Local Notes: Ballina parkrun welcomes donations
Ann Egan (centre), Director of Ballina parkrun, accepting a donation to the local parkrun group from Joe Gavin, of Joseph Gavin Opticians, Ballina and Belmullet. On the left is Michelle Burke of Joseph Gavin Opticians.
Ballina parkrun continues to grow its community of park runners every Saturday morning at Belleek.
Each Saturday, in parks across Ireland and around the world, people young and old, fast and slow, gather together to run, walk or jog for 5km around a park.
Ballina parkrun enjoys the beautiful surroundings of Belleek Forest for its weekly outing, which convenes near Ballina Town FC soccer club grounds at 9.30am.
It’s a fun event, and free, and each run is staffed by a team of dedicated volunteers, be they marshals, timekeepers or barcode scanners.
Ann Egan is the Director of Ballina parkrun.
“What parkrun does so well is to appreciate that everyone who participates has their own personal goal, whether it’s plucking up the courage to take part in the first place, or working towards a faster time. It’s about the individual, and everyone is celebrated,” said Ann.
“Parkrun is, and always will be, free to participate in, but it's not free to deliver,” she said.
“Alongside the generous support of volunteers, each parkrun will always cost to deliver. As a health and wellbeing charity, the parkrun mission is to transform health and happiness by empowering people to come together, to be active, to socialise and to be outdoors. Many people choose to support parkrun in the form of a donation and we can’t thank them enough.”
Ballina parkrun has thanked Joe Gavin of Joseph Gavin Opticians, Ballina and Belmullet, for his donation which helps support the Ballina parkrun team to deliver this wonderful community event every Saturday morning.
If you would like to donate you can do so directly by going to the Ballina parkrun website page at www.parkrun.ie.
Ballina Community Radio presenter Tara Doherty has been conducting some fascinating interviews which delve into the life and times of local personalities for her popular series ‘Raised on Songs and Stories’.
Tara, a secondary school teacher in Moyne College, Ballina, takes the interviewee on a journey that gives an insight into what has shaped their life and career, revealing stories that move across the spectrum from funny to sombre.
The conversational broadcast is sprinkled with some music, as each personality selects four songs which have special meaning for them.
Series Two of the programme is now airing, following on from the successful series which was first broadcast on BCR FM in 2023. Episodes are also available as podcasts on Spotify.
Sue Tierney, Mark Duffy, Morag Prunty, Dara Calleary, Ray Collins, Tommy Fleming, Liam McHale, Avril Greham, Laurita Blewitt, David McGowan, Bishop Thomas Fleming, Patricia Browne and Hilary Lyons are among the well-known names who have contributed to the ‘Raised on Songs and Stories’ series, which continues throughout the summer.
BCR FM is live on air every Saturday and Sunday from 10am until late on 101.9FM, and online at www.bcrfm.ie.
Ballina-born Pat Flynn has joined OptaHaul as its new chairman.
Pat, originally from Marian Crescent, and son of the late Anne and Paddy Flynn, is the founder of Flynn O’Driscoll, one of Ireland’s leading corporate law firms.
Pat first set up his own law firm in 2002 after working for several years as a corporate finance lawyer in a number of other countries, and in the corporate department of a top Irish legal practice.
Flynn O’Driscoll has offices in Dublin, Galway and Shannon and counts among its clients public sector bodies, multinational companies and owner-managed businesses operating in Ireland and other jurisdictions. The law firm employs over 100 legal professionals.
OptaHaul is a provider of route optimisation software dedicated to the unique needs of dairy production, and its clients include Dairygold and Lakeland Dairies. Built with, and for, the dairy industry, the OptaHaul software platform helps transport operators to reduce costs and carbon emissions through accurate route optimisation and planning.
The death has taken place of Frank (Swannie) O’Hora, 18 St Muredach’s Terrace, Ballina.
Frank was the beloved brother of Maureen, Brendan, Doris, Vincent, Kieran, Raymond, Seamus, Breeda, Christopher, Damien and Valentine.
He will be sadly missed by his brothers, sisters, in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Gerald and Bridget, sister Philomena and brother Gerard.
Frank reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral on Monday of last week, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery.
English-born poet and musician Mike Absalom, who lives in County Mayo, is the guest for this week’s Lunchtime Concert series in Ballina Arts Centre.
The pop, folk and Celtic musician is also a published poet. Mike gained a reputation in the 1960s for his controversial and sometimes bawdy material, and has played at the Royal Albert Hall in London and appeared on BBC’s cult music programme ‘The Old Grey Whistle Test’.
Mike will perform in Ballina from 1.15pm until 1.45pm this Wednesday, July 31, when he will treat people to a selection of pieces on the harp and a recitation of some poems from his latest book. The event is free. Coffee, tea or even a glass of wine are available at the venue.
The final Lunchtime Concert of the summer will take place on Wednesday, August 7, featuring Ballina’s Joe Clarke.
Sarah Keane’s new single ‘Letters’ earned a place for itself on the RTÉ Radio One Recommends List for two weeks running, alongside Irish acts like Sharon Shannon and The Devlins and international acts such as Katy Perry and Paul Heaton of The Beautiful South.
The Ballina-born singer songwriter released ‘Letters’ earlier this month, with a debut EP in the offing for later this year.
The death has taken place of Mary Guthrie (née Hanifin), Lord Edward Street, Ballina.
Mary was the beloved wife of Larry and dear mother to Bernard, Keith, Chas, Gerry and Emma. She will be sadly missed by her husband, sons, daughter, grandchildren Nathan, Max, Jack, Cathal, Cuán and Féile, brother Micky, daughter-in-law Lisa, nephew Noel, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Patrick and Julia, sisters Nan, Lucey and Judy, and brothers Johnny and Paddy.
Mary 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, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Mayo Mental Health Association has thanked staff of the Road Safety Authority, Ballina for raising €500 over recent weeks to donate to the charity organisation. MMH promotes positive mental health in the county, and is based in Castlebar.
The death has taken place of Bridie Padden (née Hughes), Carrowkerribla, Attymass, Ballina.
Bridie will be dearly and lovingly missed by her husband Tony, daughter Maria, son Adrian, brothers and sisters Eamon, Padraic, Philo, Attracta and Pearl, son-in-law Ciarán, daughter-in-law Roisin, adored grandchildren Jack, Ted, Cara and Riley, nephews, nieces, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Ted and Mary, her brother Chris and her grandchild Wren.
Bridie reposed at the Fr Peyton Centre, Attymass on Tuesday evening last. Funeral Mass for Bridie was celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Conception and St Joseph, Attymass on Wednesday, followed by burial in Bonnifinglas Cemetery.
A Lego workshop with Declan Holmes will be hosted in Ballina Library on Thursday, August 1. Children from seven years and upwards are invited to participate in one of two workshops, but spaces are limited. The first session is from 10.30am to 12pm, and the second session runs from 12.30pm to 2pm.
Meanwhile, a coding workshop and game-making workshop is taking place this afternoon (Tuesday) in Ballina Library. Entry is free, and the workshops are aimed at children in the 8 to 12 age category.
Contact 094-9064454 for further information.
The annual Bonnifinglas Sports Day takes place this coming Sunday, August 4. This is one of the social highlights of the year in the small village, located between Attymass and Foxford.
The sports day will include a tug-o-war contest for the Brian Kearney Memorial Perpetual Cup, alongside plenty of other fun events. It’s an afternoon of activities for all the family, starting at 12pm.
The death has taken place of Thomas Devers (Jr), 81 Lord Edward Street, Ballina and Riverview Nursing Home, Ballina.
Thomas was the beloved son of Thomas and loving brother to Deirdre, Gerard, Jason, Natasha, Leslie and Terri.
He will be sadly missed by his father, brothers, sisters, nieces, nephews, godson Cameron, relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his mother Ann.
Thomas reposed at his residence on Friday of last week. A committal service was held in Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan on Saturday.
Ballina Community Sports Centre will host a mega bingo session next Tuesday night, August 6, at 8.30pm. There will be a total prize fund of €6,000.
The main pool full house is €3,000 and the first pool full house is €300. More information can be had from the centre on 096-78984.
Members of Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club and Search and Recovery Unit recently completed a marine VHF radio course, held in its clubhouse at Slí Éctra, Ballina.
A group of 11 club members worked under the instruction of John Roberts to sit a written exam, resulting in each member obtaining a Short Range Certificate for the use of a marine VHF radio.
The death has taken place of Austin Devers, Cloonkee, Ardagh, Ballina and formerly of Tyrawley Terrace, Ballina.
Austin is deeply mourned by his loving wife Mary, sons Rory and Sean, daughter-in-law Aly, brothers Martin, Tommy, Pat, Brendan, Mickey, Kevin and James, sisters Suzan, Irene and Margaret, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Thomas and Mai, and sister Doreen.
Austin reposed at his residence on Friday of last week, followed by a cremation service in Shannon Crematorium on Saturday.
