Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballina
The Ballina Golf Club Ladies Challenge Cup team which finished in second place in the area final played at Ballyhaunis Golf Club recently. Pictured are, from left to right, Alice Melody, Catherine Mulligan, Mary Reynolds (Captain), Mary Tighe, Michelle Grogan and Deirdre Beattie.
A recent RTÉ One Television ‘Nationwide’ programme revealed the germination of an idea in Ballina which brought about the exciting Cuimsiú sessions, now a growing movement at Fleadh events across the country.
When young Ballina musician Hannah Dunford saw her talented older brother Iarla perform at the Fleadh, she enquired from her parents when she might be able to play at the event. That sparked an idea for Mairead and Chuck Dunford, with their daughter’s enthusiasm eventually leading to the setting up of the inaugural Cuimsiú competition at the 2024 Mayo Fleadh Cheoil.
Now, as part of this year’s National Heritage Week, a Cuimsiú session will be hosted in The Jackie Clarke Collection, Pearse Street, Ballina on Saturday, August 23 from 3pm to 4.30pm.
This heart-warming, inclusive traditional music session will be hosted by Mayo Comhaltas, in a collaboration with the Jackie Clarke Collection. The community event is specially designed to welcome children and young people of all abilities, including those with disabilities or additional needs.
Everyone is warmly invited to enjoy the magic of live Irish traditional and folk music in a supportive and accessible environment. Whether you’d like to play, sing, clap along or simply listen, this is a celebration of music, inclusion and belonging. The session encourages participation at all levels and provides a safe, welcoming space where every young person can feel the joy of traditional Irish music and culture.
No booking is required, just come along on the day and join in the fun.
The event will take place in the beautiful surroundings of the Jackie Clarke Collection’s heritage garden and indoor courtyard, ensuring accessibility for all. It is free to attend.
For further information, please call 087-4185055 or email clarkecollection@mayococo.ie.
National Heritage Week is running from August 16 to 24, and will also feature an Open Day at the Sisters of Mercy Convent in Ballina on Thursday, August 21, where visitors can walk through this historic building between 6pm and 9pm.
For more details, please contact 086-3086047 or email ballinaconvent@gmail.com.
Dragons Boat Club Ballina has been granted charity status, an achievement which has become a source of immense pride and excitement for its members.
“It reflects our club’s deep commitment to inclusivity, community wellbeing, and promoting the joys and benefits of dragon boating across all ages and abilities,” said founder and chairperson of the club, Denise Swanick. “Achieving charity status enables us to further our outreach, support local causes and remove barriers to participation.
“We extend heartfelt thanks to our members, volunteers, supporters and the Ballina community for their unwavering encouragement and dedication. Together, we look forward to an even brighter future, united by our shared passion for paddling and positive change."
Dragons Boat Club Ballina is dedicated to fostering teamwork, resilience and a spirit of adventure, both on and off the water. This newly-acquired designation as a charity will help the club to launch new initiatives, fund community events and expand its impact throughout the region.
On Saturday next, Ballina Dragons will host the first-ever dragon boat regatta in Ballina. A large number of teams from across the country will converge on The Quay on Saturday, August 16, with the first race due to start at 9.30am.
A festival atmosphere will add to the excitement of the dragon boat racing on the River Moy, with live entertainment, food stalls and family-friendly activities at The Quay.
The event is expected to be a major boost for the hospitality and accommodation sector in the area.
It will also enhance the reputation of this relatively new sports club, as the organisation widens its ‘meitheal abhainn’ origins to embrace a growing breadth of community work.
Ballina Autism Friendly Town, Mayo DPO and Mayo North East SICAP have come together to bring the North Mayo Connect – Disability Information Fair to Ballina next month.
The fair is a free and inclusive event bringing together a broad range of services, supports and information for disabled people, their families and carers.
Whether you're looking for advice, local resources or simply to connect with others, this is an excellent opportunity to learn and engage in a supportive community setting.
The Disability Information Fair will be held in Ballina Community Sports Centre on Friday, September 26, from 10am to 1pm.
Entry is free and everyone is welcome to attend.
Summer activities continue at Craoibhín Ballina all this week. Tomorrow (Wednesday) starts with seated exercises between 10am and 11am, followed by Spanish lessons for an hour at 11am. In the afternoon there is bingo from 2pm to 4pm.
On Thursday you can enjoy a two-hour boccia session which starts at 11am, while Friday is art class day, taking place in a two-hour slot between 10am and 12pm. Next Monday, French conversation lessons are from 9.45am to 10.45am, with a knitting and crochet class from 10am to 12 noon on Tuesday morning.
The popular Irish conversation classes will return on Friday September 5.
Craoibhín Ballina is located on Cathedral Road, Ballina. Further information about activities is available by calling 087-2785365.
ALONE is presently seeking volunteers in the Ballina area, with full training and support provided.
ALONE is a nationwide organisation that enables older people to age at home by offering a range of supports. It has service staff located across the country, including in the North Mayo region.
If interested, please apply via the ALONE website at www.alone.ie. You can also contact Oliwia on 086-0135043 or email oliwia.kolska@alone.ie for more information.
Ballina-born Joe Clarke is the feature act at tomorrow’s Music at Lunchtime gig in Ballina Arts Centre, one of many appearances the singer, guitar player and songwriter has made at the venue since returning home to Ireland a few short years ago.
Joe spent some time in Manchester in the last decade, where he played and recorded with the band Adventures of Salvador before eventually taking shape as the solo artist BackinHumanForm, and then releasing his debut eponymous album.
That album revealed guitar-driven songs which ranged across the spectrum from hopeful to foreboding. It's no surprise that it has attracted an impressive following on You Tube.
Joe recorded his album ‘backinhumanform’ in Vibe Studios in Manchester, which is owned by Mock Turtles' frontman Martin Coogan. Martin is brother of British comedian Steve Coogan, and their mother was from Mayo.
Joe has been working hard to establish a new fan base for himself back at home and is currently writing material for his second album. He has also been actively involved in other aspects of the music scene in Ballina.
Three years ago, he headlined a concert in Ballina Arts Centre with a band that featured Colm Cahill on drums and John Hanly on bass guitar.
Joe’s lunchtime gig is from 1.15pm to 1.45pm on Wednesday, August 13 and is free to attend.
Next week it is the turn of local folk singer and guitar player David Walsh, for the penultimate gig in the Ballina venue’s Wednesday afternoon summer series.
The Catholic Parish of Kilmoremoy (Ballina) has congratulated Rachel Keaveney, Rathruyan, Ballina and Noel Bilbow, Ballymachola, Crossmolina on their recent marriage.
Congratulations were also extended to local couple Caitriona Egan, Quignashee, Ballina and Shane Timlin, Quignalecka, Ballina, on their marriage.
Seán Gorman and Joe Clarke will host next week’s Open Mic at TheNCF Cultural CoOp, Ballina.
The event on Saturday, August 23, will welcome musicians, singers, comedians, poets and storytellers. Just come along on the night.
Sign-up is at 9pm and the entertainment begins at 10pm. Right-hand and left-hand guitars will be provided by the organisers.
The Open Mic night takes place every month at TheNCF’s intimate new venue on Lower Pearse Street and entry is free.
Ardnaree Community Playgroup, which marked its 50th anniversary last year, is offering a limited number of free Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) scheme preschool-age places from September.
Ardnaree Community Playgroup was first established in 1974 by a group of local people who saw the need for a place where young children could play together in a safe, secure environment that also provided a social outlet for young mothers.
Among those initially involved were Reneé Corcoran, Bert Desoni, Marian Casey and Maura Fitzpatrick.
The busy playschool operates in the Sean Duffy Centre, Shanaghy, the home of Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA club.
The ECCE Scheme provides early childhood care and education for children of pre-school age and more details are available from Ardnaree Community Playgroup by calling 096-78485 or 087-3381871, or you can email ardnareecommunityplaygroup@gmail.com.
Over 100 players took part in the Captain’s Prize at Ballina Golf Club on Sunday, July 26, with the conditions perfect for golfing.
The captain, Michael Brady, paid tribute to the appearance of the course, where the overall winner was Brian O’Boyle. Brian’s nett score was an impressive 97 over the 27 holes.
On the day, the top 35 players qualified to play an additional nine holes on Sunday evening. Eventually, the following came out on top:
Overall winner - Brian O’Boyle, 97 nett; 2nd - Gerry Mulligan, 100 nett; 3rd - Noah Treacy, 100 nett; Gross winner - Ben Doherty, 103 gross; 4th - Charles Doherty, 100 nett; Best Front 18 - Ben Scully, 65 nett; Category 1 - Henry Bourke, 103 nett; Category 2 - Des Sweeney, 102 nett; Best Front 9 – Enda Jones, 31 nett; Best Back 9 - John McManus, 31 nett; Past Captain’s winner - Nicky McLoughlin, 101 nett; Veterans prize winner - Paddy McCann, 103 nett; Ladies prize winner - Helen Dunne, 38 nett; Ladies Category 1 - Pauline Tuohy; Ladies Category 2 - Mary Reynolds; and Ladies Category 3 - Michelle Grogan.
The club paid tribute to the grounds staff and the course committee for the exceptional condition of the course for the 2025 Captain’s Prize. Thanks were also expressed to sponsors Erin Packaging and Mount Falcon Estate for their support.
The death has taken place of Peg (Margaret) Downey (née Alexander), Barrett Street, Ballina and formerly of Knockmore.
Peg was the beloved mother of Peter, Margaret (Mags), Michael, Frances (Fran), John and Laurance (Larry).
She will be sadly missed by her sons, daughters, grandchildren Michael, Cara, Lauren, Elizabeth, Sophie, Maisie, Jarlath, Holly, Alex, Ellise, Ruby and Jacob, great grandchildren Mira and Dove, partners Paul, Alice, Padraic, Tina and Claire, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins, relatives and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband PJ, and brothers Jack, Carl and Gos.
Peg reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Friday of last week. Service took place in the Methodist Church, Hill Street, Ballina on Saturday afternoon, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Culture Night will take place in Ballina on Friday, September 19. The event line-up has yet to be announced but, over the last two years, acts of the calibre of Donal Dineen, The Munnelly McGowan Duo, Hewan Mulugeta and Sweetlemondae were among those who performed at various venues in Ballina on Culture Night.
An annual public event which takes place each year across Ireland on the second last Friday of September, Culture Night celebrates culture, creativity and the arts, and seeks to actively promote the belief that this rich and varied culture is alive, treasured and nurtured in people’s lives.
The Mayo County Arts Service Culture Night Event Fund supports the cost of events programmed for Culture Night.
Watch out for details of events happening locally for Culture Night 2025.
The has taken place of Brendan Jacob, Knockanillaun, Ballina and formerly of Quigabar, Kilglass, Co. Sligo.
Brendan was the beloved husband of Evelyn and devoted father to Yvonne and Tríona. He will be sadly missed by his wife, daughters, siblings Michael (Parke), Marie Breslin (Claremorris), Noel (Enniscrone), Ann Culkin (Kilglass) and Carol Tracy (New York), uncle Fonso Carroll (Quigabar), aunt Anna Tolan (Crossmolina), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Mixie and Rita.
Brendan reposed at his residence in Knockanillaun on Friday last. Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Church of Our Lady of the Assumption, Ardagh, Ballina on Sunday, followed by funeral to McGowan’s Crematorium, Collooney, Co Sligo.
The Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club, Ballina will once again welcome visiting divers from across Ireland to Kilcummin Harbour in North Mayo for its 2025 Western Dive Rally.
The rally aims to showcase the region’s incredible coastline, truly some of the best scuba diving, snorkelling and freediving in Ireland.
The Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club will base its operations for the weekend of Friday, August 15 to Sunday, August 17 at Kilcummin Pier, near Lacken, where a warm welcome will await both visiting and local divers.
If you have been to a rally before then you know it’s a must for any water lover. If you have never been, then the rally is a great opportunity to meet other Diving Ireland members from around the country and explore a new part of the Irish coastline that you have never seen before.
The event is open to all Diving Ireland members. If you are not currently a member of the association, then you can register via the Diving Ireland website, or visit the social media pages of Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club for further details.
The registration fee is €35 and includes lunch provided by the award-winning Claire’s Kitchen.
