Local Notes: Karate Iorrais girls chosen to represent WSKF Ireland in WSKF World Karate Championships in Japan.
Ava, Aoibhinn and Alex members of Karate Iorrais have been chosen to represent WSKF Ireland at the WSKF World Karate Championships in Japan at the end of September 2025 are pictured with Sensei Mark Sheridan, Chief Instructor of WSKF Ireland.
It is with great excitement that Karate Iorrais announce that three of their members Ava, Aoibhinn and Alex have been chosen to represent WSKF Ireland at the WSKF World Karate Championships in Japan at the end of September. The club could not be prouder of these three hardworking ladies who always represent the club so well. Aoibhínn and Alex are WSKF National Kata Champions with Ava receiving silver in Kumite. The girls are current silver medallists in the team kata category also. These are only a fraction of the medals the ladies have earned in the last year.
The club would love to assist the girls in getting to Japan and reaching a dream of theirs. They are appealing to any businesses / individuals that would be so generous as to sponsor the girls to contact Karate iIorrais. These ladies are fantastic ambassadors for their club, school, Erris, Mayo and Ireland. Everyone knows the dedication it takes when travelling from Belmullet to compete nationally, let alone internationally. They are also hoping to fundraise throughout the next few months so keep an eye on their page for updates! Thank you to the WSKF Ireland for providing the girls with this wonderful opportunity.
A special event to honour Caitlin and Micheal O’Seighin will be held in the Erris Coast Hotel, Gaoth Sáile (F26 H6C2) on Saturday, May 24, at 7pm to acknowledge their long-term and ongoing contribution towards the promotion of the Irish language and culture in the area.
Micheál composed and shared his love of the traditional songs and music with everyone, particularly the younger age group, over many years, thus preserving and passing on this rich tradition to future generations. His influence is now evident in the area, with the growth of interest in traditional music, in particular.
Caitlín worked closely with Seamas Ó Catháin on two publications based on material collected under the School Collection Scheme of 1937 namely ‘A Mhuintir Dhú Chaocháin, Labhraígí Feasta! (Séamas Ó Catháin agus Caitlín Uí Sheighin, Cló Chonamara, 1987 Cóipcheart Roinn Bhéaloideas Éireann) and ‘Le Gradam is le Spraoi’ (Séamas Ó Catháin agus Caitlín Uí Sheighin, Cló Iar Chonnachta, 1996 Cóipcheart Roinn Bhéaloideas Éireann).
The Éigse will showcase traditional songs, music, the folklore, heritage and culture of the area under the guidance of Bean a’ Tí, Áine Ní Chiaráin, and guest speaker Dr Seamus Caulfield. The event is organised by Comhar Dún Chaocháin Teo, in conjunction with Gaeilge Iorrais, with the support of part-funding received from Conradh na Gaeilge under the Ciste Spreagtha scheme. Bígí linn.
There was no winner of the lotto when the numbers drawn were 9, 10, 11. €50 lucky dip winner was Kathleen Lynskey, Rathmorgan and €25 was won by Sean Deane, Elly. The draw is held every Thursday night. Go raibh maith agat as ucht do thacaíocht.
Tá Seoirsín Bashford ceaptha ina hoifigeach pleanála teanga ag Gaeilge Iorrais marchuid de shocrú post-roinnte i gcomhar leis an Dr Laoise Ní Dhúda. Tá Éimear Ní Ghallachóir ag obair mar oifigeach pleanála teanga lánaimseartha le Gaeilge Iorrais ó mhí Aibreáin 2024 nuair a ceadaíodh an dara post don limistéar mór scaipthe seo. Is as Ceathrú na gCloch, Ceathrú Thaidhg ó dhúchas í Seoirsín ach tá roinnt blianta caite aici ag staidéar agus ag obair i gcathair na Gaillimhe. D’fhreastal Seoirsín ar Ollscoil na Gaillimhe, áit gur bhain sí bunchéim amach sa Ghaeilge agus sa drámaíocht, amharclannaíocht agus taibhiú, chomh maith le máistreacht sa Nua-Ghaeilge. Le linn a cuid ama ag obair i nGaillimh, dhírigh Seoirsín ar obair laistigh dephobal na Gaeilge trí cheardlanna agus imeachtaí a éascú, trí mhúineadh agus tríamharclannaíocht a chruthú. Cuireann Seoirsín an-chuid suime sna healaíona marmhodh chun oibriú leis an nGaeilge, ach go háirithe, ina drámaíocht féin agus i measc na n-óg. Tá ríméad ar Sheoirsín a bheith ag obair ina Gaeltacht féin agus a bheith ag plé le forbairt na Gaeilge sa cheantar seo. Tá suim faoi leith ag Seoirsín i gcanúintí na háite seo agus i gcur chun cinn na Gaeilge i measc an phobail. Tá Gaeilge Iorrais, an coiste stiúrtha pleanála teanga in iarthuaisceart Mhaigh Eo, freagrach as borradh a chur faoi úsáid na Gaeilge sa cheantar Gaeltachta seo de réir a chéile. Tá Gaeilge Iorrais sa seachtú mbliain de chur i bhfeidhm an Phlean Teanga agus tá an-dul chun cinn á dhéanamh ag Gaeilge Iorrais, a bhuíochas le tacaíocht agus rannpháirtíocht an phobail, díograis an choiste agus na foirne pleanála teanga.
Tá clár imeachtaí an tsamhraidh á socrú againn faoi láthair. I measc na n-imeachtaí atá ar bacáin againn tá; Éigse in onóir do Chaitlín agus Mícheál Uí Sheighin (i gcomharle Comhar Dún Chaocháin), ceardlanna do dhaoine óga (réimse an chultúir agus an spóirt i gcomhar le CLG Chill Chomáin), parkrun abú i gcomhar le Erris Park Run, seisiúin cheoil agus amhránaíochta i gcomhar le Craobh Iorrais de Chomhaltas, togra ‘1,2 Spraoi’ i gcomhar le Fighting Words agus mar sin de.
Ba mhaith le Gaeilge Iorrais buíochas ó chroí a ghabháil le chuile dhuine agus le chuile heagraíocht a thugann tacaíocht dúinn agus muid ag súil le bliain dhearfach eile don Ghaeilge sa Ghaeltacht seo. Coinnigh súil ar ár leathanach Facebook, Instagram agus Twitter @GaeilgeIorrais agus ar www.gaeilgeiorrais.ie don nuacht is déanaí. Tá seoltaí ríomhphoist úra ag na hoifigigh pleanála teanga, mar seo a leanas:
Éimear eimear@gaeilgeiorrais.ie, Seoirsín seoirsin@gaeilgeiorrais.ie, Laoise laoise@gaeilgeiorrais.ie. Fáilte romhat a bheith i dteagmháil linn chun níos mó eolais a fháil faoin obair seo, chun spéis a chlárú linn agus/nó chun moltaí ábhartha a roinnt linn.
The draw was held on May 5, and the numbers drawn were; 11, 18, 24 and 29 with no winner for a jackpot €10,700. The house prize of €100 was won by Sarah King, Aughoose and the €30 offline winners were Anthony Madden, Belderrig and Eileen and Declan Murphy, Glenamoy. The €30 online winners were Philomena Moran, Glenamoy and Stephen Naughton, Glenamoy. The jackpot in the latest draw held in the Lighthouse Tavern, Inver on May 12, was €10,800.
Mayo Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway-Walsh has again appealed to the government to honour the commitment that they made last autumn to make the increase in the cap for the Defective Block Grant Scheme available to all homeowners availing of the scheme and not just new entrants. Deputy Conway-Walsh said:
'This is a straightforward amendment to the 2022 legislation, and it should have been brought through the Dáil and the Seanad before the election late last year. Many homeowners are facing real financial hardship trying to make the final payments to builders for the remediation work to their homes. These delays are costing them as much as €42,000 of a shortfall’.
The Minister’s response to my parliamentary questions indicates that 287 homeowners in Mayo are being put under enormous financial pressure as they currently cannot access the enhanced scheme.
'These amendments to the legislation do not have to come before the Oireachtas committees. They could have been brought before the Dáil and the Seanad at any stage since the election and speedily passed as they are supported by the opposition if they honour the commitments made late last year. These delays are cruel, and they are causing unnecessary anguish to many families across Mayo. I appeal to Minister James Browne and the Government to urgently sort this out, once and for all and Sinn Féin will continue to raise this matter in the Dáil though all available means.”
The beautiful blue flag beach at Elly Bay is now accessible to all. After a lot of lobbying by Irish Wheelchair Association local Access Group and in collaboration with Mayo County Council, these access mats are now deployed to enable wheelchair users onto the beach. They also aid elderly and those with reduced mobility enjoy the stunning beach. Thanks to local Mayo Co Co manager Sheamus O'Mongain, Barry Ryan local engineer and the local outdoor staff for putting them in place. Please respect this vital access equipment and hopefully this is the first of many accessible beaches in Erris.
Erris Darts is delighted to announce that starting Friday, May 23, they are running a fortnightly youth club for boys and girls in the Erris area aged 8-17 in the Belmullet Sports Complex from 5-8pm. All abilities of players are welcome, and they will have volunteers on hand to offer any coaching and advice each week.
There will be eight dartboards in use with different heights and training boards on hand to aid newer players to the game, so don't be shy. The aim of the club is to provide a safe space for kids to play darts, make new friendships, and help improve mathematical skills along the way.
A massive thank you to all our sponsors, supporters, and players in Erris whose efforts to date meant they can afford to get this club off the ground.
NorthWest STOP extends a massive thank you to Erris INHFA Tractor Run in aid of NorthWest STOP-Suicide Prevention. At present, between online and cash donations, just over €5,800 has been raised for the Erris NWS Free Counselling service. For context, that will fund over 116 free counselling sessions for Erris residents.
A massive thank you to all involved, to the Broadhaven Bay Hotel, SOLAS - Scéalta an Atlantaigh Centre Eachleam, the IWA Belmullet branch staff, Erris FCSC staff and board members, local volunteers, all the participants who brought their tractors out for a brilliant display and to everyone who has donated so far. You are a credit to Erris.
Are you thinking of holding a fundraiser in aid of NorthWest STOP? If so, contact the office for information on how to do so on 071 985 6070 or email info@northweststop.ie.
Well done to all the amazing athletes who competed recently in the Mayo Children’s Team Games. For most it was their first time competing. Erris AC was well represented with almost 50 athletes making the long journey to Claremorris; the largest number of athletes they have had to date taking part in a competition.
Medallists included; Molly May Carey, turbo javelin U9 bronze; Molly May and Aoibheann Deane U9 team gold turbo javelin; Emily Gaughan and Blàithin Carey U9 team bronze turbo javelin; Bobby Tyrell and Jack Cosgrove U9 team bronze turbo javelin; Louie O'Connor gold U9 boys long jump; Louie O'Connor and Kyle Padden gold U9 team long jump; Emily Gaughan U9 60m sprint gold; Emily Gaughan and Blàithin Shannon team gold U9 60m; Louie O'Connor U9 60m gold; Louie O’Connor and Kyle Padden team gold U9 60m; Maisy Lavery gold U9 turbo javelin: Sophie Schult bronze U9 turbo javelin: Maisy Lavery and Sophie Schult team gold U9 turbo javelin.
Shane Naughton U11 Turbo Javelin gold; Ben O'Connor U11 long jump silver; Ben O'Connor and Oliver Reilly silver U11 team long jump: Michael Walsh U11 600m bronze; Michael and David Walsh U11 team 600m bronze; Roisin Edwards gold U11 60m; Roisin Edwards and Farrah Healy team bronze U11 60m; Michael Walsh silver U11 60m; Michael Walsh and Ben O'Connor team silver U11 60m.
U9 boys relay gold, U11 boys relay gold They had many come so close to medal position finishing 4th and there were personal bests for most. All medallists are now through to the Connaught’s. Well done everyone and thanks as always to officials and volunteers.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of €5,800, with the two €50 winners being Martin Gaughan, Northampton and Denise Hannon while Zoey Walsh c/o Paddy Joe Deane and Michael Cafferkey, Ballycroy both won €25. The two online winners were Colette Carey, Barcoon €50 and Ann Carey €25.
Bingo will take place in the GAA complex Bangor this evening, Tuesday, May 13, at 8pm. The jackpot will be €1,000 in 54 calls or less.
