Local Notes: Martina Conway Lally retires after 43 year service with Aras Deirbhle Nursing Unit, Belmullet
Congratulations to Martina Conway Lally (front row second from right) who recently retired from the support staff of Aras Deirbhle Nursing unit in Belmullet after 43 years’ service, pictured at a recent presentation in the Western Strands Hotel with past and present colleagues.
Aras Deirbhle Community Nursing Unit in Belmullet will celebrate its 50th anniversary on Thursday, August 7. The day will begin with Mass at 12.30 followed by a social for residents and their families with music by the Sweeney Mac’s. That evening in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel there will be buffet social for present and former staff members and members of the public. Aras Deirbhle opened as a residential care home in 1975. The site has always been in service to the local community, from when the poor and destitute were cared for as a result of the great famine, to the flu epidemic in 1918, to its opening as a care home. The lives of many local people and their families have been touched by Arás Deirbhle and its staff over the years with hundreds of residents having been there. In 1975 the community nursing unit was completed and officially opened on August7, by the then Minister for the Gaeltacht the late Tom O’Donnell along with then Councillors Joe Leneghan and Eamon Carey. The first residents were Owen and Honer Ginnelly from Ardmore, Binghamstown. The building has had many changes over the years but, the ethos of caring for the people of the Erris Community continues to this day with professionalism, courtesy, sensitivity, tenderness and respect.
Mayo Sinn Féin TD, Rose Conway-Walsh, has said that the closure of 18 post offices in County Mayo and 257 across the state in the last 10 years is truly shocking. The figures were confirmed to Sinn Féin in response to a Parliamentary Question.
Teachta Conway-Walsh said: “It is shocking that 18 post offices in Mayo, and 257 across the state have closed over the last 10 years. The figures reveal that across County Mayo, 17 rural and 1 urban post office have been closed in the last decade. The local post office plays a vital role in Irish life, providing financial services, access to the social welfare system, communications infrastructure and community supports. In many areas, they are the only visible expression of the state”.
“There is widespread concern that the current contract terms are simply not fit for purpose. They are not attracting new entrants to take over post office services when long-serving postmasters retire. Without a new approach, as advocated by the Irish Post Office Union, the network will continue to shrink, and more and more communities will lose their post office. That would be a huge blow to social cohesion, particularly in rural areas.
“It’s time for action. What’s needed now is targeted, strategic investment, and a new vision that puts public service and community needs first.”
A vacancy exists on the Rural Social Scheme for a general operative on Belmullet Tidy Towns. To qualify for the RSS you must be in receipt of a qualifying payment from the Department of Social Protection and have a herd number or Fisheries Licence or have access to the use of a spouses, sibling or parents herd number.
Closing date for applications is Friday, August 1. For further information contact Sean Carey 087 9623799 or email s.carey@udaras.ie.
The Jonathan Cuffe Memorial Walk is on Sunday, August 10, from Mount Jubilee to Geesala at 6pm. This year all funds will go to Ruddy Mangan Family Fundraiser Registration €10 on the day. Refreshments will be served after in the High Chaparral Munnellys.
Erris Family and Community Support Centre are delighted to share that the now annual Sunset4Stop 5km fundraising walk for Northwest North West STOP-Suicide Prevention will take place on next Friday, August 1, starting from the IWA Centre Belmullet at 8.30pm. All proceeds are in aid of the Erris branch of the Northwest Stop Free Counselling service. In 2024, over 700 counselling sessions were provided in Erris for free thanks to Northwest Stop. This year, these figures have doubled in the first half of the year, which demonstrated demand and need for this service within our community. This is a family friendly event. Late registrations taken on the evening with the walk due to start at 8.30pm. For more information contact 087 067 0989.
Just weeks remain until the incredible team of riders embarks on the Northampton to Belmullet Cycle Challenge 202 - a 700km journey over 6 days through England, Wales, and Ireland from August 2-7. With every pedal stroke, they are raising funds to power life-changing community work across Northamptonshire and support six fantastic charities in Belmullet and the North-West of Ireland.
Day 1 Northampton → Rugeley, Day 2 Rugeley → Chester, Day 3 Chester → Holyhead, Day 4 Dublin → Trim, Day 5 Trim → Ballaghaderreen, Day 6 Ballaghaderreen → Belmullet.
The cyclists are training harder than ever and every contribution gives them the motivation to keep pushing forward. Donate now and be part of the journey: https://www.justgiving.com/.../northamptontobelmulletcycl...
In loving memory of Pauline Sweeney (née Corrigan) the Great Erris Run 2025 in on Sunday, August 10 in aid of MS Ireland. A huge thank you to all the amazing race sponsors so far. Your support is making this event so special, and they couldn’t do it without you. Your generosity is helping them honour Pauline and raise vital funds for MS Ireland in a meaningful way. If you would want to get involved or if you would like to sponsor a prize for the event big or small, it would be greatly appreciated. Call Michael directly on 086 0723820 if you would like to donate a prize.
The leaving cert class of 1990 are hoping to have a 35 year class reunion, for those that was in the class. If you are interested in coming along, call Triona on WhatsApp 087 9871572.
Deepest sympathies are extended to the family of Jimmy Keane, Cross, Binghamstown; Agnes Earley née Coyle, Tallagh Hill, Belmullet and formerly of Pinner, London; Patrick Dennery (better known as ‘Pake’), Ballyglass, Belmullet. May they all rest in peace.
The Erris market continues in Arás Inis Gluaire, Belmullet which is showcasing the best of Erris handmade and home-grown goods from 10am-2pm on August 2, 16, 30 and September 13 and 27.
By half time at GAA headquarters all you Cork predictors were cashing out on your ten points. Oh my goodness, what happened? The only man cheering was Christopher Gaughan who was the only person to have Tipperary. Hats off to him and under Grainne's Law, as he was the only winner he gets twenty points. You would think that would put him in the lead, he jumps from 99th to 51st. He also has Ben O'Connor to win the Tour which could happen (no it couldn't).
Swiatek won the tennis in about twenty minutes while Sinner (aptly named following his drug ban) took a bit longer to crush Alcaraz.
Kevin Barrett bounces back; Daibhi Reilly and David Gallagher get fiche cuig and twenty five to put pressure on Pierce who is clinging on by the tips of the ends of the tops of his fingernails. Terry loses ground but plenty of points still to be got in July.
Can Vingegaard catch Pog as they cycle to the moon up Mont Ventoux? Can the greatest GAA footballer in the history of history win his second All Ireland or will Jimmy keep winning matches. Will the Lionesses scrape through another two games or will Spain conquer all to banish the memory of Rubiales.
Only Platt Reilly and Belbridge Developments can tell us.
The draw was held on July 21, and the numbers drawn were; 1, 12, 32 and 33 for a jackpot of €5,200 with no winner. The house prize of €100 was won by John Ruddy, Inver and the €30 offline winners were Steven Tighe, Stonefield and Amanda Healy, Ballinaboy. The €30 online winners were Padraig Healy, Galway and Conor Mason, Pullathomas. Next week’s jackpot is €5,300.
The Cill Chomáin 2005 County Junior Champions Reunion will be held on August 3, in Cill Chomain GAA pitch beginning at 2pm with Mass in the clubhouse for deceased members. Then at 2.30pm Cill Chomain Ladies v TBC (Deane/Maloney Cup); at 4pm the 2005 County Champions v Cill Chomain Selection (Jimmy Ruddy Cup); at 8pm Healy’s Anglers Rest, Q&A with committee, managers and players from 2005, hosted by Michael D McAndrew with raffle on the night and auction in aid of Cill Chomain Bord na nÓg and music on the night by Oisín McGovern.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of €6,900, with the two €50 winners being; Sean Doherty, Bangor and Ethel McGuire, Dooyork while Michael Calpin, Doohoma and Kenneth Doherty, Bangor both won €25. The two online winners were Kathleen Doocey €50 and Fidelma Carey, Ardagh €25.
Bingo will take place in the GAA complex Bangor this Tuesday, July 29, at 8pm. The jackpot will be €700 in 49 calls or less.
The club is in the process of selling the €100 Club Development Draw tickets to assist in funding the completion of the clubs much needed second pitch.
Congratulations to the Blacksod Sea Safari who was recently awarded the Tripadvisor Travellers’ Choice Award again for 2025, their 3rd year in a row. This recognition means so much to them because it comes directly from you, there wonderful guests who’ve taken the time to share your kind words, stories, and experiences with them. Every single review, big or small, helps them grow and reminds them why they love what we do.
A big thank you for supporting a small local family business here on the Wild Atlantic Way.
