Elaine Hynes, started Ten pin bowling around 30 years ago, when Mayo Leisure Point first opened.
Originally from Boston, Elaine regularly played bowling as she grew up.
She decided to join the Lady Bowlers at Mayo Leisure Point, in the bowling alley every Weds morning. This was mainly for a social outlet, but also because she was very good at the sport; and very competitive!
For the next 30 years, Elaine and her bowling friends played every week from September until May, both playing Singles and Doubles Competitions.
Twenty women played every Monday and Wednesday mornings. They also regularly went on social outings to Galway, Cork, Dublin & Athlone, always having a bowling game and loads of fun.
In 2005, about 60 ladies from Cork, Dublin and Castlebar got together to form the Powderpuff’s Competition and travelled to the three venue’s alternatively each year, for a bowling tournament with a gala dinner and presentation on the final night.
Elaine was a very active member and took part with pride, to bring the trophy home to Castlebar. When she was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer, she continued to bowl every week, not letting it get the better of her.
She fought hard and never complained about her treatment, never missing a session of bowling, no matter how bad she felt.
In January 2025, the Lady Bowlers lost their very good friend, Elaine, who only stopped bowling in December.
She had an infectious laugh and enjoyed life to the fullest, and will be missed by her Lady Bowlers.
To celebrate Elaine’s life and her Bowling Career, the Lady Bowlers held the ‘REMEMBERING ELAINE’ fundraiser on Thursday 24th April, in Mayo Leisure Point.
It was a celebration of her life, remembering her laughter and her love for the game. An incredible €3,500 was raised by her bowling friends, family and community in her name, for Mayo Roscommon Hospice, Palliative Care Services.
Left-Right: Breid Dooley, Dolores Conroy, Patricia Mc Tigue, Nora Ansboro, Kathy from Hospice, Knock, Noelaine Hynes ( Elaine’s Daughter), Cora Mulroy, Mayo Leisure Point, Molly Deathridge, Bridget Mc Gee, Kathleen Mulroy and Catherine O’ Brien.
Missing from photo: Helen Gleeson, Nora O’Leary, Teresa Lavelle, Patricia Conwell, Ger Mc Nally, Deirdre Kenny, Agnes Mc Gee, Maureen Quinn and Mary Howley.
The Money raised was presented to Kathy representing Mayo Roscommon Hospice.
It was particularly poignant that Elaine’s daughter Noelaine Hynes was there.
