Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballina
Gail and Kathleen Munnelly from Cloghans, Knockmore, were at Ballina Arts Centre for the latest performance of 'Matches and Old Flames', the comedy play by Midwest Radio's Tommy Marren. Picture: John O'Grady
The largest annual quiz competition of its type in Ireland gets going again for this year on Friday, February 7.
The local stage of the contest is hosted by Ballina Credit Union, and hundreds of young quizzers, teachers, parents and supporters from across the area will descend on Ballina Community Sports Centre for the first stage of this mammoth event.
The Credit Union Quiz is a nationwide contest for primary schools which attracts more than 25,000 participating students each year. It is run over three stages between the months of January to April, culminating in a national final in the RDS Dublin on Sunday, April 6 when the quizmaster will be TV presenter, MC and content creator John Sharpson, known to many as Múinteoir John.
The competition is divided by age group into two categories. Competition A is categorised for entrants under 11 years of age and Competition B is for children under 13 years of age.
In 2024, The Quay National School, Ballina took the top prize in Ireland in the Competition A category, while a second team from the same school was awarded joint runners-up prize in the Competition B category.
The quiz in Ballina Community Sports Centre later this week will start at 7.30pm sharp, and doors open at 7pm. The quizmaster will be John Joe Kirrane.
Ballina Community First Responders has thanked the O’Neill family from Bonniconlon following a fundraiser which raised €2,082 for the group. The fundraiser was organised by the family following the death of John O’Neill in 2023.
Ballina Community First Responders is comprised of volunteer members who work alongside the National Ambulance Service, responding to cardiac calls.
These volunteers are trained to attend certain types of emergency calls in the area where they live or work. Their aim is to reach a potential life-threatening emergency in the first vital minutes before an ambulance crew arrives. Their role is to help stabilise the patient and provide the appropriate care, including CPR and defibrillation, until the more highly skilled ambulance crew arrives on scene to take over the treatment.
The proceeds of the fundraiser by the O’Neill family were earmarked for projects in the Bonniconlon area, and the organisation has now spent in the region of €500 to replace the defibrillator pads and batteries at the four public-access defibrillators in the area.
The defibrillators are located in cabinets at Bonniconlon Agricultural Showgrounds, Bonniconlon Church, the statue at Dempsey's Car and Van Spares and in the townland of Carra. The access codes for these cabinets is 0000. All are rescue ready should you need one in a medical emergency.
The Ballina-based organisation is also reminding people that, in the event of an emergency, you should telephone 999 or 112 to activate the National Ambulance Service (NAS).
Recently baptised in the Parish of Kilmoremoy (Ballina) were Emily May Loughney, Riverside Drive, Ballina; Liam Son Hennigan, Vietnam; Sean Vincent Hennigan, Breaffy, Ballina; Aran John Melvin, Creggs Road, Ballina; and Oisín Alan Padden, Canterbury, U.K.
Ireland Reads Day 2025 is on Saturday, February 22, and Ballina Library will be marking the occasion this year by offering people the opportunity to share a passage from their favourite book of all time or to recommend the book you think everyone should read at least once.
The Library Read-A-Loud day is on Saturday, February 22 from 10am to 4pm, where you will also discover what others have on their must-read list.
You should register your interest in advance by calling the Pearse Street, Ballina branch of Mayo County Library on 094-9064454 or by emailing bvarley@mayococo.ie. Everyone is welcome to come along on the day.
The Ballina campus of Mayo College of Further Education will hold an open day on Thursday, February 13.
Potential learners will have the opportunity to meet teachers and tour the college facilities. Courses on offer in Ballina include those in areas such as business, healthcare and the creative arts. The open day runs from 12pm to 6pm.
More details on www.mayocollege.ie.
Mayo Fleadh Cheoil will take place in Ballina this year from May 3 to 11, to be hosted by Gort na mBó/Bofield branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
A table quiz this coming weekend in The Cot and Cobble Bar and Restaurant, Sligo Road, Ballina, hosted by Bofield CCÉ, will help raise funds for the event. The table quiz is on Friday, February 7 and a table of four cost €40. Registration is at 8.30pm and the quiz starts at 9pm. Everyone is welcome to come along on the night.
To book a team please contact Bofield CCÈ on 086-1943687.
The Connacht Intermediate Badminton Championships (Grades E, F, G and H) will take place in Ballina on Saturday, February 8. The competition in Ballina Community Sports Centre is a closed event for members and affiliated players of Connacht clubs.
Ballina Lions Club is hosting a fun table quiz in The Loft Bar, Pearse Street, Ballina this coming Friday night, February 7 to help raise funds to purchase a new bus.
The members of Ballina Lions Club – all of whom are volunteers – work towards supporting local community organisations through a range of activities organised by the group during the year.
The quiz starts at 8.30pm and a table of four costs €40 to enter. There will be raffle prizes on the night.
Join Amanda McGuinness in Ballina this week for an engaging and thought-provoking talk on understanding autism.
Amanda is an autism advocate, as well as an autism and visual supports specialist, and she will present on the theme ‘Understanding Autism – Insights into Neurodiversity and PDA’.
With a focus on fostering connection, understanding and empowerment, she will delve into what it means to be autistic, the importance of neuroaffirmative practices, and how to create environments where autistic individuals can truly thrive.
This session will also explore Pervasive Drive for Autonomy (PDA), offering invaluable insights into recognising PDA traits, understanding the unique needs of individuals with PDA, and practical strategies to support them effectively.
Whether you are a parent, educator, professional or community member, this talk promises to deepen your understanding of autism and provide actionable steps to embrace and support neurodiversity in everyday life.
The free event is at 6.30pm on Saturday, February 8 in Ballina Library, Pearse Street, Ballina.
Separately, an Autism Support Group for parents, guardians and caregivers of autistic children and teens will be held in Costa Coffee, Pearse Street, Ballina today (Tuesday, February 4), from 9.30am to 11am. This will be a safe and non-judgmental space for people to share support and experiences, and meet with other parents and caregivers of children with autism.
The death has taken place of Martin Thomas Egan, Gurteens, Crossmolina Road, Ballina.
Martin Thomas was the beloved father of Annie, Molly, Helen, Kathleen, Michael, Brendan and Tommy. He will be sadly missed by his daughters, sons, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his wife Mary Kathleen.
Martin Thomas reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Thursday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. James Church, Easkey on Friday, followed by burial in Roslea Cemetery, Easkey.
Craoibhín Ballina is organising a Valentine's Tea Dance in the Kennedy Glasgow Centre, The Quay, Ballina on Thursday, February 13.
The celebration will take place from 1pm to 3pm with music on the day by Padraig Moran. In addition to the live music there will be refreshments and a raffle.
The cost is €8 per person and anyone seeking a pleasant afternoon of entertainment is invited to come along.
Further information is available from the Craoibhín Ballina centre on Cathedral Road, Ballina. You can also call 087-2785365 or email craoibhinballina@gmail.com.
A show in Belleek Castle Hotel, Ballina this coming Saturday night is a tribute to one of the most influential bands of the 20th century.
Big Love will be performing all your favourite Fleetwood Mac hits, transporting you back in time to the iconic sounds of this beloved band.
The show will take place on Saturday, February 8, at 9.30pm and tickets, costing €30, are available to buy through Eventbrite. A free bus will operate after the show.
For more information, please call 096-22400 or email info@belleekcastle.eu.
Kilmoremoy Ladies Gaelic Football Club, Ballina is establishing Gaelic for Mothers and Others (G4MO), a team for women aged 25-plus.
The club says that G4MO is the perfect chance to enjoy ladies Gaelic football in a non-competitive, welcoming and social environment, with absolutely no experience necessary.
An information evening for expressions of interest will be held in Ardnaree Sarsfield GAA Club, Ballina on Wednesday, February 5 at 8pm.
Bonniconlon ICA will hold its annual fundraising card game in Gallagher's Village Tavern, Bonniconlon on Thursday, February 13. The session will begin at 9pm and tickets are €10. There is a prize fund of €500 on offer, plus lots of raffle and spot prizes. Your support will be greatly appreciated.
