Local Notes: Milestone moment for Ballina parkrun
At the celebrations to mark the 400th of Ballina Parkrun last month were, from left, Michael Tolan, Teresa Munnelly, Catherine Munnelly and John Munnelly. The 5k Ballina Parkrun takes place every Saturday morning at Belleek, Ballina.
A milestone 400th event was marked by a special Ballina parkrun in Belleek on Saturday, March 23rd. And the weather even gave a nod to the celebratory occasion, as the rain held off to allow the large gathering to undertake the significant run.
Ballina parkrun got off the ground in 2014 and, over the years, parkrun has become more than just a weekly 5k event. It has evolved into a community hub where friendships are formed and memories are made for the thousands of runners and walkers who have taken part.
Event ambassador, Ballina’s own Ann Egan, said: “I am delighted to have been part of parkrun over the last 10 years, from being run director at its first event to now being ambassador for five of the Mayo events.
“Watching parkrun grow across Ireland has been hugely inspiring but, above all, the thing I have enjoyed most about parkrun has been meeting so many wonderful people from across so many diverse communities, all of whom have been welcomed to Ballina every week.
“Every parkrun is unique, but the friendly, feel-good factor is common to all parkruns! I look forward to celebrating our 500th event,” said Ann.
The parkrun has come a long way since it was first held in November 2014. In the intervening years, thousands of people from all over the world have flocked to Belleek Forest to take part in the weekly event. The 400th parkrun had participants from Kerry and Northern Ireland, while also attracting the core group that makes it part of their weekly schedule.
In fact, some 22,610 people have finished the first 399 Ballina parkruns!
After the 400th run, runners and walkers stayed around at the finish line, where they enjoyed a celebratory cuppa and a well-deserved slice of cake to mark the occasion.
The free community event, which takes place every Saturday morning at 9.30am from Ballina Soccer Club, averages 50 to 90 runners and walkers on a weekly basis and is organised by volunteers. Anyone interested in signing up for Ballina parkrun can do so at the parkun website, www.parkrun.ie. All you need to do then is to show up and bring your barcode.
Singer and broadcaster Marc Roberts will join The Moy Singers for their 2024 Spring Concert.
Marc, who performed under his birth name Sean Hegarty for many years in his native Crossmolina before changing his professional name to Marc Roberts, is a former Eurovision contestant for Ireland, coming second in 1997.
The Moy Singers, a four part choral group based in Ballina, is now in its 38th year.
The group sings regularly, including at its own two headline shows each year when the members invite a special guest to join them for their spring and Christmas performances.
Marc Roberts has recorded six albums to date and has worked and collaborated with some of the biggest Irish performers. He lives in Galway and is a broadcaster on Galway Bay FM.
The annual Moy Singers Spring Concert will be staged on Saturday, April 20th, in The Great National Hotel, Old Foxford Road, Ballina, starting at 8pm.
Mindspace Mayo is operating a regular outreach service in Ballina Family Resource Centre, Abbey Street, Ardnaree.
Mindspace Mayo is a free and confidential support for young people in the county aged between 12 and 25 who may be going through a difficult time.
For more information, please contact 094-9067001 or email info@mindspacemayo.ie.
The organisers of the Helena Winters (née Langan) Daffodil Day Coffee Morning last month have thanked all of those who helped raise €5,708.37 for the Irish Cancer Society.
Gratitude was also expressed to Ballina Pastoral Centre and to Ita for all the help and for the use of the venue.
Tribute was paid to the bakers for their delicious treats and to the hard-working helpers. The organisers also thanked local businesses that sponsored raffle prizes and delicacies.
The death has taken place of Andrew (Andy) Byron, Coolcran, Crossmolina Road, Ballina and late of Pearse Street, Ballina and Leeds, England.
Andy was the beloved father to Andrew (USA). He will be sadly missed by his son, daughter-in-law Patricia, grandchildren Sean and Rachel, sister Josephine (Leeds), sister-in-law Phil (Leeds), nephew Liam Byron and his wife Marion, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Andy was predeceased by his wife Margaret, brothers Paddy, Jack and Michael, and sisters Mary and Lila.
Andy reposed at his residence in Coolcran, Ballina on Monday of last week.
Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Tuesday followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
The death has occurred of Rosaleen Diamond (neé Walshe), 111 Childers Heights, Ballina and formerly of Bridge Street, Ballina.
Rosaleen was the beloved mother of Gerry and Ray. She will be sadly missed by her sons, daughter-in-law Anne, brother Liam, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Noel, brothers John James, Paddy Joe and Luke, and by her sisters Nancy and Patsy.
Rosaleen reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina, with removal afterwards to St. Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina.
Following Requiem Mass, the funeral proceeding to Leigue Cemetery, Ballina for burial.
The death has taken place of Oliver (Ollie) Jackson, Ardnaree, Ballina.
Ollie was the beloved son of Jane and loving brother to Seamus (Carrowcastle), Pearse (Ellaghmore), David (Cobh), Alan (Ballyholan), Martin (Ballyholan), Sinead Henry (Dunmore) and Elizabeth Finnegan (Dunmore).
He will be sadly missed by his loving mother, brothers, sisters, nephews, nieces, grandnephews, grandnieces, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
He was predeceased by his father Pearse.
Ollie reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Tuesday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Wednesday, followed by a private cremation service in Shannon Crematorium.
The death has taken place of Seamus Mangan, Behymore, Ballina.
Seamus was the beloved husband of Margaret (neé Stadler) and dear father to Lorraine and Declan. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, daughter, son, sisters Barbara Meer, Mary Conway and Vera Pender, brothers-in-law Chris Conway and Raymond Pender, sisters-in-law Mary Keane, Kathleen McHale and Claire McKinely, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Juney and Ellen, and by his brothers-in-law Matthew Meer, Raymond Stadler and Patrick Stadler.
Seamus reposed at his residence on Saturday and Sunday last. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina yesterday (Monday) followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
The winner of the top prize in the most recent Quarterly Cash Draw for members of Ballina Credit Union was Mary McDermott, Ballina. Mary’s ticket came out on top and she took away €15,000 in the March draw.
€3,000 went to Bernadette Costello, Ballina while Marjorie Morrow (Ballina), Jason Best (Ballina) and Barry O’Connor (Enniscrone) each won €2,000.
A prize of €1,500 each went to Fiona Dodd (Ballina), Karen Durcan (Ballina), Mary O’Regan (Ballina), Kathleen McAndrew (Ballina) and Raymond O’Hora (Ballina).
Sinead Meer (Bonniconlon), Stephen Langan (Ballina), Gerard and Martina Clear (Culleens), Mairead Melody (Ballina), Marty Walshe Snr (Ballina), Lorraine and Seamus Melvin (Knockmore), Thomas Jordan (Ballina) and Charlotte Hannick (Ballina) were all the lucky winners of €1,000.
Gemma Gavin (Ballina) won €600, while €500 went to Niall Jordan (Ballina) and Margaret and Ann McGinty (Ballina). Billy Coleman (Knockmore) took home the last prize of €470.
To enter the Ballina Credit Union Quarterly Cash Draw, just complete the entry form available from the credit union’s office on O’Rahilly Street, Ballina, or to find out more, contact Ballina Credit Union on 096-71066.
Ballina Library, in conjunction with Flourish Social Prescribing, is celebrating World Art Day on April 15 with a Colour and Chat session in the library on Pearse Street from 2pm to 4pm.
You are invited to come along and engage in a relaxing watercolour painting activity, and have a cup of tea and a chat.
It’s an opportunity to meet new friends in your community or perhaps discover a new hobby. You will also learn more about what services Flourish Social Prescribing and Ballina Library can support you with.
For more information, please contact Maria on 087-1857280 or just drop in on the day.
