Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballina
Kieran Walsh and Marion Flynn from St Vincent de Paul, Ballina accepted a cheque for €1,000 from members of Ballina Soroptimist Club recently. St Vincent de Paul was one of three charity organisations which benefited from a fundraising event organised by the club. From left are Geraldine McKenzie, Yvonne Ward, Marian Murphy (President, Soroptimist Ballina), Kieran Walsh, Patricia Fox, Eileen Kelly, Marion Flynn and Laura Kenny.
Mayo North Tourism has officially launched its 2025 membership drive, inviting businesses from across Ballina and North Mayo to join forces in supporting a dedicated marketing and promotion fund for the region. This not-for-profit organisation plays a vital role in showcasing North Mayo’s unique attractions, events and hospitality across local, national and international stages.
Established by Moy Valley Resources IRD, and backed by Ballina Chamber of Commerce, which provides office space on Pearse Street, Ballina, and by Mayo County Council through the Ballina Municipal District General Municipal Allocation fund, Mayo North Tourism is also supported by a growing network of hotels, restaurants and other tourism providers.
A recent report, supported by Failte Ireland and conducted by Repucon Ireland, revealed that Mayo North Tourism’s initiatives were responsible for an estimated €2.78 million in tourism-related revenue in 2023 alone.
The website of Mayo North Tourism generated 27,000 visitors annually, including 8,500 overseas visitors who contributed €880,000 in expenditure and 18,500 domestic visitors who contributed €1.9 million in expenditure.
The organisation has achieved substantial media coverage, including features on national radio, TV, print and prominent digital platforms. Its well-maintained digital presence, including a comprehensive website, highlights everything that North Mayo has to offer, from stunning landscapes to vibrant festivals.
In 2024, Mayo North Tourism was recognised as the ‘Best Community-Led Tourism Initiative - West of Ireland’ at the European Travel Awards, while the sinking of the MV Shingle in Killala Bay to create an artificial reef further highlighted this vibrant organisation’s reach, generating 2.9 million hits across Mayo North Tourism’s online platforms for what is potentially a global attraction.
Membership starts at just €120 per year for small businesses, with flexible monthly payment options. By becoming a member, businesses gain access to marketing opportunities, promotional campaigns and supports to help grow the region as a premier tourist destination.
For smaller businesses, the full 2025 plan and online payment options are available at www.northmayo.ie. Hotels, restaurants, gastropubs and visitor attractions can contact the Mayo North Tourism team directly at 096-80090 or info@mayonorth.ie for tailored membership options.
With its annual Spring Concert just three months away, the Moy Singers are seeking more bass and tenor voices to join the four-part mixed choir.
The Ballina choral group, which will mark its 40th anniversary this year, is already planning for the show on Saturday, April 12. As well as performing Christmas music in Ballina town centre, the busy choral group enjoyed a very successful Carols by Candlelight concert in November, but is anxious to have more male voices in its ranks.
Men from anywhere around the North Mayo and West Sligo region are invited to join and can make contact by email at moysingers@gmail.com or through the choir’s Facebook page.
St Vincent de Paul, Ballina has thanked all who donated during the Christmas Carol Service in St Muredach’s Cathedral on Sunday, December 15. The recital featured St Muredach's Cathedral Choir, Kilmoremoy Parish Children's Choir and the newly formed St Muredach's Cathedral Boys' Choir.
The death has taken place of David Smith, Greenhills Estate, Ballina. David was the beloved husband of Mary and dear father to Martin and David. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, sons, daughters-in-law Mairead and Catherine, nephew, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents David and Elizabeth and by his siblings Sadie, Mary, Elizabeth, Sid, Billy and Effie.
Requiem Mass for David was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Monday morning of last week, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Ballina Dragons Boat Club has announced that it will host its inaugural regatta on Saturday, August 16. Teams from right across Ireland are expected to join in for the gala day of fun and competitive races.
Ballina Dragons Boat Club, located along the River Moy, is a thriving community of paddling enthusiasts dedicated to health, fitness and community involvement. Through their various initiatives the club works to make a positive impact locally and beyond. For more information please visit www.ballinadragons.com.
The group has also published a 2025 calendar, which can be purchased directly for €10 by calling Denise on 086-2385542.
Ballina Badminton Club will resume its juvenile badminton sessions following the holiday break on Saturday, January 11. The club meets in Ballina Community Sports Centre, Cathedral Road, and caters for adult and young players. New members are always welcome.
‘A Night with the Country Stars’ at the Great National Hotel Ballina will feature five Irish country music legends who have created an incredible legacy of recordings, live dates and television appearances between them, some going as far back as the 1970s.
Philomena Begley, Ray Lynam, Robert Mizzell, Kathy Durkin and Mick Flavin will be backed live on stage by the superb Keltic Storm Band.
The famous five of Irish country music will present a toe-tapping show, individually showcasing their biggest hit songs. Both Begley and Lynam have had successful careers for almost 50 years, while Mizzell is a relative newcomer, with his career taking off at the start of the 2000s. So, if it’s country music you like, then this is a show you won’t want to miss.
‘A Night with the Country Stars’ will take place in the Great National Hotel Ballina on Thursday, March 27 and you can contact 096-23600 or email info@hotelballina.ie for further information about tickets and the hotel’s special overnight accommodation rates.
The Grainne Uaile Sub Aqua Club and Search and Recovery Unit is reminding the public that its fundraiser is open for donations until January 25.
If you missed the club’s street fundraising campaign in Ballina a few weeks ago, then you can still donate via iDonate at www.idonate.ie.
All funds raised will go directly to this great cause, which is based at Slí Éctra on the west side of Ballina.
Local pioneer group members are reminded that some tickets are still available for its dinner dance later this month.
The Mid-Killala Total Abstinence Association Dinner Dance will take place in Hiney’s Upper Deck, Crossmolina on Friday, January 31.
Tickets for the night out, which cost €30, can be purchased from Maeve Tierney, Crossmolina; Una Birrane, Moygownagh, Ballina; Phyllis McLoughlin, Ardagh, Ballina; Liam Hendry, Ballina; or Mary McLoughlin, Ballina. Live music will be supplied by Michael S and Clodagh Togher.
Anyone who is due gold or silver pins will receive these on the night but are asked to contact the organisers well in advance to enable time to have the pins ordered.
The death has taken place of Carolyn (Kay) Powell (née Fryatt), Corroy, Knockmore, Ballina.
Kay was the beloved wife of Frederick and loving mother to Helen and Jamie. She will be sadly missed by her husband, son, daughter, daughter-in-law Lorna, son-in-law Mark, her adored grandchildren Stephen and Becky, brother Alan, sister Jess, sister-in-law Susan, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents William and Evelyn Fryatt.
Carolyn reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Wednesday of last week, following which a private cremation was held in Shannon Crematorium.
A Bereavement Support Group will meet at 8pm on the second Wednesday of each month in Ballina. Trained facilitators will offer their services in the Newman Institute to those requiring support. The Newman Institute is located in the grounds of St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina.
All are welcome and there is no need to book in advance.
The team at Mayo Volunteer Centre, Ballina, which reopened yesterday following the New Year break, has thanked volunteers, organisations and partner bodies for their support last year.
Manager Lesley Moore and staff Edel, Arlene, Marie and Vincent are looking forward to another busy year at the Cathedral Road centre, which is the one-stop shop for volunteering across County Mayo, providing services for organisations and individuals.
The centre is operated under the auspices of Moy Valley Resources IRD and can be contacted by telephone on 096-71444 and 087-6801934, or by email at info@volunteermayo.ie.
Once again, the Ballina GOAL Mile attracted several hundred participants for the Christmas Day event in Belleek Forest, which took place in ideal weather conditions.
The organisers have thanked all who took part in the charity activity and, in particular, Catherine, Peter, Dean and Simon Gillespie, John and Conor McLoughlin, Aoife Dowling, Jason Cawley, Evie Murphy, and Brian and Marion Mattimoe, all of whom were part of the overseeing team on the day. Gratitude was also expressed to the businesses of Ballina who provided refreshments for those taking part.
Donations are still being accepted for the Ballina GOAL Mile, and can be made online via iDonate until February 1.
The death has taken place of Margaret (Elizabeth) Ormsby (née McGovern), AnovoCare Nursing Home, Co Dublin and formerly of Garden Street, Ballina and The Moorings, Ballina.
Margaret was the beloved wife of Oliver and much loved mother to Micheál, Adrian, Geraldine and the late Elaine.
Margaret will be deeply missed and remembered always by her husband, sons and daughter, cherished grandchildren Ellen, Alanna, Oisín, Juliette, Fionn and Aoibhí, sister Kathleen and brother-in-law Mikey, son-in-law Maher, daughters-in-law Samantha and Helen, nephews, nieces, relatives and many friends.
She was predeceased by her parents, brothers Frank and Tommy, and sister-in-law Eithne.
Margaret reposed at Cunningham’s Funeral Home, Blanchardstown on Sunday. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St. Brigid’s Church, Blanchardstown yesterday (Monday), followed by burial in Mount Jerome Cemetery, Dublin.
Noël Coward’s 1940’s ‘Blithe Spirit’ is a tug-of-love comedy with a difference: one of the lovers is a ghost!
The Windmill Players, formerly known as St Farnan's Drama Group, previously introduced Ballina audiences to a stunning adaptation of ‘Dancing at Lughnasa’ in June 2024, which received standing ovations for its two-night run.
Now the West Sligo drama group takes this classic English comic play to Ballina Arts Centre later this month, a play that was described by its author as an ‘improbable farce in three acts’.
The story revolves around the novelist Charles who, hoping to gather material for his next book, asks medium Madame Arcati to conduct a séance in his house. It works too well when his deceased first wife, Elvira, returns from the other side. Charles finds himself face-to-face with Elvira, who playfully appears only to him, much to the dismay of his second wife Ruth. And Elvira isn’t returning to the underworld until she sorts out some unfinished business. Take one husband, two feuding wives, add a sprinkling of mischief, and things get thoroughly out of hand.
This Windmill Players production is directed by Joe Burns, and features a strong cast in a delightful performance.
It will be presented in Ballina Arts Centre on Friday, January 24 and Saturday, January 25, at 8pm each evening.
The Windmill Players have had previous successes with ‘Wanted – One Body’ in 2020 and ‘The Cripple of Inishmaan’ in 2023, both of which were also presented in Ballina and in several other venues around the Northwest.
Tickets for ‘Blithe Spirit’ are priced at €18, and can be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
If you are ready to make this the year in which to grow your confidence in developing your presentation or interview skills, prepare for a speech or try something new, then Ballina Toastmasters has the solution for you.
Toastmasters is an international not-for-profit educational organisation that builds confidence and teaches public speaking skills in a mutually supportive and positive learning environment. Members of Ballina Toastmasters prepare and deliver speeches, respond to impromptu questions and give and receive constructive feedback from each other.
Ballina Toastmasters returns this coming Thursday, January 8. The local group meets at 8pm at the Great National Hotel Ballina, located on the Old Foxford Road, and newcomers are always welcome to come along.
Contact Siobhan on 089-4182740 for further information or visit the Ballina Toastmasters Facebook page.
The 2025 calendar from North West SPCA Ballina is still available to buy, with your money going directly to the care of the organisation’s many furry friends. By way of the calendar, North West SPCA has been able to share with the public images of some of the rescued animals that have touched and warmed the members’ hearts.
The animal rescue service is located at Market Square, Ballina, and you can pick up your copy there and help support the work of this important Ballina-based group.
North West SPCA Ballina has thanked the following veterinary clinics that sponsored the annual calendar: Ballina Veterinary Clinic; Claremorris Pet Clinic; Erris Veterinary Clinic, Belmullet; Paul Cummins, Ballinrobe Veterinary Clinic; Teeling Vets, Collooney; McHale Road Vets, Castlebar; Pet Health Centre Tuam; and Crossmolina Veterinary Clinic.
Order of Malta Ballina has appointed Lt. David Beattie as the new Officer-in-Charge for 2025. A long-standing member of the organisation, David takes over from Lt. Brian Cronin, who spent five years in this important role.
The voluntary group is based at Marian Crescent, Ballina and provides first aid and ambulance cover to the community on a regular basis, not just in the Ballina area, but across much of the region.
Darren Kiely’s Irish tour will feature Ballina man Michael Moloney as support act. Michael, now working out of London on building a music career for himself following his Leaving Certificate examinations last year, will be on stage with the folk-pop singer songwriter from Cork at his shows in the 3Olympia, Dublin and Leisureland, Galway.
Over the past three years, Michael’s brand of pop music has endeared him to a growing legion of fans across Ireland and abroad, and earned him considerable attention on TikTok, Spotify, You Tube and Instagram.
In October 2024, Michael’s single ‘Teeth’ appeared on RTÉ Radio One’s ‘Recommended List’, and has garnered tens of thousands of plays across streaming services. He also released his own version of Chris Rea’s ‘Driving Home for Christmas’ in December.
As he prepares for his shows with Darren Kiely in March, Michael continues to write and record new material from his UK base.
