Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballina
The Kevin Clarke Perpetual Spirit of Ballina Festival Award was recently awarded to Mags Downey Martin in The Cot and Cobble in Ballina. From left: Cliona Campion, President of Ballina Chamber of Commerce; Mags Downey Martin, Mary Dunne, Tracey Glacken and Mary Moyles. Picture: John O'Grady
Halloween weekend promises thrills, chills and plenty of scares as The Haunted House on the Hill returns to Ballina for its fourth year of spine-tingling entertainment.
Featuring live actors, eerie scenes straight from your nightmares, chilling sound effects and frightening surprises around every corner, this popular attraction is not for the faint-hearted.
The Haunted House on the Hill is a fundraising initiative organised by Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club, with Ballina Order of Malta serving as the charity partner for this year's event.
The main Fright Nights will take place in the Sean Duffy Community Centre, Ardnaree from 7pm to 10pm on Tuesday (October 27), Wednesday (October 28) and Thursday (October 29). Special sessions for children, as well as a dedicated Sensory Hour, will be held on Monday, October 26.
Admission to the Fright Nights is €10 per person. Visitors can pay at the door by cash or card, although those with online tickets will be given priority entry. Tickets are available through Eventbrite.
The Halloween fun begins next Monday, October 26, with Kids’ Hours running from 4.30pm to 6.30pm. Admission is €5 per person, payable at the door only, by cash or card.
A free Sensory Hour for those with additional needs will take place from 3pm to 4pm on the same day.
Please note that all children under 14 must be accompanied by a parent or legal guardian. For updates and further information, follow the social media channels of Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club.
You can buy your ticket in advance from www.eventbrite.ie.
Ballina Stephenites is bringing back its popular Lip Sync Show for 2027 and the club is now looking for participants to help make it another memorable fundraising event.
This promises to be a fun-filled night and an important fundraiser for the club.
No singing talent is required, just enthusiasm, a sense of fun and a willingness to get involved.
Anyone interested in taking part is encouraged to contact Ballina Stephenites GAA Club for more information through a DM on its social media channels.
Flow Community Project will host a Halloween Night in The Cot and Cobble Bar and Restaurant on Sligo Road, Ballina, this coming Sunday, October 25.
This Ballina-based organisation is dedicated to promoting inclusion and creating opportunities for people with disabilities throughout the town and across Mayo. It has enjoyed a busy and successful year, highlighted by the recent opening of the new Sensory Park in Ballina, a project delivered in partnership with a number of local community groups.
Entertainment on the night will be provided by Flow’s own DJs, ensuring plenty of music and fun for all. Fancy dress is optional, and everyone is welcome to join in the celebrations.
The Flow Club Night is for Over-18s. It gets underway at 7pm and admission is free.
A Remembrance Mass will take place in the Father Peyton Centre, Attymass, Ballina on Saturday, October 24 to honour members of the Irish Kidney Association and those who attended the renal unit at Mayo University Hospital, Castlebar.
Past and present patients, organ donors, family members and friends are warmly invited to attend. Mass begins at 1pm, with refreshments served afterwards.
The Mayo Branch of Down Syndrome Ireland extends its sincere thanks to the parishioners of Ballina’s Catholic churches for their outstanding generosity. During the church gate collections held outside St Patrick’s Church and St Muredach’s Cathedral on September 12 and 13 last, a total of €2,264.51 was raised.
The collection at St Patrick’s Church amounted to €757.50, while parishioners at St Muredach’s Cathedral contributed €1,507.01. The Mayo Branch greatly appreciates the kindness and support shown by the local community, with all funds raised helping to support its ongoing work and services.
The Moy Singers have announced the date of their popular annual Christmas concert. The Ballina-based choir will bring festive cheer to audiences with its Carols by Candlelight performance on Friday, November 27, at the Great National Hotel in Ballina.
The mixed-voice choir will perform a selection of seasonal favourites and Christmas classics in what promises to be a memorable evening of music and celebration. Rehearsals are currently underway and tickets for the concert will be available shortly.
The talented singers of the choral group recently performed at the Ballina’s Star Extravaganza concert in aid of the local arts centre, with solo vocal contributions from Gerry Duffy and Louise McDonnell.
Ballina Bridge Club has resumed its weekly games following the summer break.
After many years meeting in The Moy Club on Dillon Terrace, the club has moved to a new venue at the Twin Trees Hotel, Ballina, where weekly bridge sessions take place every Tuesday night.
The results of the game played on September 29 were as follows: 1st, M. and J. Munnelly; 2nd, G. Scanlon and F. Walkin; 3rd, S. and A. Callaghan; and 4th, M. Gilvarry and M. Corcoran.
In first place on October 6 were A. Moran and S. Ruttledge, followed by M. Lowry and V. Baynes (2nd), M. and J. Munnelly (3rd), and M. McAndrew and C. Callaghan (4th).
The results of the game played on Tuesday last, October 13 were: 1st, H. Moran and M. Gilvarry; 2nd, U. Doyle and E. Walker; 3rd, A. and S. Callaghan; and 4th, J. and M. Munnelly.
The club looks forward to another enjoyable season of bridge and extends a warm invitation to anyone interested in joining.
The death has taken place of Patrick (Pat) McGuigan, Abbey Court, Killala Road, Ballina and formerly of Newry, Co Down.
Patrick will be sadly missed by his loving wife Phil, daughter Debbie, sons Paul and Chris, daughters-in-law Danielle and Jenny, adored grandchildren Dylan, Darragh and Grace, brother, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, friends and neighbours.
He was predeceased by his parents Patrick and Mary McGuigan, brothers Michael and Hugh, and sister Rosemary.
Patrick reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home Ballina on Friday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Saturday, with the funeral proceeding afterwards to Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May he rest in peace.
A special presentation night at Ballina Golf Club recently followed a series of well-supported men’s competitions which place throughout August and September, with strong scoring across all categories.
The results were as follows: 18-Hole Stableford on August 1 and 2, sponsored by Darren Beattie Electrical: Overall Winner: P. Fox (42 points, B9); Category 1: R. McGrath (39 points); Category 2: D. O'Sullivan (39 points, B9); and Category 3: P. Hopkins (42 points).
18-Hole Stableford on August 8 and 9, sponsored by Lundy Haulage: Overall Winner: K. Lawrence (47 points); Category 1: B. Doherty (37 points); Category 2: S. Keane (42 points, B9) and Category 3: C. O'Hanlon (40 points).
18-Hole Strokeplay on August 15 and 16, sponsored by Ballina Manor Hotel: Overall Winner: J. Tuohy (61 nett); Category 1: D. Flaherty (68 nett); Category 2: M. McCormack (64 nett); and Category 3: J. Conway (67 nett).
18-Hole Strokeplay on August 23, sponsored by Caffrey's Gallery Gifts and Framing: Overall Winner: S. Harris (67 nett); Category 1: E. Bowes (69 nett); Category 2: T. Kieran (69 nett); and Category 3: Mark McLoughlin (71 nett).
18-Hole Stableford on August 30, sponsored by Western Glazing: Overall Winner: Mark McLoughlin (45 points); Category 1: S. Harris (41 points); Category 2: M. Boland (40 points, B9); and Category 3: J. Horgan (38 points).
The Chairperson's Prize was played for on September 14. In the 18-Hole Strokeplay sponsored by Moloney’s SuperValu the Overall Winner was D. McManamon (65 nett); 2nd was S. Fox (67 nett, B6), 3rd was J. Marsh (67 nett) and Gross was B. Kilgallon (77 nett). Category 1 winner was M. Brennan (69 nett), followed by M. McLoughlin (70 nett). Category 2 winner was B. Scully (68 nett), followed by J. Carden (69 nett). Category 3 winner was B. McHugh (71 nett), followed by J. Lundy (72 nett).
The results of the 18-Hole Stableford played on September 21 and sponsored by The Cot and Cobble, Ballina were: Overall Winner: J. O'Connor (42 points); Category 1: S. Walsh (39 points); Category 2: D. McManamon (40 points, B9); and Category 3: C. O'Hanlon (35 points).
The Overall Winner of the 18-Hole Stableford played on September 28 was J. Conway (45 points). Other results on the day were: Category 1: D. Gaughan (40 points); Category 2: S. Keane (40 points, B9); and Category 3: J. Helly (38 points). It was sponsored by Michael Carr Foods.
If you're over 55 and looking for a fun, low-impact way to keep active, why not try Move It or Lose It exercise classes in Ballina?
The classes take place every Wednesday at 10.30am in the Seán Duffy Community Centre, Ardnaree and are suitable for both men and women. There is no need to book in advance. Simply come along and join in.
Classes cost €10 per session on a pay-as-you-go basis, and your first class is free.
For more information please contact Leo on 089-4257902.
The Bonniconlon Agricultural Show will mark 75 years in existence with a celebratory function. To commemorate the milestone, a special Dinner Dance will be held in the Diamond Coast Hotel, Enniscrone on Saturday, November 7.
Tickets are priced at €40 for the general public, while stewards and helpers can avail of a concession rate in recognition of their contribution to the show over the years.
Entertainment on the night will be provided by Declan Nerney and his band, with DJ Pat Boyle ensuring the celebrations continue well into the evening.
Craoibhín Ballina is inviting people to discover how to get the most from their smartphones with a series of beginner-friendly classes starting on Monday, November 2.
The course will run on Mondays for five weeks, from 2.30pm to 4pm, with classes led by Susan and Declan. The cost is €5 per class, and places are limited to just 10 participants, ensuring a supportive and hands-on learning environment.
The classes are designed to help participants build confidence, learn new skills and make better use of their smartphones. Early booking is advised. To reserve a place, please call 087-2785365.
Meanwhile, Craoibhín Ballina will host a Halloween Coffee Afternoon on Thursday, October 22, from 1pm to 3pm at its centre on McDermott Street.
The afternoon will feature refreshments, a raffle and music by Padraig Moran. Admission is €5 per person, and everyone is welcome to attend.
