Local Notes: Ballina hosts Toastmasters county event
Some of the contestants, members and guests at the successful Toastmasters Humorous Speech and Table Topics Contests held in the Great National Hotel Ballina. The event was hosted by Ballina Toastmasters.
Edel Cadden is the new chairwoman of Ballina Fine Gael party, following her election at a recent District Executive meeting.
The Crossmolina woman replaces long-serving chairman, John Fox.
Attendees included Alan Dillon TD, who is the newly elected chairman of the Fine Gael parliamentary party, Cllr John O'Hara, former Senator and TD Michelle Mulherin, and former Councillor and Senator Ernie Caffrey.
Geoff Prendergast, chairman of the party's Strategy Committee, informed the meeting that the forthcoming local election selection convention will take place in mid-December and that nominations will close two weeks in advance.
The well-attended meeting was held in Bar Square, Garden Street, Ballina.
The Humorous Speech and Table Topics Speech Contests for Toastmasters clubs in the Mayo and nearby areas took place on Saturday, October 21, at the Great National Hotel Ballina.
Contestants representing Ballina Toastmasters, Westport Toastmasters, Castlebar Toastmasters and West Awake Toastmasters all took part.
The standard was very high, with Dolores Brady of West Awake Toastmasters and Liam Friel of Westport Toastmasters taking first and second prizes respectively in the humorous speech contest.
Dolores Brady, this time representing Westport Toastmasters, and Cathal Faughnan of Ballina Toastmasters took first and second place respectively in the table topics, or impromptu, speech contest.
The event was hosted by Ballina Toastmasters, with members of all four clubs working together to make it a success. It was the first in-person, inter-club event for clubs in this area since Covid, and its success marks a return to regular inter-club events for the organisation.
Ballina Toastmasters meet twice a month in the Great National Hotel Ballina, and guests are very welcome.
Donegal’s Conal Gallen is set to bring some comic mayhem to Ballina with his latest show ‘Up The Poll’.
‘Up The Poll’ is the seventh comedy play that Conal and his writing partner and son Rory have completed together.
Conal and Rory’s narrative is set around local ‘battleaxe’ Bridie, a difficult woman, yet lovable too.
When election time comes around, characters such as Fr Big Mad Mickey, Betty Head and her son Dick all become involved. If you thought that politics was corrupt, then wait until Bridie sticks her oar in!
Tickets for this hilarious new show on Saturday, November 11, are priced at €28 and can be booked online at www.ballinaartscentre.com, by email at info@ballinaartscentre.com or by telephone on 096-73593. Recommended for over-16s only.
A number of local businesses are among the nominees for this year’s Mayo Business Awards, which take place in Ballina on Friday, November 10.
These include Ella and Jo Cosmetics (Best Digital Presence), Moy Valley Resources IRD (Accessibility and Inclusion), Accelerating Change Together (Sustainability Initiative) and Ultrapure Laboratories (Resilience and Innovation).
There will also be two additional awards presented at the event. These are the Neill O’Neill Lifetime Achievement Award and, to mark Ballina’s 300th anniversary, a new award for Best Sponsorship Partnership by a Local Entity, which is sponsored by Ballina 2023.
The award ceremony will be hosted by Ballina Chamber of Commerce and takes place in the Great National Hotel Ballina.
Alone, the national organisation that enables older people to age at home, has come together with Mayo-based social prescribing service Flourish to present Tuesday evening Tea Sessions in Ballina this month.
Flourish is one of the support services provided by the Family Centre in Castlebar, covering county Mayo.
The Flourish service is ideal for any adult who feels that they would like to explore ways to meet new people and develop new interests and hobbies.
Flourish can support your health and well-being by linking you with activities, supports and resources based in your community, such as social groups, arts and creativity, physical activities, learning new skills, further education, outdoor activities, support groups and ways to self-care.
Flourish activities support the well-researched fact that developing our interests and having a good network of friends impacts positively our health and well-being.
Every Tuesday during November, Ballina Manor Hotel will be the venue for a cup of tea and a chat, where you can meet like-minded people and talk about whatever matters to you, from 6.30pm each week.
For more information, you you call Maria on 087-1857280.
The death has taken place of Micheal O’Malley, London, and formerly of Carralavin, Bonniconlon.
Micheal will be sadly missed by his son Micheal, stepson Raymond and their mum Helen, sisters Mary Hopkins (Sheeaune, Castlebar) and Tess Hopkins (Pheasant Hill, Castlebar), brother Johnny (Carralavin), brothers-in-law, sister-in-law, nephews, nieces, cousins and friends. Also, by his many friends in London.
He was predeceased by his parents Micheal and Theresa, and by his sister Vera.
Micheal reposed at Gallagher’s Funeral Home, Bonniconlon on Friday, with removal afterwards to the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Bonniconlon.
Requiem Mass on Saturday was followed by burial in Bonniconlon Cemetery.
A year ago, Barry Mohan, a member of the Irish folk-rock group All Folk’d Up, died tragically following a road traffic accident in Northern Ireland, aged 28.
The album recording by All Folk’d Up from June of that year was subsequently released late in 2022 by his band colleagues, who include his brother Pauric, founder of the group.
Simply called ‘Barry’, the album is a tribute to the young singer, guitar player and father-of-one. Barry’s vocals and skilled guitar playing feature on all songs, but 'Take My Hand’ has a special significance, as it was composed and performed by Barry.
Following a series of outdoor festival appearances during the summer of 2023, All Folk’d Up make their debut next month for a Christmas show at the Great National Hotel Ballina, part of an extensive tour of Ireland during November and December.
All Folk’d Up fans can expect an eclectic mix of classic sounds from Irish folk and rock music traditions, while still sprinkling its own unique, modern twist on the tunes! The group’s trademark bouncy melodies, enticing lyrical stories and vintage folk-rock sounds are embellished by jaw-dropping banjo progressions.
The concert is on Wednesday, December 27, at 10pm. Doors will open at 9pm and tickets are now on sale at €20. Full details from the hotel at 096-23600, or email info@hotelballina.ie.
The annual Blessing of the Graves ceremony at Leigue Cemetery, Ballina will take place next Sunday, November 12. Starting at 3pm, services will include the saying of the Rosary and prayers for the dead.
Ballina Climate Action Weekend, now in its third year, is a tactical weekend of meaningful climate action initiatives, aligned to, and amplifying, the work done at grassroots level in Ballina.
The organisers aim to showcase the climate-positive work taking place in the locality and engage a wider audience in these initiatives to build awareness, scale and momentum in Ballina’s bid to become Ireland’s greenest town.
This year’s Climate Action Weekend takes place on November 24 and 25, with support from Ballina 2023, AIB and Atlantic Seaboard North, the Climate Action Regional Office which is based in Mayo.
Key priorities for this year’s programme include highlighting funding opportunities for businesses and communities and promoting responsible consumption and production via the circular economy.
A seminar on Sustainable Solutions for Local Business and Community will include presentations, panel discussion and a Q&A session around how to save money for your business and source funds for community climate action. It takes place in Ballina Library from 10am to 1pm on Friday, November 24.
On Saturday afternoon, from 12 noon to 4pm, Ballina’s first circular economy swap shop is set to encourage people to swap, drop off and pick up pre-loved items such as football boots, Christmas jumpers, furniture, bric-a-brac, records and more, making a small donation for local charities. Also featured will be a Pure Clothing pop-up shop and revamp workshops.
That same night, The Stables at Belleek Castle Hotel will host ‘The Accidental Activist’, a stand-up comedy show from Diane O'Connor, followed by music.
To highlight Ballina’s circular economy, Ballina Green Town, via The Mary Robinson Centre, will give away 100 €10 vouchers, redeemable at agreed circular economy businesses in Ballina to the end of December 2023. This allows members of the public to try the circular economy at a discounted price, encouraging repair, reuse and pre-loved.
This initiative will also include a social media showcase of the circular economy businesses participating in the scheme to highlight their offering and their skills and to build awareness of their services.
The death has taken place of Kathleen O’Hora (née Durkin), Riverview Nursing Home, Ballina and formerly of Laughty, Ballina.
Kathleen was the beloved mother of Linda, Eugene and Barry. She will be deeply missed by her daughter, sons, granddaughter Rachel, daughter-in-law Brenda, Linda’s partner Eamon, siblings Delia (Kinsale), Mary (Salthill), Nan (Oranmore), Michael (Midfield), Nora (Fermoy) and Frances (Athlone), in-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Michael and Mary Durkin.
Kathleen reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina last Friday. Requiem Mass was held in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Saturday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
If you are a parent, carer or the guardian of an anxious child, then a forthcoming talk in Ballina called 'Understanding and Supporting the Anxious Child' may be able to help.
The talk by Dr Sharyn Byrne, in association with Ballina Family Resource Centre, is on Monday, November 20, and bookings are now being accepted at a cost of €10.
It will take place at the centre on Abbey Street, Ardnaree from 7 to 9pm.
You can call Ballina Family Resource Centre on 096-75573 or email admin@ballinafrc.com for further information.
French language lessons If you’ve ever thought of learning how to speak French, then Craoibhín Ballina has classes for you.
Classes at the centre on Cathedral Road are on Mondays, from 11am to 12 noon and cost €3 per person. Further information can be had from Craoibhín Ballina on 087-2785365 or 087-3621119, or by email at craoibhinballina@gmail.com.
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Ardagh
A novena of masses is currently being offered for nine evenings in Ardagh church commencing at 7pm. The novena started last Thursday and will continue throughout the week.
Being the month of November, the novena is being offered for the faithful departed.
Meanwhile, parishioners are invited to take a holy souls envelope placed at the back of the church and include the names of their loved ones with a donation. The envelopes are placed on the altar throughout the month.
There was no outright winner of Ardagh GAA Club's monthly lotto draw held last weekend.
The numbers drawn were 1, 7,16 and 17. Lucky €50 winners were Tony Murphy and Denise Finan (online winner) and congratulations to both.
The lotto is a vital means of raising necessary finance for the club and officials express their sincere gratitude to everyone who continues to support the fundraiser. The jackpot now stands at €3,400 and the next lotto draw will take place on November 26.
Lahardane MacHales intermediate football team bowed out of the Connacht LGFA championship last week to a much stronger Ballinamore Sean O'Heslins side from Leitrim in the semi-final of the Connacht competition. Credit must go to the young team who had earlier won their county championship title which is just reward for all their trojan efforts throughout the year. The team, their management and loyal supporters deserve congratulations. The future certainly looks very bright and promising for this talented group of young players.
Public prayers for the faithful departed will be recited in Ardagh Cemetery next Sunday, November 12, at 3pm.
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A vacancy exists for Parish Secretary in Moygownagh, Interested applicants must be eligible for RSS, TUS or CE schemes. It is 19.5 hours per week. Hours of work are flexible. Please contact Fr Matt or any member of the Pastoral Council.
Rambling House is up and running sharing a chat, music, song cards, tea and refreshments. The exciting adventure takes place in Moygownagh Community Centre on Thursday, November 16.
Art classes in Moygownagh Adult Learning Centre on Monday from 2 to 4pm.
There are now vacancies on the Moygownagh Community Employment Scheme. DEASP criteria apply. Phone 096-31066 for further details.
Congratulations to John Orme who was last week's winner of the 50/50 draw run by Moygownagh GAA Club. The next draw takes place on Sunday, November 12.
Congratulations to Moygownagh Junior Team on their great win over Kilfian on Sunday last. A great team performance from the Junior players. Well done to all the panel and all the supporters.
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There was no winner of the Crossmolina Deel Rovers GAA Club Lotto jackpot on Saturday night, October 28, when the numbers drawn were 1, 9, 17 and 34.
Colm Reilly, Cabra, Castlehill, matched three numbers and won €150. The draw took place in Hiney’s.
Many thanks for your continued support.
The following are the results of the 25 card drive played recently in Kulmurry.
Best of 20 games: 1st, Martin Mulhern and Frank McDonald; 2nd, Vincent Crowley and Liam Garvey; 3rd, a three-way tie between Eugene Granaghan and Pakie Hefferon, Tom Hanahoe and Liz Clarke, Leo Ryan and Tom O’Malley.
The results of the raffle were: 1st, John Reape; 2nd, Anthony Granaghan; 3rd, Tom O’Malley.
The game is on every Thursday night at 9pm sharp. Please support.
Next Sunday evening, November 12, DJ Robert will provide the music from 7 to 9pm for the Kilmurry Social. Refreshments served. Admission is €7 so come along and meet your friends.
The Crossmolina Deel Rovers GAA Club expresses its sympathy to the families of former players committee members and friends on their recent bereavements.
May they rest in peace
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There was no jackpot winner in the Killala Community Centre Lotto on Wednesday, November 1, when the numbers drawn were 9, 10, 22 and 23.
Consolation prizes went to Chris Newcombe, Kathryn Lally and Marian Duffy.
The jackpot this week is €5,400. Tickets are sold locally.
All services are running as normal for Killala Community Bus as McGrath Coaches take the running of the service from this week. The contact number now is 087-2252899.
Killala Town Centre First proposals are on display in the Community Centre for all to see. You can add your own ideas in the box next to the display boards. Mayo County Council will use the results to prioritise the proposals.
Bingo continues in Killala Community Centre every Wednesday night at 8.30pm.
Killala Community centre Meals on Wheels service provide a hot nourishing quality meal at an affordable price to senior citizens or anyone in need of the service. The two course meal can be collected at the centre for €7 or delivered to your home for €8. They deliver in the Killala, Cooneal, Kilfian and Lacken areas. If interested, please contact Barbara or Mary for more information at 096-32992.
