The late Mary McQueeney, Ballyhaunis.

Around Mayo's towns and villages. . .Ballyhaunis and Knock

BALLYHAUNIS NEWS

TRIBUTE TO MARY MCQUEENEY

The death recently of Mary McQueeney, Main Street, evoked great shock, sadness and regret by the many people from the local region who had known her.

She was such a well known figure on Main Street, always out and about and always ready to raise a smile and friendly greeting to all who passed by her door.

Born in the village of Cappagh, on the outskirts of Dunmore, in September 1947, the former Mary Flynn grew up on a farm and in her early years loved to spend much time helping her father with the various chores.

She met and married the love of her life, Mike McQueeney from Main Street, Ballyhaunis, and the couple were married in south Wales.

This year would have marked the 52nd anniversary of their marriage celebration. Together the couple reared three children, all boys – Joseph, John and Enda.

In his homily, Fr. Stephen Farragher, P.P., said that Mary was a loving wife, mother, sister and grandmother. In her youth she had a great fondness for sport of all kinds; she played and indeed excelled at camogie, which she played for a number of years in her native Galway. She always had a great passion for Gaelic games.

Mary also loved the outdoor life and this showed itself in the recent years when she worked on the grounds of Knock Shrine, tending to the plants and flowers and helping to enhance the beauty of the splendid grounds of our national Marian shrine.

She took great pride in her work at Knock and made many friends through her work alongside colleagues and with the many pilgrims who visited the shrine each year.

She also put this talent very much to the fore in her back garden, where she had a wonderful variety of all types of vegetables in her well maintained polytunnel.

Her hobbies included cycling, which she often used to raise funds for charity, the game of bridge and the odd session of bingo.

A lady of great faith, Mary and Mike visited Lourdes on no fewer than eight occasions. The couple also enjoyed pilgrimages to Fatima and to Medjugorje in recent years.

A lady who loved to travel for sure, Mary and Mike accompanied Paul Claffey on a number of his trips abroad, where fun, laughter, dancing and sharing were the order of the week's entertainment.

Mary contracted a terminal illness in the recent weeks and sadly this was to bring her life with us to a very sudden end when she slipped quietly away at Galway University Hospital at the end of February.

Her passing from Main Street and from Ballyhaunis has removed a lady of great love and sincerity from the parish.

She will be sadly missed by so many friends and neighbours from the centre of our town, but most of all by her loving husband Mike and her family who loved her so dearly. May her gentle soul rest in eternal peace.

Mary was laid to rest in the parish cemetery, Ballyhaunis. Deepest sympathy is tendered to her husband Mike, sons Joseph, John and Enda, daughters-in-law Melody, Orla and Tara, sister Liz (Timahoe, Portlaoise), grandchildren and many dear friends.

FIANNA FÁIL TRIBUTES

BALLYHAUNIS Fianna Fáil Comhairle Ceantair members gathered in great numbers at Dara Calleary's constituency office on Clare Street to pay tribute to a number of party colleagues and workers who have passed to their eternal reward in recent months.

The four members who were honoured for the service to the party and to the local constituency were Tommy Waldron from Cave, who was chairman of the local Comhairle Cheantair at the time of his death in June 2022, former county council member Michael Carty from Knock, Paddy Joe O'Brien, well known undertaker, also from Knock, and Pierce Higgins, well known club and county hurler who passed to his eternal reward in January following a protracted battle with Motor Neurone illness.

The tributes to the four men were led by Dara Calleary, TD, who said: “East Mayo has been left with a huge void following the passing of three of the most loyal, genuine people that I have had the privilege of knowing.

"Last summer we were devastated by the passing of Tom Waldron, chair of Ballyhaunis Comhairle Cheantair. Tom was one of life’s true gentlemen and a most loyal, hard-working member of Fianna Fáil who worked day and night for the party.

"He was instrumental in the revitalisation of the party in Ballyhaunis and east Mayo, working particularly hard and closely with me over the course of the past 10 years.

“He was a key figure in the opening of the east Mayo constituency office in Ballyhaunis town, providing great guidance, advice and genuine assistance to me and Liam from my office, as well as Councillor John Caulfield and the party membership in the area. His loss is being very hard felt by us all but particularly by his family. He was one in a million.

“Michael Carty was a gem. He was a very good councillor, working closely with individuals on the ground, doing his best to help people in his efficient, quiet way.

"He never spoke about or boasted about his successes as a councillor – and he had many. He was loyal and dedicated to the community in Knock, Ballyhaunis, Claremorris and throughout east Mayo. He will be very sorely missed by all who knew him.”

Members of the party reflected on the enormous loss to Ballyhaunis, Knock and east Mayo, and to the many organisations that Tom, Michael, Paddy Joe O’Brien and Pierce Higgins were involved in (Fianna Fáil, GAA, Knock development, agriculture), but especially to their families.

Dara and John resolved to continue to work in their honour for the betterment of the region and county. Sympathies were extended to the Waldron, Carty, O’Brien and Higgins families.

In memory and in honour of the four deceased party members, a reflective prayer was recited and a minute's silence was observed by all present.

CHAMPIONSHIP DRAW

The draw for this year's senior county football championship was completed last week. Ballyhaunis are drawn in group four, and the first tie is away to neighbours Aghamore! Interesting times ahead on the GAA front.

BASKETBALL GIRLS

Girls basketball is making tremendous strides at Ballyhaunis Community School this season as recent form by the ladies has shown.

Last week, the first and second year girls performed admirably against very strong opposition in St. Brendan's College, Bellmullet. The first year girls were victorious in their contest while the second year girls were narrowly defeated, both games being very competitive indeed.

Well done to the girls on their great advancement at this sport to date this year.

GOLF RESULTS

The final scores in the clubhouse after recent contest at Ballyhaunis Golf Club kindly sponsored by Hazelhill Timber Products were: gents - 1 Padraic Duffy, category 1 Brian Phillips, category 2 Michael Phillips, category 3 Tom Flannelly, category 4 Michael Nolan; ladies – category 1 Catherine Johnstone, category 2 Marina Coyne, category 3 Deirdre Moran.

GAA 50/50

Congratulations to Tina Lennon, Knock, who won last week's Ballyhaunis GAA Club 50/50 draw for a €500 jackpot. The envelope was bought in Delaney's Hardware.

Envelopes on sale in most local retail outlets at €2 each or €5 for three. All support for the local club is very much appreciated.

BALLYHAUNIS NOTES

Items for inclusion in Ballyhaunis notes can be sent to Michael Byrne, Gurteen, Ballyhaunis. Get in touch at (086) 4500706 or byrnemikej57@gmail.com.

KNOCK NOTES

UNDERSTANDING GRIEF

Knock Shrine Family Centre director and presenter of Faith Alive on Midwest Radio, Monica Morley, is currently presenting a bereavement course in Knock.

The themes for the remaining weeks are 'Finding stepping stones that can bring healing to our grief' (March 22) and 'Reaching a place of contentment again' (March 29).

Booking is essential as places are limited. For further information, contact (094) 9375320 or familycentre@knockshrine.ie, or see facebook.com/familycentreknockshrine.

CAR PARK GRANT

A grant of €35,000 has been allocated to the car park beside Knock National School for improvements at the entrance/exit barrier area, including a new footpath and road markings, which will greatly improve safety and access and overall visibility for parents dropping off and collecting children from school.

Thanks to local councillors and officials of Mayo County Council for facilitating this application in conjunction with Knock NS. The works are due to commence during the summer break.

SCRAP METAL

A scrap metal collection will be taken up on March 24 and March 25 and also on April 1 and 2, organised by Knock National School Parents' Association. Mark the dates for your diary. More details to follow.

FAITH RENEWAL

The series of Faith Renewal events continue through the spring as Deirdre Ní Chinnéide returns to Knock for the final retreat in this series, taking place on Saturday, April 1. The theme is ‘The Spiral and the Cross – symbols of hope through challenging times’.

This retreat will weave together an experience to inspire, nourish and prepare us for the Easter message of hope. Using scripture, music, prayer and reflective time, Deirdre willl guides everyone on a journey of light through darkness, home to the presence and guidance of God in our everyday lives.

Taking place in the Prayer Centre, Knock Shrine, the programme will run from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The cost to take part is €30. Book online with Eventbrite.

YOUTH CHOIR

Knock Youth Choir is inviting interest from young people aged between 12 to 18 who would like to become members as they look forward to the busy pilgrimage season ahead. No previous experience is necessary but those interested should have a natural aptitude for music and singing. If this is for you, contact Una at unanolan@knockshrine.ie for full information.

LIVING WELL

Living Well is a free group programme delivered by trained leaders online and in a classroom setting. The Living Well programme is aimed to help people manage their long-term health conditions and improve wellbeing.

To book your place, contact Liam Gildea on (086) 0142675 or lgildea@southmayo.com.

EASTER CAMP

Aghamore GAA Club is hosting a three-day Easter camp from April 11 to 13 (Tuesday to Thursday). The camp times are 9.30 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Tuesday; 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Wednesday, and 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. again on Thursday.

The camp is for boys and girls from five to 12 years of age. Non-club members are welcome to attend.

Children attending the Easter camp are asked to bring a packed lunch, water bottle, gumshield, change of clothes and wet gear.

In the event of the weather being unsuitable for the outdoors, the Easter camp activities will take place in Aghamore Community Centre for younger children.

Your child must be registered on Foireann.ie to proceed. If you have not completed your child’s membership registration for this year, do so first.

Any non-member wishing to attend can email achadhmorbnnsecretary@gmail.com for details. The cost for the camp is: one child - €30; two children (family) €50; three children (family) €60.

AGHAMORE 50/50

Congratulations to John Casey, Aghamore, who emerged the winner of last week's Aghamore GAA Club 50/50 draw. The jackpot was valued at €470.

Tickets for the weekly draw are on sale at €2 each or three for €5. You can play online https://www.lottoraiser.ie/Aghamore.

SOCCER WINNER

Congratulations to Padraic Glavey, Aghamore, who won Kiltimagh Knock United's 50/50 jackopt last week. Envelopes are on sale at local retail outlets at €2 each or three for €5.

KNOCK NOTES

Items for inclusion in the Knock Notes may be sent to Mike Byrne, Gurteen, Ballyhaunis. Alternatively, email byrnemikej57@gmail.com or call (086) 4500706.