Local Notes: Ladies rule supreme at Baile an Tobair Club AGM.
Ladies rule supreme! Liz Conway, Rúnaí, CLG Baile an Tobair, Noelle Horan, Cathaoirleach, Deirdre Donnelly (Health and Wellbeing Officer) pictured at the recent Baile an Tobair Club AGM. Picture by Tom Quinn
What a fantastic night was had by the choirs and audience at the Christmas Concert in Ballintubber Abbey. There was a full house as Ballintubber Abbey Choir with the Mayo Male Voice Choir took to the stage for their annual Christmas concert. Apologies have been extended to those watching at home as issues arose with the sound online at the beginning of the event. A massive thank you is tendered to everyone who gave so generously with their donations. The event was a massive success.
All proceeds raised go direct to the restoration fund towards the building of the Cultural Heritage and Visitor Centre which is expected to commence in 2025. It will be fantastic to finally get this project special underway.
The numbers drawn in the Ballyglass FC lotto on Monday, December 16, were 1, 12, 24 and 36. There was no winner of the €10,200 jackpot. There was no match 3 winner. Consolation prizes went to Maureen and Padraig Burke, Willie Fitzgerald; The Fahy Family, Hollymount; Aoife and Alannah Maloney and Mandy Morrin. Play now to be in with a chance of winning next week’s jackpot of €10,300. Go to smartlotto.ie to play. The Christmas draw winners were as follows: €300 Liam Hughes, €200 Dermot Browne and €100 each went to Jason O’Regan, Ivan Carroll, Danny Killeen, Grace Gibbons, and Ryan Connolly. Best wishes for a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year are extended to all Ballyglass FC loyal supporters.
The winners on Monday, December 16, the annual Christmas card game: 1st Seamus Nevin and Martin Ford, 2nd Chris Turner and Pat Griffith and 3rd Dave Gibbons and Tom Fitzpatrick. The last 10 winners were Peter Glynn and Tomas Solan and the raffle prizes went to Chris Turner, large hamper; Mary Carney, brandy; Mary Morrin, whiskey; Mary Boyle, whiskey; Bridie McIntyre, small hamper; Patricia Jennings, coffee machine; Seamus Hughes, vodka; Patricia Jennings, Christmas cake. Thanks to all who sponsored raffle and spot prizes and to all who helped organise the card games throughout the year. Special thanks to Tomas Solan and Mary Brennan. Happy Christmas and New Year best wishes are extended to all who play weekly cards in Ballyglass Community Centre. The games continue every Monday night at 9pm.
The AGM of Ballyglass Community Council will be on Wednesday, January 22. at 8pm in the community centre. New members are always very welcome.
Ballintubber GAA jackpot stood at €8,000 on Sunday night, December 15. The numbers drawn were 8, 10, 18 and 34.
There was no jackpot winner. Consolation prizes went to Catriona Flynn, Mary Egan, Megan Gaiser, Conor Brennan, Bernard Burke, and John James Fox. The jackpot stood at €8,100 on last Sunday night, December 22. Play Ballintubber lotto at: https://member.clubspot.app/.../ballintubber-gaa/fundraisers.
The Mass schedule for the parish is as follows, Christmas Eve, 6pm Killawalla, 7.30pm Carnacon and 9pm Ballintubber. Christmas Day 10am Killawalla, 11am Ballintubber and 12 noon Carnacon. Confessions for Christmas will be held after Masses in all churches from December 16-23. If anyone wishes to be included in the Communion calls, let Fr Michael know 094 9030934 or 094 9360205. There will be no calls in January
A new single about the late Br Joseph McNally has been released from singer songwriter Barney McCabe, from his new Album ‘Between the Corrib and the Mask’ and was inspired by a recent visit and a tour by the Abbey guide Muriel Barry. Barney is from the beautiful village of Cong in Co Mayo. There are copies of this new album available in the Abbey Gift shop.
A Nollaig na mBan function will take place in Corley’s Abbey Lounge on Saturday, January 4, 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 (single 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.
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Tuar Mhic Éadaigh’s 2010 Intermediate triumph features in the new Mayo GAA book ‘Our Finest Hour. In the publication, Mayo GAA clubs reflect on their glory days’ and it features iconic moments and insights from 54 clubs all over Mayo.
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. They also relay the pride and spirit in their club, epitomised by the home grounds, one of the best of any rural club in the country. Find out what makes them tick with some great stories and memories.
Written by experienced GAA journalist Edwin McGreal, ‘Our Finest Hour’ is a must-read for anyone with a grá for Mayo.
Over 200 interviewees with club legends featuring wonderful moments across eight decades from 1958 to 2023 with teams and scorers from the day in question also included.
Over 200 photographs are featured, many of which have never been published before. The book is an impressive hardback and is printed in full colour throughout. 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 https://www.mayobooks.ie/Our-Finest-Hour-Edwin-McGreal... where it can be shipped anywhere in the world.
Thuar Mhic Éadaigh GAA lotto stood at €15,000 on December 14. 2, 8, 11 and 18 were the numbers drawn and there was no jackpot winner. Nora McHugh was the online consolation prizewinner. The weekend jackpot stood at €15,100.
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 on line / Ticéadaí le fáil ar líne Ag: https://smartlotto.ie/clg-thuar-mhic-eadaigh/. Congrats to Declan Grady, Chairperson, Michelle Lally, Secretary, Declan Grady and Una Donoghue, County Board delegates for Tourmakeady LGFA for the 2025 season.
The 37th annual edition of ‘Waterfall’ that eagerly awaited community magazine is available in local retail outlets this week. 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.
Tá Féilire 2025 atá curtha le chéile ag Coiste Pleanála Teanga Dhúiche Sheoigheach agus Tuar Mhic Éadaigh ar fáil anois agus le fáil ins na áiteacha seo a leanas ó tráthnóna. 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.
The annual Christmas tree is erected once again at Tourmakeady Church Grounds again this year. A limited number of cards are also available once again at €5 each, with three Mass’s celebrated on each card. All proceeds are in aid of Tourmakeady Church.
The numbers drawn in the latest Killawalla Community Council lotto draw were 1, 8, 16, 19 drawn. The consolation prize winners were Suzanne McGreal, Ann Sheerin and Martin Mc Hale. There is an attractive €5,500 jackpot. The final draw of the year is on December 29, in Pakie McEvilly’s. The annual tickets will be due for renewal.
Killawalla Community Council is holding an AGM on February 15. They are looking to elect new members and a positive response is anticipated to continue the great work to date.
Partry Community Park is part of the Blue Tesco Token initiative. Please support this worthy cause with purchases and blue tokens at Tesco, Ballinrobe.
Partry FC numbers draw takes place weekly on Wednesdays. Congrats to Mickey Murphy who was a recent winner in the popular club numbers lotto with number 22.
Congrats to Cristin Ni Eanachain, Kilkeeran and Richie and Laoise Heneghan, Carrawina who were recent winners of €100 in the Partry Residents Association Saturday night draws with number 38.
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A ladies and men's Battle of the Villages (Breaffy GAA and LGFA) in memory of David Gavin will take place on St Stephen’s Day, December 26 at 11am. At 12 noon there is a 3 km Christmas Jumper Walk where you can show off your best holiday sweater! Hot chocolate and treats will follow and the bar will be open where you can enjoy refreshments and music. Strong community support would be greatly appreciated. Join up for a festive day filled with fun and community spirit. Let everyone make this St. Stephen's Day unforgettable!
Breaffy GAA lotto stood at a massive €27,000 for the December 17 draw. The numbers drawn were 1, 4, 11 and bonus number 10. There was no jackpot winner, congratulations to the weekly prize winners. The jackpot stood at €27,200 for the December 23 draw.
Belcarra Community Council’s lotto jackpot has reached an attractive €9,700. The jackpot stood at €9,600 on Sunday, December 15. The numbers drawn were 3, 16, 27 and 32. There was no jackpot winner. The lucky dip winners of €30 were Eva Keane, Noel Feeney, Tadhg Hopkins and the Quinn family. The Christmas Hamper winner was Oliver Jennings. The weekend jackpot stood at €9,700.
Congrats to Belcarra Foróige senior club, who organised a fabulous evening of Christmas Carols in the village. They were led by the wonderful musical duo Pete and Dean, and they raised €115 for Belcarra Tidy Towns. Thanks to everyone in the club, to Pete and Dean and to Paul Cunningham.
A massive ‘thank you’ is also extended to everyone who sent items for the care packages. The junior and senior Foróige clubs met up to pack the care packages and write cards and they did a splendid job.
The packages were sent to the long care patients in the Sacred Heart Home. Happy Christmas and best wishes for 2025 from all at Belcarra Foróige Club.
On Christmas Eve, December 24, Mass will be 8pm in St Anne's Church, Belcarra. On Christmas Day, Mass, will be celebrated at 11am.
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 5 at 7pm. 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.
The Christian Community has welcomed Amelle Lucia Moran, Elmhall, Belcarra who was baptised recently in St Anne’s Church. Congratulations to her parents and families.
The next card game in Belcarra Centre will be on January 6. All the card players are wished a happy Christmas and best wishes for 2025.
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The death occurred last week of Ena Sheridan, Ardboley, Balla, Co. Mayo. Ena passed away peacefully on December 17, at the Mayo Hospice, surrounded by her family. Her passing is an occasion of great sorrow for her family and many peers and friends who held her in the highest regard. Predeceased by her parents Patrick and Mary and her brother Ger, she is deeply regretted by her sister Maureen (Carley), brothers Joe and Pat, sisters-in-law Helen and Brigid, nephews Neil, Maurice, Mark, Colin and Paul, nieces Maria, Joanna, Aisling, Ailbhe, Laoighse, Lorna and Honor, cousins, relatives, extended family and a large circle of friends. There was a large attendance present as her remains reposed at the Balla Funeral Home on last Thursday evening from 5 with removal at 7pm to St. Cronan's Church, Balla. Ena’s funeral Mass was celebrated on Friday at 11am with burial ceremonies taking place afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. May she rest eternally in the peace and happiness of heaven.
The turkey, the stuffing and the Balla GAA Festive 5k, you can’t beat Christmas tradition. This year all proceeds will go to the amazing people in Crumlin Children’s Hospital who actively execute a noble mission on this earth. So Balla folk are asked to grab your family members and show support this year for the Balla GAA festive 5k.
Registration is at Balla Community centre from 12 noon with the event commencing at 12.30. The fee is €10 and children go free. There are lots of spot prizes to be won on the day.
Congratulations to Balla Secondary School Senior Ladies who remain unbeaten after a 5-17 to 2-8 win vs Mercy College Sligo in Swinford in the recent Connacht semi-final. The skilled ladies team who put in a brilliant collective performance against a very talented Mercy College Sligo, now look forward to a Connacht final vs Headford after Christmas.
The club jackpot on Thursday, December 12, stood at €9,400 in The Shebeen. The numbers drawn were 3, 13, 29 and 30. There was no winner of the jackpot. The €30 consolation winners were John McNicholas (annual), Chrissie Galvin (standing order), and Michael Costello (standing order). The latest draw was held on Thursday, December 19, in The Rendezvous when the jackpot stood at €9,500.
The latest jackpot stood at a massive €17,500 on Sunday, December 22. 14, 18, 30 and 31 were the numbers drawn previously and the consolation prizewinners were; Bobby Durkan, Carramore, (online) Pauline Brennan, (online) Manulla and Mick Keane, (online) Castlegrove.
The awards ceremony for the Mayo Women's Football League annual accolades night is on January 17, at The Western Hotel in Claremorris. Congratulations to Nicole Ryan on making the Mayo Women's League U19 Team of the Year.
On Christmas Eve, December 24, Mass will be at 6pm in St Cronan's Church, Balla. On Christmas Day, December 25, Mass will be at 11am.
The Christian Community has welcomed Maeve Louisa Durkan, Las Vegas, Nevada who was baptised recently in St Cronan’s Church. Congratulations to her parents and families.
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.
Congratulations to Molly Moran, Balla Secondary School Student in Transition Year, who won 1st place and €1,000 in the Thea Pharma Art Competition and Valentina Bezeres Ferrer, who won 2nd place and €500.
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Clogher Environmental Group in conjunction with Mayo Co Council recently organised an Anti-Litter Poster Competition for the local schools. There were entries from Holy Angels NS, Ballintubber NS, and Ballyglass Afterschool. All the entries were judged by Sr Maureen Lally, Sr Anne Lally and Mary O’Connell and 14 entries were selected to be in Community Calendar for 2025.
The calendar was launched by Sr Maureen and gifts presented to all the children whose posters were selected for the calendar. Sr Maureen spoke to the children about the importance of their awareness of the problems associated with litter in communities and how their efforts for the calendar puts them up there as leaders of the future. Thanks have been tendered to Mr Ormsby and the staff of Holy Angels NS for hosting the event, to the members of the group who initiated the idea and to Mayo Co Council who funded the project.
Clogher Environmental Group rounded off a very successful year with a visit from Santa Claus himself on Sunday, December 15. He arrived in style at the Heritage Cottage in a carriage drawn by two horses Gypsy and Bob. There was great excitement among the children as they waited to have a one to one meeting with Santa. He is indeed a remarkable man as he remembered every child from last year and even remembered coming to their parents and grandparents. There was tea, coffee and hot chocolate as well as gingerbread men and reindeer food. Thanks are extended to all the organisers who put so much effort into organising the event. All the proceeds from the day were presented to Mayo Autism Camp. Thanks to Santa himself, to Mick Toland who provided the Gardaí escort, to Pat and Joe for the horses and carriage and all the people who helped out in any way.
Clogher card results for Friday, December 13, were as follows 1st Tommy Fahey and Derek Quinn, 2nd Eileen Moran and Mary McDonagh, 3rd Joe and Shane Thomas and Majella Corbett and Eileen Donnelly. The Last 10 winners were Martin Moran and Thomas Fitzpatrick. The organisers thank all the players who have supported the game for the year 2024 and they wish everyone a very happy and peaceful Christmas and health and prosperity for 2025. Clogher cards will resume again on Friday, January 3.
The Active Age Group had the final event of 2024 with a Christmas Lunch in the Travellers Friend in conjunction with the Community Employment Scheme and Community Group on Wednesday, December 18 last week. The group have enjoyed a very pleasant year and are now taking a break until January 15.
At the end of another year, Clogher Community thank everyone for all the support they received during the year 2024 for all the various projects which they presented. Special thanks are extended to Tom and the staff of the Community Employment Scheme who always provide support and assistance for any project. Also to the elected representatives at every level who have provided support and funding, to Mayo County Council, South West Mayo Development Group, the Heritage Council, Failte Ireland, Coillte Teo, Burren Beo and many other agencies who gave support and funding. Thanks also to the three local newspapers who always support in publishing the news and events from Clogher. Thanks to the people on the different committees past and present who give their time and talent. Most of all thanks to the members of the community who have come out and supported all the different events. Clogher Community wishes everybody a very happy and peaceful Christmas and prosperity for 2025.
The annual end of year walk on the Clogher Bog Loop will take place on Friday, December 27, commencing at 11am. This is an opportunity to get back to normal after the few days of festivities. The Bog walks have been busy in 2024 and continue to attract walkers all year round. An added attraction this year has been the launch of the Sandmartin nesting wall which is a feature unique to this area. The wall has been selected as county winner in the National Heritage Week Awards which is great news for the community and for all who were involved in bringing this great project to fruition. The walk will be followed by refreshments around the open fire in the Cottage. Everybody is welcome.
A Nollaig na mBan celebration will take place on Saturday, January 4, in Errew Centre from10am -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. Only €35pp and remember the comfortable venue, Errew Community Centre.
