Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballina
Pupils from Scoil Íosa, Ballina, on a recent visit to the farm of Christopher Tuffy in Dromore West. Picture: James Connolly
Members of the community in Attymass Parish are invited to help with the weekly clean-up in Old Killeen Cemetery. The work takes place on Thursday evenings, from 7pm, weather permitting, and volunteers are always welcome.
Ballina Order of Malta has thanked the children, parents and teachers of Cooneal National School, Ballina for their help in raising money during a school Wear Red Day, which generated €150.
Meanwhile, a Wear Red Day in St Muredach’s College raised a further €220 for the Ballina Order of Malta Cadet Unit while Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Gortnor Abbey, Crossmolina donated €236 from its special day.
The money raised will help support the cadets who will represent Ballina Order of Malta and the Western Region at the upcoming annual All-Ireland Order of Malta competitions in Northern Ireland next month.
Kyle Gorman’s close shave to the head during Fesant Fest earlier this month has led to lots of eyebrows being raised on seeing the Ballina man’s new image!
Kyle had his lengthy, 25-year-old locks shaved in aid of Western Alzheimers, live on stage at the interval during the music gig in Ballina Arts Centre, a brave and charitable act that has so far raised over €1,700 for the cause.
“I'm sure nobody needs reminding how much Alzheimer’s affects the person with the disease, and those close to them. Sadly, I'm sure we all know someone who has been affected,” said Kyle, who has opened an iDonate page to accept money for this very worthy charity.
You can help by donating at www.idonate.ie, search 'Kyle Gorman'.
Western Alzheimers has its head office in Ballindine and provides a complete service of care to families affected by Alzheimers and dementia across the West.
The Local Authorities Water Programme (LAWPRO) works with Mayo County Council and other local authorities, public bodies and communities across Ireland to protect and restore water quality in this country.
A community information meeting in Ballina tonight (Tuesday), to be hosted by the LAWPRO, will examine water quality and water-related issues in the Ballina Municipal District.
A core function of LAWPRO is to work with community groups to support the work already being done to promote better water quality and to encourage more groups to get involved.
Community involvement is key to the protection and management of local water bodies. This is being achieved through raising awareness of LAWPRO and engaging communities on local water-quality issues and concerns, supporting community involvement in the stewardship of local streams, rivers, lakes and coasts, and building capacity within local communities through knowledge, funding and training.
LAWPRO is establishing networks of active communities with the knowledge, skills and capacity to make a difference. In this way, LAWPRO’s Community Water Officers have established themselves as contact points for local communities. Their work is evidenced by the growing number of groups and champions getting involved in caring for their local water environment.
Over recent years, Ballina’s Cascade Project has been examining how the laneways of our town centre can adapt to cope with increased rainfall from climate change, hoping to connect trails of climate-resilient, cohesive spaces that celebrate water.
This forthcoming Ballina information session is being held to make more people aware of work to protect and restore natural waters in the area and to encourage as much engagement as possible with everyone in the community.
It takes place in the Rehearsal Room of Ballina Arts Centre on June 17 from 7.30pm to 9.30pm.
The event is free and everyone is welcome to attend. You can register via Eventbrite.
Show Queen has become a highly coveted title at Bonniconlon Show, with last year’s holder of the honour, Natasha Garrett, receiving widespread acclaim locally for being such an excellent ambassador for the annual day-long festival of all things agricultural and rural.
The 2025 Show Queen will be selected at 5pm on the evening of the show, which is taking place this year on Monday, August 4.
Those who would like to enter as a contestant should please contact Natasha, Michelle or Pat on 087-4527263, or send an email to bunnishowqueen@gmail.com for more information.
Free music at Lunchtime
The Music at Lunchtime series of free shows in Ballina Arts Centre continues this week with local artist Billy Forde.
Well known for her impressive rendition of R&B classics, Billie sings music that brings warmth to the soul.
Her short, half-hour show tomorrow (Wednesday) starts at 1.15pm.
The Music at Lunchtime series will continue in Ballina Arts Centre every Wednesday during June and July, with tea, coffee and wine available from the venue’s bar.
The shows have been timed so that people can come along during their lunch break and enjoy some quality live music with their sandwich.
MFA Consulting Engineers sponsored the Ballina Golf Club 18-Hole Stableford held earlier this month.
The overall winner of the competition on Sunday, June 1, was Phonsie McLoughlin, with 43 pts (B9). Other top performers were: Category 1, Brendan Kilgallon - 43 pts; Category 2, Kenny Casey – 42 pts; and Category 3, Noel Murphy - 42 pts.
In the Ladies 18-Hole Stableford, sponsored by Heffernan’s Supermarket, Ardnaree, Catherine Smith came first, with 42 pts. Second was Mary Tighe, with 39 pts, and third was Catherine Mulligan, with 38 pts.
On Sunday, June 8, the 18-Hole Stableford sponsored by Beattie Electrical saw Kevin Heffernan take the overall winner spot, with 44 pts. Category 1 was won by Paul Fox, with 39 pts, while Enda Jones topped the Category 2 spot, also with 39 pts.
Category 3 was won by Niall McLoughlin, with 40 pts.
Ballina Golf Club has congratulated its O-55 team, which is through to the next round of the Inter Club Competition following a hard-fought victory against Ballaghaderreen. The match finished all square but Ballina won out thanks to a marvellous 30ft putt from Kenny Casey on the first playoff hole. Next up for the O-55 players is Ballinamore Golf Club, in what is expected to be another pulsating tie.
The death has taken place of Marian Humber, Circular Road, Ballina.
Marian was the beloved sister of Frank. She will be sadly missed by her brother, cousins, relatives and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents William and Jessica, and by her brother Liam.
Marian reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Friday morning last, with Requiem Mass taking place the same day in St Muredach’s Cathedral, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Friends of St Joseph’s Hospital Ballina are seeking a volunteer gardener to help with routine tasks such as watering flower beds and light weeding.
Local volunteer organisations, including Ballina Community Clean Up, Ballina Tidy Towns, Ballina Men's Shed and local artists, alongside Friends of St Joseph’s Hospital, have been coming together regularly since January on a project to transform the grounds of the medical facility on Mercy Road.
This collaboration between community groups in Ballina aims to make the hospital campus a more attractive space for patients, staff and visitors by managing the growing environment and adding more colour and creativity to the outside areas of St Joseph’s Hospital.
If you are interested in helping out then please contact Edel Gallagher at Mayo Volunteer Centre, Ballina by calling 087-2470197.
Over the years, the Ballina Salmon Festival Car Treasure Hunt has earned a reputation as the event which brings humour and competitiveness, and an opportunity to explore Ballina, into one single, cerebral activity.
For 2025 the organisers have put a lot of thought into the escapade, which will begin from Rouse's Pub, Pearse Street, Ballina on Tuesday, July 15.
Registration is from 6pm to 7.30pm that evening, at a cost of €20 per team.
Ballina Salmon Festival will be held from July 12 to 20.
Ballina Swimming Pool is offering week-long intensive swimming lessons throughout much of July and August, beginning on Monday, June 30. The classes are for those from five years of age and upwards, and further details are available by calling 096-70506.
Smartphone and computer classes have started in Craoibhín Ballina. The lessons will provide participants with the knowledge to understand the benefits and pitfalls of using this technology.
In recent years, mobile phone use has opened up the world to people of every age and these sessions in Ballina will offer a chance for you to improve your digital skills and learn about the do’s and don’ts.
The classes are on Monday afternoons, from 2.30pm, running until July 21. The next class is on Monday, June 30, and the cost is €5.
For more information, please call the Craoibhín Ballina centre, which is located at Cathedral Road, on 087-2785365.
Passers-by on the Sligo Road, Ballina will be impressed by the neat, new look of the statute of the Blessed Virgin Mary, located on the banks of the River Moy and overlooking the Bishop’s residence.
The Knights of St Columbanus C.K. 74 Ballina sought, and were granted, permission to paint the statue by Archbishop Francis Duffy and the Parish Priest of Ballina.
A special word of thanks was expressed by the organisation to Sharon Dempsey for her artistic abilities, and to Liam Hallinan for his painting skills and for erecting scaffolding around the statue.
“Eventually, but not after some difficulties, the project was completed”, said Francis Walsh, Secretary of Ballina Knights of St Columbanus.
“While painting, we noticed the number of people who blessed themselves when passing. We also noticed the great peace to be found there, in contrast to the noise of passing traffic. It was a beautiful place to be and obvious that people lay flowers there and have a great devotion.
“We had also planned to paint the railings but, after careful examination, it was decided that they needed replacement. The Knights have now priced the cost of replacing the railings and already there are people with great devotion who want to contribute to a fund for this work”, continued Francis. “If there is any way we can facilitate this task we would be glad to take it on as a project, with the public’s support and with the permission of the Parish Priest in Ballina."
The Telus Salmon Run Triathlon will take place in Ballina on Saturday, June 28, at 9am.
Organised by Ballina’s Liquid Motion Triathlon Club, the event is for adults from the age of 18 and upwards, and is a perfect challenge for seasoned triathletes. It will test participants on a 0.75km swim on the River Moy, a 20km bike ride through the beautiful surroundings around Ballina and a 5km flat run on the banks of, and in the proximity of, the River Moy.
All participants will receive a medal, T-shirt and a Beanie Bag, among other things.
Throughout the annual event, Liquid Motion Triathlon Club is hoping that it can help to create awareness of mental health services in Mayo.
Registration and further details are available from the Triathlon Ireland website at www.triathlonireland.com. More information can be had also by emailing info@liquidmotion.ie.
Ella and Jo Skincare and Footworks Chiropody and Podiatry are among the prize sponsors, while West Coast Sauna will be providing discounted services to those racing on the day at its wood-fired sauna.
