Local Notes: Ballina Golf Club supports Paul's novel fundraiser
Members of Ballina Golf Club are pictured with Paul Kilcourse (front, fifth from left) during his stop off at the club recently. Paul was undertaking a challenge to raise funds for the Community First Responders and Order of Malta Castlebar in memory of his father, who died on Father’s Day 2025. The fundraiser included playing the first tee at ten Mayo golf courses on one day, cycling between all clubs, in all corners of the county, before finishing up in his hometown of Castlebar. A GoFundMe page is available through Paul’s social media pages.
The platinum-quality production of the hit musical ‘Stay Gold’ took audiences by surprise when it was presented by the students of St Muredach’s College, Ballina in April. It made history by becoming the first musical ever staged by the Ballina boys’ secondary school, with a little help from the girls of St Mary’s Secondary School!
This thoroughly enjoyable and stunning show is returning to the stage next month when the talented young musical theatre performers will reprise their roles as a fundraiser in aid of Ballina Arts Centre’s new auditorium heating system.
‘The Outsiders’ was an award-winning musical first presented on Broadway in 2024, with the original inspiration for the show coming from a novel by S.E. Hinton called ‘The Outsiders’. In ‘Stay Gold’, the story and music has been specially adapted by St Muredach’s College to create a show full of music, energy and heart, brought to life by an excellent cast and crew.
The story of ‘Stay Gold’ follows the journey of Ponyboy Curtis, a thoughtful member of the Greasers gang trying to make sense of loyalty, identity and what it means to grow up in a world that seems stacked against him. Alongside his two brothers and his close group of friends, Ponyboy is drawn into events that will change their lives forever.
Through powerful songs and emotional storytelling, ‘Stay Gold’ explores friendship, courage, loss and the importance of holding on to goodness, even in the toughest moments.
Tickets for the two-hour show at 8pm on Tuesday, August 11 and Wednesday, August 12 are now on sale.
Tickets 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 to book.
Ballina Karen Community Green Garden will hold an open day on Saturday, July 18, to coincide with Ballina Salmon Festival.
Taking place between 12 noon and 4pm, in association with Clew Bay Garden Trail, the open day will include horticultural tours of the garden, which is approximately half an acre in size.
The tours will be hosted by dedicated volunteers who will proudly show the vegetable plots, flower beds, rode beds, polytunnel and Hare’s Corner Wildlife Pond of this award-winning garden.
During the afternoon, a variety of home-grown plants will be available for sale and plant slips can be taken for propagation, also with an opportunity to sample-taste some of the fresh produce harvested on the day.
There will be lots of horticultural tips exchanged among volunteers and visitors alike.
Refreshments will be served, including some pizza slices from the garden’s on-site straw cob oven and lots of home baked treats.
The community garden has received many major environmental awards in recent years, including the Mayo County Council 2024 Cathaoirleach Environment Socially Inclusive and Totally Organic Award, plus several Green Flag honours.
Ballina Karen Community Green Garden volunteers look forward to seeing you for an afternoon of relaxation in the midst of nature, with a great variety of flowers blooming, pollinators busy throughout the garden and birdsong in the air.
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 entrance is via St Muredach's College gate on Sligo Road, veering left at the top of the avenue. Admission is free, but all donations received on the day will go directly to Ballina branch of the Mayo/Roscommon Hospice and the Ballina NWSPCA animal charity.
The death has taken place of Kathleen (Kay) Thornton (née Aherne), Carralavin, Bonniconlon, Ballina and formerly of Newcastle West, Limerick and Fairview, Dublin.
Kay will be sadly missed by her loving husband Matt, daughter Sarah, brothers John and Frank, sisters Sheila, Phil and Graínne, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Domnick and Sarah Aherne.
Kay reposed at Gallagher’s Funeral Home, Bonniconlon. Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Bonniconlon on Monday of last week, followed by burial in Bonniconlon Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
The death has taken place in Ballina of Tommy May, known to many people from across the North Mayo and West Sligo region when he worked at Ballina Railway Station for several decades, eventually becoming Stationmaster. He was also a former captain and treasurer of Ballina Golf Club, and a dedicated and enthusiastic member of other organisations in the town.
Tommy was a native of Ballinamona, The Neale and is survived by his loving family, including his sister Bríd, brother Kevin, nephews, nieces, extended family, relatives, friends and neighbours.
Following Funeral Mass in Saint John the Baptist Church, The Neale last week burial took place in Ballinchalla Cemetery, near Ballinrobe.
May he rest in peace.
Teas, sandwiches and homemade pastries, including gluten free goodies, will be served in Ballina Presbyterian Church Hall, Walsh Street during Heritage Day tomorrow, Wednesday, July 15.
All of the proceeds raised will be donated to local charities.
Walsh Street is located just off Pearse Street, Ballina and the hall is close to the main entrance of the Jackie Clarke Collection.
Call in from 10am onwards.
The death has taken place of Edward (Eddie) Murphy, Breaffy and Ridgepool Apartments, Ballina, and New York, USA.
Eddie was the beloved father of Patrick, Paul and Eddie. He will be sadly missed by his sons, brothers Padraig (Leeds), John (Breaffy) and Val (Reading, UK), sisters Mary (Devon), Teresa (London, UK), Margaret (Wexford), Evelyn (Wakefield, UK) and Patricia (Birmingham, UK), daughter-in-law Anne, grandchildren Summer, Brooke and Michaela, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his wife Ursula, and parents Paddy and Teresa.
Eddie reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Friday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Ballina on Saturday with the funeral then proceeding for a cremation service to McGowan’s Crematorium, Collooney, Co Sligo.
The newly appointed Director of Football at Ballina Town FC, Fergal Forde, has returned to the club in a strategic leadership role that will see him help shape the future of football in Ballina.
His appointment coincides with the launch of this year’s Ballina Town FC Summer Camp, running from Monday, July 20 to Thursday, July 23.
Local man Fergal is a former player, captain, Irish Junior international, league-winning manager and coach, including in Iceland and the USA. His association with the Ballina club goes back decades.
Whether your child is taking their very first kick or already loves the game, the Ballina Town FC Summer Camp is designed to build confidence, improve skills and create lasting memories, while also helping children to make new friends.
Those aged from six to 12 are welcome to the four-day camp, which runs for three hours each morning and costs €85 per child, €160 for two children or €230 for three children.
Places are limited so, to book, please visit the social media pages of Ballina Town FC for further information.
A free event for children in Ballina this coming Friday will bring the fun and skill of hurling to the town centre, all part of the 2026 Ballina Salmon Festival.
Taking place between 3pm and 4pm in the grounds of Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol, beside Ballina Fire Station on Pound Street, Hurls and Helmets is for four to 12-year-olds, with the helmets and hurls provided.
Come along, have fun, learn some new skills, and be part of the town’s annual summer festival celebrations.
Children are advised to wear appropriate gear and bring along their own water bottles.
Booking is essential, so please contact Tina on 087-2265237 to secure your child’s place.
Veteran rock singer Monte Thompson, whose ability to match Bruce Springsteen’s intricate vocal style, performance and facial expressions has even the most die-hard fans ranting about his accuracy in the role, will front the Bruce Springsteen tribute band playing in Ballina later this week.
‘Springsteen – A Tribute’ will bring the passion and energy of Bruce Springsteen’s classic hits to life in Ballina Arts Centre on Saturday, July 11, at 8pm.
Tickets for the two-hour show cost €27 plus fees and can be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com to book.
July 22 is the deadline for funding to support the staging of events for Culture Night in Ballina.
Mayo County Arts Service Culture Night Event Fund assists with the cost of events programmed for Culture Night, which takes place on Friday, September 18.
The fund is open to not-for-profit organisations, local community groups, arts, heritage and cultural groups, venues and societies. Applications by individuals must be in partnership with a community, cultural or heritage group, but commercial activities will not be supported financially.
Priority will be given to events that support diversity, equality and inclusion. Events should respond to the Culture Night theme of ‘One Night for All’ and align to the Creative Ireland Programme Pillar ‘Enabling Creativity in Every Community’.
Anything staged with the help of funding must take place in County Mayo on Culture Night and be free of charge to attend or to participate in.
Further information is available from the Mayo County Council website at www.mayo.ie.
Ballina Meals-on-Wheels is asking for volunteers to join its management committee to help with vital roles and general committee support for the organisation.
If you are interested then please call into Ballina Community Centre, Teeling Street, or telephone 096-21572 (between 9am and 1.30pm).
