Around Mayo's towns and villages. . .Ballyhaunis and Knock
BALLYHAUNIS NEWS
PASTORAL COUNCIL UPDATE
THE penultimate meeting of Ballyhaunis Pastoral Council was held in the community hall recently as the process begins for the election of a new council in the weeks ahead.
The present group were due to retire from their position last February but due to the pandemic, it was decided by the chairman, with support from members, that the current committee would stay in place until Covid restrictions would be fully relapsed.
Council chairman Kevin Henry informed members that following a request to Mayo County Council to have a pedestrian crossing put in place at the entrance to the parish church on Main Street, the authority have agreed to put such a crossing in place in the coming weeks. There had been a number of requests from elderly people living in the Main Street/Upper Main Street areas to create a pedestrian crossing there in order to make it safer for crossing on this busy section of road.
The chairman also said that a spokesman for Mayo County Council indicated that a ramp would be put in place further up the street, adjacent to the entrance to the Aldi supermarket when the retail outlet is open to the public, in an effort to slow down the flow of traffic as it approaches the town's main thoroughfare. The new supermarket on Upper Main Street is scheduled to open over the June bank holiday weekend.
Regarding the painting of the church interior, Fr. Stephen Farragher confirmed that a scheme has been agreed for the work. It is hoped it will get underway in the not-too-distant future. Invitations for the completion of this work have been placed in local and regional media outlets for the attention of painting contractors in the district.
Julia Kelly of the Faith & Light sub-group reported on a very successful Christmas gathering which was held in Dunmore in December. The F&L group's next outing will be their annual St. Valentine's Fiesta, which will be held in the communal hall on Clare Court on Sunday, February 19, to which everybody is welcome to come along.
MIDWEST TOPS AGAIN!
There was great news for management and staff at Midwest Radio when the latest independent national JNLR/MRBI radio listener figures were released.
They show that Midwest Radio's position has been consolidated as the strongest performing local station when compared to every other radio station across the country.
The figures released confirm a 'Yesterday listened' figure of 61% and a 'Market Share' figure of 54.7%.
MWR's managing director, Paul Claffey, speaking on local radio after the figures were released, paid tribute to the station's staff and advertisers for the continued success of the station.
BEEKEEPERS' BEGINNER COURSE
Good news for all those in the community wishing to become involved and experience beekeeping – the Ballyhaunis Beekeepers' Association is hosting a beekeepers' beginner course on Saturday and Sunday, February 25 and 26, in Clare Court, Ballyhaunis (F35KX32).
You may register for the course by emailing the association on ballyhaunisbees@gmail.com or through their Facebook page, where you will receive all details on the course.
To comply with insurance, you must be a member of Ballyhaunis Beekeepers' Association to attend this course.
BOXING CHAMPION
Congratulations to Ballyhaunis Community School first year student Bethany Ward, who recently won the 2023 Mayo Boxing Championships.
SOCCER BOYS WIN
Congratulations to the first year soccer team at Ballyhaunis Community School, who have progressed through to the quarterfinals of the Connaught championships following two great victories recently, beating St. Louis Community School, Kiltimagh, by 7-1 and Ballinrobe Community School on a scoreline of 2-1 in the school's blitz last week. Best of luck in the remainder of the competition, boys.
THE LATE PADDY GODFREY
The death has occurred recently of Paddy Godfrey of Moate, Ballyhaunis. In his early 90s, Paddy was so widely known and dearly loved throughout the Bekan and Ballyhaunis areas over many decades.
A gentleman of great warmth, sincerity and good humour, Paddy was hugely popular with his neighbours and all those from the local district who had known him. He was the best of company and loved his visits to town, where he liked to catch up with friends and neighbours in a social setting.
A man of great warmth who lived for his wife Angela and his children whom he loved so much and indeed was so proud of for all their achievements over the years.
A measure of the love and esteem with which Paddy was held by the local community could be seen by the very large number of mourners for his removal from Donnellan's Funeral Home on Clare Street and again for his funeral Mass in Logboy Church on January 20 last.
His death has removed from the area one of the finest gentlemen the district has known. May he now enjoy the just rewards which he truly deserves. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dilís
Predeceased by his sister Chris (Moate), Paddy is deeply regretted by his wife Angela, his loving family Ann-Marie (Agloragh), Therese (Feamore), Patrick (Cloonfad), David (Moate) and Lorraine (Canada), sister Peggy (Dublin) and cousin Josie (Agloragh), sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and many dear friends. He was laid to rest in Tulrahan Cemetery.
GAA 50/50
Congratulations to Laura Regan, Crossard, who was the winner of last week's Ballyhaunis GAA Club 50/50 draw. The jackpot was valued at €630 and the lucky envelope was bought in Delaney's.
Envelopes are on sale in most local retail outlets at €2 each or €5 for three. All support for the local club is very much appreciated.
ACTIVE RETIREMENT
Ballyhaunis Active Retirement Group has resumed activities for the new year. The group hold their meetings every Wednesday at 1.30 p.m. in the Communal House, Clare Court. New members are welcome to come along at any time.
BODHRAN WORKSHOP
The transition year students at Ballyhaunis Community School enjoyed a brilliant workshop on the art of bodhran playing when legendary bodhran craftsman Michael Vignoles visited recently. The students got the opportunity to design and make their own bespoke bodhran and were given a tutorial on how to play this iconic Irish instrument.
There was wonderful sound of rhythmical music resounding through the school as the bodhran players lifted the rafters to great heights throughout the afternoon.
FUNDRAISER FOR EMMA
Well done to the Ballyhaunis ladies Gaelic football team who raised €500 for Emma Langan in their recent table quiz.
Emma is a 14-year-old player from St. Brigid's in north Mayo who has been diagnosed with leukaemia. She has a love and a massive passion for Gaelic football, and was part of the Mayo LGFA Under 14 team in 2021 when they became Connacht champions. She currently plays for the St. Brigid’s Under 16 team.
All money raised will go towards any expenses Emma and her family may have over the course of her treatment plan.
Well done to the ladies team for organising such a fantastic night and raising much-needed funds for the club and for Emma.
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 NEWS
COMMUNITY CENTRE
FOLLOWING the awarding of a very substantial grant for the upgrading of Knock Community Centre, a major redevelopment of the building will take place during 2023, planning permission for which has already been granted.
To this end, the committee are holding a public meeting today (February 19) at 1 p.m. in St. John's Rest & Care Centre.
This meeting is to inform the community of the plans in place for the redevelopment of the centre. There will also be a bake sale at the same event on that day. The organising committee are inviting and encouraging households in the community to attend.
This project has been in the pipeline for some time now and all who are interested in the future developments of the parish and the community centre are encouraged to attend.
LEGION OF MARY
The Legion of Mary Knock Praesidium hold their weekly meetings on Thursdays at 10.45 a.m. in St. John's Welcome Centre. New members are always welcome.
AGHAMORE 50/50
Congratulations to Ciara Duffy Carty, Crossmolina, who was the winner of last week's Aghamore GAA Club 50/50 draw. The jackpot was valued at €425.
Tickets for the weekly draw are on sale at €2 each or three for €5. You can play online at https://www.lottoraiser.ie/Aghamore.
CONGRATS
Congratulations to Frank Flynn, Aghamore, who was the winner of last week's Kiltimagh Knock United 50/50 draw. The jackpot was valued at €375 and the winning envelope was sold in The Village Inn, Aghamore. Envelopes are on sale at local retail outlets at €2 each of 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.