Local Notes: St Joseph's Primary School, Ballinrobe, win the Sportsmanship Award at the VEX IQ World Robotics championships.
St. Joseph's Primary School with the Sportsmanship Award at the VEX IQ World Robotics championships in Dallas, Texas.
Congratulations to St Joseph’s Primary School, Ballinrobe, who received the Sportsmanship Award at the VEX IQ World Robotics Championships, which took place in Dallas Texas, from May 12 to May 14. A group of nine fifth class pupils and their teachers Ms Edel Roache and Mr Sean Flannelly, made the trip on May 10, along with parents.
This is the second year in a row that pupils from St. Joseph’s Primary School have competed at the VEX IQ World Robotics Championships, with the school receiving honours at last year’s event. Last year St Joseph’s collected the ‘Innovate’ award for their skills in demonstrating an effective and well documented engineering design process for a specific aspect of their team’s design of gameplay strategy.
The St. Joseph’s fifth class pupils involved in this year’s VEX IQ World Robotics Championships were: Rian Hennelly, Matthew O’Toole, Jacob Connolly, Jack Daly, Roland Roche Szabo, Kayla Gilraine, Andrew Gentry, Emilia Slowik, Hazel DeRhen, Aoibhín Kelly, and Adam Heneghan. Well done to all involved.
A report about the school’s homecoming will feature in next week’s edition.
Fr Peter Hughes, a native of Ballinrobe, is a good friend of newly elected Pope Leo XIV. Fr Hughes who works as a missionary priest in Peru was interviewed by BBC Radio Four on Sunday, May 11.
Hollymount LGFA is delighted to announce that a special event will take place to celebrate its 40th anniversary, on October 4, 2025. This is a major milestone for the club and a dedicated email address has been set up for those who would like to share photos, videos, stories, team information etc. Hollymount LGFA is also looking for volunteers who would be able to help with the anniversary event. The email address is hollymountlgfa40@gmail.com.
The Ballinrobe Musical Society has elected the following committee for the coming year following a well-attended AGM held recently in the Ballinrobe Parish Centre.
The committee are as follows: Patron, Gerry Hughes; president, John Hyland; chairman, Richard Crumlish; vice-chairman, Des Treacy; secretary, Emma Loscher; assistant secretary, Eimear McGovern; treasurer, Karina Jakubowska; PRO, Oisín McGovern; committee members, Tom Carney, Joanne Heskin; AIM’S representatives, Joanne Heskin, Eimear Philbin, Kenneth McCarthy; social committee, Emma Loscher, Eimear McGovern and Lisa Murphy.
Congratulations to St Joseph’s Primary School, Ballinrobe, who qualified for the Division Two Cumann na mBunscol hurling final in June, following a recently held hurling blitz in Ballyvary. Three teams took part in the blitz which included Ballyvary, St Joseph’s, and Castlebar. St Joseph’s will now contest their first ever hurling final in June where they will face Knock National School. Well done to all involved.
There was no winner of the €26,900 lotto jackpot draw which was held in John O’Hare’s Bar, Cornmarket, on Monday, May 12. The numbers drawn were 5, 22, 29 and 31. The match three winner of €100 was Ray Lee.
Ballinrobe return to senior football league division one (A) action next weekend when they welcome Charlestown Sarsfields to Flanagan Park. Please see the Game On section for confirmation of the date and throw-in time. Your support for the maroon and yellow in this vital fixture would be appreciated.
Having suffered a 3-15 to 0-12 defeat against Charlestown in their last league outing at Flanagan Park on Sunday, May 11, the Ballinrobe (B) team will hope to get back to winning ways next weekend when they face an eagerly awaited away tie against Kilmaine. See the Game On section for confirmation of the date and throw-in time.
On Friday, May 9, Ballinrobe GAA Club had the honour of presenting their new maroon and yellow jersey to their fantastic sponsors, Ballinrobe Races, at one of the well-attended race meetings.
Ballinrobe GAA Club chairperson, John Sweeney, made the presentation to Ken Murphy, chairperson of Ballinrobe Races. The new design, launched this year, sees a strong yellow hoop run through the predominantly maroon jersey. Ballinrobe GAA Club is extremely grateful for this partnership, and it is a brilliant example of two strong local organisations coming together to support one another, and the club will wear the jersey with real pride for the rest of the season.
Ballinrobe GAA Club wish Ballinrobe Races all the very best for the remainder of their season and they look forward to continuing this great community connection.
On Sunday week last, Ballinrobe Town (B) hosted Achill Rovers at The Green, with the visitors emerging victorious on a 3-1 score-line. In what was an entertaining contest, Rovers snatched the lead towards the end of the opening quarter, but this was negated on 22 minutes, when Ballinrobe’s Sean Vahey applied a close-range finish to the back of the Achill net. Ballinrobe played with plenty of purpose during the second half, however, Rovers were more clinical in front of goal and the guests plundered two further goals to seal the deal.
Ballinrobe Town AFC is delighted to announce that their UEFA Playmakers Group will commence over the next couple of weeks. This is aimed at girls aged 4-8 and is an introduction to football using Disney stories. The event takes place in two four-week blocks and is completely free and is a great way for children to have fun and learn about football. Further details and information are available by visiting https://disneyplaymakers.ie/Ballinrobe-Town/.
Ballinrobe Handball Club thank everyone who supported their annual church gate collection held on May 10 and May 11.
The club held its weekly 50/50 draw in John O’Hare’s Bar, on Sunday, May 12, with John Enda Lee the winner of €425.
Ballinrobe Rugby Club will hold their annual youth’s awards presentation evening on Thursday, May 22, in Ballinrobe Community School, at 6.30pm. The awards are for youth teams aged from U13 to U18.
There was no winner of the €8,200 lotto jackpot draw which was held in Garrymore, on Sunday, May 11. The numbers drawn were 10, 22, 25 and 35. The €50 winners were Sharon Corcoran, Annfield; Padraic Gaynard, Churchquarter, and Niamh, Shane and Ciara Heaney, Ballyglass.
Garrymore GAA Club lotto tickets are available in all local shops, and from club players and officers. Tickets are also available online by visiting the Clubforce.com website and entering Garrymore in the ‘Find my Club’ search box.
You then need to select Garrymore GAA Club (not Garrymore GAA Club Events) and click play lotto. Your support for this weekly lotto is appreciated.
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Islandeady GAA U6, U8, U10 and U12 football training takes place every Saturday morning from 9.30am – 10.30am. Contact 087 4533 818 for further details.
Islandeady Foroige Group had a very active year and are hurriedly trying to fit in lots more activities before the summer recess at the beginning of June. The committee of Aoife Gannon and Leah McNamara chairpersons, Kayla Gibbons secretary, Saoirse Chambers and Oisin Toland treasurers, and Padraig McDonagh and Conor Ludden Public Relations Officers have had a very busy year, but nonetheless all agree that all committee roles have been a very enjoyable and worthwhile experience as they have learned so much about how committees function, a skill and experience that they can carry with them for the rest of their lives.
Aaron Gibbons, Gavin Crinnegan and Ryan Mulvanny, first, second and third-year representatives were delighted with their role putting forward the views of their peers and planning events accordingly. Foroige plays a very important role in the lives of all young people allowing them to have ‘downtime’ in a safe environment while also exploring activities and events and interacting with their own age group locally and with surrounding Foroige clubs. Many of these experiences may not be appreciated until later in life, as adults or even young parents. It is a well-known fact that Foroige members often become Youth Leaders in later life, proof of the positive values and experiences they have gained in their youth.
Thanks and acknowledgement must however be given to all Foroige and other youth leaders who voluntarily give so much of their time to facilitate such clubs and ensuring the continuing safety and positive experiences of all youths. Foroige is always open to parents and volunteers to help for whatever period they can give. For parents of teenagers, it is a very worthwhile and beneficial experience for both parties, helping them to come to a mutual understanding while learning together how to deal with the challenges their youth are facing. The teenage years pass quickly so if you can be involved at this stage in their lives you are playing a huge part in preparing them for their future. Contact Julie at Foroige Islandeady on 087 6853000 or email: Foroigeislandeady@gmail.com.
Cemetery weekend in the parish will be August 2 and 3, with Mass in Glenisland Cemetery on Saturday, August 2, at 7pm and Mass in Islandeady Cemetery on Sunday, August 3, at 11am. Please inform any family and neighbours.
The concept of pole walking is to assist people in walking correctly using poles as they walk, and participants find it hugely beneficial. Sessions also incorporate lots of other exercises to improve mobility and flexibility. Pole walking commenced at Islandeady GAA Pitch on Friday mornings at 10am under the guidance of Brendan Fergus, c/o Mayo Sports Partnership Initative.
