Around Mayo's towns and villages. . .Turlough, Balla, Clogher, Mayo Abbey
TURLOUGH NEWS
FUN RUN/WALK
THIS year, the Turlough 8k fun run/walk returns – and it promises to be better than ever.
Taking place on February 12 (starting 12 noon), the run element of the event is registered with Athletics Ireland and should attract the top talent in the county.
The event, open to young and old alike, is organised by Mayo Mental Health Association and Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin GAA Club alongside partners Mayo AC and the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park.
The walk aspect of the event will also be continuing for those that wish to undertake it, along with the virtual element, which was a huge success during Covid times, for people further afield. People can go it alone or grab a crew.
Monies raised will support Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin GAA Club and fund various community projects and mental health initiatives for Mayo Mental Health Association. Registration is through the Event Master platform at the following link: https://eventmaster.ie/event/W9PeI65i0j.
GAA LOTTO
The winner of the Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin GAA Club lotto draw over Christmas weekend was Deborah Quinn, Parke. She scooped a getaway to the Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone.
Tom Moran, Lavallinree, was the winner of the Christmas hamper, while Padraig Reilly, Ballynew, won the house prize.
The result of the last draw of 2022 (held on Saturday night last) will appear in next week's notes.
FOOD APPEAL
St. Vincent de Paul Castlebar was delighted with the local response to their Turlough Stores XL Christmas food appeal collection.
Donations of non-perishable goods were dropped off in Turlough Stores WL for people in need in the community, and the support was very much appreciated.
ANNUAL MAGAZINE
All in the community were delighted to see the second edition of the local annual magazine, Around The Tower, contain so many local stories, information and photos.
The good news is that some copes are still available at Turlough Stores XL.
The publication has a total of 108 pages of amazing photographs and stories, past and present, from Crimlin, Parke, Ross, Turlough and the surrounding areas.
Publisher Declan Durcan said: “Thank you to all who have contributed this and last year – it is these submissions that make it a success!”
COOLEGRANE LIGHTS
The Coolegrane Christmas lights display was one of the largest in the county again this year.
The now famous lights spectacular is located in Askillaun, Foxford (F26 Y519). The Hughes family have this year chosen Western Care Association as their charity.
It WAS an amazing opportunity for children and their families to experience some of the magic of Christmas while supporting a very worthy cause.
HISTORY BOOK
Keelogues Heritage Group is delighted with the republication of the late Mary O’Brien book Keelogues: A Parish History, which was first published in 1989.
The group is grateful to Mayo Books and the O’Brien family for their support for this project, and of course the original committee for their foresight in publishing the original manuscript.
The book is now available at Castle Books in Castlebar or online through https://www.mayobooks.ie.
JUMPER STROLL
The Ballyvary Community Pitch was the meeting point for the Christmas Jumper Stroll on St. Stephen's Day.
The strollers met at the pitch for this midday walk, with all funds raised for the cancer fund for children and the Daisy Lodge project in Cong.
The group secured support from Ballyvary Hurling Club, Parke-Keelogues-Crimlin GAA Club, Ballyvary Blue Bombers FC, Turlough Foróige and Turlough Wheelers, and there was a bucket collection on the day.
YOUNG AT HEART
Parke Young at Heart group are taking a break for Christmas and will return to meetings at Parke Community Hall on Thursday, January 19, at 10.30 a.m. New members are always welcome.
SOCIAL DANCING
Social dancing is taking a break and will return to Parke Community Hall on Thursday, January 12. A great night of dancing and fun is guaranteed.
CHRISTMAS TREE
Turlough Community Centre featured the Turlough Community Development Association's annual decorated Christmas tree again this festive season.
It offered a warm welcome home to many natives back for Christmas as well as all the visitors to the National Museum of Ireland – Country Life, Turlough Park grounds, and the village itself.
COMMUNITY CENTRE
The refurbished Turlough Community Centre is now a hive of activity, with a great range of new classes taking place weekly.
The centre is delighted to welcome new and old patrons into the centre after being closed for so long due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
The downtime enabled the upgrading of the centre and an overall painting job, which has added greatly to the presentation.
Meanwhile, the outdoor walls of the yard provided a colourful setting for a wonderful mural by the Turlough Foroige group.
The centre is now being used by over 300 people on a weekly basis and is the heart and soul of the village, with yoga, pilates, karate, spinning, fitness and dance classes on various nights, while it's also the meeting place for the parent and toddler group, Turlough cards, and Turlough Foroige Club.
CENTRAL MAYO NEWS
SEASONAL WALK
Thanks to all the people who attended the walk in Clogher after Christmas, held on December 27.
The weather was favourable for the time of year and the group choose two routes – 3k and 8k.
Afterwards the participants gathered around the open fire in the cottage for tea and light refreshments.
Overall it was a very enjoyable couple of hours and hopefully this will be an annual event in the future.
CARD GAMES
The Clogher card game resumes on Friday (January 6) at 9 p.m.
The committee, meanwhile, would like to offer sincere condolences to the family of Tommie Kerrigan, Towerhill, Ballyglass, who passed away on December 28 last. Tommie was a long-time supporter of the card game in Clogher and in fact had his name on the winners' list at the last game on December 9.
The light of heaven to him. He will be greatly missed by all who knew him.
BALLYVARY HURLING CLUB
If you hurled for Ballyvary Hurling Club in the past or are just keen to give it a go in 2023, the club is looking at the possibility of fielding an adult hurling team this year for the first time.
For further information, contact Billy McGhee on (086) 3853093.
ACTIVE AGE
The Clogher Active Age Group are taking a break from their meetings until Wednesday, January 18.
BALLA NEWS
PRAYERS
YOUR prayers are requested for Noel Kilkenny, Ballyclogher, and Maureen Maloney, Robeen, mother of Pauline Connor, Carrajames. May they rest in peace.
BAPTISM
We welcome into the Christian community Matthew Stephen Bonner, Lisnolan. Congratulations to his parents and family.
COLLECTION
Fr. Denis is very thankful for the ongoing generosity of parishioners, as illustrated by the priests' Christmas collection. If you wish to contribute by cheque, make it payable to Balla Priests Revenue.
CRIB APPEAL
All monies placed in the candleabra while the crib is in place will be donated to Sr. Mary O'Malley to support her missionary work in Kenya. The annual contribution enables Sr. Mary to help many people and give them new opportunities in life.
ACTIVITIES
Balla Community Centre has many ongoing activities, including Balla Bridge Club on Wednesdays at 7.30 p.m., adult yoga classes on Thursdays from 9 to 10.30 a.m., the Knitwits knitting and crochet club on Thursdays at 7 p.m., Active Retirement Association (ARA) meetings on Fridays at 3 p.m. (new members always welcome), and a 25 card drive on Saturdays at 8.30 p.m.
See the Balla Community Centre website for all upcoming events, or telephone (094) 9365846 for more details.
Meanwhile, details of activities at Belcarra Community Centre can be found on their Facebook page.
WORLD YOUTH DAY 2023
World Youth Day is a Catholic international event, attended by Pope Francis and held every three years. It will take place next August in Lisbon, Portugal.
The Archdiocese of Tuam will participate in this exciting pilgrimage and is inviting young adults (18-35) to join for a week of prayer, faith and friendship.
If you are interested or would like more information, email tuam2lisbon23@gmail.com or chat to your local priest.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Can you spare a couple of hours per week? A little time goes along way. Become a befriender to those living with dementia. Full training is provided. Contact Caroline on (087) 3694477 for details.
ANNUAL MEETING
The annual general meeting of Balla CRD CLG will be held on Thursday (December 29) at 8 p.m. in Balla Community Centre. All are welcome.
MAYO ABBEY NEWS
HAPPY NEW YEAR
THE management, staff and committee members at Mayo Abbey Centre would like to wish all their service users, supporters and the local community a very prosperous new year.
HOT DESK FACILITIES
Hot desk spaces with a fibre broadband connection are available at Mayo Abbey Community Centre. Whether you want to attend an interview or a virtual meeting, make an online booking, type some documents or just browse online, these hot desk spaces could be just what you need.
Facilities at the centre include free parking, canteen, printing, photocopying and laminating.
Users may opt to use the computers at the centre or bring their own. Centre staff are available to provide support for anyone needing it.
Call (094) 9365987 for information or to book a space. If you are interested in a space for remote working, get in touch to discuss your requirements further.
FREE SUPPORT
Computer and phone support is presently provided free for beginners by staff at Mayo Abbey Training Centre. For further information. Contact (094) 9365987 or training@mayoabbey.ie.
HOUSING NEEDS
Mayo Abbey Parish Housing Association continually receives a variety of queries from people looking to buy houses or sites in the community, as well as from builders and auctioneers interested in building new houses in the area.
They would like to hear from anybody interested in purchasing a house or an affordable site in the area.
If you have family members, friends or contacts who may be interested in this, ask them to contact Mayo Abbey Housing Association officers – T.J. Wilson (chairperson) on (087) 4147815, Peter Mannion (treasurer) on (087) 2752498, or Ger Maguire (secretary) on (094) 9365987 or email ger@mayoabbey.ie.
The feedback will be important in helping the committee assess the demand and encourage appropriate development of houses and sites in the community.
NOTES
To include announcements in the local notes, email paddyg48@eircom.net or office@mayoabbey.ie before lunchtime on Wednesday.