Local Notes: All of the latest news from Ballina
As part of National Heritage Week, the Jackie Clarke Collection, in partnership with Edward Gaughan, presented a week-long exhibition of Edward’s unique and priceless Collection and artifacts which he has amassed over his lifetime. The collection comprises pipes, tobacco, snuff to name but a few. Edward is pictured with members of Ballina Lions Club at the launch of the exhibition. Picture: John O'Grady
Free training in areas of financial skills, compliance, risk management and cyber security are just some of the opportunities that await volunteer officers who sign up to give their services to Ballina Credit Union.
Ballina Credit Union, with an asset base of over €105 million, is an independent financial co-operative, owned by its members from around the North Mayo and West Sligo area, and governed by a board of directors and sub-committees of the board.
Volunteers are currently required. Volunteers are at the heart of Ballina Credit Union and the organisation relies on their enthusiasm and skills in order to achieve its goals and continue to deliver a strong service within the community.
The credit union movement is founded on the principles of co-operation, equality and mutual self-help, and thrives on the efforts of thousands of volunteers who freely give their time and skills to benefit their local credit union.
Those with qualifications and skills relevant to the financial sector are welcome, but Ballina Credit Union also requires volunteers with skills in other disciplines such as business, marketing, cyber security, legal, compliance or HR, or who might have general organisational and governance experience.
Volunteers will be provided with support and ongoing free training and will benefit from gaining new skills and experience, meeting like-minded people and the satisfaction of giving something back to the community.
Please email david.dwane@ballinacu.ie if you would like to receive an application form with further information.
The OutWest drop-in centre in Ballina is showing the award-winning film ‘Pride’ during its Movie Day on Saturday, September 7.
‘Pride’ is a comedy-drama which tells the story of an unlikely alliance between striking Welsh miners and activist members of the London gay and lesbian community in the summer of 1984.
The film begins at 2pm in the drop-in centre at Unit 6, Cualgara, just off Teeling Street, Ballina.
OutWest is a voluntary social, support and advocacy group for LGBT+ people in the West of Ireland, which was originally founded in 1997 as Mayo Roscommon Outreach.
The organisation is currently seeking volunteers so if you are interested, then please email info@outwest.ie.
A meeting to form a new Cemetery Care Committee for Bonnifinglas Cemetery, Attymass, will take place on Monday next, September 9. The meeting will be held at 8.30pm in Attymass Community Centre.
The death has taken place of Lukasz Sokolowski, Orchard Court, Ballina, and formerly of Poland.
Łukasz reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Friday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Saturday, followed by private cremation.
Recently baptised in the Parish of Kilmoremoy (Ballina) were: Daithi Rian Michael Langdon, Castlefield Manor, Ballina; Cian Shane Popplewell, Childers Heights, Ballina; Aoibhe Grace Mullins, Dooeighney, Ballina; Eamon Óg Francis Flately, Dungannon; Roen Joseph Lavelle, Galway; Ellie Kathleen McGrath, Knocknalyre, Ballina; Antoni Romel, Culleens, Killala Road, Ballina; Miah Daniel Foley, Moyvale Park, Sligo Road, Ballina; Jarlath Joseph Clarke, Castlecourt, Ballina; Lorna Julia Tansey, Bohernasup, Ballina; Aisling Kate McEvilly, Quignalecka, Ballina; Ryan Christopher Geraghty-Cunningham, Abbey Street, Ardnaree, Ballina; Eala Mae Brogan, Ardoughan Woods, Ballina; Clara Ellie Walsh, Castlecourt, Ballina; and Jayden Patrick Peter Devers, Lord Edward Street, Ballina.
The Great National Hotel Ballina is the location for Ballina Feis this weekend.
The feis offers Preliminary and Open Championships, adjudicated by Dearbhail Bates, Dublin; James Keegan, Manchester; and Vincent O’Connor, USA. The musician will be Paul O’Donnell, from Northern Ireland.
With more than a nod to the classic Schonberg and Kretzmer stage and film musical ‘Les Misérables’, this weekend’s production by the gifted Heroes for Hospice is set to repeat the excitement around the group’s spectacular 2014 show in Ballina, ‘Beyond the Barricade’.
That production from a decade ago went on the play in Castlebar, London and Manchester, attracting huge audiences and helping to raise funds for Mayo Roscommon Hospice in the process.
‘One Day More’ is the new show from the Ballina-based Heroes for Hospice charity musical theatre group, and is a celebration of human resilience told through an enthralling story of broken dreams, unrequited love, passion, sacrifice and redemption.
It is directed by the accomplished local singing teacher Lavinia Slater, with a spectacular score featuring some of the best-loved classics of musical theatre.
Proceeds are in aid of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation and Mayo Cancer Support.
‘One Day More’ plays in Ballina Arts Centre on Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, September 5 to 8. All shows start at 8pm, with the exception of Sunday when there will be a matinee performance at 5pm.
Tickets for the show are just €18 and can be booked online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
As part of Project Dandelion, The Mary Robinson Centre, Ballina is creating a sustainable community art installation and is inviting people to donate their unwanted CDs and vinyl records to the organisation.
Donations can be made today, Tuesday, September 3, anytime between 10am and 4pm. All CDs and vinyls must be intact.
The donated products will be accepted via the Moy Lane (Bank Lane) entrance to The Mary Robinson Centre, which is located opposite St Muredach’s Cathedral.
The Ballina Rugby Club Cash for Clobber collection returns on Friday and Saturday next.
The popular club fundraiser will welcome clothes, shoes (in pairs), bags, belts, handbags, curtains and towels.
The Friday evening clobber assembly is from 7pm to 8pm, while Saturday’s is in the morning, from 11am to 12pm.
Bonniconlon Community Park will benefit from the proceeds of a table quiz in Gallagher’s Tavern, Bonniconlon this coming Friday night, September 6.
To take part in the fundraising quiz, which is being hosted by Bonniconlon Drama Society, you can text 086-6038968 or contact any member of the drama group.
A table of four will cost €40, with spot prizes on offer. Quizzers, and anyone else who would like to support the park development, are also advised that it is quite acceptable just to turn up to the quiz on the night without having to pre-book a table.
The fun begins at 9pm.
Darkness Into Light Ballina is holding its annual flag day on Friday, September 13, and is reaching out to people to help with the bucket collection for an hour or two on the day.
Darkness into Light is a yearly event that fundraises for Pieta House, a national organisation that provides counselling to anyone struggling with suicide or for anyone impacted by suicide.
Mayo Outreach Centre for Pieta House opened its doors in Ballina in 2019, providing a much-needed and well-utilised service. The facility is located at Ballina Family Resource Centre, Abbey Street, Ardnaree, and all funds raised on the flag day will go towards helping to keep the doors of the centre open.
If you can spare some time, please direct message on the Darkness Into Light Ballina Facebook page.
Junior tennis players in Ballina can look forward to the return of coaching at Ballina Tennis Club on Monday, September 16.
If you are looking to introduce your child to a sport, tennis is a great option for many reasons. It develops their hand-to-eye coordination, while also building speed, agility, balance and flexibility.
The tennis coaching for children is for young beginners or advanced tennis players. Each class is designed to allow the child to progress while taking into account their own current level.
Children between the ages of 5 and 16 are welcome, with classes available from Monday to Saturday (excluding Fridays).
Equipment is provided and discounts are available for families and for multiple lessons.
Contact Artur on 085-7573457 for more information.
Mary (Melody) Nevins, who died recently in Houston, Texas, USA was formerly of Currower, Attymass, Ballina.
Mary will be dearly missed by her daughter Colleen (Mike) Mancuso, sons Robert (Jennifer) and Stephen (Jennifer) Nevins, sister Anne Munnelly (Ballina), grandchildren McKenzie Nevins, Andrew Nevins, Julia Mancuso, Mary Kate Nevins, Emilia Mancuso, Anthony Mancuso, Mitchell Nevins, Shelby Nevins, Charlotte Nevins, along with numerous family members and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Eugene, parents Anthony and Annie (née Quinn), brothers Michael (Bonniconlon), Martin (Carramore Lacken), Anthony (Leeds), Patrick (Leeds), Tom (Leeds), John (Chicago), Othan (Cleethorpes), Christopher (Strokestown) and Mark (Bangor, Co. Down), and her sister Bridie Ruane (Currower).
A Memorial Mass for Mary will be held today (Tuesday, September 3) in the Fr Peyton Centre, Attymass.
The Jackie Clarke Collection museum in Ballina will be the location for a six-week series of creative writing workshops, starting on October 1.
Mayo North East SICAP (Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme) will join with the Pearse Street establishment to deliver 12 hours of inspirational help to nurture your creative writing spark.
Under the guidance of facilitator Fiona Keane, you will discover the power of your own words and develop your writing skills through engaging prompts, discussions and creative exercises.
In advance of the series of six weekly workshops, a sample workshop will be held at a Winter Wellness event on Tuesday, September 10, in the Newman Institute, Ballina, from 11am to 1pm.
Then, beginning on Tuesday, October 1, and concluding on November 5, the Jackie Clarke Collection will provide the backdrop and inspiration for poems, stories or songs. Whether you're a seasoned writer or just starting out, all levels are welcome, and the delightful location of the Jackie Clarke Collection offers a safe space and unique opportunity to connect with others, express yourself and bring your stories to life.
Mayo North East is a not-for-profit organisation based in Foxford which supports individuals, communities and enterprise in Mayo.
Spaces are free to SICAP-criteria attendees but are limited, so please register in advance with Rita Hopkins at Mayo North East on 087-0507049.
Breakthrough Cancer Research is looking for volunteers who will help with its bucket collection in Ballina on Thursday, September 19.
Breakthrough Cancer Research is an Irish medical charity based in Cork that funds innovative cancer research in Ireland and internationally.
Monies from this collection are used to support focused research programmes and directly fund scientists.
For information on how to get involved and help raise money for Breakthrough Cancer Research, please telephone 021-4226655 or email edel@breakcancer.ie.
Ballina Golf Club is offering the experience of golfing in one of the region’s most scenic 18-hole parkland golf courses to those who are resident overseas.
Through its special Overseas Membership offer, anyone who lives permanently outside the Republic of Ireland can enjoy benefits such as unlimited complimentary golf at member tee times for the lifetime of the member and eligibility to play in many club competitions, along with preferential green fee rates at affiliated clubs.
The Eddie Hackett-designed course located on the eastern side of Ballina is celebrating 100 years at its location at Mossgrove this year. The present 18-hole course was opened in 1995 and a new clubhouse was developed in 2005.
There are two fee options for overseas members: a one-off cost of €5,000 for the lifetime of the member or, alternatively, a €1,000 one-off cost for the five calendar years from 2025 to 2029.
The full list of terms and conditions is available through the Facebook page of Ballina Golf Club. You can also contact the club directly on 096-21050 or by email at info@ballina-golf.com.
Meanwhile, Ballina Golf Club has congratulated the members of its Ladies team who were crowned Connacht Minor Cup champions in the recent Golf Ireland AIG provincial competition.
Members of the Search and Recovery unit of Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club, Ballina took part in joint multi-agency exercises recently with the National Ambulance Service, Fire Service, Civil Defence, Garda Síochána, Mayo Mountain Rescue, Corrib/Mask Rescue, Coast Guard and RNLI personnel.
Among the exercises was a demonstration on how to handle the rescue of a diver in distress, training which is vital for the safety of every one who partakes in open water activities in our community.
The club was originally formed 35 years ago as a sports diving club and, since then, has promoted scuba diving throughout Mayo. Over the years, the club has trained hundreds of people to enjoy diving along the Mayo coast in a safe and enjoyable environment.
The club also operates a dedicated volunteer Search and Recovery Unit which performs an important public service, working with Gardaí, the Coast Guard and other agencies, and is on call 24 hours a day, all year round.
New members are welcome and it has a number of membership options, which include snorkelling and diving, as well as an associate membership alternative that facilitates those who would like to be involved in club activities, but not in the water.
The clubhouse of Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club and Search and Recovery Unit is located at Slí Ectra, Ballina.
You can contact the organisation via email at info@grainneuailesac.ie or phone 086-7910365.
Padraig Gallagher, Kilfian, Ballina won €350 in the Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club 50/50 draw which took place in An Sean Síbín, Abbey Street.
Katies Corner hosted the draw which saw Stephen Jackson, Ballina, win €470.
Tickets for the weekly draw are available through the Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club app, or from shops in Ardnaree.
