Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballyhaunis
Members of Ballyhaunis Tidy Towns and staff from the local Dawn Meats factory joined forces to hang some flower baskets around the town.
A resident of The Maples, Ballyhaunis’ largest housing estate, wants measures to be taken to calm what she describes as dangerous driving in the complex.
“I would like to see more traffic safety signs throughout the estate, especially signs warning drivers that there is a crèche and school nearby and that children are frequently walking, cycling, and playing in the area," said Elida Ferreira, who lives in The Maples with her family. “It would also be very helpful to consider installing speed bumps or other traffic-calming measures to encourage drivers to slow down,” she added.
“I have witnessed dangerous driving on several occasions. I have seen vehicles driving faster than is safe for a residential estate, and I have also seen drivers taking the roundabout at the entrance of the estate in the wrong direction. These behaviours are particularly concerning because many children and families use the roads and footpaths every day.”
Elida also has safety concerns over the closure of a cricket practice facility adjacent to the playground and games court in the estate.
“Regarding the play areas, there are two separate sports areas located side by side and divided by a fence. One area, which includes the basketball court and football facilities, is open and accessible to everyone. The adjacent cricket practice area is kept locked.
“The issue is not necessarily a lack of space. My concern is the safety issue created by the locked area. Balls regularly go over the fence into the cricket area, and because children cannot access it through the gate, they are often forced to climb the fence to retrieve their belongings.
“My son plays in the sports area every day, and almost every day he comes home asking for help to retrieve his ball from the locked cricket area after it has gone over the fence. This is a very common situation for children using the facilities.
“This raises an important question: if a child were to climb the fence to retrieve a ball and get injured, who would be responsible? The situation exists because children have no safe way to access the area and recover their belongings when they accidentally go over the fence.”
Elida said that she understands and respects the cricket club’s need to maintain a safe practice area.
“However, I believe there should be a solution that protects the club’s activities while also preventing children from being placed in a situation where they feel the need to climb fences to retrieve their balls.
“I have not spoken directly with the cricket club, but I would welcome a discussion about possible solutions that balance the needs of the club with the safety and enjoyment of local children and residents.”
Three other parents living in The Maples contacted by this newspaper concurred with Elida, who stressed her intention is not to criticise anyone, “but simply to highlight issues that affect local families and children,” particularly during the summer months.
“I believe that by working together, we can help ensure that everyone can enjoy these facilities safely and without unnecessary worries, especially now in the summer.”
The parks superintendent from Mayo County Council, who oversees the playgrounds, was not available for comment. However, a spokesperson for Mayo County Council told this column: “In relation to road safety in the estate, the area has been designated as a special 30km/hour residential area by the council with signage in place setting this out.
“The best source of funding for further signage or speed bumps would be through local elected representatives who may have limited funding available for works of this nature. Funding is restricted but the constituent may wish to contact a local representative on this issue.”
Barna Waste, one of the leading collectors of waste and recyclables in the Ballyhaunis area, has announced it is raising its charges to householders from July 1st.
“To allow us to continue providing the reliable, high-quality service you expect from us, your service rate will increase by €0.85 per month,” said a note to clients.
The price rise - the second in the past seven months – is driven by rising costs, said Barna in its note.
“The waste management industry continues to face rising costs in a number of areas outside of our control, including transport, waste processing, consumables, and disposal charges. While we have worked hard to absorb these increases wherever possible, we are unfortunately no longer able to do so in full.”
The company did not respond to requests for comment on the exact nature of the cost increases it is absorbing. However major waste management firms like Panda have in recent months announced surcharges to cover higher diesel costs prompted by the US war on Iran.
Contacted by this column, the Irish Waste Management Association (IWMA) declined to comment on prices. An industry insider however explained that costs are being driven by the failure of the government to extend its fuel subsidy scheme to the waste collection industry - an omission that “beggars belief”, said the executive. Also, the temporary closure (for maintenance) of the Poolbeg waste-to-energy incinerator - to which Mayo’s non-recyclable waste is trucked - has forced waste firms to ship the material to incinerators overseas, resulting in higher costs.
The IWMA, on its website, points to a KPMG report showing that prices for household waste collection in Ireland would be between 48% and 85% higher if the local authorities took over the service.
Quality second-hand cycles will be on sale at the next meeting of the volunteer-run Ballyhaunis Bicycle Repair clinic on June 20th at the Community Hall.
The clinic starts at 9am with an hour of teaching common bicycle repair techniques before moving on to repairs between 10am and 12.30pm. Cycles donated to and refurbished by the group will be offered for sale on the day with the proceeds going to purchasing parts for the clinic. The bicycle repair clinic won the 2025 Cathaoirleach Award from Mayo County Council for best environmental transport initiative.
The continued concern in the Catholic Church over the possible negative externalities of artificial intelligence (AI) was highlighted again at Knock by Archbishop Eamon Martin, Archbishop of Armagh and Primate of All Ireland.
During his homily at Mass at the Basilica of Our Lady at the 41st All-Ireland Rosary Rally, the Archbishop acknowledged that AI can do “remarkable and helpful things” for workplaces, hospitals, public services and economies.
AI however, “cannot love, suffer, forgive, pray or hope as humans can, nor can it be truly ‘wise’. AI does not have a conscience".
Many have worried over the potential of AI to displace humans in the workforce, creating social strife, while also giving authoritarian regimes and corporations new powers of control and wealth.
The archbishop reminded the Knock congregation that Pope Leo asks us not to forget that every human being has a unique face and a voice.
"Before a person is a profile, a statistic, a screen-name, a consumer, a complainant, or a 'case', they are someone created in the image and likeness of God.”
Christians, and all people of goodwill should, Archbishop Martin said, “ask does AI protect the vulnerable and serve the common good, or does it simply accumulate wealth and power in the hands of a few? What is its impact on human life and dignity, solidarity, justice, care for God’s creation?”
Kilmovee Community First Responder Group is running a free CPR Course on Saturday, June 20, from 9am to 2pm at Kilmovee Community Centre.
“Anyone in our community over the age of 18 can become volunteer lifesavers by training to become a community first responder,” said the group. “The course will be delivered by fully certified PHECC instructors where you will learn how to recognise a cardiac arrest and perform high-quality CPR, use a defibrillator [and] recognise and manage heart attacks/strokes/choking."
To participate, contact Gerry Regan, Co-Ordinator, on mobile at 086-6815009 or email kilmoveecfrg@gmail.com.
Congratulations to local musician Nessa Ruane Dalton whose new song was released recently.
Nessa, who’s in the middle of doing her Leaving Cert, recorded the song in collaboration with Andy Cox, the manager of the Tumbling Paddies and Sebastian Kalka, their sound engineer.
It was finished last autumn but the release was delayed because Nessa had to step back from music to concentrate on her studies. A press release to mark the release explains: “Nessa understands the pressure that many young people face, the expectations, routines and constant feeling of needing to stay on track. Her music offers something different, a reminder that it's okay to take a break, let loose, make mistakes and enjoy life as it comes.
“Inspired by friendship, fashion, late-night adventures, summer holidays and spontaneous moments, captures the excitement of choosing fun over perfection.”
The song can be listened to on Spotify and Youtube among other channels.
A screening of films in Ballyhaunis marks Ireland's presidency of the EU, which starts next month.
Shown by the Ballyhaunis Community Council in conjunction with the EU Parliament's office in Dublin, the films included the IFTA-winning Irish film , which was also shortlisted in the LUX Audience Award organised by the Parliament. Also shown is , from Spain, which was the winner of the 2026 LUX presented by the EU Parliament.
(with English subtitles) will screen at 6pm at the Community Hall where a cinema quality screen and projector always make for a great viewing experience.
Three other films from across the EU will be shown on June 22nd which made the shortlist for the 2026 LUX Audience Awards.
One of Ireland’s best known jazz musicians was in Ballyhaunis on Sunday evening for a gig with two local talents. Prominent jazz trumpeter from Derry, George Hasson, joined Keith Jones and his wife Anwar with whom he’s recorded over the past few years.
Delaney’s Bar on Abbey Street resonated to the sounds of Duke Ellington, Burt Bacharach, Sinatra, and Sondheim for the show which started at 6pm. Natives of Belfast and Glasgow, Keith and Anwar moved to Ballyhaunis several years ago having purchased a property on Main Street Upper.
