Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballina
Faces in the crowd at the recent meeting held in the Manor Hotel in Ballina to discuss the Christmas Lights for 2025. Picture: John O'Grady
Ballina Order of Malta Ambulance Corps made a presentation recently to Lieut Brian Cronin in recognition of his service as Officer-in-Charge of the group over the past five years.
A plaque was presented to Brian at an event that also marked the 75th anniversary of Ballina Order of Malta Cadet Corps.
Brian’s role was taken over at the start of January by Lieut David Beattie, while Catherine Granahan, now promoted to the rank of Adjutant, is Deputy Officer-in-Charge.
The event also recognised young Ballina Order of Malta member Enda Kelly, who assisted a member of the public with a medical emergency before the arrival of the ambulance service.
Meanwhile, the Ballina organisation is inviting anyone who is interested in joining the 2025 Order of Malta Ireland pilgrimage to Lourdes from April 30 to May 5 to contact Rosann McDonnell of Ballina Order of Malta on 087-6856509.
It’s almost swap shop time once again at The Mary Robinson Centre Climate Hub in Ballina, where you can play your part in helping to develop a stronger circular economy.
The popular event at the centre attracted a lot of attention from the public last year and is now set to become an even more regular fixture over the coming months.
The Swap Shop will be held on the second Saturday of each month from 2pm to 4pm, starting on Saturday, February 8.
To take part, you can bring along up to five items which must be clean, gently used and in good condition, and which may include clothes, books, toys and plants. Once you arrive, you will receive tokens for each item you are swapping. You can then use these tokens to purchase or swap new items from the selection available on the afternoon. There is usually something for everyone at the Swap Shop.
Electrical items or food items such as baby formula cannot be accepted. Also ineligible for swapping are toys with a cord over 30cm, car seats, baby slings or other safety equipment.
The Mary Robinson Centre is located on Emmet Street, Ballina (opposite St Muredach’s Cathedral), and access to the centre’s Climate Hub is via Moy Lane, immediately to the left of the building.
Belleek Woods Enhancement Committee has elected a new chairperson and principal officers for the year ahead.
Vincent Lang was appointed chairperson at the annual general meeting of the group in The Merry Monk, Ballina on January 14, taking over from Cynthia Clampett.
Vincent has been a member of the committee for several years and, with the cooperation of Coillte, has been the driving force in planning various projects to help enhance Belleek Woods, an important urban leisure amenity on the outskirts of Ballina. These included the renewal of the Duck Pond, redevelopment of the Wild Flower Garden and preservation of The Hermitage, with more projects planned.
Sinead Caheny was elected secretary and Chris Clampett was elected treasurer.
Ballina Stephenites Squash Club is looking for players, both new and old.
If you have played squash in the past and want to get back into the game, then now is the perfect time of the year to start. If you are new to the sport and haven't played before, squash is a great game to get fit, have fun and meet new people. Squash can be played at any time of the year.
If you are interested then please contact David on 086-2860835 or just turn up at the clubhouse on any Monday evening between 7pm and 9pm.
Remember, it doesn't matter if you have never played before as there is a level for everyone and free coaching is provided, along with equipment.
Midwest Radio’s Tommy Marren has successfully turned his hand to playwriting in recent years. Author of ‘It’s The Real McCoy, ‘3 Hail Marys’ and ‘Nobody’s Talking To Me’, Tommy’s latest offering is ‘Matches and Old Flames’, another witty comedy that is guaranteed to bring laughter to the audience in Ballina Arts Centre this coming weekend.
It stars Tommy Marren, Eileen Slevin, Pat Feeley, Mary Marren, Kieran Brennan and Mary Barry.
Tommy’s comic play has already played in theatres across Ireland, telling the story of Maureen Corcoran, who decides to find love for her two maturing sons without their consent. Will her wishes come true or could her sons' carefully crafted plan to get rid of the ‘ladies’ make matters even worse? Throw into the mix tongue-twisters, rare diseases, a missing wife, a ‘dodgy’ sponge cake and news of an old flame and you have a storyline where love is put to the test like never before! Will matches be struck or could someone get burned by an old flame?
Find out when ‘Matches and Old Flames’ plays in Ballina on Friday, January 31 and Saturday, February 1 at 8pm.
Tickets are priced at €26/€25, and can be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
A new exhibition has opened in the Concourse Gallery of Ballina Arts Centre, the work of three members of Claremorris Art Group.
In ‘The Beautiful’, the three artists endeavour to share their hopes, dreams, insights, expectations and observations from their profound and insightful individual viewpoints. In evoking a fresh empathy to the viewer, their aim is to awaken ‘the beautiful’ within us.
‘The Beautiful’ is the work of Anne Ward, Anna O. Dixon and Christine Lynn. Each member of the Claremorris collective works independently on, and brings their own interpretation to this exhibition, which will include both 2D and 3D works.
The exhibition will run until Saturday, March 15.
The Concourse Gallery of Ballina Arts Centre is open Tuesday to Saturday each week, from 10am to 6pm, and admission is free.
Kevin Lee Sweeney, representing Ballina Credit Union, has been awarded a runner-up prize at the National Final of the 2024 Credit Union Art Competition.
The young Ballina artist, a student of Coláiste Iascaigh, Easkey, created his work based on the theme of the competition, ‘The Joys of Life’. Kevin competed in the 11 to 13 years of age category.
The death has taken place of Micheal Kearney, Farrannoo, Ballina.
Michael will be sadly missed by his son Martin, Maisie, brother Jimmy, granddaughter Saoirse, Martin’s partner Sarah and her daughter Demi, relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents John and Annie Kate, and brother Padraig.
Michael 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 Rathfran Cemetery, Killala.
Ballina Active Retirement Association will resume activities for 2025 with the group’s first meeting of the year next week.
Members will meet on Thursday morning, February 6, in the Pastoral Centre, which is located in the grounds of St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina. Newcomers are always welcome.
The next meeting of Mayo COPD Support Group is on Thursday, January 30 at 2.30pm. The meeting will be held in Castlebar Tennis Club, Lannagh Road, Castlebar and will be addressed by a member of the physiotherapist team.
A show which comes to Ballina Arts Centre in just over two weeks’ time is perfectly suited to the little ones in your family.
FairyTale StageShow is offering two stories for the price of one when the production company brings the age-old classics ‘Little Bo Peep’ and ‘The Three Little Pigs’ to the theatre on Saturday afternoon, February 15.
In the first half hour of the show, help Little Bo Peep find her lost sheep in this incredibly interactive production. Following a ten-minute break, the second half-hour of this fun-filled show features the classic story of the Three Little Pigs alongside the ‘Not Too Bad’ Big Bad Wolf!
The stage show, which starts at 3pm, is ideal for those children who are two years of age and over, with lots of sing-along songs, games and puzzles that are certain to create lasting memories.
It’s part of an Irish tour by this colourful and enthusiastic production company, which has entertained tens of thousands of children over the years.
Tickets are priced at €45 for a family of four, or €15 per adult and €12 for a child. Tickets may be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
The death has taken place of Vincent (Vincy) Cavanagh, Greenhills Estate, Ballina and formerly of Garden Street, Ballina.
Vincy was the beloved husband of Teresa and loving father to Mark, James and Una. He will be sadly missed by his wife, sons, daughter, son-in-law Patrick O’Boyle, grandchildren Erin, Ciara and Sean, brothers Fr Tony, Joe and Seanie, sisters Bridie Kenny and Betty Finnegan, in-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his father Tony, his mother Lizzie and his sister Marie.
Vincy reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Wednesday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral on Thursday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Local contemporary artist Emma Donoghue is facilitating a painting and drawing art class at Ballina Arts Centre over the next few weeks.
The class, which is suitable for beginners and advanced artists, takes place on Tuesday evenings from 7.30pm to 9pm. Further information is available from Ballina Arts Centre.
The death has taken place of Rose Durcan (née McHale), 7 Arbuckle Row, Ballina and formerly of Belderrig, Co Mayo.
Rose was the beloved wife of Jimmy and loving mother to Owen, Martha, Anne, Peter, Linda, Angela and James. She will also be sadly missed by her brother Michael, sons-in-law Tony, Graeme and Craig, daughters-in-law Ross, Susan and Rachael, grandchildren Jake, Caoimhe, Caoilte-Fionn, Rayna, Annabelle, Mia, Olain, Caleb, Harlow, Joshua and Sally, great-grandchildren Kailum, Clodagh, Cillian and Mabel, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Mary and Peter, and by her siblings Mary, Kathleen, Jack, Frank and Martin.
Rose 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.
Winners of cash prizes in the Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club 50/50 Weekly Draw over the past few weeks included Marian Murphy, Corroy, Ballina, who won €355; Angela Durcan and Lorcan Hughes, Hughes Pub, Ballina, who won €450; and Eoin McLoughlin and Liam Henry, Ballina, each of whom won €350.
As always, tickets can be purchased in participating shops in Ardnaree or through the Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club app.
As amateur drama season reaches its busiest period, the players from Bonniconlon Drama Group are currently rehearsing for a production of the comedy ‘Pretend Sick’.
From the pen of Mayo playwright Michael J. Ginnelly, the three-act stage play features a large cast and tells the story of Katie Logan and the hilarious activities that take place in her kitchen.
The Mulranny writer’s comedy has been produced right across Ireland and abroad and will be presented by the Bonniconlon thespians on the weekend of March 28, 29 and 30.
The death has taken place of Catherine Barrett, 165 Greenhills Estate, Ballina and formerly of Rathbaun, Kincon, Ballina.
Catherine was the beloved mother of Oliver (Ollie) and Caroline. She will be sadly missed by her son, daughter, brothers Paddy, Liam and Gerard, grandchildren Jade, Amelia, Zoe and Theo, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Doreen and Paddy, brother Andrew, and partner Ollie Ryder.
Catherine reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Tuesday of last week, followed by removal to St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina. Requiem Mass was celebrated on Wednesday, with burial afterwards in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
The HSE, under its Sláintecare Healthy Communities initiative, is offering a free stop-smoking programme in Ballina starting today, January 28, and running for seven weeks.
The ‘We Can Quit – Stop Smoking’ Ballina group will meet every Tuesday from 2pm to 3.30pm, taking part in a group-based stop smoking programme.
Free nicotine replacement medication, group support and one-to-one support will be offered to all participants.
For more information, or to book a place, please contact Brenda McNicholas on 087-4484711 or email brenda.mcnicholas1@hse.ie.
An exciting new Christmas project is in the planning stages in Ballina. If you haven’t already parted ways with your artificial Christmas tree or old decorations, then a local organisation would be delighted to take these items off your hands.
Ballina Costume Company, in collaboration with Moyne College and the Jackie Clarke Collection, is seeking donations for its exciting Christmas 2025 project.
They would greatly appreciate contributions from the people of Ballina and surrounding areas to help make this project a success.
You can drop items off at Ballina Costume Company’s base on Bury Street anytime during opening hours, which are Monday to Friday, from 10am to 5pm, or please contact Ballina Costume Company at 096-72154 for more information.
The results of the game played by members of Ballina Bridge Club on Tuesday of last week were as follows: 1st, V. Baynes and D. Hacket; 2nd, G. Scanlon and F. Walkin; 3rd, B. Gormley and R. Keohane; 4th, J. and M. Munnelly; 5th, M. Corcoran and B. Mulkearns; and 6th T. Slowey and M. Lowry.
The forthcoming production of Walter Macken’s play ‘Home is the Hero’ in Ballina Arts Centre has been rescheduled.
The Ardagh Community Players were due to present their exciting production of this brooding drama in February. However, the play will now take place instead on Thursday, March 6 and Friday, March 7.
Ballina Storytime will bring some cheer to little children over the coming weeks with the return of the free Storytime sessions.
Baby Storytime will be held weekly on Thursdays at 10.15am and Wobbler Toddlers will be held on Fridays at 10.15am. All are welcome for some rhymes, stories and, most importantly of all, fun.
The venue is Ballina Library, Pearse Street, Ballina.
