Local notes: Ballina's Culture night a major success

Almost €42k in prizes for local winners

Cash prizes totalling €41,595 were awarded in the quarterly draw for members of Ballina Credit Union.

Louise Clarke, Ballina won the top prize of €15,000 in the September draw.

Other winners included Linda Gallagher, Ballina (€3,000); Bronagh Carr, Ballina (€2,000); Christopher Sheridan, Ballina (€2,000); and Ivan Beattie, Ballina (€2,000).

Prizes of €1,500 went to Keith Lynn, Astown; Michelle Sweeney, Ballina; Michael Clarke, Killala; Brian Mullen, Crossmolina; and Margaret Murphy, Ballina.

There were eight winners of the €1,000 prize: Ann and Patrick Mulderrig, Culleens; Brian Casey, Enniscrone; Liam Reddington, Foxford; Stephen Forde, Ballina; Amy Reynolds, Ballina; Geraldine and Adrian Murray, Ballina; Alexander and Rebecca Connor Wood, Ballina; and Edel Gildea, Ballina.

Joanna Campbell, Ballina won €600, while €500 went to Gillian Devers, Ballina and Angelina Mangan McDonnell, Ballina.

The €495 prize went to Shirley and Joseph Feeney, Culleens.

The draw is open to members of Ballina Credit Union who are over 18 years and costs €2.76 per month to enter.

Last year €137,500 was awarded in prizemoney. The next draw will take place in December 2023.

Recent Ballina marriages

Congratulations have been extended to five couples who were recently married in the Parish of Kilmoremoy, Ballina.

The weddings took place of Senami Des Mennu, Limerick and Chinonso Okoraofor, Clondalkin, Dublin; Aileen Queenan, Lord Edward Street, Ballina and Stephen Hegarty, Donegal; Annie Kate Lawrence, Carrentrila, Ballina and Bernard McDonagh, Castlebar; Mary Moyles, Mount Assumpta, Ballina and Ronan Barrett, Crossmolina; and Doireann O’Shaughnessy, Belleek, Ballina and Patrick Lynskey, The Neale.

The late Thomas (Tom) Conlon

The death has taken place of Thomas (Tom) Conlon, Kilgarvin, Bonniconlon.

Thomas is deeply mourned by his loving wife Mary, son Tommy, daughters Breege and Kathleen, daughter-in-law Siobhan, sons-in-law Ambrose and Tony, brother Michael (Leeds) and sister-in-law Philomena.

He will be sadly missed by his seven adoring grandchildren, Niall, Cian, Niamh, Aaron, Chloe, Aoife and Rory.

Thomas is also mourned by his nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.

He was predeceased by his parents Michael and Catherine (Carracrum), his brothers Paddy and William, and sisters Mary, Kathleen and Teresa.

Thomas reposed at his residence on Monday and Tuesday of last week. Requiem Mass took place in the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Bonniconlon on Wednesday with burial afterwards in Bonniconlon Cemetery.

Free masterclass for painters

A masterclass by Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts artist Blaise Smith will be held in Ballina Arts Centre this Thursday, October 12.

The free masterclass by this well-known representational painter is part of Ballina 2023 celebrations and coincides with the current RHA West Exhibition which is running in Ballina Civic Offices.

Blaise Smith has exhibited widely in Ireland and abroad and has won numerous awards. He has been commissioned to paint many notable portraits including a group portrait of eight scientists for the Women on Walls campaign, which won the 2017 US Council/Irish Arts Review Portraiture Award. More recently, he was the official portrait artist of former Taoiseach Brian Cowen for the Dáil.

Blaise Smith’s work is held in many public and private collections. His most recent solo show was a retrospective of still life paintings in the Butler Gallery in 2021.

His Ballina masterclass is open for booking, but places are limited. Contact Ballina Arts Centre on 096-73593.

The RHA West exhibition in Ballina Civic Offices runs until October 20 and is showing some 50 pieces, including works by many of Ireland’s most famous living artists.

Mayo TDs to meet Ballina business representatives

Ballina businesses that might like to join a delegation from Ballina Chamber of Commerce which will meet Mayo TDs in Dáil Éireann are being invited to register their interest.

A schedule of meetings is being prepared for Tuesday, October 24. The meetings will provide an opportunity to put forward the views of Ballina Chamber’s 200 members directly to the county’s four public representatives at a national level.

You can email chamber@ballina.ie to register your interest and for further information about travel arrangements and the schedule. However, numbers are limited.

Attymass man dies in England

The death has taken place of Patrick McLoughlin, Leeds, England and late of Mullahowney, Attymass, Ballina.

Patrick is sadly missed by his loving partner Sheila, daughter Katie, sons Patrick and Aidan, and grandson Patrick. He will be forever remembered by his brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, godchildren, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, cousins, grandnephews, grandnieces, and by his many friends and work colleagues.

He was predeceased by his parents James and Mary, and brothers Vincent, Seamus and Brendan.

Requiem Mass took place in St Patrick’s Church, Torre Road, Leeds on Friday last, followed by burial in Killingbeck Cemetery.

Book club meeting

The next Craoibhín Ballina Book Club meeting is on Wednesday, October 11, at 7pm. This regular book club get-together is run in conjunction with Pangur Bán Bookshop, Tone Street, Ballina.

The book under discussion on the evening will be ‘Prophet Song’ by Limerick author Paul Lynch, a fictional narrative of Irish society on the brink and a government turning towards tyranny.

It takes place in the Craoibhín Ballina Centre on Cathedral Road, at a cost of €3 per person.

Death of Ballina native in England

Mary Philomena Moran (née Merrick), who died recently in England, was a native of Faranoo, Ballina.

Mary, of Banbury, Oxfordshire, was the devoted wife of Fred and mother to Janet and Kenneth.

She will be sadly missed by her husband, daughter, son, grandchildren, great-grandchildren and sister.

Requiem Mass will be celebrated in St John’s Roman Catholic Church, Banbury on Wednesday, October 11, at 11.30am.

Tickets for Handel’s ‘Messiah’ now on sale

As music lovers begin to feel the thrill of anticipation for the forthcoming performance of Handel’s ‘Messiah’ in Ballina, tickets have just gone on sale.

Arguably the world’s finest ever choral composition, the presentation by St Muredach’s Cathedral Choir of segments from the composer’s masterpiece will take place in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Saturday, November 11 at 8pm.

The cathedral choir, under its musical director Regina Deacy, will be joined for the concert by Westport-based choir Cor Mhaigheo, a professional chamber orchestra and guest soloists.

Tickets are priced at €27.50 and can be purchased from the Parish Office on 096-70555.

Bridge Club resumes

Ballina Bridge Club has resumed its weekly bridge games. The card games take place on Tuesday nights in The Moy Club, Dillon Terrace, starting at 7.30pm. All bridge players are very welcome to come along.

The late Marie Moran

The death has taken place of Marie Moran (née Timlin), ‘St. Josephs’, Sligo Road, Ballina and late of Farnascullogue, Ballina.

Marie was the beloved mother of Paul, Greg, Simon and Rachel.

She will be sadly missed by her sons, daughter, son-in-law Alan, daughters-in-law Fiona and Ciara, grandchildren Sam, Nathan, Louis, Jack, Tom and Barry, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.

Marie’s husband Frank, sister Eileen and brother Joe predeceased her.

Marie reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Wednesday of last week. Requiem Mass was held in St Muredach’s Cathedral on Thursday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.

Local competitors face Jungle Challenge

Once there was Lip Sync and now there is Jungle Challenge!

Ballina Town Football Club will bring Ireland’s latest, big fundraising craze to Ballina next month, as some well-known faces from around the area battle it out to become the Queen or King of the Jungle!

Jungle Challenge pits teams against each other to collect stars by overcoming their greatest fears - but it is not for the faint-hearted!

The busy soccer club is organising the event in the Great National Hotel Ballina on Saturday, November 4, to help raise funds. Several contestants from across the local community have already announced that they are entering the fray, and each will be bringing along huge levels of support for this tough, but fun, night of competition and entertainment.

Jungle Challenge is brought to you by Fundraising Events Group, in association with Empower Events.

Coffee and music morning

The monthly coffee and music morning at Craoibhín Ballina is this Thursday, October 12.

Louise Langan will supply the songs and the morning’s entertainment will also include refreshments and a raffle.

It starts in the Craoibhín Ballina Centre on Cathedral Road (next door to St. Muredach’s Cathedral) at 11am., finishing at 1pm. The fee is €7 and everyone is welcome to join in the fun.

For further information, you can contact the Craoibhín Ballina Centre on 087-2785365.

Toastmasters Club

The Ballina Toastmasters Club meeting this week is aimed at helping calm the nerves of those people who might have to give a speech or make a presentation.

The club’s very sociable and relaxed atmosphere provides the perfect setting for people who are anxious or nervous about speaking in a public space, showing you how to find your voice.

Ballina Toastmasters Club meets this coming Thursday, October 12, at 7.45pm in the Great National Hotel, located on the Old Foxford Road, Ballina. New members are always welcome.

If you need any further information, please contact 089-4182740.

The late Sheila O’Gorman

The death has taken place of Sheila O’Gorman, The Glebe, Ballina and formerly of Abbey Street, Ballina.

Sheila is deeply regretted by her loving family, including her sisters Eilish Geraghty (Claremorris) and Breda Monaghan (Claremorris), brothers Padraig (Galway), Val (Castlebar) and Gary (Ballina), sisters-in-law, brother-in-law, nieces, nephews, grandniece and grandnephew, neighbours and friends.

She was predeceased by her parents Clare and Paddy, her sister Marie and brother Eamon.

Sheila reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Friday of last week, followed by removal to St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina. Requiem Mass took place on Saturday with the funeral proceeding afterwards to Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.