Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballina
The Pearse Street Boys perform at Ballina Stephenites' Strictly Lip Sync in the Great National Hotel on Saturday, February 1. Picture: John O'Grady
It has become one of the busiest community arts centres in the North West, constantly reflecting the diverse range of talent which thrives in this country, but top-class comedy will take centre stage at Ballina Arts Centre in the coming weeks.
Anne Gildea, the woman who taught us ‘How to Get the Menopause and Enjoy It’, arrives with her new show ‘Further Adventures in Womaning’ on Saturday, February 22.
In her hilarious new offering, she explores the world of the feminine, the mammy and the twerky dancer. From 18-hour girdles and Housewives of The Year, to ripped influencer grannies pumping iron on Instagram; from the Sunday drive to the spa break, and from Angel Delight to Ozempic, and back to the chiffon scarf test, Anne Gildea has a go at it all.
David McSavage is back on Friday, March 7, with his irreverent take on how to live with integrity, ‘McSavage Rules’. The controversial comedian describes his latest show as ‘An unhelpful masterpiece for regaining personal power'.
On Friday, March 14, Pat and Faye Short return with their riot of sketch comedy, ‘Knuckle Down’, giving Ballina audiences a last chance to catch their latest array of comedy characters before the tour ends.
Finally, watch out for details on Al Porter’s visit to Ballina Arts Centre in November.
Tickets for shows can be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
The results of the game played by Ballina Bridge Club members in The Moy Club, Ballina on Tuesday, February 4 were as follows: 1st, S. and A. Callaghan; 2nd, G. Scanlon and F. Walkin; 3rd, T. Slowey and M. Lowry; 4th, M. McAndrew and C. Callaghan; 5th, M. O’Dowd and M. Mongan; and 6th, J. Cawley and N. Kilroy.
The previous week’s winners were (North/South): 1st, G. Scanlon and F. Walkin; 2nd, S. and A. Callaghan; and 3rd, R. Keohane and B. Gormley. (East/West): 1st, B. Mulligan and A. Ivers; 2nd, T. Slowey and M. Lowry; and 3rd, C. Callaghan and M. Mc Andrew.
The colossal impact which ABBA made on the music industry is quite astounding, and hasn’t been repeated since the band first made landfall in the 1970s, storming its way to mega-success in a few short years.
Ballina fans will have an opportunity to see one of the finest ABBA tribute bands in action in Belleek Castle Hotel, Ballina on Friday, March 21.
Waterloo - A Tribute to ABBA captures the unique sound and feel of this legendary Swedish band with incredible attention to detail by a full live cast and band, stunning costumes and breath-taking choreography. The iconic lyrics and music composed by Benny and Bjorn are sung in wonderful, captivating harmonies, from the opening refrain to the final sing-along chorus of this two-hour spectacular.
The show starts at 9.30pm and tickets, costing €30, are available to buy through Eventbrite. A free bus will operate after the show.
For more information, please call 096-22400 or email info@belleekcastle.eu.
Following a three-month break, Ballina Active Retirement Association resumed normal business on Thursday last, February 6. The retiree group has announced that it will hold its annual general meeting this coming Thursday, February 13, at which new officers will be elected for the year ahead.
Officers elected last year were Chairperson, Noreen Baker; Deputy Chairperson, Linda Neary; Secretary, Pauline Gray; Assistant Secretary, Rosemary Armstrong; Treasurer, Bernie Cawley; and Assistant Treasurer, Breege Garrett.
The death has taken place of Michael (Mike) McAndrew, 22 Dunmanus Court, Dunmanus Road, Dublin 7, who was the son of Dillon Terrace, Ballina native, the late Michael McAndrew.
Michael is survived by his son, daughter, twin brother James (Brisbane, Australia) and sister Marianne (Crumlin, Dublin), relatives, neighbours and friends.
Michael reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Tuesday of last week, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Ballina Salmon Anglers Association marked the beginning of the new fishing season at the start of February. The group is offering €250 for the first fish of the season caught within its stretch of waters on the River Moy. All paid-up members are eligible to take part.
Over the last two years, Ballina has staged some fascinating and thought-provoking events to mark Culture Night.
This year, Culture Night will take place across the country on Friday, September 19, marking its 20th year, and applications will shortly be open for Culture Night Late 2025 funding.
The first strand of funding is for Culture Night Late flagship events, which supports innovative, large-scale, flagship late-night events, beginning after 9pm, with an audience capacity of 500-plus. The maximum funding is €16,500.
Strand Two covers smaller Culture Night Late events. With a maximum funding of €5,000 to €8,000, this covers innovative late-night events for a unique audience experience, beginning after 9pm, and with an audience capacity of over 200 people.
Funding will be offered up to a maximum of 75% of the budget, with 25% needed in matching income.
If you are interested in applying, please contact Mayo County Council Arts Service on mayoculturenight@mayococo.ie.
The death has taken place of Linda Judge (née Dunleavy), Rathkip, Ballina and formerly of Cum, Lahardane.
Linda will be missed and remembered with love by her son Alan, daughter Ròisin, sisters Bridie Ferrick (Ballinrobe), Mary Ryan (Breaffy, Castlebar), Ena Noble (London) and Geraldine Ryan (Dunboyne, Co Meath), brother John Dunleavy (Cum, Lahardane), mother-in-law Tess, nieces, nephews, sisters-in-law and brothers-in-law, extended families, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her loving husband Paul and by her parents Jack and Linda Dunleavy.
Linda reposed at Gallagher’s Funeral Home, Bonniconlon. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Monday of last week, with burial afterwards in Bonniconlon Cemetery.
The Ballina campus of Mayo College of Further Education will hold an open day on Thursday, February 13.
Potential learners will have the opportunity to meet teachers and tour the college facilities. Courses on offer in Ballina include those in areas such as business, healthcare and the creative arts. The open day runs from 12pm to 6pm.
FET/ PLC Levels 4 and 5, Level 6 QQI, ITEC, CIDESCO and BTEC, as well as apprenticeships, are provided across Mayo College sites and more information can be had by visiting www.mayocollege.ie.
‘The Last Pearl’ is the fourth in a series of devised works performed over the last nine years by Blue Raincoat Theatre Company, Sligo that include ‘Shackleton’, ‘The School Days of Thaddeus K’ and ‘Hunting Darwin’.
‘The Last Pearl’ tells the story of M, a pearl diver, in her search to survive in an ever-changing and increasingly challenging world.
The Blue Raincoat ensemble includes John Carty, Sandra O'Malley, Brian F Devaney, Áine Ní Laoghaire and Aisling Mannion. Dramaturg is by Jocelyn Clarke and direction is by Niall Henry.
‘The Last Pearl’ will be presented in Ballina Arts Centre at 8pm on Wednesday, February 19.
Tickets cost €18 (€16 concession) and can be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
The death has taken place of Martin (Todd) Ryan, 84 Lord Edward Street, Ballina.
Todd will be sadly missed by his siblings Jim, Marian, Dorothy Devers, Eamon, Declan and Micheal, his brother-in-law Tom, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his father Chris, his mother Anne Marie and his sisters Annette, Margaret and Kathleen.
Todd reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Saturday last, with removal afterwards to St Patrick’s Church, Ballina. Requiem Mass was celebrated on Sunday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
If you are passionate about photography, or you just want to learn how to use your camera or phone better, then come to an informal get-together in Ballina Arts Centre later this month.
Led by experienced photographer Podge Kelly, who has over 45 years of experience, the group will welcome everyone, from beginners to skilled photographers.
This informal meet up will enable people to learn from their fellow enthusiasts. It is hoped that the group can meet regularly, share ideas and skills, and explore various styles like landscapes, portraits and street photography.
On the night there will be a short presentation by Podge and a discussion on how to get this exciting new photography group going.
The event on Wednesday February 26 at 8pm is free, but numbers are limited, so make sure to book your place early.
To book, please visit www.ballinaartscentre.com.
And don’t forget to bring along your camera or phone.
Final preparations are underway for the annual St Mary’s Secondary School musical, which will be presented in the school hall on Thursday, February 13 and Friday, February 14, at 7.30pm.
‘All Dolled Up’ takes the talented students of the Ballina all-girls school on a lively journey through the pink world of pampering and partying, with hit after hit along the way.
Tickets, costing €15 for adults and €10 for students, are on sale from the school office. Contact 096-70333 for further information.
Ballina Community First Responders has revealed that the Public Access Defibrillator at Blackrock Court, The Quay, Ballina has now been upgraded, and is available should anyone in the area need to avail of this vital service in a medical emergency. No access code is required.
The Showing Roots Music Industry Conference in Killarney last month provided Ballina folk group Billow Wood with an opportunity to showcase in front of a number of music festival organisers from Ireland and abroad.
Influencers gathered at the event in the Co Kerry town, offering emerging bands and seasoned groups the chance to network, attend workshops and collaborate with other musicians at Ireland’s annual folk conference.
Among the attendance were industry leaders from Dublin Irish Festival, Sligo Live and Milwaukee Irish Fest (USA), and from the major international booking agency Midnight Mango.
Billow Wood was also celebrating the honour of recently being chosen as Artist of The Week on Clare FM.
Modern Calligraphy for Beginners is a workshop coming to Ballina Arts Centre on Saturday, March 1.
Eithna Joyce is bringing her popular workshop back to the town once again, presenting a fresh and contemporary approach to the age old skill of beautiful writing.
During this workshop participants will be introduced to the joys of writing with dip nib and ink by learning the basic techniques, letter forms and how to compose words and phrases.
The workshop runs from 2pm to 4.30pm, at a cost of €65.
Patrick Killeen and Eileen Rouse were both newly elected to the Board Oversight Committee of Ballina Credit Union at the financial co-operative’s recent AGM in the Great National Hotel Ballina.
Members present voted to elect the pair to join Sean McDonnell on this committee, which provides oversight of the board on behalf of the organisation’s 18,000 members, and is a regulatory requirement for all credit unions.
The board of Ballina Credit Union for 2025 comprises David Dwane (Chair), Declan Naughton (Vice-Chair), Fionn Sweeney (Secretary), Margaret Reddington, Mark Winters, Stuart Edmeades, Jacqueline Kinsella, John Carroll and Declan Rigney.
For many people around Ireland joining Toastmasters has been a huge benefit in their personal and professional development.
Take that leap of faith and come along to Ballina Toastmasters when the group meets upstairs in the Great National Hotel Ballina this coming Thursday, February 13.
In a welcoming and relaxed atmosphere, you can see how Toastmasters approaches public speaking and, at the same time, can help to improve your confidence.
Being involved can greatly assist in giving presentations in the workplace, delivering a speech at a function or just finding your voice in a social setting.
The meeting starts at 7.45pm and everyone is welcome to come along. The Ballina group generally gets together every second Thursday.
The death has taken place of Dominic Price, Cathedral Close, Ballina and formerly of Blackmill Street, Kilkenny.
Dominic was the dearly loved father of Eamon (London), Paul (Dublin), Bernie Reddy (Ballina) and Michael (Texas). He will be deeply missed by his daughters-in-law Brenda, Bruna and Sue, son-in-law Paul, grandchildren Kieran, Emma, Liam, Eva, Hugo, William, Arianna, Edward, Hollie and Jake, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his beloved wife Bernadette, his brothers James, Patrick, Charles, Michael, Noel, Desmond, Philip, Joseph and Gerrard, and his sister Mary.
Dominic reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Sunday. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina yesterday (Monday), followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Monies raised following a craft project last Christmas by students of Moyne College, Ballina were recently donated to the local St Vincent De Paul organisation.
Students Jason Weng, Joshua Reape and Shane Kinsella participated in this TY Social Development Studies project at their secondary school, and made the donation to SVP - Vincent’s Shop Ballina Store Manager, Jackie McGovern.
Ballina Swimming Pool is currently running Aquafit classes for all ages. The 25m pool is ideal for families, recreational swimmers and serious lane swimmers, and offers a sauna, disabled/family changing area and spectator’s gallery.
Beginners and Improvers classes for adults are also taking place.
Contact the pool for more information on 096-70506.
An exciting night of diverse music, song and dance will bring together Mayo and Galway acts for a show in Ballina Arts Centre on March 21.
Sean Keane, one of Ireland’s most recognised voices, will head the bill along with his band for what is expected to be a sell-out audience. Sean will be joined by the Mayo Teenage Trad Ensemble, the Bailey Scariff Academy of Dance and St Muredach's Cathedral Boys Choir.
Sean Keane’s stirring style of folk singing has a distinct sean-nós quality, but his recordings of songs such as The Beatles’ classic ‘Blackbird’ and Sting’s ‘Field of Gold’ also demonstrate his ability to traverse other genres with great success.
The Mayo Teenage Trad Ensemble, under the direction of Stephen Doherty from Foxford, features over 30 award-winning teenage musicians who are of the highest standard in the country. They will perform some of their specially arranged material on the night and will join Seán for some of his best-known songs, and provide the accompaniment for the Bailey Scariff Academy of Dance.
At an equally high standard, and with a contrasting tonal quality, will be the lads of St Muredach's Cathedral Boys Choir.
Tickets, costing €22, or €18 for those aged under 18, can be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com. The show starts at 8pm.
