Local Notes: Road safety award for Ballinrobe's Ailbhe
Ballinrobe native Ailbhe was a member of a team from the University of Limerick (UL) that recently won a national road safety competition. The winning team consisted of UL students Fintan O’Kelly, Clodagh O’Meara, Esther Olaoye, Evan O’Neill, Callum O’Leary, Keira O’Neill, Ailbhe O’Loughlin, Molly O’Neill, and Cian O Mahony. Ballinrobe's Ailbhe was the only Mayo person on the winning team and she is pictured third from left (beside the member of An Garda Síochána).
Ballinrobe student Ailbhe O’Loughlin was a member of the University of Limerick team which recently won the marketing project to ‘Reimagine Road Safety’. The project was run in conjunction with the Road Safety Authority (RSA).
More than 1,000 students across Ireland took part in the Road Safety Reimagined initiative, highlighting the lifelong and potentially devastating impact of a moment's distraction behind the wheel.
The students from the University of Limerick focused on the dangers of the mobile phone while driving.
The University of Limerick team’s tagline message was ‘Worst Passenger? Your Phone’.
The winning team - consisting of UL students Fintan O’Kelly, Clodagh O’Meara, Esther Olaoye, Evan O’Neill, Callum O’Leary, Keira O’Neill, Ailbhe O’Loughlin, Molly O’Neill, and Cian O Mahony - said: "Many drivers believe they can multi-task, but divided attention slows reaction time and increases risk, endangering not only themselves but also passengers, pedestrians, and other road users."
Ailbhe O’Loughlin, who is a past pupil of Ballinrobe Community School, is currently studying International Business in the University of Limerick.
Ballinrobe Handball Club will hold their annual Church Gate collection next weekend, May 3 and 4. Your support would be appreciated.
The Frank O’Toole one-day doubles handball tournament took place in the Lakeside Sport and Fitness Centre, on Monday, April 21. Twenty players took part in the tournament.
The Plate winners were John Coyne and Michael Lang, with Jim Sheridan and Fergus McCormack finishing runners-up. The Cup winners were Tom Sweeney and Brendan Vahey, with Martin McAndrew and Keith McCormack runners-up in that competition.
Ballinrobe Handball Club member Tom Sweeney was involved in Connacht Final handball action last weekend in Aughagower, whilst fellow Ballinrobe Club members Martin MacAndrew and John Coyne were also competing for provincial glory in Moycullen on the same weekend.
The results will be in next week’s edition.
There was no winner of the €26,600 jackpot in the Ballinrobe GAA Club's Lotto draw, which was held on Monday, April 21. The numbers drawn were 5, 15, 16 and 34.
The match three winners (€100) were Iarla Moran and Breda and Catharine.
A friendly game of badminton for adults takes place every Wednesday, from 7.30 to 9.30pm in the Lakeside Sport and Fitness Centre, Ballinrobe. No previous experience of playing badminton is required as this is just a social get-together and is a good way to keep-fit.
All levels are welcome.
A Dementia Café for people living with dementia and family carers will take place on Tuesday, May 6, from 11am to 1pm in the Tacú Family Resource Centre. The café provides a warm welcoming place for people to meet others living with dementia/cognitive impairments, their carers and health and social care professionals.
Niamh O’Conner from Memory Assessment will be present on the day.
Further details and information are available by calling into the centre or by contacting Marie at 087-1708706.
There was no winner of the €9,300 jackpot in the Western Alzheimer's Lotto draw which was held on Wednesday, April 23. The numbers drawn were 4, 7, 13 and 33.
Tickets cost €2 each, €25 per quarter, €50 half-yearly, or €100 yearly.
Your support for this weekly lotto would be appreciated.
Ballinrobe will host one of the annual Darkness Into Light walks in aid of Pieta at The Green, Ballinrobe, on Saturday, May 10, commencing at 4.20am.
No pre-registration is required and donations will be taken on the morning. Refreshments will be available at the event.
The organisers of this event are currently looking for volunteers to help out on the morning of the walk, and those interested in volunteering are asked to please direct message the Ballinrobe Darkness Into Light Facebook page.
Darkness Into Light 2025, proudly supported by Electric Ireland, will take place nationwide.
Ballinrobe Musical Society will host its annual general meeting on Thursday, May 8, at 8pm in Ballinrobe Parish Centre (Eircode: F31 TY03).
All are welcome to attend.
The organisers of the annual Ballinrobe Festival are delighted to announce their major fundraising raffle prize, which is a luxury dream holiday worth €3,000. The winner can go on a cruise, enjoy a multi-city break, or bring the family to a family holiday resort.
Tickets for this prize cost €10 and are on sale in Martin Murphy’s Newsagents, Ballinrobe.
Alternatively, tickets can also be bought online and those wishing to do are asked to visit the Ballinrobe Festival Facebook page.
This year’s Ballinrobe Festival will run from July 19 to 27.
There was no winner of the €7,800 jackpot in the Garrymore GAA Lotto draw on Sunday, April 13. The numbers drawn were 16, 19, 26 and 27.
The €50 winners were Padraic Colleran, Caltra; P.J. Heffernan, Mollyroe; and Kieran Varley, Ballyglass.
There was also no winner of the €7,900 jackpot in the draw on Sunday, April 20. The numbers drawn were 11, 14, 20 and 25.
The €50 winners were Fergal Hughes, Crossboyne; Carol Horkan, Farmhill; and Padraic Gaynard, Churchquarter.
Ballinrobe Rugby Club will host a two-day Connacht Rugby Summer Camp at The Green on July 28 and July 29, from 9.30am to 1pm daily. The camp is for children aged 6-12 and no rugby experience is necessary.
Attendees will be under the guidance of fully accredited Connacht Rugby and IRFU coaches who will teach the kids new skills and drills in a fun and safe environment.
The cost per child to take part is €60. Attendees will receive a Connacht Rugby gift.
For registration or for further details and information, you are asked to please visit www.connachtrugby.ie.
Declan Killeen was the winner of €500 in the weekly 50/50 draw conducted by Ballinrobe Rugby Club. The draw was held on Sunday, April 20.
