Local Notes: McGuire's Barnatra are 2025 Erris Pool League Champions
Congratulations to McGuire’s Barnatra who are the 2025 Erris Pool League Champions. Pictured with the trophy are Paddy and Loretta and Mary Flannery Barnatra.
Linda Conway says thanks so much to all who supported Belmullet Daffodil Day recently and to all the volunteers. The total raised so far on the day is €5,630. Special thanks were extended to Patrick Cosgrove for his donation and she hopes ye all enjoyed his Boxty. People can still donate online total, so far it is €380, thanks to Mary and Shona.
A 25 card drive will take place in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel on Good Friday night, April 18, at 8pm. Tickets cost €10 each and will be available at the door. Light refreshments will be served, and there will also be a raffle on the night. All funds raised will support local volunteer Bryan Deane, who is travelling to South Africa this November with the Mellon Educate charity to help build and renovate educational facilities for children living in extreme poverty. Míle buíochas as ucht bhur gcuid tacaíochta.
There was another brilliant day of darts recently for the first Annual Tom Doocey Memorial played in The Valley Inn Bar, Pullathomas. Fifty three players took part with Alex Bielinski producing top class darts all day on his way to lifting the title defeating Harry Bancroft in the final. At 15 years old this is Alex's first single's taste of success and definitely plenty more ahead for this young talent, great stuff Alex.
Semi-finalists were Donal Connolly and Kevin Naughton with Donal also taking home the highest checkout prize with 110. Big thank you as always to Mixie, Hannah, Mia and Pierce for the hospitality and a special word of thanks to Jason Healy who we believe worked through the night on Saturday getting the wall and boards set up.
€1,240 was raised from the raffle with all proceeds going to Erris Defib. On behalf of the Doocey family many thanks to all who sponsored and supported in any way.
Recently car enthusiasts took to the road in memory of the late Ciaran Mallon for his 30th birthday, and thanks to the incredible support of everyone involved, an amazing €1,535 was raised for Ballyglass RNLI – a cause that’s been very close to our hearts since 2017.
A massive thank you to everyone who attended, donated, helped, or supported the event in any way. The turnout, the atmosphere, and the community spirit were incredible from start to finish.
Special thanks to Ian Chambers and all his family for everything they did in planning the event and for their support throughout the day; An Garda Síochána for the escort and keeping everything moving safely; the Order of Malta Ireland - Ambulance Corps - Belmullet / Erris for their presence and support; Michael Walsh for collecting donations in Saint Brendan's College, Belmullet; Declan Gillespie for the warm welcome to Binghamstown; everyone who helped with traffic and who came out to meet us along the route – it was brilliant to see; Teresa Whelan for the soup and sandwiches in O'Raghallaigh's Pub, Binghamstown – they were much appreciated.
It was an emotional day, but it meant the world to the organisers and to Ciaran’s family to see such strong support and to honour his memory in a way he would have truly loved. Thank you all for helping to make it a day to remember.
The draw was held on March 30, and the numbers drawn were; 2, 9, 15, 35 for a jackpot €10,200 with no winner. The house prize of €100 winner was Michelle Garvin, Portacloy and the €30 offline Pat Healy, Gortleatilla and Kayleigh Gallagher, Gorthbrack. The €30 online winners were Martina Lally, Knockshambo and Kathy Carey, Barhave. The jackpot increased to €10,300 with the draw in Belderrig Community Centre on April 6.
The final Erris Workability community drop-in clinic takes place on Wednesday, April 9, in Centra, Bangor Erris. This is an opportunity to ask the Erris Workability team your questions and find out more about our innovative programme for people with anxiety, mental health issues, medical conditions, disabilities etc. Pop in any time between 11am and 1pm. Má bhíonn tú faoin gceantar, buail isteach! For more info, please call or text Siobhán 087 499 6605.
Car wash in aid of Friends of Belmullet Hospital Palliative Care Room plus a free entry for luxury Easter hamper at the annual Belmullet Fire Service car wash on Saturday, April 19, from 10am til 4pm at the Station in Church Street in Belmullet. So drop in and get your transport the once over.
There was a super performance from Emma Naughton and Ailbhe McHugh at the Nationals in Athlone recently. They both finished in the top 10 in their events and achieved personal bests. Emma finished in 6th place in the shot-putt and Ailbhe finished 10th in her walk.
Erris INHFA charity tractor run join forces with numerous vintage club members across the midlands in aid of North West STOP-Suicide Prevention, The date will be April 20, Easter Sunday, with local vintage enthusiasts and vintage club members from across the midlands combining on this run it has the recipe to be one of the biggest vintage displays ever seen in Erris so book the date we hope to see you all there for a great cause. For more information call Brendan on 087 1269023 with registration at the Broadhaven Bay Hotel at 10am and run starts at 12.30pm.
Erris Tours for 2025 is heading to Slieve Russell Hotel in Cavan on Monday, June 30, to Thursday, July 3. Names as soon as possible to Mary Irwin 087 9232327 or Carmel Gaughan 086 8488266. Deposit of €50 required and is non-refundable. More details available later. Carmel will be in parish office every Thursday from 12 noon-1pm.
The Belmullet Autism Friendly Town committee will host champion training on Thursday, April 10, at 6pm, in Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet. This is open to all businesses in the Erris area. The training equips businesses and organisations with the knowledge and tools to create autism-friendly environments, enhance customer experiences and foster workplace inclusivity. This is a specialised training programme in partnership with AsIAm, a national charity which is autistic-led and dedicated to working for autistic people and their families. The workshop is a great opportunity to empower your business to become more inclusive and to be a champion for positive change. Email belmulletautismfriendlytown@gmail.com now to sign up for the workshop or to find out more information.
Mayo County Council in partnership with AXA Insurance hosted their annual ‘AXA Road Safe Roadshow’ in Castlebar recently and TY students from St Brendan’s College and Our Ladies Secondary Schools attended the roadshow. The aim of the Road Safe Roadshow is to encourage the next generation of young road users to actively focus their minds and think about the importance of road safety.
Thanks to all of the partners; An Garda Síochána, The Fire and Ambulance services as well as the people sharing their personal stories and experiences of road accidents. This is always a worthwhile trip to help students be aware of their safety and the safety of others on our roads.
The jackpot has now reached €19,100. €50 winner on the draw of March 27, was Sinéad Gallagher, Doohoma and €25 winner was Liam Donoghue, Sraith.
The U14 team has been drawn with Easkey, Ballina and Maigh Turadh in the Tain O’League starting at the end of April Schools coaching. Eoin McGrath continues with the schools skills programme in the schools of Kilcommon, Glencastle and Sraith.
Deepest sympathies to the family of Sean-Gaughan Cross Boyd, Binghamstown; Anne Wilson (née Togher), Drum, Clogher; Mary Gallagher (née Carolan) and formerly Staunton Hazel Grove, Newport Road, Castlebar and formerly of Glencastle; Maureen McHale nee Flannery Stanmore, London and formerly of Glencullen; Paddy Gallagher Cricklewood, London and formerly of Doolough, Geesala; John Larry Geraghty, Leam, Clogher. May they all rest in peace.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of €5,200, with the two €50 winners being, Seamus McGuire, Doohoma and John and Tisha Cosgrove, Shranakilly while Tony Mangan (Julia), Roy and Sean McKenzie, Attawalla both won €25. The two online winners were Lisa Carey, Coolaba €50 and Evita Coyle, Geesala €25.
Bingo will take place in the GAA complex Bangor this Tuesday, April 8, at 8pm. The jackpot will be €700 in 49 calls or less.
Great league start for Iorras, Iorras U15 (A) got off to a great start on Wednesday, April 2, in Division 1 with a solid 10-0 win away in Claremorris. Seventeen players travelled and all contributed to the win.
James McDonnell got the scoring underway with a neat finish after 5 minutes with further goals from Harry Padden (2), a first half hat trick from Johnny Carey and a long range thunderbolt from Billy Lavelle. This left Iorras 7-0 up at half time. Joe Gallagher and Ryan Creane ensuring no goals were leaked in the first half Six changes were made at half time with ‘new signings’ Óisin Cosgrove, Cathal Barrett, Seán Coyle and Oliver Barrett getting their first start and making a significant impact. Cathal and Óisin added to the scoring, with captain for the evening, Finn Gallagher rounding off the goals.
Sandwich between all this, Jason Healy saved a penalty superbly to maintain the clean sheet. Darren Carey kept the clean sheet in the first half. Noah Munnelly and Finn Conmy showed their versatility playing in a couple of positions, while Dara Brady and Paraic Moran covered a lot of ground and worked tirelessly for the team.
Also that evening April 2, in lovely sunshine. Iorras U15 (B) was at home and recorded a 4-2 win against Ballina (C). The senior squad have been drawn away to Castlebar Celtic (B) in the semi-final of the Connaught Shield. The fixture will be played on April 19/20.
