Local Notes: Ballina group enjoys visit to Leinster House
Members of Moy ICA from Ballina are pictured with Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary TD at Leinster House in Dublin. The group was invited for a tour of Dáil and Seanad Éireann by the Minister, who also treated them to lunch in the restaurant.
Ballina Golf Club is launching an ambitious three-day fundraising tournament after Easter, running from April 9 to 11.
The West Swing Golf Classic is quite a unique event, offering golfers that rare opportunity to compete across three of the West of Ireland’s most prestigious courses in just one weekend.
Designed as a fun, high-value team outing, the classic will visit Carne Golf Links (Thursday, April 9), Enniscrone Golf Club (Friday, April 10) and Ballina Golf Club (Saturday, April 11), bringing terrific value for golfers and the added attraction of great prizes.
Participants will be competing for an impressive prize fund of €5,000, with overall team prizes, daily winners and ‘on-course’ competitions such as Longest Drive, Nearest the Pin and more.
At €600 per team of four, the event represents exceptional value for three rounds of championship-standard golf.
While the competition will be high, the focus of the weekend is on fun and community support. Organised by Ballina Golf Club, the event serves as a vital fundraiser, supported by main sponsor Prestige Tiles and Bathrooms.
"We wanted to create an event that showcases the incredible golf we have here on our doorstep while offering a fun, social atmosphere for players," said the organising committee. "To play three courses of this calibre, and for this price, is a fantastic opportunity for any golfing enthusiast."
Places are expected to fill quickly, and a deposit is required to secure a spot. To book your team for The West Swing Golf Classic, please contact Ballina Golf Club on 096-21050 or email info@ballina-golf.com. You can also visit the club’s website at www.ballina-golf.com for further information.
At the annual general meeting of Ballina Community First Responders last month, Brian Connor was formally appointed as the new Group Co-ordinator. Brian replaces Leonard McDonnell who stepped down from the role after eight years of exceptional service.
Ballina Community First Responders is a voluntary organisation whose members are trained to a minimum level of basic life support in CPR and in the use of an AED/defibrillator, and who attend a potentially life-threatening emergency situation such as a cardiac arrest, heart attack, stroke or choking.
The local group expressed its sincere appreciation for Leonard’s vision in establishing Ballina CFR and for his leadership and commitment throughout the past eight years. Leonard noted that the future of the organisation is secure thanks to the strength and dedication of the team, and he expressed full confidence in Brian as he takes on the position of Group Co-ordinator.
The AGM also elected the following committee for the coming year: Training Officer, Derek Culkin; Treasurer, David Moyles; and Public Relations Officer, Hugh Rouse.
Over the past eight years, Ballina Community First Responders has achieved significant milestones, including the delivery of community-wide training programmes, helping to establishing a number of local CFR Schemes and making a record number of emergency responses. These accomplishments have only been possible thanks to the commitment of the group’s 25 dedicated volunteers, whose ongoing service ensures the continued success and impact of Ballina CFR within the community.
The group is actively seeking donations for anyone wishing to donate. This is a vital service that funds itself, and donations can be made via iDonate at www.idonate.ie.
Ballina CFR extends its thanks to all volunteers, supporters and partners who contribute to its mission of providing timely, lifeâsaving assistance to those in need. The organisation looks forward to another year of progress, collaboration and community service under its newly appointed leadership.
Community groups in the Ballina Municipal District area of Mayo County Council are invited to submit an application for funding under the 2026 General Municipal Allocation (GMA) Funding Scheme.
Applications are being accepted under the following headings: Residents Associations, Clubs/Organisations, Festivals and Events, and Burial Grounds.
Funding applications will be considered for activities or projects which directly or indirectly promote the social, economic, environmental, recreational, cultural, community or sporting development of the Mayo area.
Preference will be given to projects which are community based and demonstrate that they have, or can, attract matching funding.
The closing date for applications is Friday, February 13 at 4.30pm and application forms are available by contacting Ballina Municipal District on 094-9064400, or email ballinagma@mayococo.ie.
The death has taken place of Mary Collins (née Collins), Fenian Row, Ballina.
Mary was the wife of Charlie and mother of 11 children. She will be sadly missed by her husband, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren, in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Mary reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Ballina on Monday of last week, followed by burial in League Cemetery, Ballina.
May she rest in peace.
The Mary Robinson Centre will host a humanitarian awareness fundraising dinner in its Climate Hub on Emmett Street, Ballina this week, with all of the money raised going directly to Concern Worldwide for life-saving work in Sudan.
According to the centre, the idea is about friendship, flavour and solidarity. At the informal gathering a buffet-style meal is shared, and participants help raise vital funds and awareness of the crisis in Sudan.
So, if you are free from 7.30pm on Thursday, February 12, please come along. Bring a dish to share, Sudanese or your own speciality.
If you can’t be there in person but would still like to support, a donation can be made via the Mary Robinson Centre website.
The death has taken place of Danny Thompson, Amana Estate, Ballina and formerly of Inchicore, Dublin.
Danny was well known in basketball circles across the country for his dedication to the sport over several decades, including as coach to the Irish Women’s Basketball Team. His long-time commitment to Ballina Braves Basketball Club was instrumental in helping to take the team to a glorious exemplar of basketball playing, where it achieved success at a national level.
Danny was the beloved husband of Pauline and loving father to Tina, Ivan, Roy and Danielle. He will be sadly missed by his wife, daughters, sons, grandchildren Aran, Ella, Daniel, Charlotte, Shona, Hannah, Paddy, Myah and Corbin, son-in-law Páraic, daughters-in-law Mandy and Gaelle, brothers Dessie and Pascal, in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his beloved son David, and sisters Angela and Breda.
Danny reposed at 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.
May he rest in peace.
Ballina Credit Union is delighted to announce that Kevin Lee Sweeney from Colaiste Iascaigh, Easkey has achieved first place at national level in the prestigious Credit Union Art Competition 2025.
Kevin Lee was winner of the 14-17 AN category of the competition, which attracts over 30,000 entries from across Ireland each year. The theme of the nationwide competition in 2025 was ‘The Future Is…’
It is not the first success at All-Ireland level for the talented young artist, who was awarded runner-up prize in the national final of the Credit Union Art Competition in 2024.
Ballina Credit Union has congratulated Kevin Lee, his family and art teacher Eilish Whelan.
Television sports presenter Gráinne McElwain was on hand to present the winners of the annual competition with their prizes at the awards ceremony in Croke Park, Dublin last month.
The ‘Movie Icons Show’ celebrates the greatest songs ever to hit the silver screen. Featuring music from ‘Dirty Dancing’, ‘Top Gun’, ‘The Bodyguard’, ‘The Graduate’, ‘’Footloose, ‘Flashdance’, ‘Titanic’, ‘Grease’, ‘The Greatest Showman’ and more, this is a live journey through the soundtracks of some of cinema’s most memorable moments.
The live show is perfect for anyone who loves films and the music that made them unforgettable.
‘Movie Icons Show’ comes to Ballina for the first time for one unforgettable night of cinematic nostalgia on Saturday, February 21, at 8pm.
Tickets for the concert cost €28, plus booking fee. These can be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
The death has taken place of Owen Maughan, 41 Roches Terrace, Ballina.
Owen was the beloved husband of Winnie and loving father to Tommy, Paddy, Frank, Lena, Lisa, John, Simon, Shane, Teresa, Stephen, Mary and Katie. He will be sadly missed by his wife, sons, daughters, sisters Mary, Ann and Bridget, brothers Michael and John, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, grandchildren, in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his daughter Bernadette Angela.
Owen reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Tuesday last, with removal afterwards to St Patrick’s Church, Ballina.
Requiem Mass was celebrated on Wednesday morning, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The February meeting of Ballina Toastmasters will be held in the Great National Hotel Ballina on Thursday, February 12 at 7.45pm.
If you are thinking of making that first move towards improving your self-confidence, then come along and join the group in a relaxed and supportive environment where fun and encouragement prevails.
Toastmasters has helped tens of thousands of people who feel anxious or nervous about public speaking, giving presentations in the workplace or having to undertake a leadership role.
With Toastmasters you will learn to take the first steps to finding your voice, calming your nerves and enhancing your skills in an encouraging, friendly and very sociable environment.
A glorious morning on the last day of January 2026 saw the biggest turnout in years for the weekly Ballina Parkrun.
Not since the first staging of the parkrun in Ballina in November 2014 have so many runners and walkers assembled for this community-focused gathering.
A total of 101 participated, breaking the three-digit barrier for the first time since the inaugural run.
Local woman Ann Egan was responsible for bringing the popular community-based parkrun event to Ballina for the first time in November 2014. Ten years later, Ann received a VHI Parkrun Hero Award for her services.
Now in its 12th year, Ballina Parkrun takes place every Saturday morning at 9.30am when runners, joggers and walkers can enjoy the fun and challenge of an organised community event. The meeting point is in Belleek, close to the grounds of Ballina Town FC.
The dates for Ballina Feis 2026 have been confirmed, as well as the names of the adjudicators.
The annual dancing competitions will be held on Saturday, March 21 and Sunday, March 22 in The Great National Hotel Ballina.
The adjudicators will include Shane Cummins, ADCRG Munster; Kelley O’Boyle, ADCRG UK; and Michael O’Meara, ADCRG Munster.
The accompaniment will be provided by musician Paul O’Donnell.
The death has taken place of Renata Nurek, 67 Lord Edward Street, Ballina and formerly of Starogard GdaÅski, Poland.
Renata was the beloved mother of Jolanta, Lukasz, Marek, Halina, Junusz and Przemek. She will be sadly missed by her daughters, sons, Joanna, Patrycja, Hanna and Weronika, grandchildren, Bartosz, Szymon, Oscar, Julia, Jessica, Wiktoria, Siona, and Arkadiusz, sisters Barbara and Brygrida, daughters-in-law, sons-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
She was predeceased by her mother Zofia, father Wiktor and her brothers.
Renata reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Thursday last. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Friday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May she rest in peace.
The development of the new Sunflower Children’s Hospice in Mayo will benefit from a fundraising event in Ballina later this week.
All proceeds from the Valentine's Table Quiz in The Cot and Cobble Bar and Restaurant, Sligo Road, Ballina on Friday, February 13 will be donated to the proposed new hospice.
The quiz starts at 8pm and a table of four costs €40 to enter.
The night will also include the draw to select the winners of the Sunflower Children's Hospice Raffle, for which tickets are still available via iDonate.
The raffle closing date is 12pm on February 13 and prizes include a €5,000 luxury voucher for the five-star Dromoland Castle Hotel, sponsored by Telus, Ballina, a rare and highly sought-after Masters flag, signed by 2025 champion Rory McIlroy, and two tickets for Take That in the Aviva Stadium, Dublin on July 4. Raffle tickets are €20 each, or three for €50.
