Local Notes: National award for Erris business
Mattie and Josephine Geraghty of Bru Chlann Lir B&B celebrating their awards success. Picture: Mayo North Tourism
Brú Chlann Lir, a charming Bed and Breakfast nestled in Tirrane, Blacksod on the Mullet Peninsula, has been honoured with the prestigious Irish Enterprise Award for the ‘Best Seaside Bed & Breakfast 2024 – Belmullet’. This esteemed recognition comes from EU Business News, a prominent publication covering the latest business developments in Europe.
Owned by Josephine and Mattie Geraghty, Brú Chlann Lir has captured the hearts of locals and visitors alike with its warm hospitality and breathtaking coastal views since 1992. Expressing her joy, Josephine Geraghty stated: "We are absolutely thrilled and honoured that our B&B has been recognised on an international scale. This is not only an award for us but a nod to the stunning area in which we live."
Mairéad Melody Carr, Manager of Mayo North Tourism, paid tribute to Josephine and Mattie, acknowledging that this has already been a significant year for the Geraghty family as they passed the helm of their other business, Wild West Boat Tours (formerly Geraghty Charters), to their sons after 30 years in operation.
"Brú Chlann Lir offers visitors a genuine West of Ireland welcome," said Mairéad. "I am delighted for their accomplishments, and this award truly reflects their dedication.
“Given Brú Chlann Lir's ideal coastal location, nestled between Blacksod Bay and the wild Atlantic, just a short 15-minute drive from Belmullet, it is a deserving recipient of the ‘Best Seaside B&B 2024’ award. Visitors to this coastal retreat experience the true essence of the West of Ireland."
Awards Coordinator Jack Ford of EU Business News shared his admiration for this year's winners, emphasising their commitment, determination, and innovation. He remarked: "These businesses represent a culmination of commitment, determination, and innovation."
Cllr Gerry Coyle campaigned for access to our local beaches for those who need special accommodations. Our beautiful beaches should be experienced by everyone and nobody should be prohibited by access issues.
"I’m delighted that €30,000 has been allocated for Cross Beach through the Outdoor Recreation Infrastructure Scheme," Cllr Coyle said. "A number of years ago, I provided funding for a temporary solution for access to Cross Beach. This new funding will now provide for the further development of an access ramp onto the beach.
"€30,000 has also been allocated to the beautiful Carrowteige Loop which has been acknowledged nationally, as one of the most stunning and rural walks in the country. I welcome this funding and look forward to the improvement works being completed.
"We are spoilt here in Erris with our beautiful beaches and walkways, and I will continue to campaign for funding to improve the amenities we have and make them more accessible for everyone."
A massive thank you to all who supported the Tullaghan Bay Rowing Club's inaugural Good Friday Table Quiz in the Erris Coast Hotel.
Thank you to the raffle sponsors, Breege and Gary Ginty, Claire and Paul Murphy, Linda Conway and Comharchumann Forbartha Cill TSeadhna Teo. Thank you to Deborah, Leah and Tessa at the Erris Coast Hotel for the lovely set-up and help.
A very special thank you to the quiz master Ian McAndrew for a fantastic job.
A massive turnout of 31 teams attended from all over Erris, congratulations to the winners:
1st - Scotch Port Dippers (Karina Diamond, Yvonne Byrne, Sarah Jane McHale and Donnacha O’Muirthile); 2nd - Pat McDonagh’s Angels (Leah McDonagh, Aoibhe Ginty, Ciara Ginty and Joe Mason) 3rd - Fishy Four (Brendan McDonagh, Pat Doocey, Dylan Mills and Josephine McDonagh).
The event raised €1,800 for our club and we are looking forward to making this an annual Good Friday Event.
Belmullet Swimming Club is teaming up with Erris Utd FC to organise a fundraising walk that will coincide with the National 'Walking the Walk' with the charity As Darragh Did. Both clubs were very fortunate to receive funding from the As Darragh Did charity and now want to give back and are hoping that many of you will join them.
As Darragh Did was created in memory of Darragh McGinley, who died in January 2020, alongside his brother Conor and sister Carla.
Father of Darragh, Conor and Carla, Andrew McGinley, founded three projects to continue their memories.
As Darragh Did provides funds to community clubs, groups, societies and projects which promote integration and inclusion and that seek to get people participating locally … as Darragh Did projects in memory of Conor and Carla include Conor’s Clips YouTube channel and social media and the Snowman for Carla annual colouring competition.
The National Walk is a 60km walk along the Royal Canal from Mullingar to Maynooth.
Don't panic, we are not asking you to walk 60km but if we all did 1km we would not be long clocking up the distance.
The location selected is the walkway at Belmullet Tidal Pool and it takes place from 12 to 1pm on Sunday, April 21st.
There will be plenty of marshals from both clubs to guide you along the way. Please wear hi-viz clothing to keep us all safe and seen. Dress for the weather on the day and wear comfortable footwear. There will be a donation bucket on the day. If you would like to support online, log onto www.asdarraghdid.ie.
Sinn Féin TD Rose Conway Walsh was the guest speaker on Saturday, March 30th, when the Erris community joined with families of the patriot dead to see the unveiling of a monument to remember the volunteers from Erris who fought in the War of Independence.
Sincere gratitude to Thomas Gruddy and the Gruddy family for undertaking this project. His book is a must read ‘Independence - The Struggle for Irish Freedom in Erris (1919-1921)'. Thank you to all involved in this not-for-profit publication. Those from Erris who lost their young lives in the First World War are fittingly remembered in an adjacent monument.
A four-session course for expectant mothers and partners begins on April 10th and runs for four weeks. It will take place in the Broadhaven Bay Hotel. The course is run by public health nurses and is free of charge.
You are advised to attend early in your pregnancy.
To register, contact Nuala on 097-27418.
Sixteen out of the 180 entries navigated through the seven rounds of the National League correctly in the Cill Chomain GAA Club's Last Man Standing competition. As a result, the competition went down to the tie-breaker, three of the 16 correctly predicted the total league score for Mayo and will share the €500. The winners are Sean Murphy, Evelyn Doherty and Evan Reape. Well done and thanks to all those who entered and supported the club.
The draw in the Kilcommon Development Lotto was held on March 31 and the numbers drawn were 1, 4, 7 and 12 for a jackpot of €5,000. The house prize of €100 was won by the McGuire Girls, Barnatra. The two €30 offline winners were Joe and Breda McNulty, Belderrig and Michelle and Derek Healy, Newport. The two €30 online winners were Stephen Naughton, Glenamoy and Edel Ruddy /Horgan, Dublin.
Next week’s jackpot is €5,100 and the draw will take place in the Lighthouse Tavern, Inver.
Cill Chomáin GAA Club will hold a Quiz Night on Saturday, April 13th, at 8.30pm in McGuire’s Pullathomas. Raffle and refreshments served and all are welcome.
A fundraising Tractor Run in memory of Tommy Murphy of Highbury, London and Cartron, Clogher will be held on Saturday, 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 Macs afterwords. Please support.
All are welcome to the annual general meeting of Baile Slachtmhar Bhéal an Mhuirthead (Belmullet Tidy Towns) on Thursday, April 11, at 7pm, in Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet. Tá Cruinniú Cinn Bhliana ar siúl ag 7pm, Déardaoin 11 Aibreán, in Áras Inis Gluaire, Béal an Mhuirthead. Fáilte roimh gach duine!
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of €12,100 with the two €50 winners being PJ McHale, Cloontakilla and Pam Tighe and Christy McManamon while Michael Holmes, Doohoma and Grainne McManamon, Bangor both won €25. The two online winners were Mark Winters, Bangor (€50) and Jarlath Mangan (€25).
Bingo will continue in the complex in Bangor this Tuesday, April 9, at 8pm with a €500 jackpot in 45 calls or less.
