Local Notes: St Brendan's College, Belmullet1st year class 2025
First Year Class 2025 from St. Brendan's College, Belmullet pictured with Mr. Walshe, School Principal, Mr. Treacy, Deputy Principal and Mrs. Reilly, Year Head.
Huge congratulations and well done to Kyle, Kayley and Brandon Geraghty who successfully completed and passed their Tier 2 assessment for the Inshore Lifeboat (ILB) at Ballyglass RNLI. Fantastic to see the huge commitment and progress of our up and coming crews.
Tier 2 assessment includes at theory test on shore (rules, navigation, RNLI procedures, and theory of seamanship). Detailed practical assessment afloat, which often includes:Helming or steering in various conditions (including under pressure); Anchoring and veering; Use of radar / electronic navigation aids; Recovery of persons overboard (man overboard drills); Emergency procedures (equipment failures, emergency drills).
Well done also to Gerard Martin, Pat Coyne and Sean Reilly on successfully completing and passing their Tier 2 assessment for the All-weather Lifeboat at Ballyglass RNLI.
Passing Tier 2 means a volunteer is considered a fully qualified ALB crew member. It involves both theoretical and practical assessments, showing the individual can operate with more independence, perform a wide range of seamanship and navigational tasks, and respond to emergency situations.
It includes: theory exam; shore-based paper; a written/shore-based test covering RNLI policy, relevant procedures, navigation theory, rules of the road, charts, radar or electronic navigation aids, etc; Helming (practical control of the lifeboat) steering the boat in various conditions; demonstrating good boat handling without supervision; Anchoring and veering, deploying and managing anchor(s); controlling the boat whilst using anchor / managing its tension; Towing Safe towing procedures, managing tow lines etc; Man overboard rescue / casualty recovery - launching rescue procedures, recovering people overboard, casualty assistance, emergency drills; Navigation under different conditions - use of charts/radar/e-navigation, plotting routes etc; Emergency procedures responding to simulated emergencies: engine failures, equipment failures, steering failures, etc. Also rescue and recovery operations, drill type situations. Watch keeping. Helicopter operations.
Recently the 1st of this season's Round Robins was held in The Valley Inn Bar - Pullathomas.
Brendan Conway prevailed as the winner beating Alex Bielinski 4-2 in the final. Well done to you both semi finalists: Josh Reilly and Mixie McGuire. Well done to all the players and special thank you to Mixie and Hannah for their hospitality and fine spread of food as always.
Erris Darts also congratulate Alex Bielinski and his fellow Mayo Youths A team members who were crowned Connaught Champions on Saturday, September 20, in Leitrim. Alex was the captain and also hit the winning double for his team. A fantastic achievement and the club had the pleasure of Alex and the cup to celebrate at the round robin event.
To the other four Erris youth players who made their county debut recently, well done and the club are super proud of you all. It is the first of many outings for Brent Kelly, Daibhi McLoughan, Ryan Moran and Callum Kerrigan.
The Erris lady Jenny Camillo was also celebrating victory with her fellow Mayo B ladies team, congratulations to you all.
Cara Iorrais will be hosting a coffee morning in Cara Iorrais House on October 3, from 11am to 1pm. Come and join them for a cuppa and a chat. Please note, this is not a fundraiser. Looking forward to seeing you all.
Sincere and heartfelt thanks to Michael, Catherine and the Gaughan family for choosing Cara Iorrais to be the beneficiary of The Michelle Gaughan Darts Competitions held recently. A massive €4,580 was raised on the night and a special thanks to Shane, Rachel, Broadhaven Bay Hotel, darts players and everyone who bought raffle tickets and people who came to support the event. Thank you to everyone and all businesses that sponsored and donated raffle prizes. Your generosity is much appreciated. It is heart-warming to see the generosity of the local community. It is donations like these that help Cara Iorrais to continue to provide services to cancer patients and their families in the Belmullet / Erris area.
The draw was held on September 21, and the numbers drawn were; 7, 14, 27, 36 for a jackpot €6,100 with no winner of the jackpot. The house prize of €100 was won by Anthony Leneghan, Foxpoint and the €30 offline winners were Alex Coyle, Gorthmeer and Adam and Leah Irwin, Glenamoy. The €30 online winners were Lorcan Mason, Pullathomas and Rachel Colgan, Baralty. The jackpot in the latest draw which was held on September 28, in McGuire’s, Pullathomas was €6200.
Kilmore Rural Social Scheme are advertising for a participant to join the team at Comharchumann Forbartha Ionad Deirbhile, Aughleam. The position is for 19.5 hours per week. To be eligible for the scheme you must be in receipt of a means tested payment from the Department of Social Protection and have a herd number in your own name or in the name of your father/mother; brother/sister. In the case of a fisherperson you must have proof of fishing in your own name.
If interested in the position email b.macsuibhne@udaras.ie or call/text: Brían MacSuibhne on 087 9583140 for more information. Closing date for applications is October 3, at 5pm.
The position is administered through Údarás na Gaeltachta and funded through Department of Social Protection.
There was no winner of this week’s Kiltane GAA Club lotto jackpot of €5,000 with the two €50 winners being David Cosgrove, Co Kildare and Bert Flannery, Muinginaune, while Majella Gilheany, Co Leitrim and Taylor Hogan, Bangor Erris both won €25. The two online winners were Linda Rowland, Bellacorick and Patrick Corrigan, England.
Bingo will take place in the GAA complex Bangor this Tuesday, September 30, at 8pm. The jackpot will be €850 in 52 calls or less.
St. Brendan’s College is delighted to wish three of its students the very best, as they set out on their journey to the World Karate Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
Ava Gaffney, Alex Kearney and Aoibhínn Monaghan will spend the next week in Japan, as they represent Ireland in this prestigious event.
On behalf of Principal Michael Walshe, and everyone in St. Brendan’s, they are wished every success as they compete for Ireland.
Karate Iorrais also wishes their members Ava, Aoibhínn and Alex the very best of luck in Japan. Sensei Padraig and Sensei Kieran will also be attending. These ladies have worked so hard and no matter what the outcome is, the club are filled with pride. They are wonderful representatives for the club and the WSKF Ireland. Thank you so much to everyone who has helped makes this dream a reality. Make wonderful memories ladies, it's so well deserved.
Gaeltacht parents are preparing a new 'Family Conversation' group in Iorrais, for parents and children on October 7, at 5.30 in Aras Inis Gluaire in Béal an Mhuirthead. There will be an opportunity to meet once a week for conversation, games, songs, rhymes and a cup of tea/coffee. It is a chance to practice and improve your Irish in a fun and supportive space. Send a WhatsApp to Siobhán for more information or to book your place on 085 8339491.
A huge well done to all the U6, U8, U10 and U12 players who were each presented with a Certificate of Participation recently. Chairman John Munnelly welcomed the boys and girls, along with their families, to the complex in Bangor, where they celebrated their commitment and efforts throughout the year.
A massive thank you to the coaches for the time, dedication and encouragement they give week in, week out and of course, to the parents, families and supporters who keep the spirit of the clubs alive – your commitment makes all the difference.
The club extend a special word of thanks also to Kiltane senior players Adam Carrabine and Liam Donoghue, Ballycroy men’s players Rory Conway and Kevin Conway, and Kiltane senior ladies player Clara Barrett. Their support and presence meant so much to the young players – true role models for the next generation.
Here’s to another great year ahead for Kiltane GAA and Erris St. Pat’s.
Mayo IWDG has been awarded funding from the Mayo Sustainability Fund to grow their live stranding response and education in the Blacksod Bay area. This support will strengthen dolphin rescue, support volunteers, and expand outreach and training to inspire the next generation.
Thanks to Community Foundation Ireland and the Sunflower Charitable Foundation for making this possible.
Oweninny Wind Farm Visitor Centre recently welcomed students from St Brendan’s College and Gaelcholáiste Chomáin for 4th & 5th year students for the ‘Work in Wind’ careers event. The day provided valuable insights into the wide range of career opportunities within the wind energy sector across Ireland, and the students thoroughly enjoyed the experience.
There was no winner of the lotto draw on Thursday, September 18. The numbers drawn were 7, 24, 26 and 3. The SOLAS €75 voucher was won by Paul Kiernan (Swords). Marie Neary, Glengad (€50) and Brendan McDonagh, Gaoth Sáile (€25) were the Lucky Dip winners. The jackpot in the latest draw which was held on September 25, was €21,600.
