Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballina
The Jackie Clarke Collection held a special event at Ballina Library for International Women’s Day on March 8th last. Pictured, from left, are: Joan Corry, Deirdre Whyte, Nuala Feeney West, Mandy Caden, Anne Marie Forbes (Jackie Clarke Collection), Deirdre Golden, Siobhan Leonard and Linda Hegarty. Picture: John O'Grady
Ballina Autism Friendly Town is inviting businesses, organisations and sporting groups in Ballina to become Autism Champions and make a positive difference in the community.
An Autism Champion is a business or organisation committed to becoming autism-friendly by upholding key standards and implementing practical, easy-to-make accommodations.
By signing up, you’ll receive in-person training and guidance on how to make small, but impactful, changes that help to create a more inclusive environment for our autistic community. In becoming an Autism Champion, you’re showing your commitment to a more inclusive Ballina.
Training will take place in Ballina Rugby Club on Tuesday, April 8, from 6.30 to 8pm.
Contact ballinaautismfriendlytown@gmail.com to find out more information, or visit the Ballina Autism Friendly Town social media pages.
Ballina Autism Friendly Town is a member of AsIAm, Ireland’s autism charity.
Archers of Ballina will host a Coffee Morning for Daffodil Day on Friday, March 28, between 10am and 12 noon.
Proceeds from the event in the firm’s Bunree Road shop will go to the Irish Cancer Society.
Come along and enjoy a warm cup of coffee and sweet treats, while raising vital funds for cancer research, patient care and support services. Every donation makes a difference.
For those who cannot make it, but who still want to support this cause, you can donate online through the Archers iDonate page.
The death has taken place of Henry Aldridge, Vancouver, Canada.
Henry was from a well-known business family in Mount Falcon, Ballina.
He will be sadly missed by his children Shannon, Keith and Cynthia, his sister Caroline Hannick, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces and nephews.
Henry’s funeral will take place in Canada.
Foróige is reminding people that adult volunteers are needed for the organisation’s Big Brother Big Sister mentoring programme.
This programme pairs adult volunteers with young people who are looking for friendship and support from someone with a bit more life experience.
If you have an hour to spare every week, and are interested in supporting a young person, then this is an enjoyable way to spend your time and have a positive impact on that young person’s life.
Foróige, a national youth organisation which operates a club locally at Pearse Street, Ballina, has many young people waiting to be matched to a mentor and would be delighted to hear from you. Call 086-0471420 to express your interest in volunteering or to find out more information about the recruitment process.
Ballina Arts Centre is seeking expressions of interest from artists who would like to propose a solo exhibition in one of its art galleries in 2026.
The proposal submission should include a short letter application, a one-page CV, an exhibition proposal, images of work and, where applicable, links to audio or moving image work. Applicants should also include a letter of reference or two referee contacts and all documents should be submitted in PDF format.
Ballina Arts Centre is a multi-disciplinary creative hub in the centre of the town. Open since 2011, the facility offers two gallery spaces: the Downstairs Gallery and the upstairs Concourse Gallery.
There is also a flexible 220-seat auditorium, dance studio and music rehearsal and recording space.
Applicants are advised that the Concourse Gallery can only accommodate two-dimensional, wall-based work.
Please submit all materials by email to BACexhibitionsubmissions@gmail.com with ‘BAC 2026 Exhibition Programme’ in the email subject line.
The deadline for applications is Friday, April 4, at 5pm. The selection will be made by RHA Director, Patrick Murphy.
The death has taken place of Frederick (Fred) Powell, Corroy, Knockmore, Ballina.
Fred was the loving father of Helen and Jamie. He will be sadly missed by his son, daughter, daughter-in-law Lorna, son-in-law Mark, adored grandchildren Stephen and Becky, sister Wendy, brother in-law Alan, sister-in-law Pat, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his adored wife Kay and his brother Jeff.
Fred reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Thursday of last week, followed by prayers and a private cremation.
A Mayo COPD Support Group meeting will be held on Thursday, March 27, at 2.30pm. The venue is the Tennis Club, Lannagh Road, Castlebar.
€6,640 was raised for the Irish Cancer Society by the annual Helena Winters (née Langan) Daffodil Day Coffee Morning earlier this month.
The organisers have conveyed their gratitude to everyone who attended the event in Ballina Pastoral Centre on Saturday, March 1 last. Thanks have also been expressed to Ita and Juliana from the centre for their assistance, and for the use of the hall, and to all those who provided the homemade treats.
The Helena Winters Daffodil Day Coffee Morning received sponsorship from local businesses, whose contribution was also acknowledged.
Daffodil Day in Ballina will take place this coming Friday, March 29, so watch out for Mary Martin and all her volunteers who will be seeking your support for the Irish Cancer Society. The organisation relies on your generosity to continue with its vital work in making a difference to the lives of cancer patients and to their families.
The death has taken place of Patrick McAndrew, Carracrum, Bonniconlon, Ballina.
Patrick is deeply mourned by Veronica, sons Jason and Daniel, brothers John and Tommy, sisters Maureen, Sally and Margaret, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Tom and Mary.
Patrick reposed at Gallagher's Funeral Home, Bonniconlon on Friday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Bonniconlon on Saturday, with burial afterwards in Bonniconlon Cemetery.
Entries from all over the world have been flowing in for Ballina Feis this weekend. The Great National Hotel, Old Foxford Road, Ballina is the venue for the competitions, taking place on Saturday, March 29 and Sunday, March 30, and you can expect a fabulous weekend of Irish dancing.
Judges are Bernadette Fegan (Dublin), Linda Ball-Hoban (Clare) and Melissa Keane (Limerick), all of whom are well-known Irish dancers, while Northern Ireland’s Paul O’Donnell will be the accompanying musician.
Bonniconlon Drama Society brings Michael J Ginnelly’s comedy ‘Pretend Sick’ to the stage this weekend.
With a cast of eleven, under director, Barbara Ginley, ‘Pretend Sick’ is a humorous play about Katie Logan, a woman who spends her days pretending to be a crippled and decrepit old lady so that her daughter Mary won't leave her living alone. However, as soon as Mary's back is turned, Katie is running around the house like a spring chicken, plotting and scheming to make Mary's life a misery.
Meanwhile, Katie’s son Sean squanders the family farm, spending every penny on partying and drinking. The loved-up next door neighbours are full of the joys of newly married life, which makes Mary realise that it’s time for her to wave goodbye to her boyfriend Martin for the more sophisticated and well-spoken Matt.
The Grove Hall, Bonniconlon will be the venue for Bonniconlon Drama Society’s first 2025 production, to be staged on Friday, Saturday and Sunday next, March 28 to 30.
Tickets will go on sale this week for the Moy Singers Spring Concert, ‘Magic of the Musicals’.
The forthcoming performance by the vocal group in The Great National Hotel, Old Foxford Road, Ballina will feature songs from some of the most popular musicals of all time, demonstrating the versatility and talent of this experienced and energetic four-part mixed choir from Ballina.
The concert will take place at 8pm on Saturday, April 12. Proceeds from a raffle on the night will go to Teach an Uisce Sub-Aqua Search and Recovery.
Tickets, costing €20, are available from Ballina Tourist Office, Pearse Street (located across the road from The Jackie Clarke Collection) and from hotel reception. Tickets can also be purchased from choir members or through Eventbrite.
Nigel Lackey was the recipient of the Dave Murray Cup for catching the first fish of the 2025 season in Ballina Salmon Anglers Association waters. The cup was presented to him by Andrea Murray.
Nigel was also presented with a cheque for €250 from the association’s Chairman, Francis Gorman.
Ballina Parkrun’s simultaneous celebration of Women in Sport Week and Women’s Day earlier this month attracted a large turnout to the weekly event in Belleek, Ballina, including first-time participants Olivia Stemler, Margaret Finnerty and Marian Rafter.
The group thanked Liquid Motion Triathlon Club for its contribution on the day, as Ballina Parkrun also welcomed guests Noel Keavney from Sligo Parkrun and Diane Duggan from Bolton Parkrun.
Run director for the special event was Claire Murphy, ably assisted by volunteer helpers Agnes O’Hora, Alistair Kelly, Ann Egan, Aoife Mulrooney, Brendan Murphy, Catherine Munnelly, Doireann Markham, Kathryn McGarrity, Mark Healy, Padraig Brady, Philip McAloon, Stewart Rafter and Teresa Munnelly.
Jaqi Lodge and Teresa Keane, from Mental Health Ireland, will deliver a short presentation about Connect Cafes in Ballina for anyone interested in finding out more about the project, and possibly in volunteering to help out.
The meeting is on Friday, March 28, at 2pm at the Craoibhín Ballina Centre, Cathedral Road, Ballina (beside St Muredach’s Cathedral).
The Parents' Association of St Mary’s Secondary School is hosting a fun table quiz on Friday, March 28, to raise funds for the development of a nurture area in the Ballina girls’ school.
The quiz will be held at 8pm in The Cot and Cobble Bar and Restaurant, Sligo Road, Ballina.
Tables of four can be pre-booked for €30 using the link on St Mary’s Secondary School social media pages, or will be available for €40 on the night.
If you are unable to attend, but would still like to support the fundraiser, you can purchase a table using the pre-booking link and include a note in the comment section indicating that you won’t be attending.
Ballina Show will take place this year on Sunday, July 13. The annual agricultural show promises a full day of activities and entertainment for the entire family.
Last year’s very successful event included cattle and dog shows, horse and pony jumping, poultry, horticulture and flowers, sheep and other showcases. Lifestyle events such as cookery demonstrations, craft displays and bakery exhibits, as well as live music, were also big attractions.
Lauren Sweeney, Foxford was the lucky winner of €15,000 in the quarterly Ballina Credit Union Cash Draw, which took place earlier this month.
Michael Hynes, from Enniscrone, took the second highest value prize of €3,000, while €2,000 each went to Bernadette O’Hara, Ballina; Mary Egan, Enniscrone; and Michael Egan, Ballina.
A prize of €1,500 went to the following: Moya Brogan, Ballina; Nicola Cawley, Ballina; Carmel and Amy Naughton, Culleens; Martha and Peter Fleming, Ballina; and Brian Peoples, Ballina.
Eight other credit union members took home €1,000 each, as follows: Neale Mulhern, Crossmolina; Gearoid Maloney, Ballina; Mary McPadden, Ballina; Dolores Breslin, Ballina; Barry Ryan, Killala; Carmel Ruddy, Ballina; Maureen Egan, Enniscrone; and Mary Kelly, Crossmolina.
€700 went to Ashling Tompkins, Ballina, while Michael Moore, Ballina won €675 and Lee Cummin, Killala took home €650.
Commissioner for Oaths, Edward Gaughan was in charge of overseeing the draw, which was held in the Ballina Credit Union office on O’Rahilly Street, where a total of €41,525 was given away.
Ballina Credit Union runs four draws throughout the year and the cost of entry is €8.28 per quarter. You must be over 18 years of age and be a member of Ballina Credit Union in order to participate.
Terms and conditions apply, so call in to the office on O’Rahilly Street, Ballina or phone 096-71066 if you would like to find out more information.
Easter craft classes for children will be hosted in the Sean Duffy Community Centre, Ardnaree, over two weeks in April.
The first week’s classes, which will be delivered by Ballina Costume Company, are from Monday, April 14 to Thursday, April 17, followed by another week of classes from Tuesday, April 22 to Friday, April 25.
Children from the ages of 4 to 12 are welcome. The classes run from 9.30am to 3pm daily, at a cost of €90 for the week.
Booking is essential as places are limited. Telephone 096-72154. Or email info@ballinacostumecompany.ie.
Applications are invited for the Mayo County Council Arts Service Culture Night 2025 Event Fund to support the cost of events programmed for Culture Night, which takes place on September 19, 2025.
An annual, public event, which is held across the country each year on the second last Friday of September, Culture Night celebrates culture, creativity and the arts, and seeks to promote actively the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives.
Ballina has been an energetic participant in Culture Night activities over recent years, joining hundreds of other cities, towns and villages which staged events that attracted hundreds of thousands of people to this special night in 2024.
Guidelines and application forms are available on the Mayo.ie website.
For further information please email mayoculturenight@mayococo.ie.
The deadline for applications is 5pm on April 7.
