Local Notes: Ireland's top photographers hold exhibition in Ballina
Mary Martin and Anne Beattie, Ballina, at the official opening of the AIB Press Photographer of the Year 2024 in Ballina Library. The exhibition continues until July 20. Picture: Michael Donnelly
Press Photographers Ireland are holding their annual exhibition at Ballina Library until July 20 next.
The exhibition, which is being held in memory of the late Henry Wills, was officially opened by Iar Taoiseach Enda Kenny on Monday last, July 8.
It is a fantastic collection of photographs from Ireland's top press photographers and it is well worth a visit. The exhibition is located upstairs in the library, so make sure to check it out.
St Muredach’s College student Eoghan Durkan takes on the mammoth tasks of a five-hour laboratory practical exam and a five-hour written theoretical exam when he competes on behalf of Ireland at the forthcoming International Chemistry Olympiad in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Eoghan is one of four Irish students who will be in the Middle Eastern country to take part in chemistry’s preeminent world contest for those who attend second-level school. It runs from Sunday, July 21 to Tuesday, July 30.
Some 87 countries from every continent will each send a team of four students, who are tested on their chemistry knowledge and skills.
To get there, Eoghan competed in the Chemistry Olympiad Ireland competition at Dublin City University, taking a bronze medal at the all-island event in April, and earning a place for himself at the global final.
Eoghan is a Leaving Certificate student of the Ballina boys’ secondary school, where his chemistry teacher is Cliodhna Boyce.
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.
This coming Saturday, July 20, will see Ballina Dragons Meitheal Abhain host a Connect Café coffee morning in the front shelter of Quay West Bar and Restaurant at The Quay, Ballina.
Founded in 2023 by Denise Swanick, the dragon boat club members paddle twice weekly on the River Moy.
The club recently launched its website at www.ballinadragons.com.
“We invite people to explore the site to see what we are all about, why we paddle, read some of our stories so far and learn what it means to be a dragon, as told by our members,” said Denise, who is also chairperson and head coach of Ballina Dragons Meitheal Abhain.
“But the Ballina Dragons are so more than just about paddling on a dragon boat. We have a number of projects in the pipeline and are also working towards becoming an autism-friendly club in support of Ballina Autism Friendly Town,” she said.
Teresa Kane, from Mental Health Ireland, will attend Saturday’s coffee morning, which starts at 10am and is free. There will be lots of tea/coffee and sweet treats, along with a large helping of chat and laughter. Everyone is welcome to join the club members.
Ballina Dragons will hold a community and membership evening on August 27, with more details of this and other activities to follow.
Ballina Meals on Wheels raised €2,610 in its recent church gate collection. The voluntary charity organisation, based at Ballina Community Centre, Teeling Street, has thanked all those who contributed so generously to the collection, and those who volunteered to help on the day, despite the inclement weather conditions.
The death has taken place of Mary Frances Durcan, Quignashee, Ballina and late of Knockaraha, Ballintubber, Co Mayo.
Mary was the beloved wife of Patrick Joseph (PJ) and dear mother of Shane, Martin, Kieran, Rory and Katherine. She will be sadly missed by her husband, sons, daughter, grandchildren James, Eimhin, Rian, Sofia and Emily, daughters-in-law Annie, Marie and Natalia, sisters Eleanor McHugh (Claremorris) and Ann Vera Bourke (Clooncundra, Castlebar), brothers Sean (Knockaraha, Ballintubber), Tommy (Knockaraha, Ballintubber) and Martin (Kiltimagh), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents John and Kathleen Horan, and by her sister Kathleen Sweeney.
Mary reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Members of the Pioneer Total Abstinence Association in Ballina are reminded that the National Pioneer Pilgrimage to Knock Shrine will take place on Sunday next, July 21.
Ceremonies will start with the Rosary at 2pm, followed by the Anointing of the Sick at 2.30pm, and concluding with Mass at 3pm.
The death has taken place of Frank Nolan, Convent Hill, Ballina.
Frank was dear father to Aaron, Lauren, Kim and Megan. He will be sadly missed by his son, daughters, grandchildren Cathal, Cillian, Darragh, Leah, Robyn, Lily and Mia, children’s partners Monika, David, Martin and Caolon, sister Betty, brothers Robbie and Peter, Bridie Delahunt, relatives, neighbours, friends and work colleagues at St Joseph’s District Hospital, Ballina.
Frank reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina. A service for family and friends took place in Shannon Crematorium on Monday of last week.
The vital services of Mayo Cancer Support are available every Tuesday in Ballina. The charity, which is based in Castlebar, is accepting appointments for its outreach clinic at the Ballina District Hospital campus. Emotional support to those affected by cancer is provided free of charge. Telephone 094-9038407 or 087-2804164 for full details.
Ballina Library has some exciting news for families with children who are starting school this September, with word that the My Little Library initiative is back!
Little ones will receive a free My Little Library book bag, available in English or Irish. This excellent programme helps build strong connections between children, families and your local library.
All you have to do is visit Ballina Library on Pearse Street and become a member, if not already signed up.
Book bags are available all summer, so don't miss out.
Kilmoremoy Ladies Gaelic Football Club is staging its Golf Classic this weekend. The outing at Ballina Golf Club will be held on Friday, July 19 and Saturday, July 20.
The Ballina sports club, which comprises an amalgamation of footballers from Ballina Stephenites, Ardnaree and Bonniconlon, is promising lots of prizes for its fundraising event.
To book a spot, please contact Ballina Golf Club at 096-21050 or email info@ballina-golf.com. A team of four costs €140 for one day, or €200 for both days.
The death has taken place of Anne (Nancy) Boland (née Casey), The Glebe, Ballina, and formerly of Ardroe, Claremorris.
Nancy will be dearly missed by her devoted family, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
She was predeceased by her loving husband Sean, her brothers Frank, Sean, Seamus, Martin and Joe, and her sisters Mary, Jane, Teresa and Kitty.
Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Thursday of last week, followed by a private cremation.
A richly-textured new track from folk-pop artist Sarah Keane is set to capture an even broader audience for the music of this prolific Ballina-born songwriter.
Sarah has just launched her new single, 'Letters', the second track taken from her upcoming debut EP.
‘Letters’ features wistful piano and strings, backing the lyrics which tell the story of Sarah reaching out to a friend whom she hadn’t heard from in a while. After not being able to get in touch, her only option was to write a letter.
“We would often go for long periods without chatting, except this time, when I went to contact him, his social media presence had disappeared and his phone wasn’t working. I feared for the worst and just wished I’d got in touch much sooner,” explains Sarah.
“The song captures a time when I was hoping I would get a chance to remind him there are always friends who care. Hopefully, it will encourage some listeners to reach out to old friends and inspire connection”, said the singer formerly known as Rowlette.
She has supported Irish talent both at home and overseas, including CMAT, Jack L, Junior Brother and Lisa Canny. Her music has been featured on radio and TV at home and abroad, including on RTÉ 1 television, RTÉ Radio 1, BBC, 2fm and .
Sarah has become known for her soulful vocals, unique story-telling ability, enchanting performances and trademark acoustic guitar playing.
With her upcoming EP, Sarah will have a busy few months ahead and has just finished a tour across Ireland and London. Music fans are encouraged to keep an eye on her social media channels over the coming weeks as more details of gigs and her upcoming EP, to be released in the autumn, will be revealed.
'Letters' is now available on all streaming platforms.
Attymass Parish has confirmed the following dates and times for its Cemetery Masses this summer: Bonnifinglas Cemetery - Tuesday, August 6 at 7.30pm; New Killeen Cemetery, Attymass – Friday, August 9 at 7.30pm; and Old Killeen Cemetery, Attymass – Tuesday, August 13 at 7.30pm.
Fr John Maloney has thanked all of those who help with the upkeep of the cemeteries, especially those volunteers on the Cemetery Care committees who take responsibility for maintaining the three cemeteries in good condition.
A collection for the upkeep of the cemeteries will take place at each Mass.
Ballina Tennis Club has elected new officers and committee members for the coming year, following its recent AGM.
Damien Kelly returns as Chairperson, with John Valerio elected Secretary.
The Treasurer is Martin Bourke. Maintenance Officers are Dietrich Pfeiffer, John Kelly and John Valerio, while Child Protection Officers are Rosaleen O’Malley and Damien Kelly.
John Valerio is also DLP, with Carmel Tuffy and Helen Peglar named as Connacht Branch Representatives for the year ahead.
Carmel Tuffy and Karolina Ostrowska take on the role of Public Relations Officers for the club, and Artur Jastrzebski was named as Club Captain.
THe League Secretary is Helen Peglar, assisted by Carmel Tuffy.
In addition to the above officers, other committee members of Ballina Tennis Club will include Mairead McDonagh, Eithne Duffy, Marie Claire Melvin, Rob Young, John Kelly, Stella Winters, Gair Gordon, Teresa McLoughlin and Siobhan Maye.
New members are always welcome at the club, which is located beside Ballina Community Sports Centre, just off Cathedral Road. You can get more details on its Facebook page.
The death has taken place of Glenn McLellan, Barnadearg, Ballina and Seaview, Ballycastle.
Glenn was the father of Donny and Hazel and brother of Don and Tommy.
He will be sadly missed by his son, daughter, brothers, sister-in-law Kathleen, nieces Nicole, Amy and Abbi, nephew Tommy Lee, grandnephews John and Ross, grandniece Coco, relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Donny and Lilly.
Glenn reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Friday of last week, with removal afterwards to St Patrick’s Church, Ballina.
Requiem Mass was celebrated on Saturday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Many people from Ballina and the much wider area will recall the great work carried out by the music theatre group Heroes for Hospice in the last decade, which took its show ‘Beyond the Barricade’ to places as far apart as Ballina and London, Castlebar and Manchester, raising funds for Mayo Roscommon Hospice in the process.
This September, the group celebrates 10 years of sell-out charity productions and is bringing a new show to the stage to mark the occasion.
Directed by Lavinia Gilmartin, the musical ‘One Day More’ will look back to where it all began.
‘One Day More’ is also the title of the many classic songs to come from ‘Les Miserables’, the stage musical and film which first inspired the local Heroes for Hospice group to produce ‘Beyond the Barricade’.
The new production is a celebration of human resilience, told through an enthralling story.
Set to a spectacular score, and featuring some of the best-loved classics of musical theatre, ‘One Day More’ will be a breathtaking showcase of local performing talent, and runs from September 5 to 7 in Ballina Arts Centre.
Proceeds from the show will go to Mayo Roscommon Hospice and Mayo Cancer Support.
Tickets are now on sale at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also book by calling Ballina Arts Centre on 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
The following have been baptised in recent months in the Parish of Kilmoremoy (Ballina): Reina and Fia Donnelly, Crossmolina; Emmie Rae Forde, Abbey Court, Ballina; Maggie Teresa Maughan, Knockleagha, Ballina; Laoise Mae O’Hora Nevin, The Quay, Ballina; Avaya Rose Hilary Barrett, Kilmoremoy, Ballina; Theo Sean Ginty, Enniscrone; Michael Thomas Hegarty, Moyvale Lawn, Ballina; Paisley Mary Lackey, Saint Patrick’s Estate, Ballina; Daisy Bridget Marshall, Greenhills Estate, Ballina; Sean Mac Alan Maloney, The Woodlands, Mount Falcon, Ballina; Ronnie Nolan, Ridgepool Village, Ballina; Charlotte Louise Corbett, McDermott Street, Ballina; Mylah-Rose Marshall, Greenhills Estate, Ballina; James Gerard Moran, Riverslade, Ballina; Charlie Harry Dolan, Childers Heights, Ballina; Ada Grace Molloy, Rathball, Knockanillaun, Ballina; Francie Anthony McDonagh, Abbey Court, Ballina; Patrick Choinski, Bury Street, Ballina; Valent Blu Ellen Harvey, Ferran Terrace, Ballina; Charlie Carlos Maughan, St Patrick’s Estate, Ballina; and Doireann Devaney, Ballymachola, Crossmolina.
Local fundraisers for Concern have thanked all of those who supported the recent Ballina church gate collections outside St Muredach’s Cathedral and St Patrick’s Church. A total of €2,160.50 was raised, with the organisation also expressing its gratitude to those who helped with the collections.
The shores of Lough Conn will be the location for a new music festival this coming August Bank Holiday weekend.
The generally serene waters on the eastern side of the lake at Cloghans, Ballina will be stirred and shaken by the sounds of eight live bands on Saturday, August 3.
Lining up for the inaugural Concert at The Lodge are acts from all four provinces.
Sligo’s Poor Creature is comprised of Cormac MacDiarmada and Ruth Clinton, from the bands Lankum and Landless respectively. The pair perform new interpretations of old songs, accompanied by viola, guitar, synth and theremin. Drawing inspiration from Irish and American traditional music, their music has dark and dreamy undertones and features themes of love, loss and the supernatural.
Ballina’s Yop and the Ballina/Dublin act John of the Apocalypse will represent local talent.
A solo show from Cork improv master Dan Walsh, aka Fixity, Belfast-based quartet Junk Drawer, Hands Up Who Wants to Die, Dublin’s Cobra Truth and Rún complete the diverse and exciting line-up of acts.
Camping is available beside and close to the well-known lakeside pub and the music starts at 3pm.
