Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballina
Pictured at the Green Schools Flags Awards Western Region 2026 ceremony at the McWilliam Park Hotel, Claremorris, were students from Knockanillo N.S., Ballina, with their teacher Kiara Barrett (Green Schools Coordinator) and Mary Forde (Environmental Awareness Office, Mayo Co Council). Picture: Trish Forde
The Salmon Run Triathlon returns to Ballina on Saturday, July 4, and registration is now open on the Triathlon Ireland website.
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 downstream swim on the River Moy, a 20km flat out-and-back bike ride through the beautiful surroundings around Ballina, and a 5km flat run on the banks of and near the River Moy, finishing at Bachelor’s Walk, Ballina. The triathlon starts at 9am and all participants will receive a finisher medal.
Registration and further details are available from the Triathlon Ireland website at www.triathlonireland.com. More information can be had also by emailing liquidmotiontriclub@gmail.com.
Telus Digital is the main sponsor, in association with Mayo Mental Health.
While juvenile badminton sessions have now ceased at Ballina Badminton Club for the summer, the adult club will continue at 9pm every Monday and Wednesday throughout the coming months. And the popular Ladies Hour will carry on during the summer also, taking place on Sundays at 7pm. The club’s juvenile sessions will resume in September.
Further details can be had by emailing ballinab@gmail.com.
Ballina Badminton Club is based at Ballina Community Sports Centre, just off Cathedral Road.
Donna McLoughlin’s fundraiser in Ballina last month raised an impressive €9,586. The proceeds from the event in The Sean Duffy Community Centre, Ardnaree, will go to the Irish Cancer Society.
Donna and her family have thanked all who contributed, not just the donations, but also for the baking and invaluable help on the day.
Ballina poets, musicians, comedians - and even storytellers – are invited to demonstrate their talents at a free Open Mic session in TheNCF Cultural Co-op space this holiday weekend.
The event will be hosted by local music artists Seán Gorman and Joe Clarke on Saturday, May 30.
This new entertainment venue, which is operated by volunteers, is located opposite The Jackie Clarke Collection on Lower Pearse Street, Ballina. Come along for a relaxed night of creativity, fun, and community spirit.
Artist sign-up is from 9pm, with the Open Mic session beginning at 10pm.
The death has taken place, in her 95th year, of Patricia McMahon (née Boyle), 20 The Moorings, Ballina and formerly of Pearse Street, Ballina.
Patricia was the cherished mother of Michael (Dublin), Maria (Ballina), Helen (Perth, W.A.), Aileen (Letterkenny) and Arthur (Ballina).
She is deeply regretted by her children, daughters-in-law Fiona and Denise, sons-in-law Peter, Mathew and Ian, adored grandchildren Rachel, Andrew, Nicole, Barbara, David, Kate, Brian, Clíona, Mark and Niamh, sister-in-law Phyllis, nephews, carers, friends and neighbours.
She was predeceased by her husband Arthur, who was manager of the Ulster Bank in Ballina for many years, and her son David.
Patricia reposed in McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Monday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Tuesday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May she rest in peace.
The annual community outdoor Masses in the Parish of Kilmoremoy (Ballina) begin on Tuesday next, June 2, running every Tuesday until the end of the month at various locations across the town.
Next Tuesday’s Mass will be celebrated at Ballina Rugby Club at 7.30pm. On Tuesday June 9, the venue will be The Glebe, followed over the next few weeks by Moy Valley Business Park on Primrose Hill (behind the Railway Station), Castlefield Manor and Ballina District Hospital. All Masses will start at 7.30pm.
The Parish Council is inviting people living in the areas to assist with the preparation for the liturgical services.
The Great National Hotel, Foxford Road, Ballina will host a very special children’s afternoon show on Sunday, June 7. Party Time Kids’ Show will be jam-packed with magic, a mini disco, games, circus skills, dancing and guest star KPop Rumi. There will also be prizes, a free raffle and puppets.
Partytime Entertainment is presenting the show at the Ballina venue, which runs from 1pm to 2.10pm and tickets are now available through Eventbrite.
Tickets cost €12 per child, plus booking fee, and up to two adults who are attending with children go free. Party or group booking queries can be directed to enquires@partypartytime.ie.
Craoibhín Ballina is looking for a volunteer who is fluent in, or confident in speaking, Spanish. The role will help to facilitate the Spanish Conversation Group which meets in the centre every week.
The volunteer will support friendly and relaxed Spanish conversation sessions for participants interested in practicing and improving their language skills. This is a great opportunity for someone who enjoys languages and culture, and who would like to help out in the community. The group meets on Wednesdays, from 11am to 12pm.
If you are interested in offering your services, or would like more information, then please get in touch with Craoibhín Ballina on 087-2785365 or email craoibhinballina@gmail.com.
A team from Moyne College, Ballina came out tops in the Senior Girls Mayo Division 3 Post Primary Schools Badminton Championships.
The team captured the top prize at the 2026 county event for 5th and 6th Year students, which was hosted by Ballina Badminton Club in Ballina Community Sports Centre earlier this month.
The girls saw their school colleagues take the plate in the Boys category, after coming in third place.
The latest news from Ballina Agricultural Show committee reveals that Ballina Rugby Club will be on site this year to provide games, plenty of rugby action, and a chance for young boys and girls to have a fun kick about, learn new skills and see what makes Ballina RFC such an interesting sports club.
Also there for the annual show on Sunday, July 12 will be An Siopa Beag, a destination for many North Mayo people every Friday and Saturday, operating the honesty box system. On Ballina Show day this year you will be able to grab some tasty homemade local treats from this popular little hut.
The death has taken place of George McKnight, Blackrock Court, Ballina and formerly of Dublin.
George was the beloved husband of Anne and dear father to Julie, Jason, Claire and Alan. He will be sadly missed by his wife, sons, daughters, grandchildren, sons-in-law Richard and Ralph, daughter-in-law Orlagh, Alan’s partner Saoirse, Shaun, Bernie and Tommy, sisters Anne and Mary, in-laws, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his son Robbie, parents George and Elizabeth, brother Joe, and sister Shelia.
George reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Thursday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Friday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May he rest in peace.
Ballina Karen Community Garden was visited by a group of Portuguese horticultural enthusiasts last week as part of National Volunteering Week.
The Karen Community Garden, which is located on the Sligo Road, is approximately half an acre in size and is divided into various sections, including a vegetable garden, a herb garden, a fruit garden, an orchard, a polytunnel and a bee-friendly flower garden. Through the work of the Karen community who have settled in Ballina since 2007, and other local volunteers, the garden continues to improve and develop.
The visitors from Portugal learned about volunteering within the garden, and the growing methods used by the enthusiastic gardeners.
In 2014 the Karen Community Garden was awarded first prize in the National Tidy Towns Competition, under the ‘Sustainable Development’ category, and was awarded An Taisce’s Green Flag in 2019.
Cine Club Night in Ballina this week will feature the 2025 South Korean comedy thriller ‘No Other Choice’, winner of the International People’s Choice Award at last year’s Toronto International Film Festival.
Yoo is a paper expert who is abruptly fired when his company is taken over. But Yoo is determined to keep his home and sustain his family’s lifestyle. Desperate, he sets up a fake job advert to identify the more qualified candidates in his specialist field and vows to take them out of the running by any means necessary.
‘No Other Choice’ is showing in Ballina Arts Centre on Thursday, May 28 at 8pm.
If you are a member of a residents’ association in Ballina then your group may be eligible for a grant towards the cost of keeping your community litter free.
Mayo County Council is presently inviting submissions from residents’ associations as well as from community groups, schools, tidy towns committees and other organisations that are interested in receiving money to co-fund public education and awareness initiatives against litter, including dog fouling, and graffiti.
Completed submissions should be made to the environment section of Mayo County Council not later than Friday, June 12.
Application forms are available by contacting the Environment and Climate Section of Mayo County Council, Aras an Chontae, Castlebar at 094-9064000 or by visiting www.mayo.ie.
