Local Notes: Ballinrobe students win VEX IQ Robotics Galway Mayo Regional competition
St Joseph’s Primary School, Ballinrobe, Fifth Class presented with the Robot Skills Challenge award, Edel Roche Class Teacher, Sean Flannelly, ATU Galway-Mayo Head of Engineering Prof. Graham Heaslip, VEX Co-Ordinator Carine Gahon and sponsors from Trane Technologies – Thermoking.
Fifth class at St Joseph’s Primary School, Ballinrobe, secured victory in the VEX IQ Robotics Galway-Mayo Regional competition hosted at ATU Galway on January 17. The group was led by their class teacher Edel Roche and Sean Flannelly.
The team won the coveted Robot Skills Challenge award, sponsored by Trane Technologies - Thermoking. The accolade celebrated their adept design, precise driving skills and proficient coding and programming that propelled their robot to triumph in various challenges within the arena.
Ballinrobe GAA Club chairperson John Sweeney has paid the following tribute to John Feerick, Knockgloss, who passed away recently:
“John Feerick, Knockgloss, Ballinrobe, who passed away unexpectedly on 19 January at the age of 90, was a decorated player for Ballinrobe. He featured on the club team that won the historic South and Mayo Junior Championship titles, along with the O’Mara Cup, in the storied year of 1958.
“John was a regular fixture on club teams for Ballinrobe during the 1950s and was inducted into the club’s Hall of Fame in 2006.
“Ballinrobe GAA Club is deeply saddened by his passing and extends sympathy to the Feerick family, including his beloved wife Peg, sons Pat and Michael, daughters Geraldine, Deirdre and Cora, sons-in-law John and Paul, daughters-in-law Mairead and Aoife, adored grandchildren Ella, Oran, Tadgh, Oisin, Daithi, brothers Francis and Michael Joe, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
“Club historian Michael Coyne, a long-time teammate and friend of John’s, described him as a solid and reliable defender who was an ever-present throughout the 1950s. ‘He gave great service to the club at a time when we were building a team to contest the highly competitive South Mayo and Mayo Junior championships. That was before the advent of the intermediate championship, which meant that there were excellent teams in the junior competition,’ said Michael.
“‘John was an excellent reader of the game. In the 1958 Mayo junior final win over Charlestown, he lined out at right corner-back. He was also a member of the team that won the club’s first O’Mara Cup in 1955 – the final was actually played in 1956. That team also contested the 1956 South Mayo Junior final but lost to Hollymount.
“‘He was a great team-mate and friend, much loved by everybody. He was a quiet, gentle fellow who came into his own on the football field.’ “John, who recently celebrated his 90th birthday with a party in O’Haire’s Bar, Ballinrobe worked for many years in the agricultural research institute at Creagh, Ballinrobe, and was also a keen farmer. Members of his family played for Ballinrobe, including his son Pat and his grand-daughter Ella. His daughter Geraldine has played a leading role coaching underage and adult ladies football teams in the club in recent years.” Funeral services took place in St Joseph’s Funeral Home, St Mary’s Church and the New Cemetery, where he was laid to rest on Tuesday, 23 January.
Maeve Moran, Station Road, Ballinrobe, has been bereaved by the passing of her brother, Rory Lavelle, Boyle, Co. Roscommon, and formerly of Main Street, Clifden, Co. Galway.
Judy Tierney, Ballinrobe, has been bereaved by the loss of her sister, Teresa Stenson, in New Jersey.
Ballinrobe LGFA and Ballinrobe Town AFC have extended sympathy to the Forde family, The Neale and Ballinrobe, on the passing of John Forde.
Ballinrobe Community School defeated St Mary’s College, Galway, in the Connacht U15 Schools’ Cup last week. Second-half goals by Seamus Burke and Stephen Gibbons (2) secured victory for Ballinrobe, who trailed 2-0 at the break. Gibbons’s winning penalty came late in the game when extra-time loomed.
The school has congratulated Leaving Cert. student Liam Burke, a member of Partry Athletic FC, who picked up the Division 2 Golden Boot award at the recent Mayo League celebration night. He was also named in the Division 2 Team of the Year.
Tickets for Ballinrobe Musical Society's production of the legendary musical The Phantom of The Opera are now on sale. They can be purchased online via a link available on the society's Facebook and Instagram, or from Tacú on 094 054 2907.
The show takes place in Ballinrobe Community School from Sunday to Saturday, February 11-17. The Sunday show will commence at 5pm while all other performances will commence at 8pm nightly.
“We are thrilled to be bringing one of the greatest shows of all time to the west of Ireland,” said a society spokesman.
“We would like sincerely thank everyone who has helped us in any way to stage this incredible show here in Ballinrobe.” The Phantom of The Opera ran on Broadway for over 13,000 performances and remains the second-longest running show in the history of the West End.
The show features many of the best-loved songs in the history of musical theatre, including Music of The Night, Masquerade, All I Ask of You, The Phantom of The Opera and Wishing You Were Somehow Here Again.
Ballinrobe Men’s Shed has commenced its activities for 2024. The Men’s Shed is a space for men of all backgrounds to come together, get to know each other and develop their interests and talents. It takes place every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, beside the Water Towers on the Kilmaine Road (F31 XK0). For more information, contact 087 4111 343.
Paul Stafford is a volunteer support officer for ALONE and he is looking for volunteers in Galway and Mayo and its surrounding areas for older people who need befriending for one hour per week and/or telephone support for 2 hours per week. The befriending program is designed to help older people combat loneliness and isolation. They need your help more than ever.
If this is something that interests you, then please reach out to Paul on 086 0135043, email paul.stafford@alone.ie or follow the link https://alone.tfaforms.net/f/ALONE-Volunteer-Expression-of-Interest-2021.
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Kilmaine Appreciation Evening for Patsy Shaughnessy will take place in Kilmaine Community Centre on February 10, at 7pm. This occasion is being held in recognition of the many years of hard work and dedication Patsy has given to the community in various ways. The evening will begin with dinner and will be followed by music with Trevor Moyles. Tickets for the dinner dance are €30 and are limited. They are available to purchase at Walsh’s Centra, Kilmaine or call 087 630 4875 for more information.
Shrule & District Vintage Club Autojumble and Auction will be held on Sunday, February 18, in Shrule Community Centre from 10am until 5pm. For more information contact Bartley 086 824 6671 or Martin 085 859 5085.
The numbers drawn in the Garrymore GAA lotto which was held on Tuesday evening, January 23, were 10, 18, 26 and 30. There was no winner of the €14,700 jackpot on offer. €50's go to each of the following: TP Clarke, Killeenrevagh; Dominic Conway, Claremorris; and Eamon McGlinchey, Dublin. The latest draw took place in Garrymore on Sunday evening, January 28, with a jackpot of €14,800 on offer. Tickets are available at all local shops and club players and officers, and available on-line at the Clubforce.com website, enter Garrymore in the ‘Find my Club’ search box, select Garrymore GAA Club (not Garrymore GAA Club Events) and then Play Lotto.
The numbers drawn in the Western Alzheimers Lotto which was held on January 24, were 31, 14, 24 and 32. There was no winner of the €3,000 jackpot and it increased to €3,100 for the latest draw. If anyone would like to play our lotto phone 094 93 64900 or play on line www.westernalzheimers.ie.
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Mayo Abbey Centre offer a number of services to the community including; Local Link bus regular service from the parish community centre to Castlebar and it departs daily from the centre (Tuesday – Saturday); computers can be provided or users can bring their own; meals delivery service; weekly Tuesday lunch for active age at centre; boarding pass printouts; support provided for individuals looking to start their own business; compiling of local notes; wide range of training programmes provided; Thursday morning coffee and chat; free computer and phone support for beginners; hot desk spaces with fibre broadband connection available; facilities available to attend a virtual meeting or interview; printing, photocopying and laminating services and much more.
For further details contact 094 936 5987.
The card game will be held in Mayo Abbey Resource Centre on Thursday, February 15, at 9pm. All are welcome.
The Mayo Gaels lotto jackpot is now €7,100. This Tuesday evenings’ draw is on-line. Tickets to be in by 8pm. The numbers drawn on Wednesday, January 24, were 6, 13, 30, and 36. There was no jackpot winner. Consolation prize winners were; Joe and Sinead Walsh, Ardcorkey (annual ticket), Veronica Nevin, Hollymount (online ticket), Alan Brennan, Weatherfort (online ticket), and Rose Brett, Mayo Abbey (online ticket).
Enable Ireland Mayo Services require volunteers in all areas of County Mayo to work with children with a disability. Volunteers usually work one-to-one with a child within their home but also within their community or at the centre in Castlebar. Training is provided. If interested, contact Fiona at 087 6808350 or email fscully@enableireland.ie for more information.
Mayo Cancer Support offer a range of emotional supports to people with cancer and their families. For more information call 094 9038407.
The weekly Bereavement Support Group meet every Wednesday at 11am in the Family Centre Knock. These meetings aim to help those who are grieving to find healing, hope and comfort. All are welcome. Contact Monica Morley on 094-9375320 for more information.
