Local Notes: Ballina students receive All-Ireland Scholarships
Sponsor JP McManus and Niall Collins, Minister of State at the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science presenting an All-Ireland Scholarship Award to Ciara Buckley, St Mary's Secondary School, Mayo. Also pictured is Robert O'Reilly, Principal of St Mary's.
St Muredach’s College student Eoghan Durkan has earned a prestigious spot on the four-member Irish Chemistry Olympiad team.
Eoghan will represent Ireland at the 2024 International Chemistry Olympiad in Saudi Arabia in July.
The International Chemistry Olympiad (IChO) is a distinguished annual competition that gathers together the world's most talented secondary school students in chemistry.
Participants undergo rigorous challenges, including a five-hour laboratory practical exam and a separate five-hour written theoretical exam.
Eoghan is a Leaving Certificate student in the Ballina boys’ secondary school, where his chemistry teacher is Cliodhna Boyce.
Five years ago, Eoghan’s older brother Brian – also a student of St Muredach’s College - won a bronze medal at the 2019 International Chemistry Olympiad which took place in Paris.
Mayo County Council is holding a public consultation to outline the study area for the Ballina – Castlebar – Westport Interurban Greenway.
This virtual public consultation will be available online 24 hours a day from May 3 to 17 at www.bcwmayo.ie.
Physical displays will be available to view at the Civic Office in Ballina from 10am to 4pm daily.
Members of the general public, local communities and other interested parties are invited to participate in this public information event, and offer their views.
Appointments with the project team can be booked online through the project website.
Ballina is included in the pilot phase of a new initiative aimed at enhancing strength and balance in older adults.
The ‘Staying Fit for the Future: Better Balance Programme’, funded by the Health and Wellbeing Division of HSE Community Healthcare West (CHW), is a collaborative effort between Mayo Sports Partnership, HSE Mayo Primary Care Physiotherapy Department, and HSE Health and Wellbeing, CHW.
This pilot project offers a structured 10-week programme consisting of group exercise classes once a week, designed to improve strength and balance while providing participants with motivational strategies for continued progress at home.
Designed by HSE physiotherapists and led by Mayo Sports Partnership exercise instructors, these classes will include aerobic warm-ups and a series of exercises targeting key components necessary for maintaining independent movement.
“If you're unsure whether this programme is suitable for you, try a simple balance and strength test: cross your arms across your chest, stand on one leg, and close your eyes. If you find your balance isn't as steady as it once was, this class is for you,” said Edel O’Malley, the Physical Activity for Health Officer at Mayo Sports Partnership.
This programme will support adults to learn and practice strength and balance exercises so they can stay strong and steady on their feet, thereby helping them to maintain their independence and participation in society as they age.
Recent HSE physical activity guidelines reinforce the importance of these types of activities for all age groups and, in particular, highlight the additional benefit of balance, strength and flexibility exercises for adults as they age.
The project will commence with six programmes delivered across community venues in the North Mayo HSE Community Healthcare Network, including Ballina, Belmullet and Swinford. Following the pilot phase, the initiative aims to expand its reach to community halls and gyms throughout the county.
Further information is available from eomalley@mayococo.ie.
Cooneal National School is raising funds through its ‘Cash for Clobber Clothing Collection’ project. The school is asking people who are doing a clear-out to bring along any unwanted clothes, shoes or bags. The items can be left in the school shed at any time. The fundraising campaign runs until Friday, May 10.
An Bolg Bui Pub, Bridge Street, Ballina played host to the weekly Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club 50/50 Draw which saw Aoife Bourke, Ballina take the jackpot of €380.
Clara Walsh, Ballina won €310 in the club’s fundraising draw which took place in Howard’s Bar, Bridge Street and Gerry Connor, Ballina won the €380 jackpot hosted by Katie's Corner, Abbey Street.
The death has taken place of Peter Tobin, Ballinahaglish, Ballina and formerly of Tobin Jewellers, Pearse Street, Nenagh.
Peter was the beloved husband of Ann and adored father to his girls, Rhíanna and Emily. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, daughters, sisters Olivia Kelly (Nenagh), Catriona Purcell (Upperchurch), Paula McGrath (Boston), Deirdre Sheehan (Nenagh) and Kerrie Tobin (Boston), brothers Andrew (Nenagh) and Patrick (Boston), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, aunts Kitty O’Connell (Edenderry), Monica Connors (New Jersey), Marie McAtamney and husband Hugh (Ashbourne), nieces, nephews, relatives, Hollister work colleagues, a large circular of friends and, last but not least, his loyal dog Lily.
He was predeceased by his parents Peter and Annette, his infant brother Aiden, and parents-in-law Joe and Toni Keegan, Circular Road, Ballina.
Peter reposed at his residence. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Monday of last week, followed by burial in Ballinahaglish Cemetery, Ballina.
Craoibhín Ballina welcomes anyone with an interest in singing to join its Singing Hour at the centre on Cathedral Road this coming Friday, at 2.30pm. It’s a light-hearted and fun 60 minutes where you can exercise your vocal chords in the company of fellow crooners and songbirds! The cost is €5 per person, with tea and coffee also included. To join in please call 087-2785365.
An information session around banking fraud, and how to avoid scams, will be delivered by AIB Bank Ballina on Tuesday, May 14, at 2.30pm. Bank staff will also provide advice about the AIB app and online banking. Tea and coffee will be available and the cost is €3.
A fundraising quiz in aid of Craoibhín Ballina will take place in the Cot and Cobble Bar and Restaurant, Ballina on Friday, May 10 at 9pm. A table of four costs €40 and the quizmaster will be Terry McCole. A raffle will be held on the night with prizes for 1st, 2nd and 3rd. There will also be prizes for the best team name and funniest answer.
Under the direction of newly-appointed manager, Elizabeth Ferguson, Craoibhín Ballina conducts a very successful social inclusion programme which enables those feeling lonely or isolated to engage in activities with like-minded people on a regular basis. It is open to any adult who experiences social isolation, loneliness or who would like to make a friend in the community.
The organisation was set up by and is operated by Moy Valley Resources IRD Ballina, and proceeds from the quiz will go directly to Craoibhín Ballina, which is also part-funded by Pobal.
The death has taken place of Anne Taylor (née Leonard), Church Manor, Ballina.
Anne was the beloved mother to Melanie O’Brien (Dublin) and Michelle Kitson (Dublin). She will be sadly missed by her daughters, grandchildren Conor and Theo, sisters Breege, Cathryn and Siobhán, brothers John and Mick, sons-in-law Dermot and Martin, sister-in-law Terry, in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her loving husband Tony.
Anne reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Monday morning last, with the funeral proceeding afterwards to Roslea Cemetery, Easkey, Co Sligo for burial.
Those who register for this year’s Darkness Into Light walk/run before Friday, May 3, will benefit from an exclusive event T-shirt.
Darkness Into Light takes place this year early on Saturday morning, May 11.
The Ballina walk/run will begin at 4.15am from St Muredach’s Cathedral and the participants will be among over 150,000 people who will take part in events at more than 200 locations around the country that morning.
All funds raised go to Pieta, the charity battling suicide and depression in Ireland.
Amplify Youth will be staged in Ballina Arts Centre as part of Music Generation Mayo’s Féile Mhaigh Eo, a youth music festival taking place throughout the county during May.
Amplify Youth will feature teenage bands, groups, duos and solo performers from Ballina, Mayo and beyond.
Presented by The Core, the open music showcase is on Friday, May 10, at 8pm.
Tickets are just €5 and can be booked online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com
Credit Unions have been ranked as No 1 in Ireland for customer experience in the annual CX Ireland Insights Poll, and staff in Ballina Credit Union have played an important role in achieving this remarkable honour.
But volunteers are at the heart of the credit union movement, which relies on their enthusiasm and skills in order to achieve its goals and continue to deliver a strong service within our community.
Ballina Credit Union is currently seeking a volunteer with the skills and experience to help develop its marketing and business development strategy.
In the role, the volunteer will work closely with newly appointed Marketing and Sales Development Manager, Ashling Molloy, and with the Marketing and Business Development Committee, to contribute to the overall success of the marketing and sales strategies of this member-owned financial co-operative.
The ideal candidate should possess a blend of traditional marketing expertise and a strong understanding of the latest trends.
There are a wide range of roles for volunteers, whether it's serving on a committee, as a director or as a board supervisor.
For more information please contact david.dwane@ballinacu.ie.
The death has taken place of Caroline Moran (née Joyce), 160 Greenhills Estate, Ballina and formerly of Stonepark, Foxford.
Caroline was the beloved wife of Padraig and loving mother to her sons Paul, Jason, Eric and Ryan. She will be sadly missed by her husband, sons, grandchildren Leah, Hazel, Sophia, Eliza, Zoey, Josh and Koa, brother John, sisters Mary, Angela and Noreen, mother-in-law Anne, daughters-in-law Catherine, Lizzy and Laura, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Joe and Nora Joyce, father-in-law Paddy Moran and her grandchildren Kaden and River Moran.
Caroline reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Saturday last. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Sunday, with the funeral proceeding to Leigue Cemetery, Ballina for burial.
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