Local Notes: Philip catches first salmon on Ballina Heritage Day
Val McLoughlin (right), chairman of Mayo Shore Angling Club, presenting Philip McMaster from Belfast with a trophy after he caught the first salmon of the day on the River Moy on Ballina Salmon Festival Heritage Day, July 10 last. On the left is John Howley, Inland Fisheries Inspector. The salmon was caught under the catch and release practice.
Fifty years of Ardnaree Community Playgroup will be celebrated in style next month, as the organisation hosts an afternoon of fun and games for children and a nostalgic trip down memory lane for former pre-schoolers and their parents.
Ardnaree Community Playgroup is located at the Sean Duffy Centre, home of Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club in Shanaghy, Ballina.
The milestone event is on Saturday, August 10, between 2pm and 5pm. Join in the celebrations and enjoy a cuppa, light refreshments and music, while the little ones are entertained by Elaine.
Most of all, it will be a chance for many people to recall the ‘old days’ that started when the community group began its landmark journey in 1974, with photos and memorabilia from across five decades helping to add to the reminiscences.
On the same day, Ardnaree Community Playgroup will also unveil its summer project that includes a revamp of the play area, and impressive new matting for the little ones.
The death has taken place of Mary Maureen McGowan (née Gillard), Carralavin, Bonniconlon, Ballina.
Mary is deeply mourned by her loving husband Aiden, sons Brendan and Liam, daughter Jacinta, brother Sean, daughter-in-law Denise, grandchildren Rory and Amy, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives and a large circle of friends.
Mary reposed at her residence on Monday of last week. Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Bonniconlon on Tuesday, with burial afterwards in Bonniconlon Cemetery.
Recent Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club 50/50 draw winners include Dottie Moran, Ballina, who won €320; Teresa Cavanagh, Ballina, who won €399; and Eoin O'Donnell, Cork who won €360. The draws took place in Sean Sibin, An Bolg Bui and The Cot and Cobble Bar and Restaurant.
Tickets for the club’s weekly fundraising draw are available through the Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club app, or in local shops.
The Parish of Kilmoremoy has congratulated two couples whose marriages took place recently. They were Mary Melvin, Gurteens, Ballina and Niall Brennan, Galway, and Sarah Regan, Crofton Park, Ballina and Cian Mullally, Kilkenny.
Six of Ireland’s leading country music stars will be on stage at Great National Hotel Ballina next month, The stellar line-up will include Ballina’s own Gerry Guthrie, whose latest single ‘I Couldn’t Get My Mind off You’ has been well received by fans and is clocking up airplay across the country.
Also on the bill are Declan Nerney and his band, Patrick Feeney, Mick Flavin and his band, John Hogan and John McNicholl.
Seasoned backing group Keltic Storm will provide musical support for the acts on the night, as each artist showcases their biggest hits of the last few decades.
Tickets for the Summer Country Show in Ballina on Thursday, August 8 are available from hotel reception on 096-23600 or email info@hotelballina.ie.
Vincent’s Charity Shop, Ballina is reminding parents that it has a range of good quality school uniforms in stock for the school year ahead.
The shop is located at Teeling Street, Ballina and is open from Monday to Saturday between 10am and 5pm. The shop carries fashion and furniture.
You can contact Vincent’s Ballina on 096-72905 or email vincents.ballina@svp.ie.
Congratulations to Aoife Sherry, Quay Road, Ballina who won the Tionlacan/Accompaniment (15-18) competition on the harp at the Connacht Fleadh in Strokestown, Co Roscommon, earning a place for herself in competition at the All-Ireland Fleadh in Wexford next month.
The young musician is also through to the All-Ireland Fleadh in the piano competition.
Aoife won the Gerry McNulty Cup, named after the late schoolteacher and former principal of Rehins National School, Ballina, who was a prominent member of Comhaltas Ceoltoiri Eireann for many years.
The Mary Robinson Centre is seeking volunteers to assist with its garden, hens and monthly Swap Shop. Those who volunteer will help the organisation to maintain the urban farm and a range of community activities at its centre on Emmett Street, Ballina.
Volunteers must be 18 years of age, and you can get more information by visiting The Mary Robinson Centre Facebook page.
Ballina Order of Malta enjoyed a successful run at the All-Ireland National Cadet Competitions in Lisnaskea, Co Fermanagh recently, taking top prize in four categories.
The young Ballina Cadets came 1st in Junior Team, 1st in Foot Drill, 1st in Senior Home Nursing and 1st in Senior Individual.
The Junior Home Nursing and Two-Person Team Test contestants came 2nd in their categories. There was a 3rd placing for the Junior Individual and a 3rd placing also for the Senior Team.
A meeting of Mayo COPD Support Group will take place on Thursday, July 25 at 2.30pm. Guest speaker will be musician Bernie Carroll.
The get-together will be held in The Tennis Club, Lough Lannagh Road, Castlebar, and all are welcome.
A day trip from Ballina to the Ulster American Folk Park in Omagh, Co Tyrone still has places available.
Organised by Craoibhín Ballina, the open-air Northern Ireland museum offers lots of fascinating historical insights into three centuries of Irish emigration to North America, with 30 exhibit buildings to explore.
The excursion will take place on next Tuesday, July 30, but booking should be made and a non-refundable deposit paid in advance, no later than July 23, by contacting the Craoibhín Ballina Centre, Cathedral Road, Ballina on 087-2785365.
The cost is €30 for the bus, with an additional admission charge to the folk park of £8.78 (Sterling), to be paid on arrival. Food is also available at an extra cost, with menu details on view in advance from Craoibhín Ballina. The bus will depart at 8am.
A weekly Irish music session in the Great National Hotel Ballina promises an evening of lively entertainment every Thursday for the summer.
The Bofield branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann is bringing together some of the finest Irish music and dance talent in the county to present these summer shows, which will also feature songs and storytelling.
It is a great night out for locals and visitors alike, and Bofield CCE is extending an invite to other musicians, singers and dancers to join in. The weekly seisiún starts at 8.30pm.
A Cemetery Mass will be celebrated in Ballinahaglish Cemetery, Ballina on Sunday, August 4, at 6pm.
The evolution of traditional folk and ballad music has been gathering pace in recent years, and one group that is helping to further this dynamic transformation is Ceol, joining what has become quite a crowded scene in that genre.
A group brought together by country singer Nathan Carter and Liam McKenna, formerly of the pop band Six, the idea sprung from seeing so many talented young musicians singing and playing in pubs every night of the week during travels around the country. The two artists waved their magic wands and Ceol was born!
Ceol was originally formed as a five-piece in 2021, performing its inaugural live show in the Royal Theatre, Castlebar in December of that year. Now a quartet comprising Matthew (Donegal), Cathal (Dublin), Daryl (Kildare) and James (Wexford), and with a successful album already released, the accomplished musicians and singers take their inspiration from the likes of The Dubliners, The Chieftains and Mumford and Sons. With the group’s strong vocal harmonies and skilled instrumentalists, Ceol brings a fresh new sound.
Ceol will be performing live at Bonniconlon Show on Bank Holiday Monday, August 5, one of a series of festival dates the group has been enjoying this summer.
The Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club, Ballina will once again welcome visiting divers from all across the country to Kilcummin Harbour near Lacken in North Mayo for its 2024 Dive Rally.
The club aims to showcase the region’s incredible diving opportunities, which it says are some of the finest in Ireland.
Clubs from many parts of the country and from abroad are expected to attend.
The Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club will base its operations for the weekend of Friday, August 9 to Sunday, August 11 at Kilcummin Pier, where a warm welcome will await the visiting divers.
The final deadline to register online is Tuesday, August 6 and the registration fee of €35 includes food supplied by Claire’s Kitchen.
More information is available from Steve on 083-0626964 or Yvonne on 087-2031089.
BAFTA and Perrier award-winning comedian Dylan Moran takes his latest show to Ballina next week.
‘A Work in Progress Wander’ is currently on an extensive Irish tour, taking in 29 dates in 25 towns across the country, including Ballina Arts Centre on Thursday, August 1 at 8pm.
The Navan-born comic has worked in Ireland and Britain for over three decades, most notably on the Channel 4 cult classic ‘Black Books’, which he co-created, co-scripted and starred in, and as a regular at Irish and international comedy festivals such as The Edinburgh Fringe Festival, the Kilkenny Comedy Festival and the Melbourne International Comedy Festival.
In 2010, Dylan Moran was named the 14th Greatest Stand-Up Comedian in a Channel 4 poll.
Tickets for his Ballina show are €25 and can be booked online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
