Local Notes: Jack and Aoibhinn win Junior Competition at Bangor Erris St Patrick's Day parade.
Congratulations to Jack Devlin and Aoibhinn McKeon who came first in the junior competition in the St. Patrick’s Day parade in Bangor Erris with their message
A yearly fundraising initiative 'Drink tea for MND' to support the Irish Motor Neurone Association will be held in Ballycastle Community Hall, on Sunday, April 28, at 12.30pm. There are more than 450 people affected by this cruel and debilitating disease all across Ireland. Come along on the day and support this worthy cause, which will help to ensure that every person living with MND receives the dedicated care and support they need and if you can't make it on the day you can donate at
https://www.imnda.ie/s/1348/2024. This event would not be possible without the people who give freely their time, supporters, sponsors, wonderful bakers etc.
Dust off the dancing shoes, for an Easter social dancing weekend, in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel, Belmullet, will be held from March 29-31, with bands every afternoon and night. Call Michael on 086 3083976.
Erris Tours are organising their annual trip and this year it is to Slieve Russell Hotel, Cavan. They will be travelling on Monday, July 1, to Thursday, July 4. Names as soon as possible to Mary on 087 9232327 or Carmel 086 8488266. Carmel will be in the parish office every Thursday from 12 noon - 1pm to take names and deposits. More details later.
The draw took place on March 18, and the numbers drawn were; 1, 11, 29 and 32 for a jackpot €12,500 with no winner. The house prize of €100 was won by Thomas McNulty, Belderrig and the €30 offline winners were PJ McCann, Belderrig and Francis Doherty, Poolboy. The €30 online winners were Marie Deane, Glenamoy and Gerard Leneghan, Co. Meath. The latest jackpot for the draw held on March 25, was €12,600 with the draw in Healy’s Glenamoy.
Mayo Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh has called on the Minister for Health to intervene and relieve pressure on local GP and community health services in Mayo. She has called on the Minister to roll out directly employed GPs and increase primary care staffing in underserved rural and disadvantaged communities. She also called on the government to back a “Pharmacy First” minor ailments scheme to relieve pressure on general practices.
Speaking ahead of a Sinn Fein Dáil motion on this issue, Teachta Conway-Walsh said: “Health services in Mayo are under pressure and our communities are suffering from a lack of respect for their needs from government. Sinn Féin is committed to supporting general practice, directly employing GPs for rural and deprived communities, delivering a Pharmacy First model to relieve pressure from GPs, expanding multi-disciplinary teams, and providing more care in the community in general.
“Care can’t wait, and local communities need support. There are several steps which the government could take immediately to better support local GP and community health services. These are laid out in our motion this week.”
The Bridge Club is up and running again. They meet every Tuesday at 7.30pm in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel. New members would be very welcome. If you are interested in joining but do not know how to play, they will be organising lessons free of charge. Phone Tom at 087 6501592 or Jean 087 2398919.
On Tuesday, March 19, it was such a close contest it produced a triplet of winners each with 15.5 match points. They were: Kay Keoghan and Jim Brown, Sheila and Kieran McDonnell, Jean and John Beard.
Padraig (Fred) and all the Monaghan family, Elly, thank everyone who supported the fundraiser in memory of their dear father Paddy (RIP); to all the players who took part, everyone who sponsored spot prizes for the raffle which raised €675 for Scoil Bhreadain Eachleim, to the sponsors of the trophies, to Andrew and his staff in Una's in Blacksod, and anyone who helped out in anyway. Congratulations to Sean Monaghan who had the highest checkout on the evening.
The challenging Blacksod Point Triathlon, set in the enchanting landscape of the Erris peninsula, will see over 350 athletes from both national and international backgrounds competing on September 14 of this year.
This demanding triathlon, known for its rugged terrain and breath-taking views of rolling sand dunes, majestic Atlantic panoramas, and dramatic sea cliffs, offers participants an unforgettable experience. The race features a 1500m swim in Blacksod Bay, a 40km bike ride to Belmullet town, passing through the highest point of the Erris peninsula, and a scenic 10km run across Falmore.
Organised as part of the Marine Festival by the Belmullet Festival Committee, this event has been hailed by past winners as one of Ireland's most challenging sporting events. With increasing interest from returning participants, the Blacksod Point Challenge Triathlon promises to be one of the premier multi-sporting events in North Mayo. Scheduled for Saturday, September 14, at 10am, those interested can register on www.triathalonireland.com or reach out to blacksodpointchallenge@gmail.com for more information.
A plaque to commemorate the service given by the Erris Volunteers during the War of Independence 1919-1921 will be unveiled beside the foot bridge in Belmullet on March 30, at 2pm. All are invited to remember and give thanks for the sacrifices made by these people.
The triumphant Erris Darts teams gratefully acknowledge all the support they have received in the run-up to and since their big win. Thank you for all the good wishes and all the congratulations, it means a lot to them.
‘On behalf of the teams, I'd like to acknowledge Mixie McGuire and the Valley Inn Bar for his sponsorship and support throughout and a big thank you to Padraig Conroy from McDonnell’s bar for sponsoring the bus for us on the weekend. Thank you to Malachi Gaughan travel for the journey that ended up being a long shift, but none the less you were a gentleman all throughout.
A massive thank you to all the dart players who, since Christmas, have come out in force. Over 100 different players from Erris played in various events since December, which helped massively shape our teams for the districts championships’ stated a spokesperson.
A personal thank you was extended to Kevin Rowland, Brendan Conway, Aidan Maloney and Rachel McBride for all the work behind the scenes and especially Rachel for the brilliant work done in such a short time on theFacebook Page.
There are vacancies on the SST2 Rural Social Scheme operating in Kiltane. The types of work available are with non-for-profit organisations and includes Caretaking and maintenance of public facilities/amenities outdoor and indoor, office and administration duties. To qualify for the RSS, you must be in receipt of a payment from the Department of Social Protection and have a herd number or have access to a parents or siblings herd number. For further information contact Eimear on 087 2653129.
Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club fundraising table quiz will be held on Good Friday, March 29, at 7.30pm in the Erris Coast Hotel in aid of Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club. There will be cash prizes and a raffle. To enter teams text 087 6333940.
A fundraising Tractor Run in memory of Tommy Murphy of Highbury, London, and Cartron, Clogher, will be held on April 13, with all donations going to Kevin Bell Repatriation Trust. Registration is at 12 noon at Una’s Bar in Blacksod with the Tractor Run departing at 2pm, followed by entertainment with the Sweeney Mac’s afterword’s.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of €11,900 with the two €50 winners being Maureen Barrett, Geesala and Ann Ruddy, Lakefield while Breege Coyle, Tallaghaun Duff and Tony Ruddy, Glencullen both won €25. The two online winners were Anthony McHugh, Galway €50 and Fran McNulty, Doolough €25.
Bingo will continue in the complex Bangor this Tuesday, March 26 at 8pm with a €900 jackpot in 53 calls or less. There will also be an opportunity to enter the Easter raffle.
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Ceide Fields are now open every day for the season until Halloween from 10am-5pm with last admission at 4.15pm. Ceide Ladle also have the café open daily.
Sympathy is extended to the family, relatives and friends of Bernadette Tighe who died recently in Dublin. She was the wife of Michael Tighe, Carrowmore. May she rest in peace.
Easter ceremonies in St. Bridget’s Church, Ballycastle: Holy Thursday 8pm, Good Friday 3pm, and Holy Saturday: 8pm.
In St. Teresa’s Church, Belderrig: Holy Thursday 6pm, Good Friday 6pm, and Holy Saturday 7pm.
Ballycastle will play Castleconnor on Saturday 30th March at 4.30pm in Tom Langan Park, Ballycastle, in the Tom Langan Cup.
Ballycastle GAA race night will be held on Saturday, March 30, at 8.30pm in Healys.
Congratulations to Mary D’Arcy, last weekend’s winner of €500.
Ballycastle GAA card game continues on Tuesday nights at 8pm.
The annual general meeting of Kiddies Korner will be held on Monday, April 8, at 7pm. All welcome.
A yearly fundraising 'Drink tea for MND' initiative to support the Irish Motor Neurone Association will be held in the Ballycastle Community Hall on Sunday, April 28, at 12.30pm. There are more than 450 people affected by this cruel and debilitating disease all across Ireland.
Come along on the day and support this worthy cause, which will help to ensure that every person living with MND receives the dedicated care and support they need and if you can't make it on the day you can donate at https://www.imnda.ie/s/1348/2024. This event would not be possible without the people who give freely their time, supporters, sponsors, wonderful bakers etc.
Any news items for inclusion in Ballycastle Notes in Western People can be emailed to ballycastle4@hotmail.com by 8pm on Wednesday for inclusion in the following Tuesday’s issue.
