Granny of the Year crown goes to Ballina

Granny of the Year John O’Shaughnessy, Chairman of Mayo Special Olympics, presenting Mayo Granny of the Year Eileen Irwin from Ballina with a bouquet of flowers and a commemorative piece of crystal. Below: Lauren McLoughlin lending her support to her granny Kathleen Stanton. Pics: Ken Wright Photography

Granny of the Year crown goes to Ballina


Local Scene
Henry McGlade

The Mayo Granny of the Year competition final took place in the Cill Aodain Hotel, Kiltimagh. The event was organised to raise funds for Mayo Special Olympics. I had the pleasure of being MC for the night and can say that a very enjoyable night was had by all who were there. Even better, over €5,000 was raised for the worthy cause.
A total of seven grannies reached the Mayo finals – Phyllis Murray from Charlestown, Kathleen Staunton from Westport, Nuala Creegan from Cong, Geraldine Cafferky from Castlebar, Ann Bourke from Ballyheane, Eileen Irwin from Ballina and Maudie Kelly from Castlebar.
In the end it was Eileen Irwin who was crowned Mayo’s Granny of the Year, after impressing the judges with her stories of times past and present. She also enjoyed a dance with her husband on stage to celebrate their upcoming 40th wedding anniversary.
John O’Shaughnessy of Mayo Special Olympics was delighted with the event. He thanked sincerely all the grannies who took part for their hard work in collecting sponsorship, as well as the volunteers – Mark, Katrina, Becky and Jason – who helped organise the event. He was high in his praise of The Cill Aodain Hotel for its sponsorship of the night, as well as all the local sponsors who donated spot prizes and prizes for all contestants.
Mr O’Shaughnessy also thanked the three judges, Ms Toni Burke, Ms Angelina Nugent and Mr James Kilbane, as well as Bumble Bee and Thomas Langan, who provided the musical entertainment.