Ballina man training hard for European Championships with Ireland
Fergal Birrane
Currently preparing for the 2025 SUDS European Championships is Irish Futsal squad member Fergal Birrane, from Ballina.
Fergal, who plays with Sligo Rovers, is the only West of Ireland player chosen for the Down Syndrome Futsal team that will represent Ireland at the tournament in Ferrara, Italy from June 15 to June 21, and will be in a midfield position.
Ballina woman Elaine Tighe is helping to raise awareness and funds for the trip to Italy by organising a Table Quiz on Friday night.
The quiz promises lots of lighter moments for contestants out to enjoy themselves and test their knowledge, while at the same time supporting this outstanding achievement.
“Already, a huge amount of support and anticipation is gathering momentum to ensure this will be a successful night, with people asking to donate and sponsor raffle prizes without being approached, such is the genuine pride and love for homeboy Fergal,” said Elaine.
The quiz is in The Loft Bar, Pearse Street, Ballina on April 25, beginning at 8.30pm.
Next Thursday night, April 24 is the date of the annual general meeting of Mayo COPD Support Group. The AGM will take place in The Tennis Club, Lannagh Road, Castlebar at 2.30pm. Your presence will be greatly appreciated and new members are always welcome.
The death has taken place of Kevin Breslin, Watford, UK and formerly of Corroy, Ballina.
Kevin is deeply regretted by his sister Sheila Murphy, Castlebar and sister-in-law Ann, his nieces and nephews, and his many friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Margaret and John, sisters Breedge (Dundalk) and Mary Browne (Ballina), and brothers Sean (London) and Mark (Corroy, Ballina).
A celebration of Kevin’s life took place in West Herts Crematorium, UK last week and there will be a Memorial Mass for Kevin at a later date in St Teresa’s Church, Rathduff, Ballina.
Mayo Stoma Support Group will meet on Thursday, April 24 in the Ellison Hotel, Lannagh Road, Castlebar. All are welcome and the meeting starts at 7pm.
The death has taken place of Mamie Flynn (née Gaughan), Mount Falcon, Ballina.
Mamie will be dearly and lovingly missed by her heartbroken family, including sons and daughters Johnny, Patrick, Helen, Martha and Finola, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, daughters-in-law Patsy and Mary, sons-in-law Aidan, Dessie and Maurice, brothers and sisters TJ, Ray, Tony, Vincie, Margaret and Nuala, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours, carers and many friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Paddy.
Mamie reposed at her residence. Funeral Mass was celebrated in the Church of Christ the King, Knockmore, followed by burial in Ballinahaglish Cemetery.
Saturday afternoon’s Living Heritage Exhibition will offer a glimpse into the past as local memorabilia, curios, objects and antiques are put on display in Ballina Civic Offices from 2 to 5pm.
The exhibition on April 26, which is free to attend, is being organised by the students of an Event Management class from Mayo Sligo Leitrim ETB. The class members want young and old to come along and view treasured household, farm, school and childhood items that will be on display, and which will have special memories for many people.
Donations will be accepted on the day and money raised will go towards the invaluable services provided by Craoibhín Ballina, a community-focused organisation that supports the social needs of all adults.
Club Cúpla Focal is aimed at people who want to get back into speaking Irish and the group has organised a special get-together in Rouse’s Pub, Pearse Street, Ballina on Public Holiday Monday, May 5.
Come along for some music and chat with friends and local musicians and to celebrate Mayo Fleadh Cheoil, which will take place in Ballina from May 3 to 11. Everyone is welcome to join in, and also to enjoy a cup of tea or coffee with a few sandwiches.
A night of mystery, music and fun awaits the hundreds of people expected to attend the Ballina Town FC Masked Singer fundraiser on Sunday, May 4.
Not only will the identity of the eight top-class performers be revealed during a night of vocal kicks but also you can expect some hidden local singing talent to be revealed as the celebrity judges and the audience determine the eventual winner.
Hints around those behind the animal-themed costumes will be dropped as the night progresses, helping the audience and the judges, who will include Mick Duffy, Avril Greham, Martha Galvin and Mark Duffy, to make some interesting discoveries along the way.
Two knockout rounds will lead to the exciting finale, after which Ballina Town FC’s first victorious masked singer will be known.
There will be special guests too at the event in the Great National Hotel, Old Foxford Road, Ballina, along with a raffle and spot prizes for the audience.
The fundraiser will support Ballina Town Football For All, a Ballina Town FC initiative which was created to give children of all abilities the opportunity to enjoy the physical benefits of football while also experiencing the fun and social side of being part of a team.
Doors will open at 7pm and the show starts at 8pm. Tickets are priced at €25 plus fees and can be purchased on Eventbrite and through Ballina Town FC social media pages.
A community walk on Saturday morning next will celebrate World Autism Month in Ballina, helping to raise acceptance for autism and inclusion, and also to celebrate the town’s autism-friendly community.
The event is being organised by Ballina Autism Friendly Town in association with Mayo Sports Partnership and will take participants through the delightful surroundings of the stunning Belleek Forest.
Walkers will meet at 11am on April 26 at Ballina Town FC grounds in Belleek, and everyone is welcome to join in. You can register through Eventbrite or by emailing ballinaautismfriendlytown@gmail.com.
Ballina Golf Club is a hive of activity at the moment with both ladies' and gents' competitions in full flow. The results from competitions played over the past couple of weeks are as follows:
Sunday, April 7 - 18-Hole Stableford (sponsored by MK Tyres): Gents: 1st, Eoin Devaney, 40pts; 2nd, John Marsh, 38pts (B9); and 3rd, Noel Murphy, 38pts. Ladies: 1st, Helena O Dea, 25pts (L6); 2nd, Mary Golden, 25pts; and 3rd, Elaine O Hora, 24pts.
Sunday, April 14 - 18-Hole Stableford (sponsored by Alan Campbell Painters): Gents: 1st, David Graham, 42pts;
2nd, Donal Tuohy, 40pts (B9); and 3rd, John Durcan, 40pts. Ladies: 1st, Catherine Mulligan, 44pts; 2nd, Deirdre Beattie, 42pts; and 3rd, Agnes Quinn, 40pts.
As part of Mayo Social Inclusion Awareness Month, Mayo Volunteer Centre in Ballina is running a workshop this week on Developing a Diverse and Inclusive Volunteer Programme.
This online workshop is aimed at all groups, clubs and organisations that are seeking to involve more volunteers, and the main goal is to help organisations understand how they can engage volunteers from diverse backgrounds.
Inclusive volunteering is those volunteering opportunities which are available to people regardless of their age, culture, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, religion, social status or disability. Engaging volunteers from diverse backgrounds can be very enriching and can bring many benefits to the volunteers and to the organisations, as well as to wider society.
This event, which will take place via Zoom on Wednesday, April 23, at 7pm, is free, but you must register for attendance.
Ballina Order of Malta is celebrating its win in the Best Voluntary Emergency Service category at Ballina St Patrick’s Day Parade 2025.
The award went to the group’s Ambulance Corps which provides first aid and voluntary medical services for events across the region, including at festivals and for sports games.
The death has taken place of Chrissie McAndrew (née Gillen), ‘Cora Maria’, Church Road, Ballina.
Chrissie was the beloved mother of Paddy, Mary Brennan, Ann Fitzgerald and Michael.
She will be sadly missed by her sons, daughters, grandchildren Seán, Niall Jr, Mark, Martin, Sarah, Adam, Paul, Jameson, Otis and Ethan, great-grandchildren Anna and Sean-Gary, son-in-law Niall Brennan, daughters-in-law Sheila and Nicky, Michael’s partner Nicole, sisters Vera Cope and Nuala Gilmartin, in-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Martin A. McAndrew (Martie), son Paul, grandson John and son-in-law Gary Fitzgerald.
Chrissie reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina yesterday (Monday), followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Ballina Darkness Into Light raised €14,087.56 at its 2024 annual charity event last May and the organisers are hoping to exceed that figure for this year’s event, which will be held early on the morning of Saturday, May 10.
The annual Ballina Darkness Into Light 5k walk and run will start at 4.15am from St Muredach’s Cathedral, and is one of 13 such walks/runs taking place in Mayo.
For more details about the Ballina event, please visit the Darkness Into Light Ballina page on social media.
You can also register at www.darknessintolight.ie.
