Local Notes: Henry's book is set to be a sell-out
Henry Wills is pictured with current and former staff members of the Western People at the launch of his book In All Kinds of Weather. Picture: John O'Grady
The Western People is reporting huge demand for Henry Wills' wonderful new book, , which was launched by former President of Ireland Mary Robinson at a wonderful event in Mount Falcon Estate on November 17.
Since then, has been flying out of local shops and is unquestionably the biggest-selling book in Ballina in many years. It is no surprise that Henry's book has proved so popular because he has been one of the outstanding photographers of his generation, not just in Mayo but nationally, and that fact was recognised by the many members of the Press Photographers Association of Ireland (PPAI) who lavished him with praise at his launch.
commercial manager Aidan McNulty says copies of are now running low, so if you plan to purchase one as a gift this Christmas, make sure to do so before it is too late. Limited numbers of the book are available in Eason, Pangur Bán, Clarke's Newsagents, Clarke's Filling Station and Archer's.
Well done to Henry on producing a wonderful record of life in Ballina and Mayo over the last 50 years and congrats to him on its outstanding success.
Last year, GOAL Mile Ballina raised close to €5,000 during the annual Christmas Day event, ranking its fundraising figure at 16th out of 140 for money raised at GOAL Mile locations throughout Ireland in 2022.
The Ballina organising committee, led by Marion Mattimoe, is hoping that the 2023 GOAL Mile will raise even more money for GOAL, an Irish organisation which is active in 14 countries, helping people whose lives and livelihoods have been shattered by conflict, disease and climate change.
Runners and walkers will convene again this year on December 25 in Belleek Forest, Ballina, from 11am to 12.30pm This will be the 20th GOAL Mile event staged in Ballina, bringing to an end a year of important anniversaries in the town.
So why not come along to Belleek Forest this Christmas Day to build up an appetite for the Christmas dinner? You can run, walk, crawl or just have a chat and enjoy beverages and sweet treats kindly donated by local businesses. Most of all, you will be part of something special.
Donations can be made on the day, or online at www.idonate.ie.
St Muredach’s College Class of 1988 will mark 35 years since graduating with a busy programme of events on Friday, December 29.
Alumni of the Ballina all-boys secondary school will gather in their alma mater for light refreshments and a tour of the college building at 12 noon that day. This will be followed by a visit to the Jackie Clarke Collection on Pearse Street, and then a golf outing in Enniscrone.
Later that evening there will be dinner and a class photo in the Great National Hotel Ballina.
Reminiscences of times past will conclude with DJ Dermot Rice and a disco featuring nostalgic hits of the 1980s, à la Hothouse, arguably Ballina’s best-loved nightclub of a generation!
The death has taken place of Padraic Moran, Currower, Attymass, Ballina.
Padraic will be dearly and lovingly missed by his heartbroken wife Bernie, daughter Shannon and son Darrell, brothers Michael and Kieran, sisters Nuala and Christine, brothers in-law, sisters in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
His parents Patrick and Agnes, sister Ann and brother Noel predeceased him.
Padraic’s Funeral Mass took place in The Church of The Immaculate Conception and St Joseph, Attymass on Monday of last week, before proceeding to Shannon Crematorium for Service of Committal.
The annual Christmas Concert in St Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina will reveal some hidden gems from among the school’s talented pupils.
A variety of acts will include Sixth Year vocal and instrumental soloists, the award-winning St Mary’s Secondary School Choir, the First Year choir, Irish dancers and much more.
Boys from St Muredach’s College, Ballina will also join in the entertainment this year, performing along with St Mary’s own traditional Irish music group.
The concert takes place in the School Assembly Hall on Wednesday, December 20, at 7.30pm. Tickets are €10 (adults) and €5 (students) and are on sale at the school office. Telephone 096-70333 for more details.
Maeve Grimes and Martin Bourke won the 2023 Autumn League Mixed Doubles at Ballina Tennis Club. The pair were presented with their prize by Mairead McDonagh.
Runners-up were Helen Peglar and Alex Stapleton.
Bonniconlon GAA Club will hold its annual charity walk and football game on St Stephen's Day, starting at 12 noon at the football pitch.
All proceeds this year will go to Mayo Cancer Support/Rock Rose House. Refreshments will be served and all support is greatly appreciated.
Belleek Forest Park Committee, Ballina has launched its annual calendar. It will come as no surprise that the beautiful images in the calendar represent the diversity of flora and fauna that this excellent local amenity has to offer.
The 2024 calendar can be purchased through the Facebook page of this voluntary organisation, or in some local shops in Ballina. All proceeds from the sale of the calendar will go towards the Belleek Woods Enhancement Fund.
A video showcasing the wonderful work of volunteers during Ballina 2023 has been broadcast on its social media channels by Mayo Volunteer Centre.
Ballina 2023 has been a year-long series of events to celebrate the 300th anniversary of Ballina's formal establishment, although a settlement did exist in Ballina for centuries before that.
During 2023 there was a myriad of wonderful events in the town, from the Connacht Fleadh to the Salmon Festival, from the Macnas Community Parade to the President Biden event, and much more.
Mayo Volunteer Centre, which is run under the auspices of Moy Valley Resources, and is based at Cathedral Road, Ballina, was involved with the recruitment and training of the event volunteers.
In the short video clip, Sheila Garvin, the Volunteer Co-Ordinator for Ballina 2023, talks about the invaluable contribution of the many volunteers who helped to make it such a success.
First Year students of St Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina took part in a fundraising drive recently which saw them raise €230 for the Irish Cancer Society.
The project involved some of the First Year students designing a Christmas card, and was coordinated by Grace Devine.
Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club and Search and Recovery Unit are reminding those people who may have missed its Flag Day earlier this month that you can still make a donation online.
The Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club, based in Ballina, has had a dedicated Search and Recovery Unit providing on-call day and night, 365-day-a-year support for over 35 years.
The Search and Recovery Unit is comprised of club members who volunteer their time to support the unit.
The members are trained in the use of specialist equipment, required to work in a variety of hazardous conditions such as rivers and lakes, often with limited visibility.
Donations to the club’s Search and Recovery Unit can be made at www.ifundraise.ie.
This year's - the annual Christmas publication from the - contains lots of fascinating articles by local historians, including Terry Reilly and Sinead Mitchell-Brennan. It is priced at just €5 and is available in all local shops.
Ballina Bridge Club will resume games in The Moy Club, Ballina on Tuesday, January 9.
Meanwhile, club members enjoyed a lively Christmas party earlier this month, before the final game of the year took place on Tuesday, December 12.
The results of that competition were: 1st, Ann and Sean Callaghan; 2nd, Mary Mongan and Mary O Dowd; 3rd, Ann Ivers and Josie Cawley; 4th, Margaret and James Munnelly; 5th, Gerry Scanlon and Francis Walkin; 6th, Mary Gilvarry and Niall Kilroy; 7th, Bill Thomas and Ger Moran; 8th, Helena and Pauline Moran; and 9th, Mary Mc Andrew and Caroline Callaghan.
New bridge players are always very welcome at Ballina Bridge Club.
A one-woman play by Morag Prunty will provide engaging, hilarious and, at the same time, heart-warming entertainment for Ballina audiences next month.
The playwright, who is also an award-winning author, takes her show to Ballina Arts Centre on Wednesday, January 24. Morag Prunty won ‘Novelist of the Year’ in 2020, writing under the name Kate Kerrigan.
‘Am I Irish Yet?’ is a play for anyone who has ever questioned who they are and where they call home.
Tickets for the Ballina production of ‘Am I Irish Yet?’ are €18 and can be booked online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also book by telephoning 096-73593 or emailing info@ballinaartscentre.com Morag’s play starts at 8p.m.
The date for next year’s annual River Moy Swim has been announced by the organisers.
The Moy Swim returned to the banks of the River Moy in Ballina in 2019, after an absence of more than 30 years.
The 2024 event will be held on Saturday, July 13. Each year, proceeds from the charity swim are donated to local organisations.
Photos of Ballina and of scenic spots in other parts of North Mayo feature in a 2024 calendar from Transition Year students of Gortnor Abbey Secondary School, Crossmolina.
The calendar is very well presented, with a high gloss finish. It sells for €10 and, as a special offer, can be posted as a Christmas gift to any address in Ireland for just €11.
The death has taken place of Henrietta Leonard (née Crean), also known as Ettie, of Carrowkerribla, Attymass, Ballina.
Henrietta will be dearly and lovingly missed by her relatives, neighbours and her extended network of friends from near and far.
She was predeceased by her parents Anthony and Margaret.
Henrietta reposed at Clarke’s Funeral Home, Foxford on Tuesday of last week, followed by removal to the Church of the Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph, Attymass.
Funeral Mass took place on Wednesday, with the funeral proceeding afterwards to Bonnifinglas Cemetery.
