Local Notes: Success for Ballinrobe students at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.
Luke Molloy, Emma Sweeney and Emily Butler alongside their teacher Mr. Barry Rourke, at the BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition.
Congratulations to Ballinrobe Community School LC1 students Emma Sweeney, Emily Butler and Luke Molloy, who enjoyed success at the recent BT Young Scientist and Technology Exhibition held in the RDS, Dublin. The students produced an impressive project on Swift Conservation, which focused on the observation of the feeding habits of fledging common swifts correlating to weather conditions.
The students picked up the The Met Eireann Award (Biological and Ecological) for the observation of the feeding habits of fledgling Common Swifts (Apus apus) correlating to weather conditions. They were also awarded 1st Senior Group in the category awards for the project. Well done to all involved.
The Maple Youth Centre is looking for youths (aged 12 to 20) to form a youth panel, where their voices will be heard. Those taking part can help make positive changes. Youths wishing to become involved are asked to contact Paula 087 2430695 or Mark 087 7714967.
Pendant Alarms for older people are available by contacting the Tacú Family Resource Centre at 094 9542908.
Meals on Wheels are hot meals delivered to individuals at home (either on a temporary or long term basis). Meals on wheels can make your life easier. Deliveries take place on Monday’s, Wednesday’s and Thursday’s, and consist of soup, main meal and dessert. Those wishing to avail of two meals on Monday’s and Thursday’s can do so by notifying the Tacú Centre. This service covers Ballinrobe and the Lake District area. Those interested or who require further details and information, are asked to contact the Tacú Family Resource Centre, Main Street, Ballinrobe, at 094 9542908.
Partry Bingo takes place every Monday night in the Partry Community Centre, at 8.30pm.
Connect Café is a Thursday coffee morning group for members of the community, and takes place from 10.30am to 12 noon in the Tacú Family Resource Centre, Main Street, Ballinrobe. Some of the benefits of attending the connect café as follows: enhance connections with others; make new connections; create a sense of community and belonging; create a space to have open and meaningful conversations; learn about the importance of connecting with others; reduce isolation and loneliness; learn about yourself and others. All are welcome. For further details and information you are asked to contact the Tacú Centre at 094 9542908.
There was no winner of the €25,200 lotto jackpot draw which was held on Monday, January 13. The numbers drawn were 11, 20, 25 and 26. The match three winner (€100) was Laura Rochford.
Ballinrobe Community School suffered a 4-8 to 1-12 defeat against Mercy College, Roscommon in the CLGFA PPS Junior (B) Final, on Monday week last. The game was played in the Dome at the Connacht Centre of Excellence, Bekan.
The Ballinrobe girls produced a brilliant first half performance, but Mercy College had a penchant for three-pointers and the Roscommon side led 3-4 to 1-5 during the half-time musings. The Robesiders gave it their all during the second half and at one stage it seemed that a sensational comeback was on the cards.
However, an experienced Mercy College closed out proceedings impressively and the Roscommon girls were celebrating a coveted provincial title at the sounding of the full-time whistle. Overall, Ballinrobe can be proud of their efforts on the day and they will take the positives from their brave performance.
Well done to the Ballinrobe Community School U14 girls’ team who recorded an impressive 5-13 to 7-2 victory away to Sligo’s Ursuline College, on Wednesday last.
Ballinrobe will now meet Headford in the next round.
The junior men’s team recorded a terrific 24-12 victory away to Westport in the opening round of the Connacht Junior Cup, on Sunday week last. Ballinrobe made a bright start and following a penalty from Dylan Keane, Liam Burke plundered a try, with the aforementioned Keane coolness personified from the subsequent conversion.
However, the hosts regrouped and a five-pointer for the West Mayo men left the score-line reading 10-5 in favour of Ballinrobe at the interval.
The opening exchanges of the new half were keenly contested, but the visitors silenced the home faithful when Sean Mullin crossed the whitewash, with Keane’s conversion stretching the Robesiders lead to 12 points (17-5). A gallant Westport upped the tempo and a converted try by the hosts left the tie in the melting pot.
Both sides went for broke towards the end of the game, however, a superb try from Ballinrobe’s Liam Burke, and well-placed conversion by Keane, helped secure the vital victory for the South Mayo men. Ballinrobe will face another away tie in the Connacht Junior Cup quarter-final where they will face the winners of the University of Galway v Monivea clash. The quarter-final is scheduled to take place next Sunday, January 26 and will kick-off at 2pm.
Ballinrobe: Kevin Staunton, Peter Finlay, Iarla Jennings, Liam Lynch, Stephen O’Connor, Tom Lynagh, Ronan Hughes, Sean Mullin, Killian McHugh, Dylan Keane, Liam Burke, Daniel Keane, Tom Staunton, Paul Keane, Steven Conroy. Replacements: Conor Forde, Jamie Treacy, Liam Dever, Jack O’Toole, Kevin Mullin, John Carter. Referee: Michael Honan.
The club held its weekly 50/50 draw on Sunday, January 12, with Micheál Walsh the winner of €512.
There was no winner of the €6,600 lotto jackpot draw which took place in Garrymore, on Sunday, January 12. The numbers drawn were 3, 18, 26 and 30. The €50 winners were Padraic Corcoran, Annefield, Paudie Treacy, Kilconly, and Thomas Healy, Farmhill.
Senior Line is Ireland’s national telephone service for older people open every day of the year 10am-10pm. Freephone 1800 80 45 91. Callers may feel isolated, alone and may wish to discuss a problem in confidence, or for company during the day. Senior Line’s older volunteers are trained to listen, to support, to discuss options and to refer callers to other helpful services, if necessary. Senior Line 1800 80 45 91 is open every day of the year at the above times.
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Islandeady Community Council met recently in St Aidans Room, their first of 2025. There was an excellent attendance, where many topics were discussed, especially ideas for raising funds for the new community facilities.
The Village Enhancement Group informed the meeting that the old stone bridge at the church and the road surface adjacent to it, is in need of repair, and especially since the recent frost further deterioration of the stonework has been noted and reported to the Co Council as was previously. The group have now been informed, by their bridge engineer that some repair work will be carried out in the near future, to prevent further deterioration of this historic bridge.
You can still support the €5 per week direct debit for the new community centre, call Robert on (087) 614 5439/email secretary.islandeadycc@gmail.com or Caroline 087 932 4646.
The Rambling House return on today, Tuesday, January 21, at 7.30pm in the community centre, all are most welcome to attend and bring a friend.
The Heritage Group are having their meeting on Wednesday, January 22, at 8pm in Jacks Cottage, and everyone is welcome.
Results of the game which was played on Monday, January 13, are as follows: 1st Sean O’Boyle; 2nd shared by: Peter O’Malley, Mary Brosnihan and Johnie Gavin; 3rd prize was shared by John Walsh and Sean Hopkins. Raffle winners were; Thomas Conroy, Liam Walsh, Bridie Walsh and Frank Sammon. Card games continue every Monday night in Islandeady Community Centre at 8.30pm. Refreshments are served and all are welcome.
There was no winner of the Islandeady GAA lotto draw which was held on Sunday, January 12 and the jackpot in the latest draw which took place on Sunday, January 19 in the Halfway was €10850.
Used Christmas postage stamps are being collected for the Capuchin Centre – please leave 1cm of paper around the stamps when you cut or tear them from an envelope and post them to Ms Concepta Moram, Drimneeen, Islandeady Castlebar.
Islandeady Men’s shed continue to remain active over the winter months, when camadarie and companionship is even more important in helping to keep people in touch and looking out for each other. The men are currently planning for the year ahead, with various projects lined up. They have some repairs to carry out to a portable building at the community centre and some other community projects. These men also assist the staff at Cloggernagh school in improving facilities there. So a busy start to 2025 for all the guys in the Men’s Shed.
Congratulations to members - Trevor Costello who won the Connacht Cyclo Cross league (A) and Sinead Parsons who took gold in the women’s category. Everyone in the club are so proud of their amazing achievement. Club registration is still ongoing and available from any club or committee member. Membership fee for 2025 is €40 per person or €60 per couple.
Age Friendly Mayo is delivered by Mayo County Council and works to improve the services that older people have identified as being important to them, and the wider community, as they live healthy and active lives. The projects they offer, in conjunction with other organisations include; outdoor spaces and buildings, transportation, housing, respect and social inclusion, social participation, communication and education, civic participation and employment and health and wellbeing The key contributors to this programme are the Age Friendly Alliance and Mayo Older Peoples Council. The Age Friendly Alliance brings together older people, service providers and businesses to change thinking about aging and how services to our older people are planned and delivered. If you would like to find out more about this programme email agefriendlymayo@mayococo.ie.
In your prayers you are kindly asked to remember the following who died: - Celia Deere Webb, Snugboro, sister of Cllr. Ger Deere, Snugboro and Sean McDonnell of Annagh, wife of Maureen (Horan) previously Kilbree. May they rest in peace.
