Fleadh in Ballycastle

Preparations are at an advanced stage for Fleadh Mhaigh Eo being held in Ballycastle May 9th – 12th inclusive.   The following venues have been selected:   The Parish Hall, St. Patrick's College, St. John's Hall, Resource Centre and Scoil Naomh Bríd.   Nine venues in all will be used for the competitions.

There are approximately one hundred and forty different categories of competitions and competitors from all over Mayo will compete in these competitions on Saturday and Sunday.   The age levels of competitions are:   U-12, U-15, U-18 and senior.   These include set-dancing, English and Irish singing, playing traditional music on the various instruments used by traditional musicians such as the box, fiddle, banjo and concertina to name a few examples.   Marching bands, céilí bands, duos and trios are all part of the music scene.

The Fleadh will be opened by Seamus McCormack, Chairperson of the Connaught Council of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Eireann and a member of the Ard Chomhairle of that organisation.   This will be followed by the Opening Concert in the Parish Hall ( time later) and it is with great pleasure that Coiste na Fleidhe have chosen to honour Monsignor Sean Ó Cillín P.P. by calling the concert the Monsignor Séan Ó Cillín concert.   He will be presented with a scroll and a medal for the part he has played in promoting the Irish language, culture and games among his parishioners and students over the years.   It is an award that is richly deserved and we hope that everybody will be there for this special presentation.

The concert will include schools in the area and we hope that the Scoil Naomh Bríd Choir will open the concert with a selection of Irish songs to welcome the visitors to our town.   The Senior Ballycastle Set, under the guidance of Aidan Tighe, will be one of the highlights of the night as it is a local representation.   There are many more wonderful items booked for the concert, so come along and support it.   All concert participants give their services without charge and we thank them for that.

Saturday will be all-day competitions in the various venues.   On Saturday night, there will be a Céilí/Workshop where many sets, including Mayo sets, will be danced (with the necessary instruction for beginners) to the music of The Carousel – a night not to be missed, even if you do not dance the sets it is worth coming to watch.   We expect a demonstration of a figure of the Ballycastle Set to be danced at the interval so that dancers can watch it during the tea-break.  

Sunday will begin with a Mass in Irish where Ballycastle Choir, under the baton of Mary Hefferon, will sing hymns.  

Competitions will continue on Sunday and special prizes will be given to the winners of groups who play on the streets during the Fleadh.   This will take place on Sunday.

On Monday afternoon, we hope to give the children of the locality a chance to dance the céilí dances, sing traditional songs and listen to Irish music in the Parish Hall, in the afternoon, and so will end Fleadh

Maigh Eo in Ballycastle 2008.

Tickets are being circulated throughout the area to help cover the huge expenses of the Fleadh, so we ask you to be generous and buy some.   See you at the Fleadh!

(Thanks to Paddy Lavin for the above).

G.A.A.

Result:

County League:   Ballycastle defeated Kilfian on Saturday last with a Final Score of:  

Ballycastle:   0 – 8;   Kilfian:   0 – 6.

Ballycastle Team:   Jason O'Neill, Dermot Earley, Darren Madden, Patrick Tighe, Daniel Kelly,

Shane Healy (0-4), Gerard Nealon, Shane Breslin, Aodhan Tighe (0-1), Declan Caulfield (0-1),  

Fergus Tighe, Brian Healy, Alan Murphy, Padraic Madden (0-1), Patrick McNulty (0-1).

Sub :   John Paul Guiheen for Dermot Earley (injured).

Fixture:

County League :   Ballycastle v Moy Davitts B on Sunday next at 2.00p.m. in Foxford.

Under 8's:

There will be an under-8 blitz competition starting in Ballycastle's Tom Langan Park on Saturday 17th , involving the following clubs: Kilcommon, Round Towers and Ballycastle.   All clubs will host a round of the blitz, which it is hoped will run for three weeks.

Under 12's

Under-12 matches will be starting on the 12th May, with six games in the spring league.   The first game is at home to Ballycroy.   Best of luck to our new management team of Michael Walsh, Gerard McDonnell and Sean Fox.  

Training

Training for Under-10's continues on Wednesdays at 6.30p.m. at Tom Langan Park, led by Eddie Keigher and Aidan Grier.

This is followed at 7.30p.m. for Under-14's and Under12's led by Michael Walsh, Gerard McDonnell and Sean Fox.

Ballycastle Hoodies

Due to the huge demand the Club have decided to order more hoodies.   Anyone who wishes to get one should contact Declan Caulfield before the 10th May on 087-2515292 after 7.00p.m. or leave a message. They cost 50euro each and please say what size you require.

Summer Camp

Football Summer Camps will be held again this year in Killala pitch on the week of the 30th June.   Application forms are available in the shops or by contacting Eddie Walsh on 087-2931636.

Deaths

Sympathy is extended to the family, relatives and friends of Jack Munnelly ( brother of Michael, Muingelly ) who has died in England.

The death occurred on Saturday last of Willie Healy, Doonadoba.   Sympathy is extended to his daughter Catherine, son Billy, brother Jimmy ( Carrowmacshane), sister Annie Kate ( America ), son-in-law Alan, daughter in law Eithne, grandchildren, great-grandchild, relatives and friends.  

Sympathy is also extended to the family, relatives and friends of  Seamus Collins, Killybrone, Killala and late of Behy, who died recently (First cousin of Martin Heffernan, Glenurla and Francie Healy, Behy).

Lotto

No's drawn on Saturday 26th April '08 were:   1.   16.   21.   30.    No Jackpot winner so Jackpot now stands at 10,300euro.    Next draw in McNamees.

Five envelopes drawn:

Michael Gardiner, Knockaun

Michael Moran, Annaghbeg

Éilis McCann, Belderrig

William & Tricia, c/o McNamees

Verena Munnelly, c/o McNamees

Vintage Society

‘West Coast Vintage Society' Field Day will be held on Sunday 25th May from 12.00noon to 6.00p.m. in the Church Grounds, Ballycastle.

Featuring :   Model Steam Engines, Vintage Motor Bikes, Vintage Tractors,

Steam Engines, Vintage Cars, Stationary Engines, Old Style Threshing,Working Tractors Exhibit, Spinning, Buttermaking, Wood Turning, Stone Building, Blacksmith, Dog Show, Amusements,

Crafts Displays, Trade Stands, Milking Cow Competition.

For further information contact 087-2111211 or 096-43888.

Flower Festival

St. John's Church, Ballycastle ‘Summer Flower Festival' will take place on Saturday 24th May from

3.00p.m. – 9.30p.m. and Sunday 25th May 11.00a.m. – 5.00p.m.

A Service will be held in the church at 5.00p.m. on Sunday 25 th celebrating the beauty of God's creation

through flowers.

Dog Show

There will be a Dog Show in Ballycastle on 25th May (Vintage Day) at 3.00p.m. in Ballycastle Church Car Park.   Entries close at 2.30p.m.   Entry Fee:   3euro per class.   13 Classes in total.   Rosettes for winners.   Prize money for “Best Dressed Dog”.

Meetings

West Coast Vintage Society meeting on Tuesday 6th May at 9.00p.m.

Women's Group meeting on Wednesday 7th May at 9.00p.m.

Church Notices

Mass Times:

Weekdays at 10.00a.m.

Saturday Vigil:   8.15p.m .

Sunday:   11.30a.m.

Masses this week:

Monday:   Sabina & Peter Burke

Tuesday:   Private Intention

Wednesday 8.00p.m.:    John & Kate Noone ( Anniversary )

Thursday:   Tom McNulty & Deceased Family

Friday8.00p.m.:    John ( Anniversary ) & Bridgie Collins ( 7.45p.m. St. Pio Novena & Rosary )

Saturday Vigil:   Thomas & Margaret Healy & Deceased Family

Sunday 11.30a.m.:    Michael Scott

Eucharist Ministers:

Saturday Vigil:   John Maughan

Sunday:   Mary Boyle

Readers:

Saturday Vigil:   Mary Walsh

Sunday:    Elizabeth O'Donnell

Adoration:

7.00p.m.:   Bernie Chambers, Mauretti Bn. Uí Fhlatharta

7.30p.m.:   Breda McNulty, Peggy Flannery

8.00p.m.:   Bridie Farrell, Miriam Burke

8.30p.m.:   Susan Tighe, Peggy Tighe

Community Care:

Cook:   Kathryn Hefferon