Local Notes: Robeen NS triumphs at Credit Union Schools' Quiz
Ballina Credit Union hosted the Mayo county/chapter final of the All-Ireland Credit Union Schools Quiz on Friday night, March 6th, in Ballina Community Sports Centre. Two teams from each of the under-11 and Under-13 categories qualified for the All-Ireland final in the RDS, Dublin next month, including the Under-13 team from Scoil Mhuire Róibín, Robeen, Hollymount, which took first place. The team, representing St Colman’s Credit Union, are pictured, from left: Dean Donovan, Saoirse Gill, Jack Carney and Cillian Gorman. In the back row are Edel Canny (school principal), Maria Padden (CEO, Ballina Credit Union) and David Dwane (Chairperson, Ballina Credit Union). Picture: John O’Grady
Electrical recycling events will take place in Ballindine, Knock and Claremorris over the coming weeks.
The first event will be held at Davitts GAA Grounds in Ballindine on this Thursday, March 19th, from 10am to 4pm. In Knock, a recycling day will take place at the West Car Park on Tuesday, March 24th, also from 10am to 4pm. The Claremorris event will be held at Mount St Michael Secondary School on Saturday, April 4th, from 10am to 4pm.
Householders can bring along any unwanted electrical items for recycling. This includes large and small items such as fridges, phones, laptops, lawnmowers, toys and power tools, as well as batteries and energy-saving lightbulbs. In general, anything with a plug, lead or battery can be recycled.
Electrical, battery and lighting waste can also be recycled at local authority recycling centres and through electrical retailers.
Taugheen Playgroup has launched a major fundraiser raffle, with a top prize of a €1,200 Centre Parcs voucher. Other prizes include a 50-inch television and a luxury hamper.
Garrymore GAA recently celebrated the achievements of its players at the club’s annual presentation night, held at The Ranch in Claremorris, while preparations are also underway for a busy schedule of fixtures in the months ahead.
Three Player of the Year awards for the 2025 season were presented on the night. For the second consecutive year, Cathal Slattery received the TJ Farragher Players' Player of the Year award, with Geraldine Farragher presenting the trophy on behalf of the Farragher family.
Cathal Tierney was named the 2025 Kathleen Varley Junior Player of the Year, with the award presented by Ja Varley on behalf of the Varley family.
In a new addition to the awards, the club introduced a Rounders Player of the Year honour for the first time. The inaugural recipient was Fintan Hession, who received the award from club chairperson Pat Hession.
The club expressed its appreciation to The Ranch for hosting the event and also thanked Sean Brennan, Eoghan Loughney and Raphael for providing music on the night.
Attention now turns to the new season, with Garrymore drawn in Group 3 of the South Mayo O’Mara Cup alongside Kilmaine and Hollymount-Carramore.
The winners of Group 3 will progress to a home quarter-final, while second place will also advance to the knockout stages. The quarter-finals are scheduled for Friday, April 3rd, with the semi-finals set for Friday, May 1st and the final on Friday, May 29th.
The fixtures for the Abbvie Senior League Division 1 campaign have also been confirmed. Garrymore open their league campaign away to Knockmore on Saturday, April 18th, before hosting Ballina Stephenites on April 25th and Breaffy on May 9th.
They will then travel to Ballintubber on May 16th and host Westport St Patrick’s on May 23rd. Further fixtures see Garrymore play Belmullet away on June 6th and Claremorris at home on June 13th.
The final two games of the league season will see Garrymore travel to Crossmolina Deel Rovers on June 20th before finishing their campaign at home to Castlebar Mitchels on July 4th. The draw will take place on May 31st.
In addition, a fundraising table quiz will be held at The Country Club on April 11th at 9pm. Teams of four can enter for €40 per team. The evening will include a raffle and a range of prizes, with organisers promising an entertaining night in support of the playgroup’s development. All are welcome to attend and lend their support.
Claremorris AFC enjoyed a proud evening in Castlebar as the Women’s Masters team were crowned Mayo Women’s Masters Cup champions.
Captain Michelle Nally was presented with the cup by Wayne Hurst of Hurst Heating & Plumbing Supplies, sponsors of the Masters competition. Emma Mullin was also recognised on the night, receiving the Player of the Match award.
The club congratulated the players and thanked the supporters who contributed to a memorable occasion.
Claremorris Camera Club’s Exhibition of Photographs is currently on display at Claremorris Town Hall. The exhibition is entitled Magic Moments 2026 and will run until April 3rd. Admission is free.
Claremorris AFC is inviting girls born in 2016 to join its U11 Girls soccer team. The club is encouraging young players who would like to get involved in football, make new friends and enjoy the game in a fun and supportive environment to come along and take part.
Training for the group will begin on Sunday, April 12th, from 11am to 12 noon at the Claremorris AFC grounds.
Players of all abilities are welcome, whether they are new to the sport or already playing, and the club is encouraging anyone interested to come along and give it a try. Parents seeking further information or wishing to register their interest are asked to contact the club.
The South Mayo Darts League will host its annual doubles and singles competitions at the Western Hotel on Saturday, April 4th.
Proceedings will begin with an open draw doubles tournament, followed by the prestigious Mick Mellett and Michael Mooney Memorial Singles competitions. All events are confined to current and former league players.
Among the former and defending champions are Evan O’Brien and Johnny Griffin along with David Crishel and Bob Flatley in the doubles competition. Previous winners of the Mick Mellett Memorial include Pat Griffin and Conor Heneghan, while Evan Donnellan and Tony Melvin are among the past champions of the Michael Mooney Memorial.
Organisers say it promises to be a memorable day of darts as players gather to compete and to honour the memory of valued friends.
Claremorris Swimming Club’s Masters swimmers produced a series of impressive performances at the Long Course National Championships held in Limerick recently.
The swimmers recorded a number of outstanding races, achieving several personal best times and securing podium finishes across a variety of events.
One of the highlights of the weekend came from the mixed relay team of Donal Walsh, Niamh Duggan, James Brennan and Sara Canny, who delivered a superb performance to break the Connacht record in the 200 Individual Medley.
Club members described it as a memorable weekend of competition, with the swimmers’ hard work and dedication evident as they competed against strong opposition from clubs across the country.
Rory Hynes was the winner of the Claremorris GAA Club 50/50 draw last week, taking home €1,090. Rory purchased the winning ticket in PJ Byrne’s.
The club congratulated Rory on the win and expressed its appreciation to everyone who continues to support the weekly draw. Tickets remain available online as well as through local shops and pubs.
Seamus McCormack was the winner of the Claremorris AFC 50/50 draw last week, collecting €532 with an online ticket. The club extended congratulations to Seamus and thanked all who entered the draw.
The weekly fundraiser continues to support teams and activities throughout the club. Tickets for the weekly draw can be purchased online and from a number of local retailers and pubs in the town.
The death has occurred of Frank Garvey of Burnage, Manchester, and formerly of Farmhill, Claremorris. Frank died peacefully at home on March 3rd in the loving care of his family.
Frank was predeceased by his loving wife Ester, parents James and Margaret Garvey, brothers John, Patrick and Michael, and sister Eileen. He will be sadly missed by his loving family, son Tim, daughters Margaret, Fran and Kate, brothers James (Manchester) and Christy (Farmhill), sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, his adored grandchildren and great-grandchildren, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Frank’s Funeral Mass will take place in Burnage on March 27th.
The death has occurred of Mairéad Delaney (née Honan) of Seefin, Hollymount, and formerly of Newtown, Ennistymon, Co Clare. Mairéad died peacefully surrounded by her loving family in the wonderful care of Mayo Hospice.
Mairéad will be deeply regretted by her devoted husband Martin Gerard and her cherished children Eóghan, Niamh and Fionn, as well as her parents James and Margaret Honan (Ennistymon), brothers Derek and Cathal, sisters Siobhain and Eilish, father-in-law Mattie and his late wife Nellie, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and her many dear friends.
Mairéad’s remains reposed at Carey's Funeral Home, Ballindine on Saturday evening, March 7th, with her Funeral Mass taking place in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Crossboyne on Sunday morning, March 8th, followed by burial afterwards in Crossboyne Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Stephen J. (Stevie) Collins of West Roxbury, Boston, and formerly of Curraghadooey, Claremorris. Stephen passed away suddenly on February 24th.
Stephen was predeceased by his parents Timothy and Winniefred Collins, sister-in-law Anne Collins and nephew Barry Collins. He will be sadly missed by his brother John (Ana), Crossboyne, sisters Mary and Sylvia Collins (Boston), nephews and nieces Stephen Collins (Orlath), Michael Collins and Marie Collins (Pat), great-nephews and great-nieces Kayleagh, Donnacha, Odhran, Niamh and Corey, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Stephen’s remains reposed at Carey’s Funeral Home, Ballindine on Monday evening, March 9th, with his Funeral Mass taking place in the Church of the Sacred Heart, Crossboyne on Tuesday last, followed by burial in Crossboyne Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The death has occurred of Bridie Prendergast (née Forde) of Culnacleha, Tulrahan, Claremorris, and formerly of Knockatee, Dunmore. Bridie died peacefully at Mayo Hospice surrounded by her loving family.
Bridie was predeceased by her parents Delia and Paddy, and her sisters Mary, Kathleen and Bernie. She will be deeply regretted by her loving husband Eddie, daughters Sinead (Dyer), Gráinne (Sullivan) and Michelle, sons-in-law Brian (Bekan) and Moss (Cork), Michelle’s partner Shane (Claremorris), brother John Joe, sister Lucy (Dunmore), her grandchildren, niece, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Bridie’s remains reposed at Donnellan’s Funeral Home, Clare Street, Ballyhaunis on Thursday evening with removal to St Mary’s Church, Logboy. Her Funeral Mass was held on Friday afternoon with burial afterwards in Tulrahan Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
