Ballina in the Spotlight

Free Culture Night shows in Ballina.

Katie’s Corner, Abbey Street, will be the venue for Donal Dineen’s free Culture Night show in Ballina on Friday, September 22.

Donal Dineen fronted RTÉ television’s seminal cult music show No Disco, which was broadcast for almost ten years until 2003, and was a major platform for showcasing alternative music in Ireland.

The former Today FM DJ will bring his show Backstory to Ballina, featuring a night of dancing tunes and original visuals presented by the Kerry-born DJ and music festival curator.

Donal has been a DJ fixture across Ireland for more than 25 years, playing all the major music festivals such as Electric Picnic, Body & Soul and All Together Now.

Separately, courtesy of Ballina 2023 and also taking place on Culture Night, are performances from some of the country’s most exciting music acts in a venue yet to be announced.

The programme will feature Galway based and South African born rapper Sweetlemondae, who currently features on 2FM’s Rising List for 2023, and Steo Wall, an emerging powerful voice on the Irish folk music scene. There will also be music from Landless, a four-piece acapella group singing traditional haunting melodies, and from Mayo act Doppler, who are hugely popular for their alt-folk blend of vocals and harmonies. Tickets are available online from www.ballinaartscentre.com.

A third event in Ballina will see the amazing Munnelly-McGowan Duo at Ballina Arts Centre. Mayo accordian player David Munnelly specialises in Irish and world music. He is joined by Sligo guitar player Shane McGowan and together the pair have been performing for 20 years. This event can also be booked through www.ballinaartscentre.com.

742,000 people engaged with 1,700 Culture Night activities across Ireland last year. This Arts Council supported event is a national moment, celebrating culture, creativity and the arts. All events are free of charge but booking is essential for many of the night’s activities.

IT support sought for Meals on Wheels

The national Meals on Wheels Network is looking for people to volunteer as deskside support/system developers on a new, internally developed system that co-ordinates the functions of the Meals on Wheels providers.

Ballina Meals on Wheels is one of the most active and longest-running such community services in this region and is registered on iDonate to accept donations at any time.

A management system has been developed in-house by a volunteer of this nationwide community organisation. The system co-ordinates the functions of a Meals on Wheels provider, whose operational entities include clients, routes, drivers, meals and finances. The system is working as a pilot in one large provider and will be rolled out nationally.

The plan is to build a team of volunteers who will deploy, maintain and expand the system, and support its users. The new voluntary role requires people with good IT skills, preferably with previous experience of a similar role, or experience in programming/development/IT support.

Training will be provided and the role is a part-time remote, volunteering position, mainly working from home.

If you are interested, please contact Mayo Volunteer Centre, Ballina on 096-71444 or by email: vincent@volunteermayo.ie.

Group to support suicide bereaved

The anguish and long-term psychological effects that suicide can bring to the family and close friends of the deceased person can be traumatic, and there are strong supports in our society to help those who have been bereaved in this way.

But people within the local community may also need support.

‘A Community Coming Together’ is the title of a two-hour presentation to enhance communication and support for communities bereaved through suicide. The presentation will demonstrate how people can come together to support one another following a period of loss through suicide. This two-hour presentation is part of an initiative from the HSE National Office for Suicide Prevention, and will include time for questions.

The presentation will take place in Ballina Family Resource Centre from 7pm to 9pm on Friday, September 22.

The information presentation aims to provide participants with an understanding of the grieving process, while acknowledging the range of emotions people may experience following a bereavement through suicide. It will also show how to provide support to individuals, families and communities bereaved in this way, and how to identify and access supports which are available.

The community presentation is delivered as part of a coordinated and coherent response to a community who have experienced a death through suicide.

For further information please contact Ballina Family Resource Centre on 096-75573 or 087-0618525. The centre is located on Abbey Street, Ardnaree, Ballina.

‘Bridget and Eamon’ star for Ballina show

Saturday night’s Ballina Comedy Club performance slot in Ballina Arts Centre promises an hilarious show from ‘Bridget and Eamon’ star, John Colleary.

The Sligo comedian will have as his special guest Ballina funnyman Bob Hennigan.

John Colleary can recreate some of Ireland’s most distinct accents, leading to side-splitting moments from a performer who has entertained audiences at Kilkenny Cat Laughs, The Vodafone Comedy Carnival and The Galway Comedy Festival. Television viewers will also remember him from ‘The Savage Eye’ and ‘Naked Camera’.

John has scooped an IMRO Award for his topical sketch writing and performance on Today FM’s drivetime flagship, ‘The Last Word’.

Tickets are priced at €18 (€16 concession) and booking can be made online at www.ballinaartscentre.com, or by email at info@ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593.

Line dancing returns

Line dancing starts back in Ballina every Tuesday for the next six weeks from today, September 12.

The line dancing sessions, organised by Craoibhín Ballina, take place in the Kennedy Glasgow Centre, The Quay, Ballina, from 12pm to 1pm, running until Tuesday, October 17, with Maria as instructor.

The entry fee is €8 pay per session. For more information call the Craoibhín Ballina Centre on 087-2785365.

Fitness classes

Pound Fitness classes will be running in the Kennedy Glasgow Centre at The Quay, Ballina from 6pm to 7pm, starting on September 19. Classes are €60 for six weeks.

To book your place, please ring or text Maria on 087-2678024 or email nwmusicforwellbeing@gmail.com.

Volunteers required for RHA art exhibition

Volunteer invigilators are required to assist in the running of the RHA West Exhibition, currently being hosted in the Ballina Civic Offices Gallery.

The Royal Hibernian Academy of Arts has sited a collection of artwork by its current artist members in Ballina this autumn as part of Ballina 2023 celebrations and the volunteers will be the face of the exhibition for visitors, welcoming them and providing assistance and information.

The exhibition runs until Friday, October 20 and is open Monday to Friday from 10am to 1pm and 2pm to 4pm. Volunteers will be asked to cover one of these shifts but the organisers will work with volunteers to be as flexible as possible with shift patterns.

If you are interested in getting involved then contact Mayo Volunteer Centre, Cathedral Road, Ballina on 096-71444 or email: vincent@volunteermayo.ie.

Entries open for annual business awards in Mayo

Ballina businesses are being urged to enter for the annual Mayo Business Awards.

The 2023 Mayo Business Awards will take place in the Great National Hotel Ballina on November 10, hosted by Ballina Chamber of Commerce as part of Ballina 2023 celebrations.

The awards are a cross-community initiative supported by the Mayo Chambers and other local business organisations, with the backing of the Mayo Local Enterprise Office.

The objective of the Mayo Business Awards is to help businesses grow their networks, lift their profile and open the door to new opportunities. It also helps showcase the dedication, investment, accomplishments and hard work of these businesses across several award categories.

The closing date for entries is Friday, September 29 and you can enter your business in up to two of the nine categories.

You can enter online or contact Ballina Chamber of Commerce on 096-72800 or email info@ballina.ie.

Join Moy Singers

Those who love to sing are being urged to consider joining The Moy Singers.

The Ballina vocal group is welcoming new members and adds that there is no need to be concerned if you do not read music, as most of its members do not.

The Moy Singers invite you to a Sample Session on Wednesday, September 13 in St Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina from 7.30pm to 8pm. The group’s Musical Director, Jonathan Carter, along with some of the choir members, will be there to assist and guide you.

It is a fantastic chance to see if this hobby resonates with you. It could also help you connect with others and brighten your winter with melodies and camaraderie!

Please register your interest by email at moysingers@gmail.com or calling 085-2445286.

Michael Reilly RIP

The death has taken place of Michael Reilly, Pier Road, Enniscrone and formerly of Castlecourt, Ballina.

Michael was the beloved husband of Rosemary (née Holmes, Tullysleva, Ballina) and devoted father to Tarrika and Conor.

He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, children, parents Seamus and Una Reilly (Cullane, Swinford), sisters Jacqueline (Westport), Deborah (Galway), Susan (Westport), Lorretta (Ballina) and Tara (Swinford). Also by his mother-in-law Teresa Holmes, aunts, uncles, cousins, nephews, nieces, in-laws, relatives, friends and neighbours.

Michael reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Tuesday last followed by removal to St. Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina.

Requiem Mass was held on Wednesday with burial afterwards in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.

Social dancing

The Social Dance Night due to take place in the Kennedy Glasgow Centre, The Quay, Ballina last week had to be rescheduled to this coming Friday, September 15.

Organised by Craoibhín Ballina, dancing will be to the accompaniment of country music singer Damien Davis, guaranteeing a lively and entertaining night. Doors open at 8.30pm and dancing is from 9pm to 11pm. Entry is €10 per person and all are welcome.

Coffee morning

Craoibhín Ballina is having an Autumn Coffee Morning in its centre on Cathedral Road, Ballina on this Thursday, September 14 from 11am to 1pm. There will be live music with Padraig Moran in addition to refreshments and a raffle on the day. Admission is €7 per person and, once again, everyone is invited to come along.

Seán Campbell RIP

The death has taken place of Seán Campbell, 28 Convent Hill, Ballina and formerly of Bridge Street. Swinford.

Sean was the beloved father to Alan, Brian, Mark, Seanie and Hazel Kearney. He will be sadly missed by his sons and daughter, daughters-in-law Nicola, Marie, Anne, Joanna, son-in-law Morgan, adoring grandchildren Mia, Mark, Matthew, Alicia, Kieva, Hollie, Scott, Heidi, Ross, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.

He was predeceased by his wife Alice.

Sean reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Thursday. Requiem Mass was held in St. Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Friday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery.

Rehearsals for panto

A variation on the story of Snow White will form the basis for a Christmas Pantomine in Ballina this December. Ballina Dramatic Society is beginning its rehearsals for the show next Monday, September 18.

The panto will be a collaboration between Ballina Dramatic Society and Ballina Arts Centre, with the showcases taking place on December 1, 2, 3, 8, 9 and 10, including a matinee performance.

Ballina Toastmasters

Ballina Toastmasters warmly welcomes you to its club meeting on Thursday, September 14.

If you feel anxious or nervous about public speaking, giving presentations in your workplace or having to undertake a leadership role, then Toastmasters can help you through this journey.

With Toastmasters you will learn to take your first steps to find your voice, calm your nerves and improve your skills in an encouraging, friendly and very sociable environment.

The first Ballina Toastmasters meeting of the new season is in the Great National Hotel, Foxford Road, Ballina at 7.45pm and no booking in advance is required. Just turn up on the night!

Mayo walking guide

Ballina-based writer Ryan Mc Guinness has spent over a year working on his new book ‘Mayo A Walking Guide.’ The book is a comprehensive walking guidebook to the county, encompassing 45 of the best routes for all levels of walking abilities. It showcases the unique characteristics that make Mayo one of the most beautiful places in the world to explore.

The book launch will take place on Saturday, September 16 at 5pm in the Kennedy Glasgow Centre, The Quay, Ballina.

Recent marriages

The Roman Catholic Parish of Kilmoremoy, Ballina has congratulated the following two couples on their recent marriages: Megan Cooke, Belleek Lodge and John McGarrigle, Crossmolina; and Laura Bradshaw and Sean Quinn, both of Greenhills Estate, Ballina.

Active retirees plan autumn schedule

Ballina Active Retirement Association held their first meeting following the summer break on Thursday last, September 7.

New members are always welcome at Ballina Active Retirement Association. Anyone interested in joining should come along to the Pastoral Centre in the grounds of St. Muredach’s Cathedral on a Thursday morning, around 10.15pm. to 10.30pm. Pauline Gray (secretary) or Noreen Baker (chairperson) will be on hand, or you can simply enquire at reception. Anyone wishing to join will be warmly welcomed.

The group describes itself as ‘a bunch of seniors who love making friends and enjoying ourselves’.

Last week’s well-attended gathering of members set out their plans for a number of group activities in the short to medium term, starting with a whist session on Wednesday, September 13 and chair yoga with Amy on Thursday, September 14, taking place from 11.45am to 12.15pm.

The annual ARA Go On conference is in Athlone from September 17 to 20.

Also during this month is a quiz on Wednesday, September 20, with Pat Mongan as quizmaster, and a lunch outing on Thursday, September 21 in a venue yet to be announced. Further whist sessions are scheduled for September 28 and October 4, 11 and 25.

The group members have organised a short break in Westport Woods Hotel from October 15 to 18. On November 9 at 12.15pm, Mass for deceased members, family and friends will be held in the Father Peyton Centre, Attymass. This will be followed by lunch in the restaurant at the centre.

Christmas dinner in The Merry Monk, Killala Road, Ballina on December 14 will mark the close of activities for 2023, reopening again on January 11, 2024.

The AGM of Ballina Active Retirement group has been set for January 18, 2024.