Local Notes: Alex is Student of the Year at Ballina school
Alex Healy was named Student of the Year at St Muredach's College annual awards presentation night. He is pictured with, from left: vice-principal Patricia Walkin, Ann Healy and principal Wayne Walsh. Picture: John O'Grady
Next Saturday, June 7, is Cruinniú na nÓg day in Ireland and TheNCF Cultural Co-Op on Pearse Street, Ballina will host a special event to mark the occasion.
Funded by the Creative Ireland Programme, Cruinniú na nÓg is a national day of creative activity for children.
Cruinniú na nÓg events are free of charge, child-centred and activity-based. It’s a day for lots of doing, making and creating and Ireland is the only country in the world to have a national day of free creativity for children and young people under 18.
The Cruinniú na nÓg Sketch & Spin event in Ballina will be a unique life drawing experience for teens aged between 14 and 18, inspired by Dr Sketchy’s. Expect dynamic poses, live performance and DJ-curated music, all in a relaxed creative environment.
Led by Mary Callaghan, artist, educator and member of TheNCF, this event is perfect for budding artists and students who are building portfolios.
Adding a breathtaking visual element to the session is Miss Neon Love, a drag and burlesque artist hailing from Ballina. Miss Neon Love has years of experience, not just in burlesque, but in makeup artistry too, ensuring a one-of-a-kind art session.
There will be two one-hour sessions, at 1pm and again at 3pm that day.
For further information and to book, please visit Eventbrite. A consent form from a parent/guardian will be required.
TheNCF Cultural Co-Op is located at 5, Pearse Street, Ballina.
The Gathering of the Boats will return to the River Moy in July, one of the numerous water-based activities which take place as part of the annual Ballina Salmon Festival.
This cherished tradition celebrates Ballina’s rich maritime heritage, uniting locals and visitors in a vibrant flotilla of boats and revealing the community spirit and festive energy that makes Ballina so special.
Also contributing to the carnival atmosphere will be the Ballina Band of Brass and the Foxford Brass and Reed Band as they provide a memorable musical backdrop to the evening.
The Gathering of the Boats will take place at the Lower Bridge on Monday, July 14, at 7.30pm.
Ballina Fringe Festival is seeking volunteers to help run this year’s festival, as the committee continues the planning stage of the Autumn 2025 event in the town.
If you are interested in getting involved then please get in touch with the group at info@ballinafringefestival.ie.
Last year’s Ballina Fringe Festival, which took place from October 4 to 13, and saw 15 diverse events running across the town, was one of the most successful to date.
Teenagers hoping to become the next David Guetta can avail of a drop-in DJ/Production Workshop in Ballina next week.
To celebrate Cruinniú na nÓg 2025, Ballina Arts Centre will open its doors for the workshop between 2pm and 5pm on Saturday, June 7.
The free workshop will give teenagers the chance to use the latest DJ and music production equipment available in the centre. There will also be a chance for youngsters to record their own mixes and tracks in a professional studio environment.
The Moy Valley branch of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann is to launch traditional Irish music classes in a range of instruments for adults of all levels, starting in Ballina in September.
Moy Valley CCE, which was responsible for bringing the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil to Ballina in 1997 and 1998, is also organising set-dancing classes which will be open to every age group.
Further details are available from 087-2775317.
A total of €14,700 has been forwarded to Trocaire by the Parish of Kilmoremoy (Ballina). The money was donated during the annual Lenten campaign this year.
The death has taken place of Michael (Mick) Carr, Kilmore, Ballina.
Mick was the beloved brother of Tom, Mary and Paddy. He will be sadly missed by his brothers and sister, nephews Christopher, Paul and Declan, nieces Lisa, Jennifer and Rachel, sisters-in-law Maura and Nora, brother-in-law John, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Thomas and Bridget.
Mick reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, 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.
Deceased members of Ballina Order of Malta will be remembered at the organisation’s annual Mass on Friday, June 20.
Ballina Order of Malta is inviting past and present members to attend and, in doing so, to acknowledge the huge community spirit and commitment of all those who have given service.
The Mass will take place at 7pm in the Newman Institute, which is located in the grounds of St Muredach’s Cathedral.
Recently married in the Parish of Kilmoremoy (Ballina) were Deirdre Dunleavy, Lord Edward Street, Ballina and Colm Cunningham, Milltown, Tuam.
Fairytale classic ‘Cinderella’ is the theme for this year’s performance by the students of the Geraldine Butler School of Ballet.
The show in Ballina Arts Centre is a family-orientated rendition of the famous story of Cinderella and her jealous sisters, a wicked stepmother, a fairy godmother, a pumpkin turned into a carriage, a handsome prince, a midnight chase, a lost slipper and, of course, the happy ending.
‘Cinderella’ is taking place in Ballina Arts Centre on Saturday, June 14 and Sunday, June 15, starting at 8pm on both evenings.
Tickets are priced at €12 plus booking fee for an adult and €6 plus booking fee for a child and can be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also book by calling 096-73593 or emailing info@ballinaartscentre.com.
The death has taken place of Isabella Cafolla (née McLoughlin), The Glebe, Ballina and formerly of Mount Assumpta, Ballina.
Isabella was the beloved wife of Carmine and dear mother to Carmine (Jr) and Antonio. She will be sadly missed by her husband, sons, brother Martin, daughter-in-law Sharon, son-in-law Jamie, grandchildren Andrew, Ewan, Miamarion and Rosalina, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Julia and Dick, and her sister Marion.
Isabella reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Wednesday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Thursday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
The death has taken place of Pearce Forde, Hillside, Bohernasup, Ballina.
Pearce was the beloved father of Glen, Noella and Donna. He will be sadly missed by his son, daughters, grandchildren Christopher, Toni, Ryan, Rhea, Daniel, Jack, Holly and Tom, great-grandsons Noah, Forde and Harry, sisters Iris and Frankie, brother John, in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife Shirley, baby son Martin Pearce Jnr, grandson Dylan, brothers Paddy and Stanley, and sister Marion.
Pearce reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Friday evening last. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Saturday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
The fine weather last month resulted in strong numbers taking part in recent competitions at Ballina Golf Club.
The results of the competitions are as follows: Gents Competition, Sunday, May 11 (sponsored by The Loft Bar and B&B): Overall Winner - Michael Boland, 41pts (B9); Category 1 - John O Connor, 37pts; Category 2 - Darren Beattie, 41pts; and Category 3 - Mark McLoughlin, 41pts.
Ladies Competition, Sunday, May 11 - 12-Hole Stableford: 1st - Stephanie Stapleton, 31pts; and 2nd - Mary Donnelly, 38pts.
Sunday, May 25 - Ladies 18-Hole Stableford (sponsored by Kilroy’s Pharmacy): 1st - Ann Carrabine, 38pts; and 2nd - Margaret Healy, 37pts.
Gents 18-Hole Stroke (sponsored by Mr A): Overall Winer - Martin McElligot, 67 nett (B9); Category 1 - Robert McGinty, 69 nett; Category 2 - Michael Boland, 67 nett; Category 3 - Eamon Hennigan, 67 nett.
Ballina Golf Club has extended congratulations to the members of its Fred Perry O-55 team who are through to the next round of the competition after a hard-fought playoff win against near-neighbours from Enniscrone Golf Club.
The club also thanked Enniscrone Golf Club members for their hospitality and the great welcome afforded to the Ballina team and officers.
Recently baptised in the Parish of Kilmoremoy (Ballina) were Aaron Jack Munnelly, Culleens, Killala Road, Ballina; Rhea Violet Padden, The Spires, Ballina; Martin Gerard Ward, St Patrick’s Estate, Ballina; Tadg Edward Egan, Killorglin, Co. Kerry; Zara Jenny Thornton, Brusna Court, Ballina; Zenayah Bernadette Lackey, Greenhills Estate, Ballina; Myla Shae Reidy, Quignalecka, Ballina; Dáithí Kevin Kelly, Riverside Drive, Ballina; Délia Medb Marianna Ní Chathail-Tarascio, Rathmoy, Quay Road, Ballina; Posey May Hopkins, Corcoran Terrace, Ballina; Eden Mae Roache, Toreenphillip; Nova Sam Edwards, Heywood, Lancashire, England; Tiernan Anthony McCole, Shanaghy, Ballina; Olive Mae Hamill, Childers Heights, Ballina; Nikodem Adrian Drewe, Abbey Court, Ballina; Eabha Anna Regan, The Olde Mill Stone, Killala Road, Ballina; and Jack James Walsh, Quay Lane, Ballina.
A solo art exhibition by local portrait artist Laura Hennigan will have its opening night in Ballina Library this coming Friday evening, June 6.
The launch event – including a glass of wine – is from 6.30pm to 8pm, with some exquisite pieces of art on exhibit and for sale.
The exhibition will run until the end of June and is open to the public. All are welcome to the open evening.
Men’s health awareness will be the theme for a seminar in Ballina next Monday.
The annual Ballina Lions Club Men’s Health Seminar is a free public event, with guest speakers providing information on various aspects of men’s health issues.
Those addressing the seminar will include Sarah Egan from the Irish Cancer Society and Alan Gallogly, an adult and forensic psychiatrist.
Other speakers will include Joe Gavin (optician), Peter McGuire (audiologist), Sean Moffatt (GP), Ciara Sheehy (nutritionist) and retired surgeon, Ronan Waldron. There will also be information stands on view.
The seminar will take place in the Great National Hotel Ballina on June 9 at 8pm and no booking is required.
For further information, please contact Pat O’Brien on 087-2540334.
