Office and Western Care, with administrative support provided by Tacú, Ballinrobe Family Resource Centre. The project’s mission is to offer a long-term, high-quality art programme that is responsive to the individual talents and needs of participants at the Crann Mór Centre. At its core, Luisne recognises the profound role that art and creativity play in fostering expression and building community. In 2025, the Luisne artists collaborated with art facilitator Noreen Lydon and guest mentors Michael Gannon and Ruby Staunton, exploring the rich tapestry of Celtic mythology. Drawing inspiration from ancient folklore and symbolic imagery, the artists worked with acrylics, watercolour, and gold leaf to create a body of work that is vibrant, and evocative. The result is Celtic Tales by Warrior’s Hand - a compelling collection that celebrates imagination and heritage. Each piece is a story, a symbol, a personal interpretation of Celtic myth rendered through the unique lens of the Luisne artists. Admission Free.
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Mayo Abbey Community Employment Scheme have vacancies in various areas and for further details call Craig or Serena at Mayo Abbey Centre 094 9365987 or email craig@mayoabbey.ie. Department Social Protection eligibility criteria apply.
The numbers drawn for the lotto on Tuesday, March 3, were 5, 12, 23 and 36. There was no jackpot winner, and the €30 winners were; Majella Gibbons, Yvonne Mullen, Maura Jordan, and Margaret McGuire. Next week’s draw will be on Tuesday, March 10,, with a jackpot of €18,100.
Why not call to the Community Coffee Morning every Thursday for a cuppa, a chat and some freshly baked scones which is held in the community centre. No booking necessary. The social dinner takes place every Tuesday but must be booked in advance. Other services on offer at the centre are free computer/smartphone support for beginners; hot desk spaces with fibre broadband connections suitable for virtual meetings or interviews; pick up and drop off point for Local Link Bus service which goes to Castlebar daily Tuesday to Saturday and Claremorris every Thursday. This service is available to all and free to travel pass holders. Book with Local Link 094 900 5150. Collection from your home may be possible by calling the centre to find out more on 094 93 65987.
The Thursday morning walking group start from the community centre at 10.30am. All are welcome, and walk as little or as much as you like and bring a hi-vis. Call Ann on 086 605 7568 or call the centre 094 93 65987 for information.
Mayo Stoma Support Group will be having their next meeting on March 19, at 7pm in the Ellison Hotel Castlebar. It is open to all who either have a stoma or care for them. If you would like to book a place, text 087 6275766.
Get some help to research your family tree with the Mayo Genealogy Group. Find out how to get started, or get some tips and advice on taking the next steps with an existing project. Join the friendly members of the Mayo Genealogy Group at their next meeting, from 11.30am to 1pm, on Saturday, March 14, at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, in Turlough. This is a voluntary group brought together by a keen interest in genealogy. The members enjoy sharing their successes and pitfalls, collective experience and detective work to give other researchers a guiding hand. New researchers are welcome. No booking required.
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Sincere thanks to everyone who supported the Win 26k for 2026. Over €100,000 was raised and this would not have been possible without your generosity and support. The Islandeady Community Council is very thankful for your ongoing support.
The Islandeady Cycling club continue their weekly cycles on Sunday, Tuesday and Thursday.
Islandeady Community Council extend huge congratulations to local postman Michael Brophy who retired last week after 48 years of service. Michael clearly enjoyed his work, carried out in a friendly, helpful and observant manner always. Best wishes to him in his retirement.
Results for Monday night, March 2, 1st prize won by Ann Roache, 2nd shared by Kevin Gibbons, Angela Moran, Kathleen Clarke, Johnny Gavin and Sean O’Boyle, 3rd shared by Sean Canney, John Walsh, Jimmy Ruane, Ed Muldoon, Liam Walsh, Vinnie Lawless, Dominic Mulchrone and Mary Brosnihan. Raffle winners were Ann Roache, Jimmy Ruane, Ed Muldoon and Kathleen Clarke. The game continues every Monday night in Islandeady Community Centre at 8.30pm. Proceeds from the card game on Monday, March 9, will be donated to Cornanool NS.

