Local Notes: Ballina Dragons charity calendar is now on sale
Pictured at the launch earlier this month of Ballina Dragons Boat Club calendar for 2025, which features club members, were, from left: Councillor Mark Duffy, Councillor Annie May Reape, Denise Swanick (Chairperson and founder of Ballina Dragons), Michelle Dolan Anderson (fundraiser), Minister Dara Calleary TD, Elizabeth Ferguson (Club Secretary), Lisa Convey (Breast Cancer Ireland) and James Geraghty (Molloy's Pharmacies).
The formal launch of Ballina Dragons Boat Club 2025 Calendar earlier this month has sparked considerable interest in the work of this group, whose activities go well beyond that of boating.
The calendar is published in collaboration with the club’s charity partner Breast Cancer Ireland, and was launched by Breast Cancer Ireland’s local representative, Lisa Convey.
The calendar, which features members of the club alongside the stunning riverside landscapes they paddle on, was created not only to showcase the team’s spirit but also to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer research.
The beautifully photographed calendar shots are the work of local photographer Corrine Beattie.
One third of the current members of the energetic and inspiring club – based at The Quay - are breast cancer survivors, and living life to the full. With this in mind, members agreed to create and pose for the fun calendar, with all proceeds from the sale going to Breast Cancer Ireland.
Calendars, along with envelopes for posting to family and friends, are available in many shops in Ballina for just €10 each, and in Molloy’s Pharmacies throughout Mayo. They can also be bought directly from Ballina Dragons by calling 086-2385542.
“This calendar represents more than just the Ballina Dragons; it stands as a symbol of resilience, teamwork, and our club’s dedication to giving back to the community”, said Denise Swanick, Chairperson and founder of Ballina Dragons Boat Club.
“We are honoured to partner with Breast Cancer Ireland and help make an impact”, said Denise.
Guests at the launch event enjoyed a lively afternoon at the Ice House Hotel, where they had the opportunity to preview the calendar and learn about the club's commitment to charity. The afternoon also included guest speakers James Geraghty (Molloy’s Pharmacies), Minister Dara Calleary TD, Councillor Mark Duffy and Lisa Convey.
Ballina Dragons Boat Club, located along the River Moy, is a thriving community of paddling enthusiasts dedicated to health, fitness and community involvement. Through their various initiatives, the club works to make a positive impact locally and beyond. For more information please visit www.ballinadragons.com.
Mayo Co Council is holding a public information event this coming Thursday, October 24, in the Great National Hotel Ballina in relation to the proposed Indicative Layout for the N26 Ballina Bypass Phase 1 project.
Drawings of the proposed indicative scheme, linking the N26 and N59 national roads to the southwest of Ballina, will be on display and staff from Mayo National Roads office will be available to answer questions.
All interested parties are invited to attend between 2pm and 7pm on Thursday.
Gráinne Uaíle Sub Aqua Club is offering a free session for anyone interested in taking up the exciting sport of diving.
To avail of the exploratory session you need to be 16 years of age or over and be comfortable in the water. However, the Ballina-based organisation has also trained non-swimmers, so everyone is welcome!
The club’s Try-A-Dive session takes place in Ballina Swimming Pool on Friday, November 1, from 7pm to 8pm and again on Monday, November 25, from 9pm to 10pm.
You will need to bring a towel along with your usual swim gear and a T-shirt to wear in the pool. All other gear will be provided, but if you do have your own scuba mask, snorkel and fins please bring them with you too.
A Try-A-Dive session will also be held in Castlebar Swimming Pool on Sunday, November 17, from 2pm to 4pm.
The active sports diving club has been promoting scuba diving throughout Mayo for 35 years. Over those years, the club has trained hundreds of people to enjoy diving along the Mayo coast in a safe and enjoyable environment.
The club also operates a dedicated volunteer Search and Recovery Unit which performs an important public service, working with Gardaí, the Coast Guard and other agencies, and is on call 24 hours a day, all year round.
Further details on the November Try-A-Dive sessions are available from the Gráinne Uaíle Sub Aqua Club Facebook page or at www.grainneuailesac.ie.
For anyone who has long despaired of their smartphone, laptop or tablet, and would love to learn how to Facetime, do some online shopping or carry out any of the many other functions that your device has to offer, then come along to Ballina Library on Saturday and chat to an IT expert.
The expert will be there to help you master the basic skills that may be evading you.
The sessions are on Saturdays from 11am to 2pm, with no requirement to book in advance. Just show up at Ballina Library on Pearse Street and share your pain.
Contact Ballina Library on 094-9064454 for further information.
Ballina Punxx know how to celebrate Halloween. The local music promoters are bringing a Halloween special to Ballina Arts Centre on Sunday, October 27, at 9pm, for what promises to be a night of music madness.
Four bands will celebrate the holiday event, unleashing a mix of indefinable styles from across the spectrum of rock, but chiefly punk and grunge in nature.
The line-up includes Errorist, Nichts, Loveen and The Nilz, with a full bar facility available.
Tickets cost €10 for the show in Ballina Arts Centre and can be booked online or you can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
Next week’s Halloween Tennis Camp at Ballina Tennis Club will offer separate sessions for younger and older children.
At the busy club, located beside Ballina Community Sports Centre, children from six to 16 will receive instruction on all types of strokes and will improve their skills through drills, live ball situations and repetition. The camp programme is full of fun games, but also creates a competitive environment which will help children to gain confidence on and off the tennis court.
The Tennis Camp starts on Tuesday, October 29, for four days. The camp for children from ages 6 to 10 is at 10am, while children from 10 to 16 are catered for from 12pm. Each session lasts for two hours.
Further details are available by calling 085-7573457.
Ballina Active Retirement Association has scheduled a range of activities for the remainder of October.
There will be a whist card session in The Pastoral Centre on Wednesday, October 23 and again on Wednesday, October 30, commencing at 2pm on both days.
Chair yoga for group members will take place on Thursday, October 24 and again on Thursday, October 31.
This week, representatives of the Ballina association will travel to Roscommon on Wednesday for a regional meeting of active retirement groups in the west.
A special Sensory Hour will be part of this year’s Haunted House on the Hill Halloween event in Ardnaree. The free session, in partnership with Ballina Autism Friendly Town, is from 4pm to 5pm on Saturday, October 26. Tickets should be booked in advance through Eventbrite.
Meanwhile, the main event, with all its terror and thrills for young and old, kicks off on Friday, October 25, running for three nights from 7pm to 10pm. There’s also a children’s matinee from 3pm to 5pm on Sunday, October 27.
Following on from last year’s successful staging of Haunted House on the Hill, presented by Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club in the Sean Duffy Community Centre, the 2024 scary show promises even more chilling moments for those who enter.
Watch out for further updates about the weekend of spooky fun and terrifying thrills on Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club’s social media channels.
The Mayo Roscommon Hospice Shop on Market Square, Ballina (opposite Tesco) will be hosting a Coffee Morning this coming Thursday, October 24. The coffee morning, which is in aid of the hospice, is from 10am, and everyone is welcome to come along.
The death has taken place of Padraic Walsh, Currower, Attymass, Ballina.
Padraic is deeply mourned by his heartbroken family, including brother Tony, sisters Una, Bernie, Eileen, Ann and Caroline, sister-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Paddy and Bridie Walsh, sister Mary and nephew Adam Young.
Padraic reposed at Fr Peyton Centre, Attymass on Wednesday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Joseph’s Church, Attymass on Thursday, followed by burial in Killeen New Cemetery, Attymass.
The death has taken place of Edward Frederick Wellard, Abbey Court, Ballina and formerly of Brixton, London.
Edward was the beloved husband of Bridget and cherished father of Sandra and Janet. He will be sadly missed by his wife, daughters, adored grandchildren James and Kate, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, many friends and neighbours.
He was predeceased by his parents and sisters.
Edward reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Thursday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Ballina on Friday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Ballina Bridge Club members have returned to their regular bridge sessions this month.
Results from the game played on Tuesday, October 8, are as follows: 1st, Mary Gilvarry and Helena Moran; 2nd, Gerry Scanlon and Francis Walkin; 3rd, Margaret and James Munnelly; 4th, Ann and Sean Callaghan; and 5th, Amy Maguire and Ethel Walker.
Results from the game played on Tuesday, October 15 are as follows: 1st, Mary Lowry and Trisha Slowey; 2nd, Sean and Ann Callaghan; 3rd, Margaret and James Munnelly; 4th, Mary Mongan and Mary O’Dowd; and 5th, Mary Corcoran and Breda Mulkearns.
Bridge is played in the Moy Club, Dillon Terrace, Ballina on Tuesday nights at 7.30pm and new members are very welcome to come along and take part.
A church gate collection in aid of Craoibhín Ballina will take place on Saturday and Sunday next, October 26 and 27.
The collection for this community focused organisation that supports the social needs of all adults, and which operates under the auspices of Moy Valley Resources IRD at its centre on Cathedral Road, will be held in both St Patrick’s Church and St Muredach’s Cathedral.
Volunteers are needed and if you can help on either or both days then please call the centre on 087-2785365 or 087-3621119.
Meanwhile, the Craoibhín Ballina Halloween Coffee Morning takes place in Craoibhín Ballina this coming Thursday, October 24 from 11am to 1pm. Refreshments will be available and a raffle will be held. Live music is by Padraig Moran and admission is €7. Everyone is welcome to come along.
