Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballina
The annual Helena Winters Daffodil Day Coffee Morning held in Ballina raised €5,482.75 for the Irish Cancer Society. Pictured is Mary Martin, Ballina Daffodil Day Volunteer Co-ordinator, accepting the cheque on behalf of the Irish Cancer Society, along with family members of the late Helena Winters (née Langan), friends and volunteers.
Alloy wheel and car engine supremos Willie Durcan, Benny Walkin, Vinnie Kelly, Micheal O’Grady, Bernie Kenny and James McGreal are just some of the names synonymous with motor rallying in Ballina and the wider region for the best part of five decades.
The six were among the founding members of this highly respected Ballina Motor Club, one of the most active in the west and the pioneers of the annual Mayo Stages Rally.
On the numerous occasions that the club hosted a major rally in Ballina the town was packed with car enthusiasts who brought a splash of colour, excitement and competitive motor sport, also generating a major boost for the local economy as hundreds of people descended on the town.
It will be a stage of a different kind for these six seasoned enthusiasts when they will join others to share their memories of Ballina Motor Club at a golden jubilee reunion next month, marking 50 years of motor sport in Mayo, and expected to attract hundreds of former members, competitors, officials and supporters.
Whether you own a classic, a rally legend or a cherished vintage car, or simply love motoring memories, you are welcome to help celebrate half a century of friendships, stories and unforgettable machines at the event in the Great National Hotel Ballina on the weekend of July 4 and 5.
On Saturday, July 4 there will be a nostalgic look back at some of the iconic and most memorable motor rallies of the past, followed by a drinks reception and reunion dinner, with music afterwards by Gerry Guthrie and his band.
The celebrations, organised by an enthusiastic local committee, will conclude with a vintage and retro car meet on Sunday, July 5.
Visit the social media pages of Ballina Motor Club 50th Reunion for more information.
The death has taken place of Ann Flannery (née Carty), ‘Shalom’, Lord Edward Street, Ballina.
Ann was the beloved mother of Louise, Brian and Pamela, and adored grandmother of Emily, Katie, Sophie and Gemma.
She will be sadly missed by her daughters, son, grandchildren, sons-in-law Gerry Loftus and Johnny Carlin, daughter-in-law Maria, sister Mary Walkin, Emily’s fiancé Ross, in-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband John, parents Luke and Frances Carty, and brother Séamus.
Ann reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Monday of last week, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May she rest in peace.
Mayo North East has vacancies on the Rural Social Scheme (RSS) to assist with the maintenance of the grounds of St Michael’s Church in Ballina.
The RSS is a state-funded scheme that aims to provide income support to low-income farmers, men and women.
The role at St Michael’s Church on Church Road is for 19.5 per week and applicants need to be in receipt of a means-tested payment such as Farm Assist or Job Seekers Allowance.
Please contact Michael Rowland on 087-6731620 if you are interested in applying.
Are you interested in a weekly workshop where you will create a range of arts and crafts to sell at Christmas markets at the end of this year?
Studio to Stall 2026 in Ballina is an initiative of Mayo North East, the not-for-profit development company that promotes rural development and combats social exclusion across North and East Mayo, with offices in Ballina and other parts of the county.
Studio to Stall will be run under the organisation’s Workability programme, a nationwide, state-funded scheme for people who are over 16 years of age and have a disability. The primary purpose of the programme is to provide people with the opportunity to gain and sustain employment, or access to education and training to improve employment prospects.
Information concerning the Mayo North East Studio to Stall 2026 project is available by contacting carolynohara@mayonortheastldc.com. You can also text Rosemarie on 087-4996606 or call Carolyn on 087-3980575.
Mayo Cancer Support will hold their annual flag day in Ballina on Saturday, June 20, for which a permit from An Garda Síochána has been granted.
If there is anyone who can volunteer for a couple hours on the day, please contract Rose at 094-9038407 or 083-4890754.
Thanking you most sincerely for all your assistance and support
A two-day needle felting workshop in Ballina Arts Centre will uncover the art of needle felting in a relaxed, hands-on course.
Using pure wool in a wide range of colours, you will learn how to create beautiful handcrafted pictures, providing an opportunity to develop a new skill and express yourself creatively.
Led by Angelika Dunne, this course is perfect for beginners and for those wishing to upskill their needle felting skills.
The workshop is for adults and children over 10 years of age and materials will be provided.
Classes will be held on Saturdays, June 13 and June 20, from 11am to 1pm in the Art Workshop Room of the centre. To book, at a cost of €60 plus booking fee for the two weeks, please visit the Ballina Arts Centre website. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
If you are recovering from a cardiac event, then you might be interested in attending the Mayo Cardiac Peer Support Group, which meets in Castlebar on Wednesday, June 17.
The initiative is a collaboration between Croí Heart and Stroke Charity and the HSE in Mayo, and provides an opportunity to connect with others who understand, share experiences and learn together.
A dietitian will talk on the best diet for a healthy heart.
The meeting is from 6.30pm to 8.30pm in The Ellison Hotel.
The death has taken place of Mary Marshall (née Deane), 11, Tyrawley Terrace, Ballina.
Mary was the beloved mother of John, Thomas, Pappy, Mary, Eithne, Michael and Frank. She will be sadly missed by her sons, daughters, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, great-great-grandchildren, daughters-in-law Judy, Bernie and Lila, sons-in-law Noel and Tom, sisters Margaret and Bridgie, brother-in-law PJ, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Thomas, son Robert, brothers John and Michael, and sister Annie.
Mary reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Thursday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Ballina on Friday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May she rest in peace.
Ballina theatre goers will recognise many of the faces in the forthcoming Pure Mule Productions staging of 'The Kings of the Kilburn High Road'.
Taking place in St Brigid's Hall, Tubbercurry on Friday, June 19, the strong cast in this drama of laughter and sadness includes Peadar Conway, Gerry Farrell, Michael McLoughlin and Brian Gallagher. They play a group of friends who came to London as young men to make their fortune, now in their 40s, and gather at an informal wake for one of their mates.
'The Kings of the Kilburn High Road' starts at 8pm.
A Mass for Pioneers and friends of the PTAA will be held in Ardagh Church, Ballina on Friday, June 19.
If anyone would like to receive their full Pioneer pin, 10-year pin, 25-year silver pin, 50-year golden pin or 60-year diamond pin, then please contact Maeve Tierney, Crossmolina or Una Birrane, Moygownagh immediately so that pins can be ordered.
The overall winner in the recent Stableford at Ballina Golf Club was Seamus Keane (44 points). Category 1 winner was Brendan Kilgallon (40 points), Category 2 winner was Niall McLoughlin (42 points), and Category 3 winner was Philip Devers (42 points).
Top places in the 18-hole Stroke Competition played over the June Public Holiday weekend went to: 1st, Margaret Healy (66 nett); 2nd, Mary Doherty (68 nett); and 3rd, Ann Cawley (69 nett).
Competitions were sponsored by Dillon McCarron Accountants and The Merry Monk.
In the Fairway Queens 9-Hole Stableford, first prize went to Helen Murphy with 21 points (last 3), and second prize went to Teresa McGuire, with 21 points.
Meanwhile, the club has congratulated local businessman Mark Winters on achieving every golfer’s dream with a fantastic Hole-in-One on the Par 3, 14th Hole at Ballina Golf Club last month.
Recently married in the Parish of Kilmoremoy (Ballina) were Kieran Gallagher and Cassandra Kilgannon, both from Templeboy, Co Sligo.
Also married were Ryan Lonergan and Sonali Kumar, both Toronto, Canada.
A Baby and Toddler Group, which meets every Saturday in Ballina Public Library focuses on as Gaeilge chat, simple songs in Irish, games and books for the little ones.
The group meets between 10.30am and 11.30am each week, and when the weather is good moves to the garden of the nearby Jackie Clarke Collection.
The gathering is a nice way to practice your cúpla focal in a relaxed atmosphere, helping to introduce our native language to the next generation. Everyone is welcome.
This popular gathering is looking forward to a special visit on Saturday, June 20 from Julie Anne De Brún, a bilingual children's entertainer.
