Local Notes: Unveiling of plaque commemorating Michael Lavelle, Pearse Street, Belmullet.
Minister of State Dara Calleary TD after unveiling a plaque in memory of Michael Lavelle of Pearse Street in Belmullet, Battalion Officer Commanding the North Mayo Brigade of the IRA during the War of Independence with members of his family and Councillor Sean Carey and others, recently.
A plaque commemorating Michael Lavelle of Pearse Street in Belmullet, Battalion Officer Commanding the North Mayo Brigade of the IRA during the War of Independence was unveiled on Sunday, June 16, by Dara Calleary TD. Speaking at the unveiling Michael’s grandson said; ‘I never met my grandfather, but heard about his life and exploits from an early age. My grandfather was born in Belmullet in 1894 and joined the local Irish volunteers in 1914 and Erris was the home of the 4th Western Division, 2nd Brigade, 6th and 7th Battalions with a combined force of about 620 officers and men.
In time my grandfather, Michael would progress from volunteer to Quartermaster to eventually becoming the Officer in Command of the North West Brigade with over 500 men under his command. Michael was imprisoned in Galway prison for three months from December 1920 and suffered ill health from the result of miss treatment and his home would also be subjected to constant raids from the Crown forces. He was also imprisoned at Costume Barracks in Athlone and Hare Park in the Curragh where he went on hunger strike. Subsequent to the truce he would claim the land on the side of the Canal raising 14 in family. He was awarded a military pension and be decorated with the 1917-1921 service medal with combat service bar in the 1940’s. My grandfather died in 1966 and is buried in Glencastle cemetery with full military honours’.
Comhar Dún Caocháin Teoranta is organising summer camps through the medium of Irish with the assistance of funding from Muintearas Teo under the scheme Scéim na gCampaí Samhraidh sa Ghaeltacht. The aim of the camps is to encourage children to speak Irish in an enjoyable environment. The week-long programme of activity includes sports, art, crafts, traditional dancing, singing etc. This year, pending sufficient demand, camps will be held at the following venues (please note the age groups and dates):- July 1 to 5 in An tSeanscoil, Ceathrú Thaidhg for children aged 3 - 6 years; July 1 to 5 in Naíonra Ghleann na Muaidhe for children aged 3 - 6 years; July 15 to 19, in Gael Choláiste Chomáin, Ros Dumhach for primary school children aged 7 – 12 years.
Application forms, which should be completed immediately to guarantee your child’s place, are available from Máire Cáit Uí Mhurchú (Campa Ghleann na Muaidhe) 097 87838 or 087 9714395, Máire (Campa Cheathrú Thaidhg) 097 88877 or 087 087 4173946 and Treasa (Campa Ros Dumhach) on 097 88082 or 087 1251642 dunchaochain1@gmail.com.
Ballyglass RNLI annual church gate collection will take place in Erris over the weekend of June 29/30. This has always been one of the bigger fundraising events and has always been well supported through the years.
The clubs junior side were forced to rise from their Sunday slumber early as they took on Ardagh (B) recently. Following on from the success of the seniors the previous evening, the lads were driven to end their own losing streak.
The first half brought chances for both sides. Belmullet led by 4 at half time thanks to the hard work in midfield of Darren McDonnell and Dáithí Cosgrove. Belmullet were reeling in the years as Michael Keane struck a number of scores from both left and right, graceful as ever. Belmullet even managed to get a score out of former Kiltane player turned Sydney Swan Dylan Walker. Spirits were high at half time thanks to saves from Aaron Carey and trojan work transitioning from defence to attack from Nathan Reilly, Lenny Gilbert and Peter Walsh.
The second half brought much of the same as both teams’ notched points on the score board in this back and forth encounter. Keane resumed his scoring in the second half and even managed to loop one over the Ardagh goalkeeper’s head for a goal from 30 yards out. This stroke of luck would prove vital as Belmullet defended frantically to hold Ardagh off in the closing stages as they looked to narrow the gap.
Daithi Cosgrove, who’s blistering pace caused Ardagh problems all day raised a white flag which came from a great tackle by Coilin O’Donnell. Things were looking bleak in the 56th minute as Anthony Walsh who ran his socks off went down with cramp and signalled to go off but luckily for all involved, Anthony was able to finish out the game. Brave defending from Liam Walker, Michael James and Daithi Donoghue was enough to prevent a much needed Ardagh goal and the boys rejoiced as the ref blew up the full time whistle with only 1 point between the sides.
It has been a big week for Belmullet U12 team. They won their league recently and won not one but two Eddie Cuffe memorial cups at the North Mayo Tournament. It was a proud moment for all to bring the cups back to Belmullet.
The Bumblebee 1000 Fast and Furious super-car roadshow rolled into Belmullet on Friday, June 14, and there was hundreds in the town to enjoy the spectacle. Petrol heads were in a spin at the sight of some really fast motors on view. The event raised thousands for the Little Blue Heroes Charity. Well done to all for bringing the event to Belmullet which was very enjoyable.
After one day of fundraising with Bumblebee 1000 they raised €30,000 from Barberstown Castle to Belmullet. In addition to that, Ciaran Kennedy and Liam Shevlin (Shevlin’s Garage) took it upon themselves to fundraise in the local area over the last few months and they have presented a cheque of €31,250 to Little Blue Heroes. An auction at the Bumblebee Dinner at the Broadhaven Bay Hotel later that night raised an additional €6,000. The total amount after day one is a whopping €67,250.
Well done to everyone who supported this worthy cause and a special mention to Ciaran and Liam for their trojan work. On the night Ciaran Kennedy and Liam Shevlin was presented with a special award by Bumblebee 1000 for their fundraising efforts for Little Blue Heroes.
Personal bests all round in the Connaught Outdoor Competition for Erris Athletic Club athletes. Well done to Ailbhe McHugh, Reyna Walsh and Robin Gaughan who competed in the 1000m walks setting new personal bests. Congratulations to Niamh Walsh, first time running a 200m sprint and also setting a new Connaught record in the U15 girls javelin throwing over 34 meters beating a record set in 2016 by 2 meters. Congratulations also to Javelin throwers Shane Naughton U10 and Niamh Walsh U15.
The Belmullet Tidal Pool celebrates 40 years of salty swims 1984 – 2024 on Saturday, July 20. They are planning a few things to mark the day and they are hoping all past and present swimmers, lifeguards, swimming instructors, committee members will come to help celebrate on the day. If you’ve got any photos or newspaper articles that you can share with them, they will be delighted. Do you have stories/ memories of the building of the tidal pool, visits to the tidal pool, favourite things about the tidal pool?? They would love to hear all about it. They want to showcase how much the pool has meant to the community over the last 40 years and how much they look forward to what the next 40 years will bring. They have set up an email address for this information: belmullettidalpool40@gmail.com.
