Local Notes: Solas Visitor Experience and Tourism Hub is open in Eachleim
Attending the recent opening of the Solas Visitor Experience and Tourism Hub in Eachléim is from l/r Micky Lavelle, Tina Nic Eafartaigh, Marie McGarvey, Rosaleen Lally, Councillor Sean Carey, John Gallagher, Councillor Gerry Coyle, Rose Conway Walsh TD, Fergal Sweeney and Sean O’Coistela (Údarás).
The Solas Visitor Experience and Tourism Hub in Eachléim were opened on Friday, March 22, in preparation for the busy summer season. An official opening will take place at a later date. Situated on the site of the former Ionad Deirbhile Centre, the Solas Visitor Experience and Tourism Hub celebrates and interprets the rich history and culture of Blacksod and the Mullet Peninsula. Visitors will learn about the history of the area, modern interactive touchscreens will allow the visitors to engage with the exhibits and create a more personalised experience. This centre will become a great family day out for all ages and after this amazing experience you can enjoy a snack in the café or buy a keepsake in their gift shop. It is a major boost for tourism not just in Erris but in Co Mayo.
Thank you for taking part in Sports Genius 2024. Thank you to our sponsors Platt Reilly and Belbridge Structures. Hopefully you were celebrating Ireland winning the 6 Nations. It was never in doubt, apart from for the people who went for the French. 18 winners in the Prestbury Cup resulted in 12 of you having a 100% record after two events. It has never been done that somebody will get all 22 events correct but this could be the year. The bookies have Aine, Elie, Breda. Millie and Sinead as favourites. They can't be caught.
All roads lead to Augusta as we have a green blazer to give out. It all looks straightforward except Rory cannot putt, Rahm is distracted counting his dollar bills (300 million of them) and Shuffler can't stop jumping around the place.
The draw took place on March 24, and the numbers drawn were 4, 8, 24 and 25 for a jackpot €12,600 with two winners. Congratulations to the McAndrew grandchildren, Goola and Jason Deane, Glenamoy. The €100 house prize was won by Annette Bourke, Glenamoy and the 2 x €30 offline winners were Louise Moran, Glenamoy and the Friday lads, c/o the clubhouse. The 2 x €30 online winners were Vincent Doherty, Stonefield and Kathleen Deane, Gorthbrack The latest jackpot was €5000 and the draw took place in McGuire’s, Barnatra.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club weekly lotto jackpot of €12,000 with the two €50 winners being Padraic Deane, Glenamoy and Tony Calpin, Doohoma while Aisling Cafferkey, Tallaghaun Bawn and Mary and Tommy Sweeney, Doohoma both won €25. The two online winners were Keith Deane, Doohoma €50 and Martin McManamon, Bangor €25.
Bingo will continue in the complex Bangor this Tuesday, April 2, at 8pm with a €1,000 jackpot in 54 calls or less.
All are welcome to the AGM 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.
Traditional music, song and dance will be held on Friday, April 5, at 7pm, in Áras Inis Gluaire (Arts Centre), Belmullet, followed by a 'Rambling House' session, in the West End Bar (Henry's), Bangor, at 9pm. This is the last seisiún until July 17, when the weekly summer seisiún's will start.
There is a new defibrillator at Kilmore Community Sports field. Thank you to Brian Barrett and Tony Lindsay of Solar West for sponsoring this defibrillator. The defib that was there was 14 years in service. If your company is in a position to sponsor a defibrillator just contact Kilmore Community Sports Field committee and they would be glad to hear from you.
The Mayo (A) U15’s pool team recently retained their title. 2 of the 3 young Mayo men from last year’s winning team - James Brennan and Sean Coyle, along with a very strong addition in Dermot Kelly, 3 time IPA event winner this season, incredibly stormed to victory conceding just 6 frames across the whole event - equivalent to one frame per match. They unfortunately ran into their own Mayo (D) team in the final; however it just further shows the brilliant talent coming through from all corners of the county. Mayo (A), led all the way by their manager Eamon Brennan.
Based on her work with the National Folklore Collection and recent MA in Irish Folklore, Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet are excited to announce Internationally Acclaimed Irish folk singer Lisa Lambe will bring her new project 'Nightvisiting' to Erris this July.
In the west, 'Nightvisiting' is known as ‘bothántaíocht’ or ‘cuairtaíocht’, while in southern counties it is better known as ‘scoraíochting’ – a visit to the rambling house.
First commissioned by The National Famine Museum in County Roscommon, 2023 has seen the show perform in schoolhouses, venues and theatres. Collaborating with local musicians, Lisa creates a truly unique performance, bespoke to each venue she visits.
Nightvisiting reconnects us with the social role that night time house visits once played in our oral traditions and folklore, and in the preservation of our songs and stories, from tender love songs to bawdy ballads and songs of love, loss and longing.
What once was an important part of our social society and culture, it began to fade with the electrification of Ireland in the late 1940s as the hearth slowly gave way to the ballroom, public house and dance hall.
‘Nightvisiting is a reimagining of those special nights, of sharing our songs, stories and our social culture once again. Join Lisa Lambe in Áras Inis Gluaire, Belmullet to celebrate the lost art of Nightvisiting!’
Gaeilge Iorrais has announced a scholarship scheme to support students with Irish who are based in this Gaeltacht, participating in the Recognition Scheme and interested in attending skills courses through the medium of Irish at Coláiste UISCE this summer. Scholarships with limited spaces are available for a surfing, sailing and windsurfing course. Course dates are Friday, August 16 to Saturday, August 24. (This is a day course that will last for 9 days from 9.30 to 5pm. It is suitable for children from For 6 completed to 3rd year completed. Fill out an application form at https://forms.gle/tCQbpGQS5LTxtghQ7 before Friday, April 5, at 5pm.
Congratulates to Caitlín Bn. Uí Oireachtaigh for the launch of the book 'Grainne Giorria' which she held recently in Áras Inis Gluaire in Belmullet. Caitlin had a great book launch event with a great crowd, to celebrate a beautiful story about friendship and diversity.
Congratulations to Keelin Coyle the 2024 U18 Our Ladies All Ireland Pool Champion. Keelin played brilliantly all weekend representating Mayo at the National Championships in Navan. Keelin was a worthy winner on the day in an epic final where she won 4-3 against Kayla McCrory of Louth. Congratulations also and well done to Aisling Howard from Glencastle, who reached the semi-final in her first national competition.
Everyday Heroes … we have plenty of them in Erris. Huge thank you to the lads from Belmullet Fire Service for cleaning the pool recently. There was a lot of heavy silt after the last few high tides making it almost impossible to sweep so when Belmullet Tiday Pool put the call out for a little extra help the lads were only too happy to volunteer. The pool is now lovely and clean. Not only were they lucky enough to have the lads help cleaning but they also managed to find a missing wedding ring that was lost in the pool recently.
Local girl Vera Togher is seeking your support for a good cause. Vera is taking part in a charity cycle from Carrigallen on the Cavan - Leitrim border to Belmullet which is taking place on May 18/19. A go fund me page has been set up. A small donation can help. Your donation will go towards Inis Aoibhinn Lodge Galway. Inis Aoibhinn provides a home from home environment for residents receiving radiotherapy treatment and offers support and guidance to families using the facility.
Erris Tours are organising their annual trip. This year it is to Slieve Russell Hotel Cavan. They will be travelling on Monday, July 1, to Thursday, July 4. Names are requested as soon as possible to Mary on 087 9232327 and Carmel at 086 8488266. Carmel will be in parish office every Thursday from 12 noon- 1pm to take names and deposits.
A fundraising tractor run in memory of Tommy Murphy of Highbury, London and Cartron Clogher will be held on 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 Mac’s afterwards.
Foster Carers are urgently needed in Co Mayo to open their hearts and homes to children in foster care. If you are interested and would like more information, visit the website www.orchardfostering.ie or call 01 6275713.
