Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballina
Fifty-five teams took part in the Brian Moylett Memorial Golf Classic at Ballina Golf Club during which the decades-long service of Brian Moylett as an active member of the club and a player who represented Ballina in many inter-club competitions was recalled. Pictured are members of the Moylett family with Dolores Tuohy, who won the individual prize at the competition. From left are Brian Moylett Jnr, Nicola Moylett, Dolores Tuohy and Rachael Moylett.
A super-Sunday afternoon of family fun and games with more than a dash of colour is what will await those taking part in a novel Ballina Stephenites GAA Club Bord na nÓg fundraiser on September 14.
An outdoor colour dash suitable for all abilities starts the entertainment, with 5km or 3km distance options available. Any age group is invited to run, jog, skip, walk or buggy-push along a route where you can expect to be colour-bombed with a non-toxic paint at various stations!
Once you complete the loop, and whatever your shade when you get back, you can look forward to a sizzling array of expertly cooked BBQ bites, music, magic, circus performers, bubbles and other entertainment for kids and grown-ups alike.
Everyone is invited along but, due to delivery timelines and limited supply, the organisers strongly advise early booking to ensure your free colour bomb and BBQ bites.
Adult entry is €15 and children under 16 can take part for €10. A family of up to six can enter for €50.
The organisers recommend wearing a white T-shirt to help make the colours pop, running shoes which won’t mind a change of colour and sunglasses to protect your eyes from the vibrancy of the colour powders. And don’t worry, the colour washes out!
It will be a 2pm start at Ballina Stephenites GAA clubhouse and more information, including how to register, is available from the Core Registered website at www.coreregistered.com. Gratitude has been extended to Mullafarry Quarry, the main sponsors of the event.
In the meantime, the organisers are looking for volunteer stewards to help make this big family day out a success for everyone attending. Volunteers are asked to make themselves available from 12.30pm to 4.30pm to assist with registration, water station duties, colour throwing and general stewarding work. Contact Mayo Volunteer Centre, Ballina on 096-71444 or by email at edel@volunteermayo.ie to register your interest.
Proving your cerebral prowess while at the same time supporting Ballina Fringe Festival is an opportunity that awaits participants of a quiz night in Ballina next week.
The Cot and Cobble Bar and Restaurant, Sligo Road, Ballina is the venue for a fundraising pub quiz, where proceeds will go to the town’s annual celebration of the arts, culture and creativity.
The quiz is on Friday, September 12 at 8.30pm, with lots of prizes on offer. The 2025 Ballina Fringe Festival is running from October 3 to 12.
Daily club activities continue at Craoibhín Ballina, where new members are always welcome.
Tomorrow (Wednesday, 3rd) is a busy day at the centre on Cathedral Road, with seated exercises starting at 10am for an hour, and Spanish lessons from 11am, also lasting an hour. In the afternoon, there will be the weekly bingo session from 2pm to 4pm.
Boccia will be played on Thursday, starting at 11am, while Friday offers a change of pace, with an art class running from 10am to 12pm and an Irish conversation lesson from 12.30pm.
The tempo picks up again next Monday, with a loop and trail walk for a two-hour period from 10.30am. On Monday afternoon, there is a class in the use of smartphones and tablets, starting at 2.30pm.
Finally, next Tuesday sees the popular knitting and crochet session taking place between 10am and 12pm.
Please call Craoibhín Ballina on 087-2785365 for further information.
Thursday, September 25 is the date for this year’s National Hospice Coffee Morning. Mayo Roscommon Hospice is calling for people to host a coffee morning, afternoon or evening event with family, friends or work colleagues to help with its ongoing fundraising efforts in Ballina. The occasion can be held on or close to September 25.
Free packs to help out are available online at www.hospice.ie. You can also email info@hospice.ie or call Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation in Knock on 094-9388666.
The Rural Social Scheme (RSS) is currently recruiting for participants in the Ballina area.
The aims of the RSS are to provide supplementary income support for farmers, men and women, who are in receipt of long-term social welfare payments, and to provide services of benefit to rural communities.
The implementation is managed locally by Mayo North East LEADER Partnership, with the RSS participants being employees of the company. Those on the scheme are permitted to work 19.5 hours per week within their local community.
Mayo North East LEADER Partnership has a range of placement opportunities and you can contact Niamh Noone on 087-7388894 or Michael Rowland on 087-6731620 for further information.
The RSS is operated under the Department of Social Protection.
The Moy Singers will return to rehearsals tomorrow evening, with plans for an exciting year ahead which will culminate in the group’s 40th anniversary in 2026.
The members will convene at 7.15pm on Wednesday, September 3, in St Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina, as work begins on preparing for the group’s popular annual Christmas concert.
New members are very welcome to come along and you can contact moysingers@gmail.com if you are interested in joining this Ballina-based, four-part mixed choral group.
The annual Christmas concert will be staged in the Great National Hotel Ballina on Friday, November 28. Next year will mark the 40th anniversary of the choir, and the members are planning a stunning show on June 13 to celebrate the milestone.
The death has taken place of Mary Richardson (née Langdon), Marylands Road, London and formerly of Ballina.
Mary will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her beloved sons John and Darren, grandchildren Shane and Lucy, great-grandson Rowan, and daughters-in-law Geraldine Conway Richardson and Geraldine Sweeney Cawley.
Mary will also be sadly missed by her loving brothers and sisters, her nieces and nephews and her many wonderful relatives and friends in both London and Mayo.
She was predeceased by her parents Anthony and Eileen Langdon (née Nash), son Paul, partner John Gardiner, brothers Junior and John, and sisters Angela and Martina.
Mary reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Friday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Ballina on Saturday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
A new Halloween experience takes shape in Ballina this year when Ballina Pumpkin Patch launches on Saturday, October 25.
Pick your perfect pumpkin and enjoy a fun autumn day out at the event in the Convent Grounds on McDermott Street. Whether you're looking for the ideal pumpkin, snapping some seasonal photos, or just soaking up the autumn atmosphere, this is the perfect way to celebrate the October holiday weekend.
As well as a pumpkin market, you will find food and coffee trucks, alongside games and competitions for the kids.
There are time slots available from 10am to 5.30pm on Saturday, October 25, Sunday, October 26 and Monday October 27, with a special sensory hour on Saturday from 9am to 10am.
You can book a spot at Ballina Pumpkin Patch on Eventbrite.
All proceeds from Ballina Pumpkin Patch will go directly to Ballina’s Christmas Lights Fund. This fund has been set up by a new committee of local people with an exciting vision for festive lighting across the town this year.
The death has taken place of Olexandr Tsyrklevych, 12 The Courtyard, Mount Falcon, Foxford Road, Ballina and late of Ukraine. Service for Olexandr took place in McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Friday last, followed by burial in Ballinahaglish Cemetery, Ballina.
New cadet leaders are being sought by Ballina Order of Malta. Its cadet section is growing fast, with a waiting list of eager young people who want to join the organisation.
In order to facilitate a bigger intake of cadets, the organisation needs new leaders who can give just one or two Fridays a month of their time, from 7pm to 8.30pm.
Ballina Order of Malta volunteer members supply first aid and ambulance services at major sporting and community events, including matches, concerts, festivals and other public occasions.
Ballina Order of Malta says that being a leader is a rewarding way to make a real difference in your community and, at the same time, develop your own leadership skills and teamwork abilities. No prior experience is needed, just enthusiasm, reliability and a willingness to help guide and support the next generation of first aiders. Training and support will be provided to prospective cadet leaders.
If you would like to get involved you can contact 086-8422419 or email ballina@orderofmalta.ie. You can also DM on the Order of Malta Ballina social media pages.
The death has taken place of Arthur Hugh Keenan, Kilgellia, Attymass, Ballina.
Arthur is deeply mourned by his loving wife Maureen, son David, daughters Lisa, Joanne and Melanie, brother Peter, sister Anne, sisters-in-law Jennifer and Peggy, brother-in-law Dennis, grandchildren Michael, Adam, Luke, Oliver and Henry, nephews, nieces, relatives and a wide circle of friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Michael and Ellen, brother Michael, and mother-in-law Patsy Gilboy.
Arthur reposed at Gallagher’s Funeral Home, Bonniconlon on Saturday evening of last week, with removal afterwards to the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Bonniconlon. Requiem Mass was celebrated on Sunday, followed by burial in Bonniconlon Cemetery.
The first meeting of the new year for members of Toastmasters Ballina will take place in the Great National Hotel, Old Foxford Road, Ballina on Thursday, September 11.
The 8pm get-together will outline plans for the coming year and welcome new members.
If you feel anxious or nervous about public speaking, giving presentations in your workplace or having to undertake a leadership role, then Toastmasters can help you through this journey.
With Toastmasters you will learn to take your first steps to find your voice, calm your nerves and improve your skills in an encouraging, friendly and very sociable environment. Newcomers to Thursday night’s meeting will hear all about the work of Toastmasters Ballina from seasoned club members.
Ballina Dragons Meitheal Abhainn Community Hub will host a Book Club tonight (Tuesday) at 7pm, and a rehearsal for its Dragons Chorus Choir on Thursday (4th September) at 7pm.
It’s a soft opening for the club this week at its new indoor space in the former St Mary’s Secondary School building on McDermott Street, Ballina, where members can expect plenty of activities over the autumn and winter months, protected from the elements.
WhatsApp Denise on 086-2385542 to book your place. You can also email ballinadragonsboat@gmail.com.
Following a hectic summer that culminated in the very successful Dragon Boat Regatta at The Quay last month which attracted teams from all over Ireland, the club has announced that next year’s event is already scheduled for Saturday, August 8.
