Around Mayo's town and villages. . .Ballinrobe and Tourmakeady

CONNACHT JOURNEY

BALLINROBE advanced to the last 16 of the Connacht Rugby Junior Cup following their comprehensive 52-5 victory against Loughrea in The Green on Sunday week last, during which the black and white notched an eye-catching eight tries.

On duty on the day were: J. McTigue, P. Finlay, C. Hansberry, P. Mylotte, J. Carter, T. Lynagh, J. Ormsby, R. Murphy, D. Vaughan, E. O’Brien, K. McAleenan, S. Conroy, S. Biggins, E. Lynagh, L. Burke. The replacements were: J. Treacy, I. Jennings, P. Finnerty, C. Cronin, C. McHugh.

Ballinrobe’s reward for this resounding victory was a home tie in the last 16 against Ballinasloe, which was scheduled to take place last Sunday in The Green.

Meanwhile, Ballinrobe Rugby Club would like to congratulate Amy Horan, who lined out for the Connacht Under 18 girls team that defeated Ulster recently in Ballina. She scored a terrific try on what was a fantastic and memorable occasion for the talented player.

Off the pitch, the weekly 50/50 draw was held in Inch’s Bar on January 8 last, with Pat Nalty the lucky winner of €502.

GAA LOTTO

There was no winner of Ballinrobe GAA Club's €16,100 lotto jackpot in the draw which was held in Biggins’ Bar on January 9 last. The numbers drawn were 5, 23, 30 and 33.

The spot prize winners were Jerome Byrne and Annette Conway, while the in-house winner was John Bradley.

GRAPHIC DESIGNER

Ballinrobe Town AFC is looking for a volunteer graphic designer to join the club’s busy social media team. This opportunity may suit a student looking to build a portfolio, or someone in the Ballinrobe area looking to get involved in the club. If interested, send a message to the club’s Facebook page.

TOP CLASS ACTION

A rip-roaring game of basketball unfolded in the Lakeside Sport & Fitness Centre on January 8 last as Ballinrobe Community School's Under 16 boys team hosted Dublin’s Gonzaga College.

Ballinrobe led at half-time 19-7 but Gonzaga staged a remarkable recovery and turned the tie on its head, and at one stage the Metropolitan visitors led by three points. Cheered on by a vocal home support, Ballinrobe regrouped and closed out the game impressively to run out 39-30 winners in the end.

Ballinrobe can now look forward to the All-Ireland Under 16 quarterfinal in the National Basketball Arena, Tallaght, on February 7.

RACQUETBALL CLUB

Ballinrobe Racquetball Club's weekly games have recommenced in the Lakeside Sport & Fitness Centre.

The night for ladies' racquetball is every Thursday from 7 to 9 p.m. The men’s night is every Friday from 8 to 9 p.m. Both courts will be available each night. New members are welcome.

IRISH DANCING

The Murphy Cunniffe Academy of Irish Dance is now enrolling beginners for Irish dancing classes in Ballinrobe. These classes are open to boys and girls aged three and over.

Children can learn to dance and make new friends in a fun, safe and encouraging environment. The classes will help improve balance, flexibility and co-ordination skills. The classes are taught by Alan Murphy and Máirín Cunniffe. Places are limited. To enrol, contact Alan at (087) 2567115.

BINGO IN BALLINROBE

The ever-popular game of bingo takes place in the Parish Centre, Ballinrobe, on Tuesday nights at 8.30 p.m. The game is also available online via the Zoom platform.

Books are available for purchase in Tacú Family Resource Centre, Ballinrobe. For more details (including the link for Zoom), contact Monica at (087) 4111343.

BALLINROBE WHIST DRIVE

The weekly Ballinrobe Whist Drive returned to the Cáirde Crann Mór Centre, The Neale Road, Ballinrobe, on January 11 last and continues every Wednesday night at 8.30 p.m.

New players are welcome. No previous experience of whist is necessary and the game can be learned quickly. Members will be happy to guide newcomers along and teach the rules. Whist is an enjoyable game for people of all ages.

PARTRY BINGO

Partry bingo takes place every Monday night at 8.30 p.m. in the community hall.

NO WINNER

There was no winner of Garrymore GAA Club's €9,600 lotto jackpot in the draw which was held on January 8 last. The numbers drawn were 9, 13, 23 and 36. The €50 winners were Shane Nally, Garrymore, Niamh McHugh, Crossboyne, and Breda Jordan, Seefin.

LOTTO DRAW

There was no winner of Shrule/Glencorrib GAA Club's €26,800 lotto jackpot in the draw held on January 9 last. The numbers drawn were 13, 15, 28 and 33.

The five free lines winner was Bridget Mellett, while the €25 winners were Kearney’s Shop, Houndswood, Nola Bannerton (online winner), O. Reilly, Caherlistrane, and Sarah Molloy, Belclare.

PASTRY CHEF APPOINTMENT

Pastry chef Andrew Ryan has been appointed executive pastry chef at Ireland’s only Forbes five-star hotel, Ashford Castle in Cong, south Mayo.

Andrew first worked for the luxury hotel as pastry sous chef from 2016 to 2020 and makes his return following roles with Michelin-starred Loam Restaurant in Galway and, more recently, as head chocolatier at the award-winning Grá Chocolates, working alongside Gráinne Mullins.

Speaking about his return to Ashford Castle, the Galway native stated: “I loved my time at Ashford Castle and during my initial four years there, I was able to develop my skills while also mentoring and developing other members of the team. In 2020 I decided to gain experience in different establishments, which lead me to Loam and Grá, but I knew I would always one day return to the castle. The draw of the place and the comradery of the people are undeniable and quite frankly, there’s nowhere in the world quite like it.”

BRIDGE CLUB

Ballinrobe Bridge Club held their opening bridge night on January 5. The results were: 1st Stella Nalty/Patrica McDonagh; 2nd Nancy Hughes/Bob Craddock; 3rd Angela Murphy/Mary Dalton.

In the President's Prize (Mary Gallagher), the results were: 1st Sean O'Neill/Breege Connolly; 2nd Nancy Hughes/Marie Flanagan; 3rd Kathleen Nally/Mary Kelly; 4th Eileen Comer/Josie Connaghton; 5th Paul Waldron/Marian O'Connor; 6th John/Mo Mullin.

Meanwhile, the officers elected at the annual general meeting were: president Mary O'Reilly, vice-president Emer Canny, secretary Angela Murphy, treasurer Maureen Gallagher, ex-officio Mary Gallagher, committee Sean O'Neill, Paul Waldron, Marie Flanagan, Stella Nalty, Aileen Ward, Marian O'Connor.

TOURMAKEADY

GAA LOTTO

THERE was great excitment again in Tourmakeady GAA circles last weekend as local man Danny Heneghan, son of Seamus and Kathleen Heneghan, Dererin, Partry, scooped the lotto jackpot of €15,900 in January 7's draw. Danny's lucky numbers were 4, 20, 29 and 31 and his ticket was bought online.

The new lotto will start off again at €5,000. Congrats to Danny on what is a special year for him, as he will take Sheona O'Malley as his bride later this summer.

It was a second big event for this family in eight days. On December 30, Danny's niece, Sophie Cryan, won the Tourmakeady GAA draw for the brand new Peugeot 3008 Allure car. Sophie is daughter of Susan and Barry Cryan, Clonee, Partry. Susan, meanwhile, is daughter of Seamus and Kathleen Heneghan.

All eyes are on the Heneghans now for three-in-a-row!

CHRISTMAS TRIDUUM

A bit thank you to everyone who bought a Christmas Triduum card for the outside trees at Tourmakeady and Partry churches. A total of €1,310 was lodged for church affairs in Tourmakeady and likewise €525 for Partry.

Great appreciation to all involved in this annual exercise. All the money will be wisely spent.

JOHNNY HENEGHAN

The death has taken place at his residence at The Walk, Roscommon, of Johnny Heneghan, formerly of Treen, Tourmakeady, brother of Joe Heneghan, Treen, Noreen Hynes and Mary Murphy.

Sympathy is extended to Peggy (nee Moran), former member of Gaeltarra Eireann Tourmakeady; his family Helen, Aidan, Ciaran, Deirdre and Claire. Johnny was brother-in-law to Margaret Heneghan, Treen, Tourmakeady. He was laid to rest on Wednesday, January 11 in St Coman's Cemetery, Roscommon. May his soul rest in peace.

BONUS NUMBER DRAW

The winners of the Partry Residents' Association weekly bonus number draw on January 7 were Mary Staunton, Tooreen, and Thomas Hession, Portroyal. Both collect €100 for having number 23. There will be more winners on Saturday (January 21) at 8 p.m.

CONGRATS

Congratulations to Maeve Folan, daughter of Sean and Kathleen Folan, Shanvallyard, Tourmakeady, who has made the Mayo Under 14 ladies GAA team for 2023.

It is a great achievement for Maeve, who has won several honours with the Tourmakeady GAA team and Tourmakeady National School, as well as the Partry Athletic soccer team.

Good luck to Maeve and Mayo Under 14 team in 2023.

PADRAIG LYDON

The death has occurred in Mitcham, London, of Padraig Lydon (Ban), formerly of Derrypark, Tourmakeady. His funeral took place on January 13 last following Mass in Colliers Wood, London.

Son of the late Martin and Mary Lydon, he is survived by his wife Peggy (nee Maree), daughter Claire, son Chris, sisters Bridie, Sarah, Sheila (all New York), Ann (London), Mary (Castlebar), and brothers Martin (Castlebar) and Pete (Derrypark, Tourmakeady).

Padraig was brother-in-law of Kathleen Lydon (nee Prendergast), Derrypark. May his soul rest in peace.

WINNER ALRIGHT

The winner of the Tourmakeady NS bonus number draw on December 31 last was Doris Wilson, Cappaduff, with 38. There will be more winners next week.

WATERFALL MAGAZINE

Copies of the 35th edition of the Waterfall Magazine in Tourmakeady are disappearing! There will be no reprint so buy now.

ADORATION

Adoration is held in St. Mary's Church, Partry. every Monday from 6 to 8 p.m., and also in St. Mary's Church, Tourmakeady, every Thursday from 7 to 8 p.m. All are welcome, especially new members.

EVERY STEP COUNTS

Once again Tourmakeady GAA Club has joined Ireland Lights Up. Join in the fun every Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 7 p.m.

As part of the initiative, everyone is asked to participate in the Every Step Counts Challenge, delivered through the My Life app.

DATE FOR YOUR DIARY

On May 13, Fr. John Kenny, P.P., will celebrate the Sacrament of First Communion in St Mary's Church, Partry, and in the afternoon on the same day in St. Mary's Church, Tourmakeady.

SYMPATHY

Sincere sympathy is extended to the O'Connell family, Cloonbiggeen, Claregalway, on the death of Danny O'Connell, husband of Helen (nee Heneghan), Gortnacullin, Srah, Tourmakeady, after a long illness. He was laid to rest on Thursday in Claregalway Cemetery after 11 a.m. Mass.

Survived by his wife Helen, son David, his partner Sarah Ann, mother Tess and extended family, Danny was brother-in-law of John Heneghan, Gortnacullin, Srah, Tourmakeady. May his soul rest in peace.

Sympathy is also extended to Sean Ó Conghaile, Ballybannon, Tourmakeady, on the death in Galway of his sister Cáitlín Conghaile, who was sister-in-law of Aine Conghaile. May her soul rest in peace.

Sympathy is extended as well to Liam Conroy, Treenlair, Tourmakeady, on the death of his brother-in-law, Joseph McPike, Castlebar and Fermanagh. Rest in peace, Joseph.

WEDDING BELLS

Congratulations to Brian and Sarah O'Toole on their recent wedding in Spain. Brian is son of Conor and Ann O'Toole, Gorteenmore, Tourmakeady. Best wishes to the happy couple in the future as Mr. and Mrs. O'Toole.