Local Notes: Sam Maguire gets a warm welcome in Ardnaree
Members of Ardnaree GAA Club's U10 team with their coaches during the recent visit of the Sam Maguire Cup, which was brought to the club by Mayo senior footballers Liam Golden, Darren McHale and Dylan Thornton. Picture: John O'Grady
Providing support to older people and adults across Ballina and its hinterland, Craoibhín Ballina promotes social inclusion and community involvement. By helping people remain active and connected, and by offering essential transport services, the organisation ensures that members can continue to participate fully in community life.
Moy Valley Resources (MVR) has welcomed the successful award of CLÁR Programme 2026 funding for a new community bus for Craoibhín Ballina, marking an important investment in a service first established in 2008 as The Over-55 Club, through the initiative of Moy Valley Resources.
MVR identified the CLÁR funding opportunity and recognised its potential to address the programme’s need for suitable and reliable transport. MVR worked closely with its Craoibhín team in progressing the opportunity, with the funding application formally submitted by the Moy Valley Community Services Programme.
The support has extended beyond sustaining current services to identifying new funding opportunities, enhancing operations and promoting the continued growth and sustainability of the programme.
For the people who use Craoibhín, the new vehicle will mean much more than transport.
Mobility difficulties and lack of access to transport can leave older people spending increasing amounts of time at home, with fewer opportunities to meet others or participate in community life.
Craoibhín’s community transport service helps overcome that barrier. The new bus will help people with mobility difficulties get out of their homes, meet other people, participate in activities and maintain the social connections that are so important to wellbeing.
It will also strengthen Craoibhín’s work in addressing loneliness and social isolation, issues which can have a particularly significant impact on older people and those living alone.
Jacqueline Kinsella, General Manager of Operations and Business Development with Moy Valley Resources, said: “This is a really positive result for Craoibhín and, most importantly, for the people who rely on the service.
“MVR has been providing significant support to Craoibhín and identified CLÁR as an opportunity that could make a real difference. This is what our role is about – supporting our programmes, identifying opportunities and helping bring investment into services that matter to our communities.
“On behalf of Moy Valley Resources and Moy Valley Community Services Programme, I would also like to thank Minister Dara Calleary and the staff in his office for their continued support. We greatly appreciate their ongoing engagement with our organisation and with the work being delivered in our local community.”
Craoibhín was established as a project of Moy Valley Resources in 2008 and has grown into an important community service in Ballina. Today, it provides a wide range of social, recreational and wellbeing activities, as well as community transport and outreach supports, based in the grounds of the former Convent of Mercy school campus on McDermott Street.
The CLÁR funding represents another important step in strengthening the service for the future and ensuring Craoibhín can continue helping people to get out, meet others and remain connected to their community.
Craoibhín Ballina can be contacted by calling 087-2785365.
Hello Café provides a friendly welcome, a listening ear and an opportunity for conversation every Monday from 11am to 12 noon in Costa Coffee, Pearse Street, Ballina.
Whether you would like to join the group table for a chat or prefer a confidential one-to-one conversation, you will find a warm and supportive atmosphere.
Run by local volunteers who are trained to listen, Hello Café offers a safe, welcoming space for anyone aged 18 or over.
The weekly gathering aims to help foster a caring, connected community, and everyone is welcome to come along. The group looks forward to meeting you.
Ballina Arch Club, which provides a valuable social outlet for adults with special needs in the local community, has expressed a sincere ‘thank you’ to everyone who supported its recent church gate collections in Ballina. The collections raised an impressive €2,258.86, with all proceeds going towards supporting the club’s ongoing activities and services.
A native of Tone Street, Ballina, Fr Francis O’Dowd will return to his hometown next week to celebrate a special Mass in St Muredach’s Cathedral.
The Mass will take place on Wednesday, October 21st, at 6.30pm, marking the 25th anniversary of the first Mass that Francis celebrated in the cathedral following his ordination.
Since becoming a priest, he has ministered in the United States and serves in the Diocese of Tyler in East Texas, where he has devoted his priesthood to communities across the region.
A former member of the 5th Mayo Scout Unit, Fr Francis is eagerly anticipating the opportunity to celebrate this jubilee occasion with family, neighbours and friends, both local and visiting, during his return to Ballina.
The death has taken place of Seamus Killeen, Church Road, Ballina and formerly of Cloghans, Ballina.
Seamus was a highly regarded and popular teacher who spent many years educating generations of students at Ballina’s former Vocational School, now Moyne College.
He will be sadly missed by his wife Anne, daughters Sandra and Sinead, son Kenneth, sons-in-law Damien and Rob, daughter-in-law Caroline, brother Monsignor Seán Killeen, grandchildren Ronan, Finn and Inis, sisters-in-law Agnes and Patricia, brother-in-law Tom, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
He was predeceased by his parents John and Margaret, and his sisters Joan, Sheila, Breedge and Margaret.
Seamus reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Teresa’s Church, Rathduff on Sunday, October 4th, with the funeral then proceeding for cremation at McGowan’s Crematorium, Collooney, Co Sligo.
May he rest in peace
A free HSE Stop Smoking Programme, delivered under the Sláintecare Healthy Communities initiative, is underway at the Newman Institute, Ballina. The seven-week programme will run from 7pm to 8.30pm each Wednesday.
Participants will receive free nicotine replacement therapy, and group and one-to-one support to help them quit smoking.
For further information or to book a place, contact Brenda McNicholas on 087-4484711 or email brenda.mcnicholas1@hse.ie.
The Newman Institute is located in the grounds of St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina.
The death has taken place of Mary (Maureen) O’Hara (née Durcan), Leeds, and formerly of Currower, Attymass, Ballina.
She was predeceased by her parents James and Rose, sister Belinda (Leeds), and beloved husband Denis (Leeds), and formerly of Rhue, Tubbercurry.
A much-loved wife, sister and friend, Mary’s Funeral Mass will be celebrated today (Tuesday, October 13th) in Leeds, followed by burial in Killingbeck Catholic Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
Craoibhín Ballina will host a festive Halloween Coffee Afternoon at its centre on McDermott Street (behind the former Convent of Mercy building) on Thursday, October 22nd, from 1pm to 3pm.
Guests can enjoy refreshments, music from Padraig Moran and a raffle, all in a warm and welcoming atmosphere.
Everyone is welcome, so drop in for an enjoyable afternoon of entertainment, conversation and seasonal fun. Admission is €5 per person.
For more information, please contact the Craoibhín Ballina centre on 087-2785365.
The death has taken place of Pat (Patsy) Mongan, 62 Lansyn, Bohernasup, Ballina and formerly of Belleek, Ballina.
Pat was a former principal of Ardagh National School, Ballina.
He will be sadly missed by his loving wife Mary, sons Declan (Dublin) and Kieran (Bettystown), daughter Sinéad (Galway), daughters-in-law Colette and Maria, Sinéad’s partner Paraic, adored grandchildren Aobha, Dearbhla and Ciara, brothers, sister, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, many friends and neighbours.
He was predeceased by his parents Mary and Edward (Ned) Mongan, and brother Louis.
Pat reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Tuesday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Wednesday, with the funeral proceeding to Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May he rest in peace.
Over the coming weeks, Craoibhín Ballina will host a series of Curious Creativity art workshops, led by Úna Morris. Taking place on Fridays, from 10.30am to 12.30pm, the sessions will encourage participants to explore their creativity in a relaxed, enjoyable and supportive environment.
The workshops will focus on the fun and freedom of making art, with no previous experience required. All that is needed is a willingness to experiment, discover new ideas and enjoy the creative process.
For more information or to get involved, please contact the Craoibhín Ballina centre on 087-2785365.
The death has taken place of Bunny (Bernadette) Doherty (née Walsh), Old Shanaghy Heights, Ballina and formerly of Mount Assumpta, Ballina.
Bunny was the wife of Junior and dear mother to Fiona, Louise, Lorna, Niamh and Kathryn.
She will be sadly missed by her husband, daughters, grandchildren Rebecca, Rachel, Paul, Mark, Ben, Jessica, Luke, Natasha, James, Emmy, Allie and Katie, sons-in-law Alan, Neil, Cormac and John, siblings Breda, Kathleen, Tosh, Jacinta, Anthony and Noel, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents May and Tom Walsh, sister Helen Brett and brother Michael Walsh.
Bunny reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Thursday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Friday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May she rest in peace.
Patrons can look forward to a captivating programme of drama, mystery, comedy and dark comedy at the 2026 Ballina One-Act Drama Festival.
With a line-up that includes former All-Ireland finalists and winners, audiences can expect a very high standard of performance across the three-night event. Five Open and four Confined groups will travel to Ballina from Donegal, Kildare, Mayo, Roscommon and Sligo to compete.
Adding further interest to the programme, three newly scripted plays will receive festival performances.
The participating groups are Butt Drama (Ballybofey), Charlestown Drama Group, Upstage Players (Claremorris), The Moat Club (Naas), Insight Theatre (Celbridge), Letterkenny Music and Drama Group, Roscommon Drama Group, Clann Machua (Kiltimagh) and Castleconnor Drama Group (Sligo).
This year marks the eleventh staging of the Ballina One-Act Drama Festival, which grew from an idea by the late Eugene Loftus, a hugely respected and much-loved figure in Ballina drama circles for many years.
Three evenings of outstanding theatre will bring some of the finest amateur drama talent in the country to Ballina Arts Centre from Friday to Sunday, November 6th to 8th. The festival will conclude with the announcement of the winners by adjudicator Imelda McDonagh (ADA).
Since its inception, the festival has featured close to 100 productions, showcasing exceptional talent in acting, directing, stage management and design, while building a strong reputation among drama enthusiasts nationwide.
Tickets are now available, priced at €15 plus booking fee for a single night or €35 plus booking fee for all three nights. Tickets can be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com, by telephone on 096-73593 or by email at info@ballinaartscentre.com.
As this is a competitive festival, admission to performances after the curtain rises is not permitted. Performances begin at 7.30pm on Friday and at 7pm on both Saturday and Sunday.
Watch for further updates on the social media pages of Ballina One-Act Drama Festival.
The death has taken place of Jack (Jackie) Durkin, Kilbride, Bonniconlon, Ballina.
Jackie will be sadly missed by his heartbroken and devoted wife Catherine, daughters Eleanor and Bernie, sons Andrew and John, grandchildren Rachel, Daniel, Keeva, Aine, Aoibheann and Oisín, daughter-in-law Eileen, sons-in-law Hugh and Dennis, neighbours, friends and relatives.
He was predeceased by his parents Mary and Patrick, and sister Kitty.
Jackie reposed at Gallagher’s Funeral Home, Bonniconlon on Saturday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Bonniconlon on Sunday, with burial afterwards in Bonniconlon Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
The popular Ballina Pumpkin Patch is fast approaching, set to return at the end of next week. Running from October 24th to 26th, it promises a magical Halloween experience for children and families. Following the success of last year's event, organisers are once again inviting families to enjoy a weekend filled with pumpkins, seasonal fun and memorable autumn activities.
Every child attending will receive a pumpkin, while visitors can enjoy a range of family-friendly attractions, spooky entertainment and autumn-themed photo opportunities. The event offers a chance to stroll through the pumpkin patch, soak up the festive atmosphere and create lasting memories with family and friends.
This year's Pumpkin Patch is also supporting Sunflower Children's Hospice, Castlebar, Ireland's first children's hospice outside of Dublin. The hospice will provide specialist care and support for children with life-limiting conditions, and their families. Visitors purchasing tickets will have the option to make a donation, with all contributions greatly appreciated.
To ensure the event is accessible to everyone, dedicated Autism-Friendly Sessions will take place from 9.30am to 10.30am on Saturday, October 24th and Sunday, October 25th. These quieter sessions are designed to provide a more relaxed environment with reduced crowds and sensory stimulation.
Ballina Pumpkin Patch is located at the former Convent of Mercy, McDermott Street, Ballina and will open on Saturday, October 24th from 9.30am to 4pm; Sunday, October 25th from 9.30am to 4pm; and Public Holiday Monday, October 26th from 9.30am to 2.30pm.
Tickets are available online from Eventbrite and cost €12 per person, which includes admission for one child plus one accompanying adult free of charge, as well as a pumpkin for the child. A family ticket, for up to four people, costs €30 and every child on the family ticket will receive a pumpkin.
Organised by Ballina Lights Committee, the event promises plenty of Halloween excitement in a safe, welcoming and family-focused setting, while also helping to support a worthy local cause. The voluntary group is promising a very special festive season in the town this year, including the return of the Christmas Market, a Christmas window-dressing competition for local businesses and an expansion of the Christmas lights into other areas of the town.
Hit after hit from one of the world’s most successful pop groups will bring a dazzling night of music, sparkle and show-stopping entertainment to Ballina Arts Centre next month.
Tribute band ABBA Forever will perform a host of beloved ABBA classics, including ‘The Winner Takes It All’, ‘Knowing Me, Knowing You’, ‘Dancing Queen’ and ‘Mamma Mia’, guaranteeing an unforgettable evening of nostalgia, glamour and feel-good music.
ABBA Forever is led by Dennis Scally, who has been at the top of the music game for many years. Denis was once musical director for The Supremes, with whom he toured the world. After moving back from the USA to Europe, he formed the UK-based ABBA Forever, where his virtuoso keyboard skills shine. Geoff Beauchamp, on guitar, has played with various bands and shows down through the years including the London production of ‘Mamma Mia’. On lead vocals are Rachel Prescott and Gemma Bolton, who have both honed their skills in the leading parts of musicals such as ‘Jesus Christ Superstar’, ‘Grease’ and ‘Phantom of the Opera’.
ABBA Forever will bring their astounding show to Ballina Arts Centre on Wednesday, November 11th, at 8pm.
Tickets, priced at €32 plus booking fee, can be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com to book.
