FREE
CoMMuNity Mayo North East
JourNal
Supporting Community Development, Enterprise and Access to Training and Employment
Vol. 1
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Issue 4
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June 2018
What’s Inside? National success Mayo
students in Croke Park Focus on St. Vincent de Paul, Ballina
Ballina Boxing Club –––––– The Karen Community at home in Ballina
Students from both St. Mary’s Secondary School, in Ballina, and Our Lady’s Secondary School, in Belmullet, have taken home awards at the Student Enterprise Programme National Finals in Croke Park on May 2nd, organised by the Local Enterprise Offices (LEOs) for secondary schools. The students from the two schools have received the Intellectual Property Award in the intermediate and senior category respectively, and were presented with their awards on stage by the Minister for Trade, Employment, Business, EU Digital Single Market and Data Protection, Pat Breen T.D. and Sheelagh Daly of the Local Enterprise Offices. The winning students at the senior level were: Eiméar Winters, aged 16. Maelíosa O’Hara, aged 16, Erin Gannon, aged 16, Mary Gilvarry, aged 17, Holly Kenny, aged 16, and Nicola Lowther, aged 16 from St. Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina, who worked under the guidance of their teachers, Mark Barrett and Claire Kelly. The student enterprise team
Students from St. Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina receiving their Award.
‘Back 2 Basics’ developed grammar books for students in Irish, French and German, a study aid for all levels of education. The winning student in the Intermediate category was Catriona Batty, from Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet who worked with the support of her teachers, Colm Doyle and Lisa Connolly. Her student enterprise company was called: ‘Comfy Hands Healthcare’ and she created a padded fabric cover with a Velcro fastening system.
Catriona Batty from Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet receiving her Award.
The programme, funded by the Government of Ireland through Enterprise Ireland and delivered by the LEOs, had a total of 230 teenage entrepreneurs, aged between 13 and 18, from 77 different enterprises, competing at last week’s National Final, with every local authority area represented.
The Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme (SICAP) 2018-2022 is funded by the Irish Government through the Department of Rural and Community Development and co-funded by the European Social Fund under the Programme for Employability, Inclusion and Learning (PEIL) 2014-2020
MAYO NORTH EAST NEWSLETTER
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June, 2018
June, 2018
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St. Vincent de Paul creating a just and caring society Words by
Susan McCabe Pictures by
Niall Fitzgerald St. Vincent de Paul (SVP) charity is a Christian voluntary organisation, working with people experiencing poverty and disadvantage. Inspired by its founder, Frederi Ozanam and their patron, Saint Vincent dePaul, the Society endeavour to create a more just and caring society. In 1833 Fredric Ozanam was a young student in Sorbonne University, Paris, where, at that time, there was great poverty. Fredric, with a number of friends formed a Society to help the poor. The name of St. Vincent de Paul was chosen for the new Society. From the outset the Society favoured a practical, direct approach to dealing with poverty.
Fredric Ozanam, founder of the St. Vincent de Paul Society.
Frederic Ozanam laid down the instruction that SVP members must give of themselves, through their time, talents and resources to help the poor St. Vincent de Paul was born in 1581, he dedicated his life to helping the poor. The organisation spread throughout France, then Europe, and then into America. Now it is established in over 130 countries worldwide. The SCP was founded in Ireland in 1844. It is the largest voluntary charitable organisation in Ireland. During its history it has helped people in need through a Famine, a Civil War, a War of Independence, two World Wars and several economic recessions. There are now over a thousand groups in Ireland. The Society came to Ballina in the 1880’s. Bishop Naughton set up the SVP Society. Initially it was a men
Volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul’s Ozanam House, Ballina
only group and they operated out of a small hut on Bridge Street. People dropped in to the centre after Mass on a Sunday to get food vouchers for their shopping. Women weren’t allowed to join SVP until 1962. Ballina’s branch of the Society is based at Ozanam House, Teeling St., Ballina. Saint Vincent de Paul Ballina’s branch is located at Ozanam House, Teeling Street and is managed by Ann Keane and Gemma O’Malley on a job sharing basis. The SVP Centre Ballina has a home management room, tuition rooms, furniture centre, charity shop and full time office. The resource centre caters for the needs of those they serve: l A fully equipped home management centre where cookery, nutrition and budgeting skills are taught to Continued over page
Theresa’s story WHILE visiting St Vincent de Paul’s Ozanam House, Ballina, I had the privilege of interviewing a woman called Threase, who has been volunteering for ten years. Q. What motivated you to become a volunteer with St. Vincent de Paul? A. I was very conscious and aware of the great needs of the community Q. Did you ever volunteer anywhere before? A. I worked with Meals-on Wheels Q. How long are you volunteering with SVP? A. 10 years Q. What skills and qualification do you have which helped you as a volunteer? A. I have worked in the caring profession as a qualified nurse Q. What is your greatest strength and how does this help you as a volunteer? A. By nature I am a giving person. Q. What kind of people do you most enjoy working with? A. I like to surround myself with positive
people Q. Why do you like helping others? A. It gives me great energy and satisfaction Q. What keeps you motivated on the tough days? A. I am convinced of the value and need for volunteers in this organisation. Volunteering offers vital help to people in need, worthwhile causes, and the community, but the benefits can be even greater for you, the volunteer. Volunteering and helping others can help you reduce stress, combat depression and keep you mentally stimulated. It provides a sense of purpose. While it’s true that the more you volunteer, the more benefits you’ll experience, volunteering doesn’t have to involve a long-term commitment or take a huge amount of time out of your busy day. Giving in even simple ways can help those in need and improve your health and happiness. Looking towards the future
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MAYO NORTH EAST NEWSLETTER
June, 2018
OPENING HOURS Monday to Friday: 10am-5pm Tuesday - 10am-12noon SHOPS: Monday to Saturday 10am-5pm Tel: 096 72905
about 30 people weekly. This is “hands-on” training where each participant has to produce a meal from specified ingredients. One particular class is designed specifically for men and the objective is to get them out of house and maybe share their troubles while learning to cook nutritional meals for themselves. This centre is also used to host the “Eat Wise Healthy Eating Initiative” summer camps for youth group, and independent living skills. l A computer room where volunteer tutors teach computer skills for beginners, as well as more advanced work such as ECDL. l Stress Management and Assertiveness courses – These are run on a regular basis each term by a qualified facilitator and are one of our most popular courses. l Nine volunteer teachers do extra tuition with pupils who need that extra bit of help. These include Burmese children whose families were relocated here under a U.N. programme. They also operate
Donations By donating your second-hand clothes and unwanted items to St. Vincent de Paul shops, not only will you be freeing up space in your home, you will also be making a difference to people in need, in your community. WHAT YOU CAN DONATE TO VINCENT’S FASHION AND LIVING SHOPS: l Good quality, clean unwanted and used clothes and shoes l Bags and accessories l Jewellery and valuables l Second hand Books l Bric-a-brac l Music (CDs, vinyl, DVDs, videos, instruments and sheet music) l Home wares: china, kitchenware, ornaments, pictures l Soft furnishings: small rugs, linen, curtains l Wedding dresses and accessories l Second hand furniture
an adult eduction programme. l Meeting rooms which are available to community groups, free of charge, and are also used for sessions by volunteer trained career guidance and other counsellors, who see clients on SVP’s behalf. l Network meetings of service providers, in the caring sector, are organised there by SVP, on a quarterly basis. This prevents overlapping of services, provides knowledge of personnel in the various agencies and promotes a better “working together” ethos. FOOD DISTRIBUTION Saint Vincent dePaul are undertaking a big task at the moment, they are involved in a food distribution project as part of the FoodCloud initiative. They collect food every night from Tesco, and on certain days each week from Lidl, then once a week from a FoodCloud depot in Galway. They also get a van load of food in addition to this a number of times each year from an EU funded
June, 2018
programme called FEAD. SVP give out food every week from Monday to Friday and can give out up to 15 lots of food on any given day. Last year they gave out 2,794 lot of food. To fund their work they have the two charity shops one they call Vincent’s Fashion – were they stock ladies, men’s and children’s clothes and shoes. The other shop is called Vincent’s Living, which stocks furniture, household and nursery items. In addition to this they do an annual church gate collection and a Christmas appeal. The Vincent’s charity shops are a very important aspect of the service SVP provides. Not only do they provide people with new and lightly worn items at affordable prices, they also provide an income source for the Society, which is recycled directly back into the community. The Vincent’s charity shops are managed by a small number of professionals, assisted by a large number of volunteers and by community employment trainees. Local SVP Conferences can also provide people with Vincent’s gift tokens for clothing and furniture, which they can use in any of their shops to pick out what they need. By donating your secondhand clothes and unwanted items to Vincent’s charity shops, not only will you be freeing up space in your home, you will also be making a difference to people in need. Ballina’s SVP are very grateful for the huge support they receive from the local community. SUPPORT TO THE COMMUNITY Their main area of work is person to person contact with people who need help and assistance. When someone contacts them with a request
MAYO NORTH EAST NEWSLETTER
Education and Training Bursary Fund The SVP recognises the importance of further education, however, for many people accessibility and affordability are real barriers to obtaining a third level education and training. They believe education is “the great equaliser” The SVP Education and Training Bursary Fund has been established to support students of all ages who may financially struggle to access or stay in third level education and training programmes. The Bursary Programme will consider all recognised third level education and training programmes for funding. However, postgraduate studies (Master or
PhD) or private colleges are not eligible. Students must demonstrate that they have applied for all available state funding or other grants. Information on other sources of funding is available on the Student Finance website.
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for help, they can expect to receive a visit from two friendly SVP volunteers who are there to listen and see what help or information they can offer. Volunteers engage with those who request their help to ensure they fully understand the issues they are facing, which enables them to provide the best support possible. They may be able to offer some practical or financial assistance towards day-to-day essentials, or they may offer information about other relevant services. SVP assistance is offered in a spirit of support and friendship by volunteers from all walks of life and all of their visits are dealt with in a completely confidential and non-judgemental manner. SVP have 70 shop volunteers and participants from SICAP CE and TÚS schemes.
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MAYO NORTH EAST NEWSLETTER
June, 2018
MEET THE STAFF RURAL DEVELOPMENT PROGRAMME (RDP):
Email: justinsammon@mnelp.com
SOCIAL INCLUSION AND COMMUNITY ACTIVATION PROGRAMME (SICAP): KATHRYN CAWLEY Financial Controller. Email: kathryncawley@mnelp.com RINA GARRETT Community, Employment and Enterprise Coordinator (Achill/Erris). DOLORES MCNICHOLAS Community Development, Training and Education Co-ordinator. Email: dmcnicholas@mayonortheast.com
NIALL CULKIN Community Development and Youth Co-Ordinator. Email: niallculkin@mayonortheast.com PATRICIA CRAWLEY Beneficiary Support Worker. Email: patriciacrawley@mayonortheast.com
JAMES GOLDEN RDP Programme Manager Email: jamesgolden@mayonortheast.com EITHNE FORBES Administrator/Development Officer Email: eithneforbes@mnelp.com MARY GLYNN
MARIA REGAN Administrator. Email: mariaregan@mayonortheast.com
Administrator/Development Officer
SIOBHAN CARROLL WEBB Education and Training Co-ordinator Email: siobhancarrollwebb@mayonortheast.com
MARY GLYNN Administrator Email: maryglynn@mnelp.com
MARIA REGAN
RINA HOPKINS Monitoring & Evaluation Co-ordinator and Social Enterprise Adviser. Email: ritahopkins@mayonortheast.com
NIAMH CHARLTON Enterprise Co-ordinator Email: niamhcharlton@mayonortheast.com
Email: maryglynn@mnelp.com
Administrator Email: mariaregan @mayonortheast.com
MAYO JOBS CLUB:
TÚS COMMUNITY WORK PLACEMENT PROGRAMME: BRENDAN O’SHEA TÚS Co-ordinator. Email: brendanoshea@mnelp.com
DEIRDRE FAHY
MARY NOLAN NILAND Financial Controller. Email: maryniland@mnelp.com
ELIZABETH FAIR TÚS Supervisor Email: elizabethfair@mayonortheast.com
LORRAINE HEALY TÚS Supervisor. Email: lorrainehealy@mnelp.com
MARK McDONNELL TÚS Supervisor. Email: markmcdonnell@mayonortheast.com
NELL McNICHOLAS TÚS Supervisor. Email: helen.mcnicholas@mayonortheast.com
MARTIN CORCORAN TÚS Supervisor. Email: martincorcoran@mnelp.com
PAT WALSH TÚS Supervisor. Email: patwalsh@mayonortheast.com
NELL McNICHOLAS TÚS Supervisor. Email: helen.mcnicholas@mayonortheast.com
TÚS Supervisor. Email: deirdrefahy@mnelp.com
JACKIE BRENNAN Jobs Club Co-ordinator Email: jackiebrennan@mayonortheast.com MARGARET BURKE Administrator Email: margaretburke@mayonortheast.com
NORTH MAYO CE SCHEME: ANGELA O'BRIEN CE Supervisor Email: angelaobrien@mnelp.com
FREDDIE HENRY CE Supervisor freddiehenry@mayonortheast.com
RURAL SOCIAL SCHEME (RSS)
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Mayo Volunteer Centre
Tel: +353 94 9256745 JUSTIN SAMMON, CEO
June, 2018
MARIE CLAIRE MELVIN
BRENDAN O’SHEA RSS Co-ordinator. Email: brendanoshea@mnelp.com
MARY BOYLE RSS Supervisor. Email: maryboyle@mnelp.com
MARY NOLAN NILAND Financial Controller. Email: maryniland@mnelp.com
MICHAEL ROWLAND RSS Supervisor. Email: michaelrowland@mayonortheast.com
JEAN BEATTIE RSS Supervisor. Email: jeanbeattie@mnelp.com
HENRY LAWLOR RSS Supervisor. Email: henrylawlor@mnelp.com
GERRY MURPHY RSS Supervisor. Email: gerrymurphy@mnelp.com
CAROLINE MULVEY RSS Supervisor. Email: Carolinemulvey@mnelp.com
MAYO JOB INITIATIVE:
TOM TIMLIN RSS Supervisor. Email: tomtimlin@mnelp.com
VIVIAN WOOD RSS Supervisor. Email: vivianwood@mnelp.com
Project Co-ordinator
Assistant CE Supervisor Email: marieclairemelvin@mnelp.com
YVONNE CORCORAN CE Assistant Supervisor Phone: +353 94 9256745 yvonnecorcoran@mayonortheast.com
PAT NEALON Email: patnealon@mnelp.com
Mayo Volunteer Centre was established in 2007 under Moy Valley Resources IRD and at that time was known as the North Mayo volunteer bureaux. Funding from the Department was secured in 2008 and delivered through Moy Valley Resources IRD Ballina once the centre affiliated to Volunteer Centres Ireland. Offices were based in Ballina and were staffed by a part-time manager and parttime placement officer. In 2010 funding was received to facilitate a countywide service. A second part-time office opened in Castlebar, staffed by a parttime placement officer. In order to support a greater countywide work plan, a representative steering committee was formed to assist in the delivery of the Mayo Volunteer Centre programme whilst still being managed and administered under Moy Valley resources IRD. A representative of Mayo North East Leader Partnership has been a member of this steering committee ever since, and the current representative is Niamh Charleton, (SICAP). The Centre also works closely with Mayo Jobs Club giving informational workshops to all participants, facilitated by Jackie Brennan. The Centre has now grown to employ two full-time and one part-time staff member, as well as involving a CE worker under the Moy Valley Resources Scheme. Mayo Volunteer Centre is based on the Cathedral Road, Ballina. Mayo Volunteer Centre is part of a network of Volunteer Centres around Ireland. They are a local agency that exists to improve the extent, range
l Experience different cultures
l Help people or contribute to social change l Develop professional networks
l Find a pathway to getting a job or into a course or training l Learn new skills or gain experience in a variety of roles
Edel Gallagher and Fiona Cunnan
and quality of volunteering. They do this by providing guidance and support for anyone wishing to volunteer and to any not-for-profit organisation that involves volunteers in their work. Volunteer Centres are affiliated to Volunteer Ireland, the national volunteer development agency and a representative body for all local volunteer centres in Ireland and receive core funding via the Department of Rural and Community Development. The volunteer centres work revolves around four core principles: l Supporting individuals to get involved in volunteering through our placement service, which maintains a database of local volunteering opportunities l Providing support for notfor-profit organisations, such as training, access to garda vetting, one-to-one consultancy, etc l Raising awareness of volunteering and promoting the benefits of volunteering Ensuring good practice and a
high quality maintained
service
is
WHY VOLUNTEER? Volunteering is a great way for people, regardless of their age, cultural background, location or circumstances, to get involved in the community. But everyone is different and you may want to volunteer for different reasons. Some of us get involved for charitable reasons, some to meet new people or some to learn new skills. Most of us don't know about the variety of volunteering opportunities or the many other benefits of volunteering. Apart from the satisfaction of helping out your community, there can be heaps of reasons why you should volunteer. Here's just a few: l Meet new people and make new friends l To give back to, or get involved in, my community l Experience new challenges l Raise awareness and support important community issues
l Explore different career and job opportunities. There are lots of easy ways to give your time to help others – from having a cup of tea with an elderly neighbour, to helping out in your local area or making a regular commitment to volunteer with a charity or community group. It helps you feel good about yourself because you’re helping others and the social benefits are brilliant. Volunteers engage the community and creates special bonds within the population being served. It increases social awareness and responsibility. The cognitive benefits help people enhance their personal knowledge, grow from new experiences and develop better interpersonal communication skills. HOW TO GET INVOLVED: Anyone who would like more information and support and volunteering - whether as an individual who might like to get involved with a community group, or a local community or charitable organisation - just contact Mayo Volunteer Centre on 096 71444 or email: info@volunteermayo.ie. A range of information is also available on www.volunteer@mayo.ie
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interested in. Q. What was your most memorable experience?
The Karen community at home in Ballina By
Susan McCabe
THE Karen, the largest ethnic minority in Myanmar (formerly Burma) came to live in Mayo in 2007. The community have been persecuted by the military government there for close on sixty years. Most of the Karen in Mayo fled from their villages and to refugee camps just over the Thai border Initially the group spent a period of time in Ballyhaunis at the national Orientation Centre for Programme Refugees. Programme refugees have the same rights as Irish citizens. Eight Karen families were then resettled in Ballina where they have become very much part of the community. Bishop John Fleming gave a portion of the garden at his own house over to the Karen community in Ballina on foot of an idea from Gerry Mulherin from Mayo Karen Integration Project. The Karen families plant the garden and cultivate food for their own consumption. Gardening is familiar to the Karen and is something which they can feel they have control over and are competent at. After some time they were joined by the Ballina Grow It Yourself (GIY) group who provided assistance to develop the garden. The garden is approximately half
Members of the Karen community with members of Ballina Grow It Yourself (GIY) group.
UN workers came to visit the refugee camp before our departure and told us about Ireland and what it had to offer. Q. What do you like about Ireland? Q. We like the government, freedom of speech and the food. It is a safe life here and the children are getting a good education. Tin Sein, Mu Lay, Cher Wah, Kwa Mu, Paw Say Wah. Picture: Niall Fitzgerald
an acre and is divided into different area. It includes a vegetable garden, a herb garden, a fruit garden, a poly tunnel, and a bee friendly flower garden. The garden is also home to a beehive, an insect hotel, a cob oven and nesting boxes. I had the pleasure of interviewing a group of Karen women. Their names are: Tin Sein, Mu Lay, Cher Wah, Kwa Mu, Paw Say Wah. Q. When did you first arrive in Ireland? A. We arrived in Ireland in 2007. We initially lived in Ballyhaunis before moving to Ballina that December
Q. Were you nervous coming to Ireland? A. No, just excited to see all the new things, such as cars and busses. We were surprised by the weather – it’s not to hot, nor too cold Figuring out storage for food was confusing at first, father would put all our food in the freezer instead of a fridge and milk would end up frozen solid. While living in Ballyhaunis my siblings and their friends had lots of fun with the elevator. They would play peek-a-boo with the doors and go up and down on the elevator all the
time, but one day it got stuck and that put an end to their fun.
We also like the community garden and the Family Resource Centre. The members are very kind, welcoming and friendly. We enjoy learning English
I also spoke with Helen Tuffy in the Family Resource Centre. Helen has been involved with the Karen community since they first came to Ballina (10 years ago). She taught them English when they arrived. Q. How did you become involved with the Karen people? A. My involvement started when they came here first. They had been living in refugee camps in Thailand – some of them for 10 years, some shorter and some longer. They took the opportunity to get out of refugee camp and start
a new life in Ireland. Q. Was the people of Ballina welcoming? A. Yes, very welcoming Q. Were there language barriers? A. Yes and there still is. Some of the group knew a little English before they came but most had no English, making it very difficult for them. Q. What were your initial challenges? A. In the beginning it was difficult to get resources and teaching aids at their level. It was also difficult to find books, etc., that the Karen people were
Q. Did you go to school in Mayo? A. We took English classes for two years, and in 2011 we did an ECDL course in Foxford and later a communication course. Mayo North East allocated living for Burmese coming into Ireland before arrival. An interpreter was working with us for a year. In the refugee camp on the Thailand Burma border you could choose where you would like to go and Ireland had one of the shortest waiting time
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At work in the Community Garden
A. I have been working with the Karen group for the last 10 years, and then a year and a half ago I got the opportunity to go to Thailand and meet people still living on the ThaiBurmese border. I got a better understanding of how they lived and what they were trying to escape from. Q. What do you think the future holds? A. I think the children are going from strength-tostrength. They are all in full time education, and some have gone onto third level education. For the second generation here I think the future is very bright, but for the older people I think it’s still difficult. They miss their families and their country, however, most of them are coping very well. Q. Would you like anything from the community? A. No, they involve me in most of their activities and most of their celebrations. I have made friends within the community and that's enough for me.
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MAYO NORTH EAST NEWSLETTER
June, 2018
June, 2018
MAYO NORTH EAST NEWSLETTER
The Newman Institute
are happy to say that we have a new base following flood damage earlier in the year.
Niall Fitzgerald
For enquiries contact Helen Murphy, Administrator on 096-72066 or email admin@newmanii.com
TEMPORARY CHANGE OF ADDRESS
Mayo North East SICAP, Ballina
By Susan McCabe Picture by
The Newman Institute is a charitable organisation, working in conjunction with the Diocese of Killala. A core aim of the Newman Institute is to provide an opportunity for people to learn more about their faith through accredited and non-accredited faith formation courses. Their conference facilities include a large conference room and two lecture rooms suitable for meetings and workshops. The Newman offers a foundation course in counselling each year, which runs from October to May. Sessions are held one night per week from 7 – 10pm and two on Saturdays from 10am to 4pm. In 2015 the first group of students at the Newman Institute graduated with an honours degree in Theology and Community Involvement. This adult part-time course is run in conjunction with St. Angela’s College, Sligo, and accredited by NUIG. In spring and autumn, shorter courses are offered in the study of theology which may appeal to people interested in developing their faith. The Newman Institute also provides low cost consulting rooms to independent Counsellors and Psychotherapists. These practitioners offer a range of counselling and therapy services on an affordable basis.
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We have moved from 89 Lord Edward Street to Ballina Community Centre on Teeling Street. This will be a temporary arrangement until our office is renovated. Apologies for any inconvenience and thank you for your patience
Brabazon Family Memorial Ceremony June 20, 2018 – In Swinford @ 2.30pm
I spoke with Helen Murphy administrator of The Newman Institute, Helen also co-ordinates the various facilities available at the Institute. Helen joined the Newman Institute in 2003. Q. What services do you provide? A. We provide courses – a foundation course in counselling and a theology course – but they haven’t taken place for a few years. We are going give a taster course in theology in spring 2019. At present Moyne College and Mayo, Sligo and Leitrim Education and Training Board (MSLETB) are running two courses, in childcare and pre nursing, in two of our rooms, and we also had another group coming through MSLETB and they were with CPL institute who ran courses through MSLETB. We facilitate people and/or community groups such as Mayo North East Leader Start Your Own Business, and the numerous other courses which they run.
We facilitate Arthritis Ireland who provide exercise courses for people with arthritis and related conditions. The HSE also use the centre for expectant mothers anti natal and post natal courses. Western care also use our facilities for their meetings. We have counseling rooms were counsellors meet with their clients. We don’t get the clients for them we just offer them the room at a reduced rate, we offer tea and coffee Q. What are your future plans for the Institute? A. I hope to see more people using the centre. The Newman Institute was set up as a faith formation so I would like to be able to continue that and progress more on that in the future. It’s getting more difficult to attract people to the theology course, or to any course really. You have to fight your corner, which involves distributing brochures, advertising and telephoning people to see if they are interested in doing the courses. I would also like to help out
and give back more to the community because most of our staff here are CE scheme participants. We wouldn't be able to manage as we do without them. Q. Are there any fees when it comes to courses? A. Yes. The foundation counselling course runs from the end of September/ beginning of October until May costs €1,200 for the year. Very many people find it easier to pay in instalments, e.g: €50 a week. The course is held every Friday night. The theology course was up to degree level and that finished in 2015. For those students if they had done it through a private college it may have cost a few thousand per year but with us th first two years cost only €,1200 and the last two years the cost was €2,000. It was a full level 8 Honours Degree course. Q. What do you need from the public in the future? A. I suppose what we would like most is for people to come in and do the courses and use facilities and see all we have to offer.
THE Brabazon Family Memorial ceremony will take place in the recently restored Church of Ireland graveyard in Swinford, following the restoration by Mayo County Council where six Brabazon family plaques and two Brabazon sarcophagi (in the extant crypt of the demolished St Mary’s church) were discovered. The ceremony, to commemorate the Brabazon family, will be a blessing conducted by Canon Andrea Wills of Foxford (CoI) and Fr Dermot Meehan (PP Swinford). The plaques will be wall-mounted and the entrance to the crypt will be cleared. Swinford town itself owes its origins to the Brabazons; during the Cromwellian
settlement the land was given to the Parish of Kilconduff. The Brabazon family originally came to Ballinasloe from Leicester in England and came to Swinford on August 12th 1652 after they were dispossessed of their castle and lands in England. Anthony Brabazon fled to Spain and his son George and his wife, Sarah Burke from Galway, came to Kilconduff and built the Brabazon house and stable in Swinford. The last of the Brabazons left the estate in 1864, and later into the 1800’s
the estate was sold to the Congested District Board, who gave it to the Land Commission. Hosts of this Brabazon family memorial event: Michael Brabazon, his daughter Bridget, his son James, and his grandchildren Max and Bella. Guests attending are: the Earl & Countess of Meath (Head of the Brabazon Family); Swinford Brabazons; Mayo historians – Anne Chambers, Bernard O’Hara, Nollaig O Muraile, Bridget Clesham and Eamonn Henry; Mayo County Council representatives: Cllr Michael Smyth of Swinford; leading Swinfordians: Joe Mellett, Marie Walsh, Michael Comer and Brendan Cassidy. All welcome.
Strandman Crossmolina Middle Distance Triathlon NORTH Mayo’s Strandman Crossmolina Triathlon takes place on 24th June 2018, and demand is expected to be strong for this unique event which take in some of the finest North Mayo scenery. Swim – 1.km: This year the race travels to Lough Conn where athletes will take on a 1.9km lake swim from Gortnor Abbey pier. Bike – 99km: Exiting the water they will get saddled up and head for Bangor Erris,
24TH JUNE 2018 Start time: 7am Gortnor Abbey Pier, Crossmolina taking a right just out side the town heading for Ballinaboy, then right again for Ballycastle taking in all the best of the
wild Atlantic Way and Céide Coast. Taking a right in Ballycastle athletes will do a final 20km stretch into Crossmolina totalling bike leg of approx 99 kms. Run – 21km: Upon reaching transition athletes will then complete a 21k half marathon run via four loops of what is called the Lake Road in Crossmolina, finishing the half marathon and race where it started at Gortnor Abbey pier.
Mayo North Old Engine and Tractor Club Field Day 15th July 2018
'There's no show like an Enniscoe show' THE Mayo North Old Engine and Tractor Club are hosting their 18th annual field day – known locally as the Enniscoe Vintage Day – on Sunday, July 15, 2018 at Enniscoe House from 12.30pm onwards. There is so much to do on the day with Vintage Cars, tractors, motorcycles and the old Bord Na Mona Bog Train on display. Bread making is also taking place, an old style cottage and a post office are available to view and there will be many auto jumble and trade stalls on the day. There will be live music and children’s entertainment across the day, along side threshing and working demonstrations of by gone times. The field day is also host of the All Ireland Tractor Pulling Competition, which is an enjoyable event for everyone.
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June, 2018
Ballina Boxing Club an invaluable sporting asset to the town ~
BY ~
Victoria Tomlinson SITTING in a nice quiet corner of the Merry Monk I had the privilege to interview two prominent members of the Ballina Boxing Club – Joe Lavelle and Vincent McMahon. I was given a warm welcome and firm handshakes, and was led past the delicious smelling carvery into a nice area within the conservatory. I was intrigued to understand the ins-and-outs of amateur boxing and what goes on in the gym – such as training techniques, the comradeship with other boxers and the coaches. Q. When was the club established? A. Vincent: The club was formed in 1927. At present the Club is based at Unit 6, Mercy Road, Ballina. However, we are endeavouring to get a new boxing club built over beside Ballina Leisure Park. The Leisure Park incorporates Ballina Community Sports Centre, Ballina Swimming Pool and Ballina Tennis Club, and if we can re locate the boxing club there our members will have access to those other sports, and they in turn will have the opportunity to see what we are doing. Q. Why was the club set up? A. Vincent: There was a need for it in the town. The I.A.B.A was set up in 1911, at that time it was known as the Irish Amateur Boxing Association, it‘s now known
as the Irish Athletic Boxing Association. There was a lot of street fighting and bare knuckle fighting in Ireland at that time and the I.A.B.A decided to regulate the sport. Clubs were set up all over the country. At present there are 16 registered boxing clubs in Mayo with two of them in Ballina . Q. Is it a mixed club or just a male orientated club. A. Vincent: The club is open to male and females. Q. Where do you get the funding to run the club? A. Vincent: Sponsorship mainly. – Joe: One of the big issues with amateur boxing is funding. Most of our funding comes through sponsorship but we also hold a street bucket street collection and public collection. The children pay €2 per training session. – Vincent: That's if they have it. – Joe: Yes some of the children don't have the €2, so you can’t rely on that. Q. Have you tried to source other ways of funding, such as community grants? Joe: There are grants, but they are not enough to run a boxing club as there’s a lot of hidden expense in boxing, especially travelling – because most of the championships are held in Dublin the travelling and accommodation can work out very expensive. – Vincent: Overnight accommodation is often necessary as you cannot expect competitors to travel
in a car and then box in a competition. Sometimes we have to put two in a room as you need to bring an extra person . Q. Can anyone join the club, are there age restrictions? Q. Joe: Anyone can join the club as a member but the competition ages range from 11 years of age to 35. Q.What is the best age to start boxing? Q. Joe: It varies as there are different development stages with children. Children normally start boxing around the age of nine or 10, but I have seen children starting much older than the norm and gone on to become champions. – Vincent: However, it’s easier to teach young people as they tend to do what you tell them. Attitude training is very important so the younger they start the easier it is to work on it. Teaching them the ASK code (attitude, skill and Knowledge) is very important. Attitude and skill are of equal importance as is knowledge of your opponent. If the attitude of a young person is right they could start at 8 or 9 years. If their attitude is wrong and if they join the club for the wrong reasons we tend not to keep them because they are a danger to themselves and to others, and as well as that they are giving a bad name to the club and the town. Q. Do members pay a fee and do you you cater to social welfare families too? A. Vincent: The training fee is €2 per night and for a family it’s only €5. Some-
times if they don’t have it we let it go. There is a community welfare officer in the town so if somebody has exceptional needs they can go to that person. – Joe: We don’t make an issue of the fee. If they haven’t got money it doesn’t stop them training. – Vincent: The sport is to bring boxing as an athletic event to people and if we have to carry the loss we will or try to make it up with sponsorship and collections. None of the coaches get paid and when people bring boxers to tournaments they don't charge for the car or petrol/diesel. For us coaches, it is a way of giving back what we have received from our own mentors in previous years. Q. What are the benefits of joining a boxing club? A. Joe: it teaches you confidence, discipline and respect. It makes you aware of your capabilities – your strengths and weaknesses. It teaches a strong discipline and in life discipline is a must – Vincent: Boxing is a network also. I play bridge and I can go to any country in the world and join a bridge club. They know who I am and they know what type of person I am. The same applies to boxers and the GAA. If a footballer goes to London and joins a Gaelic club they know the type of person he is and based on that network they often get a job out of it. Boxing often saves young people from themselves and from the consequences of their foolishness. A lot of young
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MAYO NORTH EAST NEWSLETTER
boxing as their sport so we are here to coach.
fellas come in to the club and may be taller than others and they think I'm the boss here, but you know they learn very quickly that they have to box somebody the same height. Boxing is the fairest of all sports in that your only pitted against someone your own weight and skill level. In tournaments it’s weight only .
– Joe: Perhaps boxing might change someone's life for the better along the way and if we can achieve that then that's our aim. It’s not all about champions it’s about being a community, participation and support. All our members are treated equal.
Q. What types of physical training do you do? Q. Vincent: Athletics and running. – Joe: All aspects of the body is worked on in order to arrive at a fitness level to compete. To work on key areas we mainly use skipping ropes. We also do running, floor exercises, shadow boxing, punch bags and eventually when the children are ready we get them into the ring to spar. It’s all controlled and the children only train to their capability. We don’t push them to the point they can’t do it. Q. Do you focus on mainly orthodox stance or southpaw? A. Joe: Whatever natural stance the child has we work on that. The orthodox or southpaw are equally good. – Vincent: It’s one-to-one training, so if somebody is southpaw all the pad work is done to develop their strength in southpaw, but they cannot choose their opponent as regards whether they will be a southpaw or orthodox so they have to spar against both. It is individual training and they are thought to get the most out of themselves. Q. What does the training regime entail? A. Vincent: Fitness.. – Joe: we have a set programme for the session, we concentrate on stance and balance – Vincent: And footwork
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Ballina Boxing Club’s Joe Lavelle and Vincent McMahon with Ballina Sports and Leisure Centre manager Brendan Doyle pictured discussing the plans for the clubs impressive new development.
– Joe: Yes footwork, its all to do with balance. You work from the feet, then work on teaching technique and defence. Defence is a very important one. All aspects are combined – the feet, the body and the hands. Q. Do your members follow a specific diet when training? Q. Joe: No, but we do encourage them to eat properly and to stay away from fast foods if they can. – Vincent: We also encourage them to reduce their sugar intake. – Joe: We encourage the youngsters to stay away from sugary drinks and foods because the body acts and responds differently to processed sugar and so many foods have added sugar nowadays. – Vincent: One of the joys is when youngsters come in and asked to be weighed, they set a target for themselves and there's a huge sense of achievement when they reach it Q. How many championships and medals have the club won? A. Joe: Numerous, every season and year we have
champions at every different weight . You start off with school boy/girl championships, then you go into county championships, provincial championships then international championships. Every year we take titles, so off the top of my head I couldn't put a number on it . Q. Have any of your members, past or present, gone on to box professionally and had a shot at a major title fight ? A. Joe: Not professionally. We focus on the amateur side of boxing. I consider professional boxing a different sport. Q. Have you a favourite boxer that you admire or look up to for inspiration ? A. Vincent: Dick Hearns – Joe: The late Dick Hearns is who we named our gym after. He was an amazing character, an amazing man, and I suppose we would like to follow his footsteps Q. What are your aspirations for the club and your members? A. Vincent: That they will develop as boxers and as human beings to the best of their ability, they have chosen
– Vincent: It’s a home from home for a lot of them and for some of them it’s the only time they get praise. Some may have learning difficulties and they might not get praise at school or home but if they do the training and put the effort in they get praise in the club. – Joe: All members are treated the same with 100 percent respect regardless of their background or where they come from. – Vincent: They go into the ring without a wallet and without baggage. it’s what you can do in the ring that's measured and they are told at a very young age that it’s you against your opponent, respect him above all else, because if you don't you will be looking up at the lights . Q. Are your coaches Garda vetted? A. Joe: Yes all of them. – Vincent: Everyone has to do a child protection course, it’s just to be aware of the four forms of neglect – physical, sexual, emotional and neglect – and to intervene and contact whoever needs to be contacted. We have a child protection officer who has to do a special training course. There are three units – a general one, a children's officer, someone the child can liaise with, and the third is the child protection officer – so child safety is our top priority.
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Community events guide A celebration of women’s role in the shaping of Irish history CHARLESTOWN ARTS CENTRE June 29 @ 8:00 am June 30 @ 5:00 pm
A conference for women will take place at the Charlestown Art Centre entitled “A Celebration of Women’s Role in the Shaping of Irish History” to mark the hundredth year of women obtaining the right to vote. The Suffragettes of 1918, were women who were not allowed to vote in parliamentary elections and fought to gain that right. In the early 20th century, activist groups united and fought for women’s right to vote (‘suffrage’). The term ‘suffragette’ was first used by the Daily Mail in 1906. It was intended as a derogatory name for an activist group run by Emmeline Pankhurst and her daughters. The Suffragettes rejected political powerlessness and engaged in a campaign of public protest. These protests sometimes involved violence – ranging from window breaking and arson to bombings. Women from all walks of life will talk on various issues, starting on the Friday, 29th June, with registration which will be followed by the lighting of the fire of Liberty and the releasing of balloons into the air followed by a wine reception and official opening of Conference by Cllr Annie
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Community events guide Táin Bó Fliodhais Mayo Festival 2018 – Cattle Raid of Mayo 8th - 10th June, 2018 The Táin Bó Fliodhais Mayo festival seeks to explore the rich heritage of the Táin Bó Fliodhais and celebrate the close links between Mayo and Scotland. The Festival will be officially launched in GMIT Mayo Campus on the evening of Friday 8th June from 6.30pm. The Táin Bó Fliodhais Mayo Festival will be formally opened by Mr Dara Calleary TD and we will welcome a special delegation from Scotland including Dr Ulrike Hogg of the National Library of Scotland, and Mr Sam MacDonald of Argyll Scotland. There will be a musical performance and a cheese
Sunrise Up Croagh Patrick Sunrise up Croagh Patrick is an annual get-together of friends who climb Croagh Patrick, have a super time and raise funds for worthwhile charities fighting neurological diseases. The event has grown and attracted support from many great people who have been affected by Huntington’s Disease, Parkinson’s, Motor Neuron Disease and Dementia. VOLUNTEERS NEEDED Volunteers help needed with registering walkers on the Sunrise Up Croagh Patrick Walk on Saturday, 20th June, 2018, at 10am. No previous experience necessary, just a warm, friendly, interested person who is capable of taking down key details from walkers in registration and providing them with information. This opportunity is posted by Volunteer Centre: Mayo.
and wine reception. On Saturday 9th June from 10-1pm a seminar in the National Museum of Ireland Country Turlough Park will take place. Prof Ruairi O hUiginn will give an opening address on the background and context of the Táin Bó Fliodhais and Dr Ulrike Hogg will speak about the history and conservation of the Glenmasan Manuscript. The afternoon of Saturday, June 9, will see an exclusive guided tour of the archaeological sites in Mayo associated with the Táin Bó Fliodhais
followed by an evening reception and film screening. SUNDAY 10TH Plans TBC on Saturday Admission to all events is free of charge Those who wish to avail of the bus transport for the guided tour on Saturday afternoon may be asked to pay a nominal fee to offset expenses. For Further information and to RSVP Email; cattleraidofmayo@gmail.com
BALLINA SALMON FESTIVAL 8th - 15 July Full programme of events next month
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ELCOME to the third edition of your Community Journal newsletter. The newsletter will be published monthly, both in print and digitally. The Community Journal aims to promote action and participation and to foster the sharing of ideas, experience and information in the Mayo North East catchment area for a better community. The newsletter also aims to strengthen the relationships between employees and employers of Mayo North East Partnership Company, as well as creating and building relationships within the community. In the following editions of the Community Journal we will publish a community noticeboard, which will include a diary of community news, events, education and training courses,
June, 2018
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