Local Notes: Ballina students to stage golden anniversary musical
Students from St Mary's Secondary School in Ballina will perform the musical, Time After Time, on Thursday and Friday next, February 8 and 9. Pictured in rehearsals are President Barry Fife (Abigail Adamson Beattie) with his Dance Federation board members, Les Kendall (Gráinne Martin) Ken Railings (Saoirse McGowan Keating) Merv (Sinead Murray) and Terry (Niamh Walsh). Picture: John O'Grady
Final touches are being put to the St Mary’s 50th anniversary musical special ‘Time After Time'. With over 90 Transition Year students taking to the stage in a fully in-house-led production, this show on Thursday and Friday, February 8 and 9 next, is not to be missed.
This year’s musical features sing-along classics and spectacular dance, brought together by an original script, marking 50 years since St Mary’s students first trod the boards with the 1974 production, ‘Zurika’, under the expert eye of Mother Benedict.
Tickets can be purchased through the box office ticket line on 096-70333. Adults - €12 and Students/OAP - €8.
A total of 46 teams from primary schools in the area took part in the Ballina Credit Union Schools’ Quiz in Ballina Sports Centre, the first stage of the 2024 nationwide competition in which tens of thousands of youngsters from all over Ireland participate.
Over the last ten years, Ballina representatives have led the way in Connacht with the most successes at national level.
The under-11 team from The Quay National School, Ballina was placed joint runners-up at the national final last year, while the Under-11 teams of 2014 and 2019 were both crowned national champions in the Under-11 category.
The young members of The Quay National School team have come up trumps once again this year, taking first place in the Under-11 category in the Ballina stage of the national contest.
Twenty-two teams from primary schools across the Ballina Credit Union area competed in the Under-11 category.
The Quay National School took first place, followed by Bonniconlon National School in second place and Breaffy National School in third place.
In the Under-13 category, it was Breaffy National School that took the top honours. In second place was the team from The Quay National School, while Ardagh National School was placed third. Twenty-four teams took part in the Under-13 category.
JJ Kirrane was the quizmaster, while Chloe Nealon was the scorekeeper.
The Chapter (Regional) final will be held in Westport on the first weekend of next month. Those teams that were placed first and second in the two age categories of the Ballina stage will now proceed to the Chapter level contest, aiming to secure a place in the National Final.
The National Final will be held on Sunday, April 7, in the RDS, Dublin when 100 teams will battle it out in a nail-biting duel to be crowned the 2024 Schools Quiz Champions, as well as securing a €4,000 prize for the overall winning schools.
Ballina Carers Support Group will host a talk by Declan Howley, Dementia Champion and Manager of Foxford Alzheimer's and Community Trust Services (FACT), on Monday next, February 12.
The talk is entitled ‘Effective Communication in Care’ and is open to all members of the public. This is a free event, but any donations will be greatly appreciated.
The talk will take place at 6pm in the Newman Institute, located on the grounds of St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina.
For more information please text or call Catriona on 087-0953758.
This year’s River Moy Swim will take place on Saturday, July 13. Hundreds of swimmers took part in last year’s event, part of the extensive Ballina 2023 celebrations.
The 2024 swim will take place during this year’s Ballina Salmon Festival, which is running from July 7th to 14th.
Entries for the swim will open soon.
The death has taken place of Mary Maughan, 15 Ferran Terrace, Ballina.
Mary reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Ballina on Monday morning of last week, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery.
Community Healthcare West has commissioned a series of stakeholder consultations to gain feedback on a proposed Community Recovery Care Plan co-produced by a multistakeholder group within the organisation, in partnership with the HSE Resource Office for Suicide Prevention, Galway, Mayo and Roscommon.
It is envisaged that these Community Recovery Care Plans will be introduced as a pilot project in mid-2024.
With this in mind, a consultation will take place in the Great National Hotel, Ballina on Monday, February 19 from 11am to 1pm.
The classic Tennessee Williams play, , is the latest production from Ballina-based Riverside Theatre Company, coming to the stage of Ballina Arts Centre next month.
Directed by Ray Collins, and featuring a strong local cast, is probably the most important play to come out of the USA in the 20th century.
It tells the story of Blanche DuBois, a fading Southern Belle, who arrives on the doorstep of her younger sister Stella in New Orleans, having lost their ancestral home. However, Blanche’s pretensions to virtue and veneer of self-possession only thinly mask her alcoholism and vulnerable mental state, which she desperately attempts to conceal from her sister and brother-in-law Stanley Kowalski.
A violent and brutish man, Stanley immediately takes a dislike to Blanche, suspecting her of cheating Stella out of her inheritance. Blanche and Stanley are on a collision course, with Stanley determined to expose her vulnerable past, but at what cost to the fragile Blanche?
The film of the same name starring Marlon Brando won four Oscars in 1951.
comes to Ballina Arts Centre on March 7, 8 and 9.
Early booking is advisable and tickets cost €15. You can book online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also telephone 096-73593 or email info@ballinartscentre.com.
The death has taken place of Anthony (Tony) Clarke, Bonniconlon and Carrareagh, Bonniconlon, Ballina.
Tony is deeply mourned by his loving sister Anne, brother Kevin, brother-in-law Padraic Tuffy, sisters-in-law Annie and Mary Clarke, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Charles and Annie Kate, brother Micheal, and sister Helen.
Tony reposed at Gallagher's Funeral Home, Bonniconlon on Monday of last week, with removal afterwards to the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Bonniconlon.
Requiem Mass was celebrated on Tuesday, followed by burial in Bonniconlon Cemetery.
Ballina Badminton Club will host the Connacht Intermediate Close at Ballina Sports Centre next Saturday, February 10.
Over 80 players from across Mayo, Sligo, Galway and Roscommon will take part in five events, playing what is considered to be one of the world’s fastest sports.
Meanwhile, the busy Ballina club is reminding young players that its next juvenile session will take place on Saturday, February 17. The club meets at Ballina Sports Centre, Cathedral Road. Further details are available by emailing ballinab@gmail.com.
The death has taken place of Mary McAndrew, 6 Convent Hill Crescent, Ballina and late of Gurteens Ballina.
Mary was the beloved sister of Willie (Ballina). She will be sadly missed by her loving brother, sisters-in-law Stephanie and Irene, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Mary was predeceased by her parents Michael and Bridget (Gurteens), brothers Sean, Jim and Peter, sister Alice, and sisters-in-law, Mary and Lillian.
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.
Soroptimist International Ballina hosted the Regional Final of the Girls’ Public Speaking Competition recently.
The contest heard the voices of eight young and very competent speakers from Ballina, Ballinasloe, Castlebar and Ennis.
Sophie Monaghan, representing Ballina, was selected to be the reserve speaker at the National Final which will be held in Dublin in March.
Fiza Farhan, representing Soroptimist International Castlebar, and Rebecca Bleahen, representing Soroptimist International Ballinasloe, were selected to contest the final.
Topics on the day included People and Human Rights, Prosperity and Health, and Partnership and Empowerment of Women.
Soroptimist International Ballina Club President Eileen Diamond and National President Aisling Nolan spoke on the night, thanking the teenage competitors for their excellent presentations.
The results of the Ballina Bridge Club game played on Tuesday, January 30, were as follows: 1st, Ann Ivers and Josie Cawley; 2nd, Bill Thomas and Ger Moran; 3rd, Gerry Scanlon and Francis Walkin; 4th, Mary Mongan and Mary O Dowd; and 5th, Trisha Slowey and Mary Lowry.
The next meeting of Toastmasters Ballina will take place on Thursday, February 8.
With Toastmasters you will learn to take your first steps to find your voice, calm your nerves and improve your skills in an encouraging, friendly and very sociable environment, helping to make public speaking a better experience for you.
Take the first step to join Toastmasters, where the magic happens, by coming along to Great National Hotel Ballina at 7.45pm. Everyone is welcome this coming Thursday night.
Ballina Active Retirement Association held its first meeting of 2024 on Thursday, February 1, a later-than-usual start to the new year for the group because of inclement weather during January.
The members were welcomed back by chairperson, Noreen Baker, as the new season began with a formal meeting that was followed by chair yoga.
Whist sessions will take place tomorrow, Wednesday, February 7, and again on February 14 and 28, starting at 2pm.
The AGM of Ballina Active Retirement Association will take place on Thursday, February 8, where new officers will also be elected.
Chair yoga returns on February 15, 22 and 29, all on Thursdays, from 11.45am to 12.15pm.
Linda Neary and Bernie Fuery will host a quiz for members on Wednesday, February 21 at 1pm.
All events take place in the Pastoral Centre, located on the grounds of St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina.
Members of Ballina Credit Union have been circulated with the annual report and financial statements of the organisation in advance of next week’s AGM. The AGM will take place in the Great National Hotel Ballina on Monday, February 12th, beginning at 7.30pm.
Parkside Community History Group is inviting current and former residents from this Ballina locality to join its association.
Meetings take place in a welcoming and informal atmosphere to share memories, stories, history, tales and old photographs of days gone by.
New members of all ages are most welcome to come along for a chat, a laugh and a cuppa. The group is aiming to work towards an exhibition or a community project in the future.
To join the Parkside Community History Group, please telephone Gerard at 087-2559986.
