Local Notes: Great turnout for Ballintubber 'Turkey Trot'
They are off and running! Participants pictured at the start of the annual Turkey Trot Fun Run at Ballintubber Centre on St Stephen’s Day. Picture: Tom Quinn
Ballintubber Bord na nÓg has extended thanks to all who participated in their annual Turkey Trot fun run on St Stephen’s Day. Thanks have also been extended to all who helped out and provided refreshments. The results of the male competitions were: 1st, Ciaran Prendergast; U-16, Brendan McCarthy; U-12, J P Gilligan.
The results of the female competitions were: 1st, Kate Brennan; U-16, Isobelle Hoban; U-12, Elinda Gilligan.
Ballintubber GAA lotto jackpot stood at €8,100 on Sunday night, December 22nd, when the numbers drawn were 2, 9, 16 and 19.
There was no jackpot winner. Consolation prizes went to Sean Corley, Ann Cannon, Sean Kelly, T & B Gibbons, Myles Kelly and Sean Horan.
The jackpot stood at €8,200 on last Sunday night, December 29th. Play Ballintubber lotto via the club's Facebook page.
There was a fine turnout of players on St Stephen’s Day at 10.30am for a novelty challenge between a Ballintubber GAA Club's Over 30s Selection and a younger set of current players. After a close, exciting and sporting contest, the veterans “mixem –gatherem” Over 30s side prevailed by the narrowest of margins, 3-5 to 2-7.
There was no winner of the jackpot of €10,300 in the Ballyglass FC Lotto Draw held on December 23rd last. The numbers drawn from the drum were 5, 14, 18 and 28.
The consolation prize-winners were Padraic Hughes, Caroline and Micheal Cunningham (Twice), Nuala Heneghan and Delia Mae Malone.
Play now to be in with a chance to win next week’s jackpot by clicking.
The jackpot stood at €10,400 on last night, December 30th.
The annual general meeting of Ballyglass FC will be held in the Clubhouse on Friday, January 10th, at 8.30pm. All members are urged to attend. New members will be made most welcome.
The annual general meeting of Ballyglass Community Council will be on Wednesday, January 22nd, at 8pm in the Community Centre. New members are always very welcome..
The death took place last week of Sarah Ann (Sadie) Jennings (née Mulhaire, Moorehall), Lakeview, Ballinrobe.
Predeceased by her parents Delia and Michael, brothers Tom, P.J. Michael Peter and sisters Kathleen and Philomena, Francis, Sarah Ann is deeply regretted by her loving family, her husband Joe, son John, daughter-in-law Aisling, grandchildren Patrick, Adele, Sean, Jack, brother-in-law Gerald and his wife Evelyn (USA), Jack (Birmingham), nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends to whom sincere sympathy is extended.
Her remains reposed at Cummins Funeral Home, Ballinrobe on the Sunday evening (December 22nd) from 6.30pm with removal to St Mary’s Church, Ballinrobe. Requiem Mass was celebrated on Monday at 2pm with the funeral proceeding to the New Cemetery, Ballinrobe.
May she rest in peace.
The Christian Community welcomes Ailish Felicity Horan, baptised in Holy Trinity Abbey, Ballintubber, on Friday, December 20th.
The Christian Community also welcomes Bébhinn Joan Finnerty, baptised in Holy Trinity Abbey, Ballintubber and Lucy Geraldine Clarke, baptised in St Mary’s Church, Carnacon on last Saturday, December 28th.
Congratulations to all the parents and families.
The deaths has occurred tragically in a house fire of John and Stephen Lee, Co Limerick. John was son-in-law of the late Stephen and Teresa Mulroe, Castlecarra and sincere sympathy is tendered to the Lee and Mulroe families on their great loss.
May they rest in eternal peace.
A new single about the late Brother Joseph McNally has been released from singersongwriter Barney McCabe and is included on Bernard's new album . It was inspired by a recent visit and a tour by the Abbey guide Muriel Barry. Barney is from the beautiful village of Cong in South Mayo.
There are copies of this new album available in the Abbey Gift shop.
Sincere sympathy is tendered to Debbie Loftus, Ballintubber on the recent passing of her brother, Mark Gibbons, in England.
Sincere sympathy is also extended to Nan Higgins, Castlecarra, on the death of her brother, Michael Horan, Dublin.
May they rest in peace.
A Nollaig na mBan function will take place in Corley’s Abbey Lounge on Saturday, January 4th, with arrival at 5pm for dinner at 6pm.
Tickets cost €45 per person and there will be a raffle on the evening. Places are limited and pre-booking is required.
A 25 Drive (Singles hands with 16 games) has started in Carnacon Community Centre on Thursday night at 8.30pm.
There is a raffle and refreshments served after the game. There is a special prize for the person with the greatest number of games, and the least number of games at Christmas. All card players are welcome.
Avoid the traffic chaos in major urban centres, shop local and support local this season. The Abbey Gift Shop is fully stocked with beautiful Hawthorn Handmade Skincare Giftsets and they also stock a fantastic range of products, gits, candles, books and toys from local suppliers. The Gift Shop is open daily.
Guided tours are available seven days a week including Sundays after Mass, Monday to Friday at 12 noon and 3pm. Contact 093-9030934 or email info@ballintubberabbey.ie.
A selection of wedding and baptism gifts and cards are now available in the Gift Shop. Your support is greatly appreciated.
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PARTRY/TOURMAKEADY/KILLAWALLA
The 37th annual edition of , that eagerly awaited community magazine, is available in local retail outlets. This is a high-quality production and is tremendous value at only €10.
The magazine features a parish record of all births, deaths, marriages, retirements and graduations. The activities of local sporting organisations, GAA, soccer, Community Games, and swimming are comprehensively covered.
There is a superb series of interesting articles including 'Ballinrobe to Baghdad – the many adventures of Henry Blosse Lynch', Fr Patrick Malone, 'Friends you used to Know', Ceann Scribe Baile Ghib, Páirc Ben, History of medical services in Tourmakeady, Statistical Survey of County Mayo 1802, Féile na Locha 2024, a Geopark feature, and a Coláiste Muire article, among many more features.
There is a superb spread of community news embellished by multiple colour photographs. The long-serving editorial committee are deserving of the highest plaudits for their dedication and commitment to this highly praiseworthy annual initiative. This is the ideal “letter from home” for Tourmakeady folk around the country and across the globe.
Tuar Mhic Éadaigh’s 2010 intermediate championship triumph features in the new Mayo GAA book .
The club’s 2010 Mayo Intermediate title win is the focus of the Tuar Mhic Éadaigh chapter. Club legends Kevin Dolan, Tommy Heneghan, Brian Naughton, Brendan Prendergast and Ciarán Walsh reflect on a famous win for the Gaeltacht club.
Written by experienced GAA journalist Edwin McGreal, is a must-read for anyone with a grá for Mayo.
It is on sale in TJ O’Toole’s in Tourmakeady, Castle Books in Castlebar, Martin Murphy’s in Ballinrobe, The Bookshop (Duffy’s) and Mcloughlin’s in Westport, all good bookshops and online via www.mayobooks.ie where it can be shipped anywhere in the world.
Thuar Mhic Éadaigh GAA Lotto jackpot stood at €15,100 on December 21st when the numbers drawn were 4, 6, 18 and 26, and there was no jackpot winner. Noreen Hughes was the online consolation prize-winner.
The draws take place on Saturday nights weekly and there are two online prizes of €40 and also a €40 Cairde prize each week. All funds raised support club development and the support of patrons is deeply appreciated. You can play online at www.smartlotto.ie.
To celebrate the 60th year of Tuar Mhic Éadaigh GAA Club (1965 to 2025), there will be a dinner dance on February 15th in the Castlecourt Hotel in Westport. A huge response is anticipated and tickets will be available shortly.
There was a lovely gathering in Halla Tuar Mhic Éadaigh just before Christmas to bid farewell to Tom Heneghan, Derrassa, who finished his term working on the CE Scheme in Tuar Mhic Éadaigh.
Tom was highly commended for his commitment to the scheme over the past six and a half years and sincere thanks were extended to him for all the valuable work he has done, not alone around the Halla but in the community of Tuar Mhic Éadaigh.
Tom was never afraid to take on any new task and obliged on many an occasion down through the years given short notice when help was needed. He is wished great happiness and health in his retirement.
The 2025 calendars compiled by Coiste Pleanála Teanga Dhúiche Sheoigheach agus Tuar Mhic Éadaigh are now published and hopefully available at the following venues - O'Toole's Post Office and Shop, Máire Luke's and perhaps in Halla Tuar Mhic Éadaigh when it re-opens after Christmas. Calendars are free of charge, so when they are gone, they are gone.
Oifig an Halla will be reopening on Monday, January 6th.
They would like to wish everyone a prosperous New Year and sincere thanks are extended to everyone who helped and supported the Halla during the year.
National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) Peatlands and Natura Community Engagement Scheme are inviting applications across a diverse range of initiatives with a community benefit including events, education programmes, promotions, publications, exhibitions, development of conservation management plans, public amenity and recreational measures, maintenance measures that support conservation measures, monitoring or surveying work to inform of restoration/conservation projects, invasive species and fire control measures, anti-littering initiatives to local environmental improvements in the area of the designated sites and other peatland areas.
Successful applicants for this year’s assistance will be awarded funding to support a maximum of 80% of the project's eligible costs, with a maximum grant of €40,000 for Natura 2000 designated sites and up to €20,000 for Non-Natura 2000 peatland sites.
Further details of the scheme are available on the NPWS website at www.npws.ie.
The closing date for submission of applications is Friday, January 24th, 2025.
The AGM of Killawalla Community Council will be held on February 11th as the three-year term of the current council is up.
Some members are staying on and some are moving on so we are looking for some new members who would like to get involved in our community events.
There is a voting and information sheet being circulated and they will be available at the church porch to pick up and a box will be placed there for their return by January 5th.
A community council is vital for the area to address any issues, make improvements and bring the community together for different events.
There will be a Nollaig na mBan celebration on Sunday, January 5th, in the Lough Inn, Partry at 8pm. Storyteller Joe Greaney will be there to entertain.
If you can sing, play a musical instrument, recite poetry etc., this is your opportunity to showcase your talent! Not just for the ladies, men are also very welcome!
Partry Community Park is part of the Blue Tesco Token initiative. Please support this worthy cause with purchases and blue tokens at Tesco, Ballinrobe.
St Mary’s National School, Partry would welcome consignments of returnable bottles and cans. Donations of the returnable bottles and cans can be made during school hours and outside of that time people can phone 087-3141868 to arrange access. Strong support for the venture would be highly appreciated.
Partry FC numbers draw takes place weekly on Wednesdays. Congrats to Pat and Madeline Dermody, and Bryan and Deirdre Hennelly, Partry who were recent winners in the popular club numbers lotto. The funds raised go towards running the club during the year.
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BREAFFY/ BALLYHEANE/ BELCARRA
Breaffy GAA Lotto stood at a massive €27,000 for the December 23rd draw. The numbers drawn were 4, 24, 30 and the bonus number was 4. There was no jackpot winner.
Congratulations to the weekly prize-winners.
The jackpot stood at €27,400 for the December 30th draw.
The club have extended sincere thanks to all who support the weekly draws. Play online at www.lottoraiser.ie.
Congratulations are extended to Breaffy senior player and senior team captain Conor O’Shea and Eimear O’Connell who were recently married. The popular couple are wished a long and happy life together.
Belcarra Community Council’s Lotto Jackpot is fast approaching €10,000. The jackpot stood at €9,700 on Sunday, December 22nd when the numbers drawn were 2, 7, 24 and 25.
There was no Jackpot winner. The Lucky Dip Winners of €30 were Ann Ruane, David and Lucy McNamara, Kay Doherty and Claire Cuffe.
On December 29th, the jackpot stood at €9,800. Thanks as always for the support of patrons. Tickets are on sale in Cunningham’s Costcutter, Cuffe Car Sales, Nestors and Flukies.
Names are now being taken for children starting school in September at Belcarra NS. Please contact the school for an enrolment form or email office@belcarrans.ie or phone 094-9032210.
Fr Frank Nally will be showing a video of his ordination and his First Mass on his 40th anniversary in Belcarra Community Centre on January 5th at 7pm. All are welcome. Congrats to him and best wishes in the years ahead.
All monies placed in the candelabra while the Crib is in place in St Anne’s will be donated to Sr Mary O'Malley to support her missionary work in Kenya. The annual generous contribution enables Sr Mary to help many needy people.
Mayo FC is delighted to announce that they are hosting a 24-hour Soccerthon in Umbro Park in conjunction with Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation.
The Soccerthon will be held on March 14th and 15th from 6pm to 6pm.
The games will be one hour long and the score will be kept for the full 24 hours. Players participating must be 16 or older. Why not get your club, business, friends, family, work colleagues or even an all-star team together and support Mayo FC and Mayo Roscommon Hospice? Contact mayofcsoccerthon@gmail.com for more information.
Ballyheane community has extended thanks to Minister Alan Dillon TD, Cllr Ger Deere, Cllr Blackie Gavin and Cllr Donna Sheridan for switching on the Christmas lights in Ballyheane.
Sincere thanks were also tendered to Joe McHale and the members of the Community Council for preparing the groundwork. Thanks to all the sponsors for their kind donations to this wonderful project.
The comfortable confines of Ballyheane Centre are the venue for enjoyable Bingo sessions on Wednesday nights each week at 9pm. There are generous prizes and refreshments are served.
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Balla/Manulla
The death took place last week of Mary Kilgallon (nee Togher) Knockadorraghy, Mayo Abbey, Claremorris and formerly of New Line and Riverdale Court, Castlebar.
Mary passed away peacefully, following a short illness in the wonderful care of Mayo Hospice, surrounded by her loving family.
Predeceased by her parents John and Mary Togher, she is deeply regretted by her husband and soulmate Liam, her beloved sons Padraig and Shane, daughters-in-law Denise and Aoife, adored grandchildren Sarah, Max and Niamh, her brothers Mattie, Joe and Micheal, sisters-in-law Mary, Eileen and Geraldine, Marion, Geraldine and Josephine, nieces, nephews, friends and neighbours to whom sincere condolences are extended.
Her remains reposed at Balla Funeral Home on last Thursday and Requiem Mass was celebrated on Friday in the Church of Our Lady Queen of Peace and St Gerald, Mayo Abbey, with burial ceremonies taking place afterwards in the local cemetery.
Dia dean trócaire ar a nAinm dilis.
Balla GAA Club's Lotto jackpot stood at €9,500 on Thursday, December 19th when the numbers drawn were 13, 15, 16 and 26.
There was no winner of the jackpot and the €30 consolation winners were Patrick Lyons (Online), Declan Giblin (Online) and Chrissie Galvin (Standing Order).
The latest draw was held on Thursday, December 26th, when the jackpot stood at €9,600. Thanks to all who support Balla GAA lotto draws.
Balla GAA Club was absolutely delighted to announce that the annual Festive 5k raised a whopping €3,166 for Crumlin Children's Hospital. They are so grateful to be in a position to offer these proceeds to such a worthy cause.
Balla GAA would like to thank all of the participants who were so generous in their donations. The proceeds go to the amazing people in Crumlin Children’s Hospital who actively execute a really noble mission on this earth.
The latest jackpot stood at a massive €17,600 on Sunday, December 29th, in the Manulla FC Lotto.
Recent consolation prizes of €25 went to Jackie McNicholas, Carnahan (Online), Louise Mulready, Whitehorse (Online), Eilish Gorey, Ashling Manor (Online).
The club are deeply grateful for the weekly support of their patrons. Tickets are available via www.lottoraiser.ie.
The awards ceremony for the Mayo Women's Football League is on January 17th at The Western Hotel in Claremorris.
Congratulations are extended to Second-Year student, Misha Pavlov, for coming first in the Mayo Education Centre post-primary section of their art competition. This is his second year in a row that Misha has won a top prize. Misha is an amazing watercolour artist.
Deepest sympathy is extended to Máirtín Ó Maicín, Balla and formally of Killawalla National School on the recent passing of his sister, Mary Cusack, Dublin.
May she rest in peace.
Balla Community Centre has a range of classes and activities suitable for the whole community.
Please see Balla Community Facebook Page for all programmes during the week, including sewing, knitting classes, artful minds, Yoga, Bridge, Parent and Toddler Group, English classes, and Drama etc.
Balla Active Age Group will meet every Friday at 3pm in the Community Centre. New members will be made most welcome.
Hot Desk spaces are available in the new courthouse and meeting rooms in Balla Community Centre. Please contact info@balla.ie or 087-1850860 for further details.
Parents, toddlers and guardians can meet up for coffee and chat every Thursday from 10.30am until 12 noon in Balla Community Centre. All are welcome.
All monies placed in the candelabra while the crib is in place in St Cronin's will be donated to Sr Mary O'Malley to support her missionary work in Kenya. The annual generous contribution enables Sr Mary to help many needy people.
Balla Monster Bingo takes place on Sundays at Balla Community Centre or online at 8pm sharp. Don't forget to buy your books before 12 noon on Sundays.
A great new service to enhance Balla Bingo has recently commenced. The Bingo bus service has pickups at Brickens, Claremorris, Hollymount, Ballyglass and Mayo Abbey destined to be in Balla for Sunday Bingo at 7.40pm. Please call 087-1850860 or 094-9365846 to reserve your seat.
Balla Centre hosts a 25 card drive every Saturday night in Balla Community Centre. Call the centre at 094-9365843 for more information.
Manulla 25 card game takes place at 9pm in the local centre on Sunday nights. New players are always welcome.
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Errew and Clogher
A Nollaig na mBan celebration will take place on Saturday, January 4th, in Errew Centre from 10am to 1pm.
Ladies, gather and enjoy a morning off and come together for a few hours of guided well-being, conversation, and nice food we haven’t had to prepare ourselves (!) and a celebration of this lovely Irish tradition!
Book your place with Carmel on 087-6972726. The cost is only €35 per person and remember the comfortable venue, Errew Community Centre.
Congratulations to all the winners of the Clogher Anti-Litter Poster Competition 2024. The posters were used to create a calendar for 2025. Thanks to Mayo County Council for supporting the initiative.
Thanks to Clogher National School for hosting the launch and a special word of thanks to Sr Maureen Lally for judging the competition.
Clogher Cards will resume again on Friday, January 3rd.
The organisers would like to thank all the players who have supported the game during 2024. They wish everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas and health and prosperity for 2025.
Clogher Active Age Group is taking a break until January 15th.
Errew Centre is to host another Sage Wellbeing Breathwork course. It will be starting on Tuesday, January 7th, from 7 to 8pm.
Begin the New Year exploring our wellness with sisters, mothers, daughters, friends and neighbours. Please contact Carmel at 087-6972726 to book your place. Limited numbers are available.
Errew Community Centre has been chosen for the current round of the blue token Castlebar Tesco Ireland Community Fund. All local folks and supporters of the new Errew centre project are requested to use the store to vote for the centre with their tokens. The slot will be available to Errew until the end of January!
A Re-turn Bin is now located at Errew Community Centre for all cans and plastic bottles with the Re-turn Logo only.
Please support the Community Centre by using this recycling facility.
