North Mayo News 10 April 1996



Connaught Telegraph April 10 1996


Holmes pub are Erris pool league champions

HOLMES' PUB, Doohoma, are winners of the Erris pool league for the second year running. In the final, played over two legs, they defeated McGrath's, Pullathomas, winning each game 4-3.

The members of the winning team were presented with their £450 prize money and the runners-up were presented with £250 prize money. The prizes were presented by Mr. Martin McIntyre, Erris pool league, who congratulated both teams on a wonderful display and paid tribute to all those who had taken part in the league.

Holmes: Colin Holmes (captain), Gerard Barrett, David Gaughan, Edmond Holmes, Jackie Coyle, Declan Shevlin, Seamus Keane.
Subs: Aidan Shevlin, Seamus Carty, Patrick Carty.

McGrath's: Padraic O'Donnell (captain), Tony McGrath, Noel McGrath, Michael Noone, Patrick Coyle, Damian McBride, Aidan Maloney.

The members of the Erris pool league committee are Martin McIntyre, Edmond Shevlin and Colin Holmes. The league is one of the biggest of its kind in the West of Ireland and the organisers have paid tribute to the competing teams and said they looked forward to their support next year.

PUB'S OFFICIALOPENING

The official opening of the Talk of the Town, Bangor Erris, under the new management of John Conmy, will take place on Friday night next, April 12. Music will be provided by Hector Pickaxe and the Floating Crowbars. A great night of music, song and craic will be provided at this popular venue.

SNOOKER

Seamus Keane, P. J. King and Deirdre Shevlin, all from Doohoma, attended the Irish masters snooker tournament in Goffs, Co. Kildare. All three are keen pool and snooker players.

ERRIS LOTTO

The £100 jackpot in Erris United weekly lotto draw was not won on Sunday night, March 31st. Numbers drawn were 7, 21, 24. The five £10 winners were G. Deane, Corclough East; P. Reilly, Bakery, Belmullet; M. Mulroy, Morahan; M. J. Cosgrove, Bunnawillian; J. Gallagher, Tallagh.

GOLF NEWS

Winners in the Mixie Hurst sponsored competition, played at Belmullet golf course, were: 1st, P. J. Carey, 41 pts.; 2nd, Vincent Fahey, 35 pts.; 0-17, Sean Doherty, 35 pts.; 18-29, John Healy, 26 pts.

CROSSMOLINA DEATH

The death took place at Ballina Hospital of Mr. Mike Loftus, Ballymachola, Crossmolina, a respected and popular man in the community, a good Christian and kind neighbour. His remains were removed to Cooneal Parish Church and burial took place after Requiem Mass. The late Mr. Loftus is survived by his brother Paddy; sister-in-law May; nephews and nieces. Sympathy is extended to all in their sad loss.

GOLF LOTTO

In the weekly lotto, run by Belmullet Golf Club, on Sunday nght, March 24, the numbers drawn were 10, 15, 23. The £1,200 jackpot was not won and the three £10 winners were Mary Dixon (B.), The Bakery; James O'Hara, An Geata Mór; ÓisÍn Donoghue, c/o the Bakery. Winners of £10 each in the draw held on Sunday night, March 31st, were Pat Reidy, Carne;Teresa Gaughan Drum; Albert Byrne, Drum. The £1,300 jackpot was not won.

PULLATHOMAS DEATH

The death took place suddenly of Mr. John Noone, Gortmeer, Inver, Pullathomas. John was aged 56 years and he was a well known and popular personality in the area. A devout Catholic, he was a kind neighbour.

His remains were removed from his residence to St. Patrick's Church, Inver, where they were received by Fr. Peter Gibbons, C.C. and Fr. Tom Colleary, P.P., Attymass Burial took place in Attymass Cemetery after Requiem Mass. The late Mr. Noone is survived by his wife Teresa; son John; daughters Mary, Rosie, Teresa and Kathleen; sisters Rose and Mary; sons-in-law, grandchildren, nephews and nieces. Sympathy is extended to the bereaved relatives.

NEW YORK FOOTBALL

Padraic Moyles, former Crossmolina football star, now living in New York, has been elected chairman of St. Barnabas Football Club, located in Woodlawn, the Bronx. Padraig comes from Fermoyle, Dooleeg, and his many friends in the are wish him well in his new appointment.

'NATIONAL' WINNERS

In the draw on the Grand National, organised by Belmullet Golf Club, the winners were: £200, Alan Stead, Claremorris; £100, E. Coleman, c/o Purefresh Dairies; £50, Mrs. Jimmy Connolly, Church Road, Belmullet; £50, K. Gaughan, Drum £25, Stephen Heneghan, Doolough; £25, Ellen Deane, Corclough West.

EASTER JOY

Easter is the most glorious period in the calendar of the Christian churches, marking the death and resurrection of Jesus. Many so-called modern experts are now casting doubt on the resurrection of Jesus, and putting forward theories of their own. We know that not many people will listen to their rantings.

The same applies to St. Patrick and his background. Recent television programmes saw the most harebrained theories put forward as to where he came from and the type of man he was. A little learning can be a bad thing, 'tis often said, and the outpourings of those well-heeled,.well-paid television pundits are best ignored. This is the view of most intelligent people.

That said, Easter in North Mayo was a joyous time. Churches were packed for the ceremonies and there were a large number of visitors to the area.. The weather was great and the countryside was looking its best.

We met a local man who recently spent some time in the U.S. He spoke of the great affluence in America, the riches and the materialistic outlook. But there was also dire poverty with people begging and sleeping on the streets. He was, however,very impressed by our emigrants, the manner in which they worked hard, and said they were great ambassadors for our country. What a pity our brightest and best must leave to earn a living abroad. Another flight of Earls, as the Dublin City Ramblers song says.

Still we have a great little country here and it certainly has prospered in recent years. The politicans are often unfairly blamed and criticised by sections of the media (notably the national newspapers), but by and large they are fine decent people and do the best they can for the people of the country. Constructive criticism is always good but some of the criticism of the Dublin journalistic set is personal backstabbing and nothing else.

We wonder how the country would fare if some those critics, living in Dublin and well paid, would work out if they were to put their names on a ballot paper ever few years. Many would be consigned to the dole queues.

Connaught Telegraph - News - April 1996