Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballina
Judy Langan performed at the Laneways & Sessions event, which was held in Ballina as part of the Culture Night 2025 on Friday, September 19. Picture: John O'Grady
Volunteers are being sought for Ballina No Name Club, an organisation which gives young people a space to make new friends, try exciting and different things, and express themselves.
It is one of the many No Name Clubs across Ireland for teenagers between 15 and 18 years of age.
No Name Club respects the dignity and uniqueness of all young people by supporting, advocating and helping to safeguard their right to enjoy life, feel respected and to mature without a reliance on alcohol and other drugs.
Adult volunteers who would like to make a difference to the lives of young people in the Ballina area will be asked to give around two hours a week of their time. As a leader, you will organise and facilitate fun and safe weekly meetings and support young people to plan and run their own activities.
The Ballina No Name Club is funded by the HSE and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
By giving just a small amount of your time you will be creating big opportunities for young people to develop confidence, independence and lasting friendships.
If you are interested, then please contact Mayo Volunteer Centre, Ballina on 087-7555899 or email vincent@volunteermayo.ie for more information.
A trio of top folk music talent, including Mayo’s Niall McCabe, will descend on Ballina for a show on Saturday, October 11.
Niall will be joined by Nollaig Casey and Mike McGoldrick, a collaboration which has resulted from a successful Music Network tour by the threesome in 2024. Since that tour these artists have forged a musical bond that transcends the stage so now, with the new synergy that they have created, they have decided to take the successful combination back on the road for 2025.
Niall has performed extensively with his folk-soul group The Niall McCabe Band over the past decade and with the acclaimed Beoga, which included playing support to Ed Sheeran. Since releasing his solo album ‘Rituals’ in 2023, the singer songwriter and musician has earned considerable airplay and streams.
Niall grew up in the family-run pub on Clare Island, off the Mayo coast, awash with strong musical influences from traditional Irish and folk to rock and soul.
Also on the bill is one of Ireland’s most gifted fiddle players, Nollaig Casey, who has worked with a host of renowned artists including Enya, Van Morrison, Sinéad O’Connor, Mary Black, Christy Moore and Sharon Shannon.
Multi-instrumentalist Mike McGoldrick will complete the line-up. A former BBC Folk Awards Musician of the Year, Mike is a gifted composer and a master of the wooden flute, low whistles and uilleann pipes.
The show will take place on Saturday, October 11, at 8pm. Tickets are priced at €20 plus booking fee and can be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
Colm Rouse, Ballina was the top prizewinner in the quarterly cash draw for members of Ballina Credit Union, taking away €15,000.
The draw, which took place earlier this month, also saw Eilish O’Neill, Ballina win €3,000. Liam Forde (Ballina), John Timlin (Ballina) and Richard Walshe (Ballina) were the recipients of the €2,000 prize.
Other prizewinners included Stephanie and Ryan McKenna (Easkey), Sarah Mullaney (Ballina), Nigel Lynn (Ballina), Breda Mannion (Ballina) and Michelle Melvin (Ballina), each of whom won €1,500.
€1,000 went to Linda Mitchell, Amy Maguire, Sandra Moyles, Gemma Dermody, Bridget Douglas, Dorothy Duffy, Noelle Finnerty – all from Ballina – and to Anne Marie McAndrews, Charlestown.
Other prizewinners included Alan Barrett, Ballina (€700), Siobhan Kilcullen, Enniscrone (€650), Patrick Noel Granahan, Easkey (€500) and Breda and Thomas Smith, Killala (€415).
The total amount awarded was €41,765.
Ballina Credit Union runs four draws throughout the year. The cost of entry is €8.28 per quarter, with all funds raised from entries returned to members in the form of cash prizes. You must be over 18 and be a member of Ballina Credit Union to enter. Terms and conditions apply.
Call in to the Ballina Credit Union office at O’Rahilly Street, Ballina (just below the Post Office), or telephone 096-71066 if you would like to find out more. The next draw is scheduled for December.
The death has taken place of Robert Arthur (Bob) Blair, Clarkes Road, Gurteens, Ballina and formerly of London.
Bob was the beloved husband of Anne and dear father to Janet and Catherine.
He will be sadly missed by his wife, daughters, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents, and by his brothers Graham and Alan.
A private cremation service for Bob was held in McGowan’s Crematorium, Collooney, Co Sligo.
Athletics and dance merge together for an entertaining piece of theatre in Ballina this weekend.
The Irish Modern Dance Theatre will present ‘Men in Motion’, an evening of three athletic and hilarious dance pieces which have earned reviews and standing ovations in the Abbey Theatre, Dublin and Edinburgh Fringe.
The central work of the performance on Saturday, October 4, is the stunning ‘Solo’ from the well-known American choreographer, Merce Cunningham. This will be followed by firm favourite ‘Actions’, a sweeping, vigorous duet by French dance sensation, Boris Charrion and acclaimed Brazilian dancer, Vini Martins Araujo.
John Scott’s Beckett-like ‘The Bowing Dance’ completes a programme brimming with energy and adventure.
Ballina Arts Centre is the location for the performance, which starts at 8pm.
Tickets are €18/€16, plus booking fee, and can be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
The Knights of St Columbanus C.K. 74 Ballina has thanked all who contributed money at a recent collection to replace the railings around the statue of Our Lady on the Sligo Road. In particular, the group has expressed its appreciation to the Legion of Mary for their help.
Earlier this year, the Ballina Knights painted the distinct statue on the busy road. The group had also planned to paint the railings at the same time but, after careful examination, it was decided that they needed replacement.
A sum of €1,801.07 was raised for the project.
Áirc has been expanding its services in the Ballina area and has announced details of its main fundraiser of the year, which will help to assist further the organisation’s continuing important role in the community.
The non-profit charity provides various supports to the families of children with additional needs in Ballina and across Mayo.
Tickets are now on sale for the Áirc Festive Feast to take place in The Great National Hotel Ballina on Saturday, December 6. The fundraiser will include a five-course meal and a champagne reception, along with live music from the band Rejig and the award-winning DJ, Tommy Elliot.
Anyone interested in buying a ticket should contact Kathryn on 087-3427145 or Louise on 087-6799131. You can also send a private message via the Áirc social media page.
Tickets cost €55 (over 18s only), with lots of surprises promised on the night.
An autumn evening of elegance and indulgence is winging its way to Ballina next week, bringing with it some wine, cheese and melody.
Headlining the event is the Ora Quartet, a dynamic ensemble formed in 2023 by four of Ireland’s most in-demand chamber musicians.
This delightful classical music performance, with a touch of extravagance, is taking place in Ballina Arts Centre on Wednesday, October 8.
Siún Milne, Molly O’Shea, Ali Comerford and Yseult Cooper Stockdale make up the Ora Quartet. With a rich history of performing together in acclaimed groups like the Irish Chamber Orchestra, the National Symphony Orchestra of Ireland, Ficino Ensemble and Kirkos Ensemble, the four talented artists promise a performance brimming with passion, precision and artistry.
Their programme will include string quartets from Mozart and Schumann, ‘Five Folksongs in Counterpoint’ by Florence Price and Deirdre Gribbin’s 2019 work ‘Before the Moon Shattered and Shone Again’.
Tickets for the concert, which starts at 8pm, cost €22, plus booking fee, and can be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
The Moy Valley branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann is setting up classes in traditional Irish music for adults throughout the region.
Set-dancing classes for all age groups are being offered also, with lessons starting at the end of this month.
Please call or text 087-2775317 for further information.
The River Moy Swim date for 2026 has been set by the organisers.
The swim, which will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, is one of the most popular sports events to be held annually as part of Ballina Salmon Festival, and takes swimmers from the town centre to The Quay.
The death has taken place of Eileen Greene (née Kelly), Station Road, Ballina and formerly of Carrowreagh, Castleplunkett, Co Roscommon.
Eileen was the adored mother to Geraldine (Maynooth), Mairéad (Thurles), Patricia (Ennis), Bernard (Leitrim Village), Oliver (Maynooth), Raymond (Donabate) and Caroline (Killala).
She will be sadly missed by her heartbroken daughters, sons, sister Nancy Danaher (Clounties), brother Michael (Cavan), sons-in-law Niall, John, Ódran and John, daughters-in-law Moya, Niamh and Laura, grandchildren Sinead, Ódhran, Ciara, Katie, Caoilfhionn, Cian, TJ, Aodhán, Molly, Amy, Mark, Matthew, Alfie, Noah, Eoghan, Fíonn, Ruádh and Sean, sisters-in-law Kathleen (Carrowreagh), Kathleen (Cavan) and Marie (Kilbeg), nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Bernard (Bennie), parents John and Molly Kelly, and siblings Sean, Fred, Peggy Danaher and baby Josephine.
Eileen reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Friday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Saturday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May she rest in peace.
A Harvest Thanksgiving Service will be held in Ballina Presbyterian Church, Walsh Street, Ballina on Sunday next, October 5. The service will begin at 8pm and everybody is welcome along. Tea will be served afterwards.
Ladies’ Hour at Ballina Badminton Club takes place every Sunday evening from 7pm. This active local club, which offers activities for juveniles and adults, plays its games in Ballina Community Sports Centre, just off Cathedral Road.
Please email ballinab@gmail.com for more information.
Have you always wanted to know how to take better pictures with your mobile phone? If so, get along to Ballina Arts Centre tomorrow (October 1), at 1pm.
Over the course of one hour, the award-winning Irish photographer Podge Kelly will help you to turn everyday moments into lovely photographs. You will learn that you don't need professional gear to take great shots, just a good eye and a few smart tips.
Podge will cover techniques, tools and tricks to help you level up your mobile photography skills. So, whether you are a beginner or just looking to improve, there will be something there for you.
The death has taken place of Susan Julia Joyce (née Devers), Ballyholan, Downhill Road, Ballina.
Susan was the loving mother to her sons and daughters John, Donna, Susie, Michael and Thomas and will also be sadly missed by their partners. She was the adored grandmother to Conor, Orla, Cormac, Siobhan, Conal, Diarmuid, Darragh, Sean, Cian and Cathal. She will be sadly missed by her sisters Margaret and Irene, brothers Martin, Pat, Brendan, Mickey, Kevin, and all of her in-laws, friends and neighbours.
She was predeceased by her loving husband Seanie, parents Thomas and Mae (née Judge) Devers, brothers Austin and James, sister Doreen, sister-in-law Bernie (Devers, née Syron), and brothers-in-law Micheál and Eamonn Joyce.
Susan reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Thursday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Friday morning, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
TheNCF Cultural Co-op will welcome Conor O'Grady to Ballina as artist-in-residence for Ballina Fringe Festival 2025.
Conor is a contemporary visual artist specialising in multi-disciplinary and socially engaged practices and has exhibited widely, both nationally and internationally, in solo and group contexts.
His work investigates place, memory, identity and public spaces, often collaborating with communities on the margins. Through sculpture, photography, drawing and installation, his projects explore individual and collective experiences, frequently drawing on social research, archival sources and found materials, and using these to create environments that open up new ways of looking at familiar subjects.
As part of his NCF Cultural Co-op/Ballina Fringe Festival residency, Shane will develop a series of site-specific installations.
He will also deliver an artist talk on Sunday next, October 5, in TheNCF space at Lower Pearse Street, Ballina, beginning at 4.30pm, and admission is free.
The death has taken place of Michael Lawless, Gleann Na Coille, Co Galway and formerly of Morrison Terrace, Ballina and Huddersfield, UK.
Michael will be greatly missed by his brothers Alan, John and Tom, sisters Kathleen, Madeline, Phil and Marcella, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, grandnephews and grandnieces.
He was predeceased by his parents Michael and Mollie, his brother Gerry and sister Frankie.
Michael reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Saturday evening last. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Sunday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May he rest in peace.
The magic of Halloween makes its way to the Jackie Clarke Collection for a unique take on the festival which owes its origins to ancient Celtic traditions in Ireland.
Merging some mystical Halloween practices of old with more contemporary customs, the event will celebrate the transition from harvest time to winter which was originally known as Samhain. Kids will get to experience these traditions in a fun, hands-on way and help keep them alive for generations to come.
Children can expect a blissful experience that will include taking part in old Irish games like apple bobbing and trying on traditional handmade costumes and masks and are even encouraged to dress up for the occasion.
The dark evenings will be perfect for enjoying some seasonal fun in the walled garden, or savouring tasteful Halloween treats such as barnbrack and toffee apples.
Every child will also receive a Halloween goodie bag to bring home with them.
The Jackie Clarke Collection will host this new Halloween event at its Pearse Street premises from Tuesday, October 28 to Thursday, October 30. There will be two sessions each evening, from 6pm to 7.15pm and again from 7.30pm to 8.45pm.
Children from five to 12-plus years of age are welcome, and admission is €15.
You can book for this magical evening of history and Irish folklore on the Ballina Walking Tours website or visit its social media pages for more information.
Congratulations are extended to Noelle Leonard, Rush, Co Dublin and Conor Cawley, Rathkip, Ballina who were married recently in the Parish of Kilmoremoy (Ballina).
