Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballina
Members of the Foróige club from The Quay in Ballina at the Mayo Foroige Prom Ball 2025 in the Castlecourt Hotel, Westport. Picture: Alison Laredo
It has been confirmed that Mayo Fleadh Cheoil will be held in Ballina again next year, following the outstanding success of the 2025 event which took place in the town earlier this month.
Bofield Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann will host the Fleadh.
The hard work of Bofield CCE members and partner groups has resulted in Ballina achieving much praise for its organisational skills, and the Connacht Fleadh staged in Ballina in 2023 as part of the celebrations to mark the 300th anniversary of the town’s formal establishment was a very positive achievement for all involved.
The 2025 Mayo Fleadh Cheoil included sessions and concerts across various venues in Ballina, street busking, a gig rig at Market Square and competitions in the impressive facilities of the new St Mary’s Secondary School.
Meanwhile, a campaign to bring the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil back to Ballina is ongoing. Ballina last staged this mammoth national event in 1997 and 1998.
Walter Corcoran, a Ballina man living in Dublin, was instrumental in establishing the first Toastmasters club in his native town 20 years ago.
Walter, who was a member of a Toastmasters club in Dublin at the time, saw the benefits which the organisation could bring to people in Ballina and, with the support of other clubs in Ireland, set up Toastmasters Ballina in 2005.
The club will mark the 20th anniversary with a celebratory night at its meeting in the Great National Hotel, Old Foxford Road, Ballina this Thursday, May 22.
Toastmasters International originated as an educational not-for-profit organisation in the USA in 1924 and came to Ireland in 1957, when the first Irish club opened in Dublin.
Every year, thousands of individuals from every part of Ireland visit Toastmasters clubs around the country seeking to improve their communication or leadership skills, for such diverse reasons as wanting to overcome a fear of public speaking, preparing for a Best Man speech, or improving interview skills.
During Toastmasters meetings, mentoring is provided in a relaxed, supportive and encouraging environment.
And, just like in all other clubs, meetings in Ballina are conducted in a light-hearted way, full of good humour and fun while, at the same time, helping to build confidence and find new friends for its members.
The Ballina club is inviting current and past members to come and join with it for this week’s 20-year celebrations.
Doors open at 7pm, with the meeting set to commence at 7.30pm. Everyone is welcome on this special night.
The theme for this year’s Mary Robinson Climate and Nature Conference is ‘Courage in Crisis’, taking place in Ballina on May 26 and 27.
This landmark event will bring together global leaders, scientists, activists and policymakers at various venues throughout the town to address the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
The annual conference will feature keynote speakers, panel discussions, interactive workshops and social events. Attendees will have the opportunity to engage with thought leaders and innovators who are at the forefront of climate action and environmental sustainability.
Keynote speakers will include former President of Ireland and Ballina native Mary Robinson, alongside other renowned climate advocates and experts, all of whom will share their insights and visions for a sustainable future.
Topics for the panel discussions will include climate justice, biodiversity conservation, renewable energy and sustainable development.
There will also be interactive workshops where participants will engage in hands-on sessions designed to foster collaboration and innovation in addressing climate change.
Attendees will have the chance to connect with like-minded individuals and organisations committed to making a positive impact on the environment.
The Mary Robinson Climate and Nature Conference 2025 promises to be a pivotal event in the global effort to combat climate change and protect our planet for future generations.
Registration for the conference on Monday, May 26 and Tuesday, May 27 is now open at Eventbrite, through the following link: www.eventbrite.ie. Registration includes attendance for the two days, a social evening and lunch on both days. There is an optional conference event taking place on Monday at 6pm, to which all are welcome.
The Parents’ Association of St Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina raised €1,600 following a recent table quiz, with the proceeds going towards the development of a nurture area for the school’s students.
Members of the association presented a cheque for the amount to School Principal, Robert O’Reilly.
A nurture area is a dedicated, supportive space designed to help students who may need a quiet environment to regulate their emotions, build confidence and develop social skills in a calm and welcoming setting.
The results of the bridge game played by members of Ballina Bridge Club on Tuesday, May 6th, were as follows: 1st, Helena Moran and Mary Gilvarry; 2nd, Gerry Scanlon and Francis Walkin; 3rd, Mary Corcoran and Breda Mulkearns; 4th, Mary Mongan and Mary O'Dowd; 5th, David Hackett and Val Baynes; and 6th, Ann and Sean Callaghan.
The successful pairs on Tuesday, April 29 were, 1st, Ann and Sean Callaghan; 2nd, Mary Corcoran and Breda Mulkearns; 3rd, Bill Thomas and Ger Moran; 4th, a tie between Mary Lowry and Trish Slowey, and Gerry Scanlon and Francis Walkin; and 6th, Mary Mongan and Mary O'Dowd.
Speakers installed on the outside of the Mary Robinson Centre in Ballina during May will play recordings of Swift calls in the hope that this will attract these special birds in the area and encourage them to investigate the Swift boxes which have been specially installed high up on the outer walls of the building.
The Common Swift is one of many species under threat in the modern era as the result of the encroachment of human habitation and climate change.
The Swift is on the Red List of birds of conservation concern in Ireland because its population has declined by over 40% in the last 15 years.
Late April and early May is when Swifts come to breed in our towns, often in the crevices of old buildings, and it is hoped that this initiative from the Mary Robinson Centre will help with conservation efforts.
Swift Conservation Ireland has worked with The Mary Robinson Centre to install the Swift boxes.
The death has taken place of Sean McGuire, Connolly Street, Ballina.
Sean will be sadly missed by his daughters Sharon (Dempsey, Killala) and Colette (Curley, Roscommon), son John (Birmingham), grandchildren Fiona, Mary, Tom, Domnick, Sean, Jack, Conor, Dónal and Mabel, brother Tony, sister May, sons-in-law Gerry Dempsey and Gerry Curley, daughter-in-law Hardeep, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his wife Eileen.
Sean reposed at Lynn’s Funeral Home, Killala on Monday of last week. Funeral Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Tuesday, followed by burial in Attymass New Cemetery.
Among the Bealtaine Festival 2025 events taking place in Ballina this week is a day-long writing workshop with the poet and author Gerry Boland, who will explore the memoir genre.
Taking tips, strategies, approaches and styles from a number of celebrated and lesser known memoirs, Gerry will help you to decide what kind of memoir you would like to write. Writing exercises will play an important role, as you tease out ideas and try out different styles and structures.
Gerry Boland is a poet and author with ten published books. He has wide experience of leading writing workshops in poetry, short fiction and memoir.
The workshop runs in Ballina Library, Pearse Street on Saturday, May 24, from 10am to 4pm, with a couple of short tea breaks and a half-hour break for lunch.
Booking can be made by emailing mayoarts@mayococo.ie or by calling 094-9064086.
Also this week, as part of Bealtaine Festival, the traditional musician and composer Emer Mayock will be playing for day patients in Ballina Community Hospital, Mercy Road on Thursday, May 22.
Bealtaine Festival is an initiative of Age & Opportunity, the national organisation that promotes active and engaged living for people as they get older.
The death has taken place of late Maureen Kelly (née Devers), 17 Oakwood Drive, Ballina and formerly of 12 Circular Road, Ballina.
Maureen was the beloved mother of Anna, Gerry, Noel and Maureena. She will be sadly missed by her sons, daughters, her best friend and sister Ronnie Pownall, grandchildren, brothers Terry, John, Thomas, Paul and Alan, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Gerry, parents Annie and Terry Devers, twin sister Lena Kennedy, and brothers Noel, Joe and Edward.
Maureen 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.
An open call has been issued for applications for the North West Dance Residency Programme 2025.
Successful applicants, who should be professional or pre-professional dance artists, at all stages of their career or practice, will receive a financial stipend of €1,500. They will also get rehearsal/studio space for two weeks in Ballina Arts Centre or alternative participating location, as well as other benefits.
The objective of the programme is to build and create a supportive framework for dance in the north-west region through the provision of space, a financial stipend and access to practical supports such as production advice, accessing funding streams and mentoring.
This programme is made possible through partnership with a number of local authority arts offices in Mayo, Galway and Roscommon, and with partner venues, including Ballina Arts Centre.
As the main resource for professional dance in the North West region, Galway Dance manages all aspects of this programme and is supported by the Arts Council of Ireland.
Artists will be within a supportive framework provided by the partners and Galway Dance can offer showings of work, workshop facilitation, open rehearsals, assistance with funding applications and networking opportunities for artists.
Galway Dance will provide administrative, production, networking and mentoring support as required throughout this residency and will be the main point of contact for artists during the period.
The closing date for applications is Friday, May 23 and further enquiries can be directed to Galway Dance Executive Director Kristyn Fontanella at contact@galwaydance.ie.
Bonniconlon Community Futures Information Day is taking place on Sunday next, May 25. This meeting is the next step in the Community Futures project for the village, and all of the priorities identified in the recent surveys carried out locally will be presented to the public.
Ultimately, the overarching aim of the Bonniconlon Community Futures initiative is to make the village a more desirable place in which to live, work and visit.
At the Information Day, people will have the opportunity to vote for the priorities they would like to see included in the Bonniconlon Community Futures Development Action Plan for the next five years.
Bonniconlon Community Futures is an ambitious five-year plan aimed at developing and enhancing the village, ensuring that it thrives as a vibrant, welcoming and sustainable community. The initiative is led by a dedicated voluntary group, bringing together local residents, organisations and stakeholders to shape the future of Bonniconlon in a way that reflects the collective needs and aspirations of its population.
One of the primary goals of the plan is to create a strong sense of ownership and involvement within the community.
Everyone will have the opportunity to voice their opinions and share their ideas at the event, which will be a platform for residents of all ages and backgrounds to engage in open dialogue about what they envision for the village’s future.
The voluntary group is committed to ensuring that everyone has a say in the process, fostering inclusivity and collaboration throughout the planning phase.
By focusing on sustainable growth, community engagement and the development of local amenities, the group seeks to create an environment where people feel connected, proud and excited about the future of their village.
Through this collaborative and long-term approach, Bonniconlon will not only be a better place for current residents, but will also attract visitors, new families and businesses, contributing to the village’s prosperity and growth for years to come.
Further details about Sunday’s important meeting in Bonniconlon Community Centre, during which there will be tea and treats available, can be had from the social media pages of Bonniconlon Community Futures.
Bonniconlon GAA Club is hosting a 5km run/walk before the information session, beginning at 1pm.
Friday night’s Rejoice Gospel Choir summer concert is set to reveal some entertaining gems from this Ballina-based mixed voice singing group, led by musical director, Jack Cronin.
Earlier this month, members of the choir entertained people in Belleek Forest taking part in the Ballina Darkness Into Light fundraiser for Pieta House Suicide and Self-Harm Crisis Centre.
The show in Belleek Castle on Friday, May 23rd, will feature not only a flavour of the gospel music for which the group is renowned, but also Rejoice Gospel Choir’s interpretation of the songs of Aslan, Dolly Parton and favourites from the musicals.
Costing €20, tickets for the Rejoice Gospel Choir and Friends concert are available directly from any choir member or from Ballina Tourist Office, Pearse Street. You can also book online via TicketTailor.
A Table Quiz in aid of work on the playground at Breaffy National School, Ballina is taking place this coming Friday night, May 23.
Proceeds from the fundraiser will go towards redeveloping the school playground, where some work has already started. However, further improvements are needed in order to create a safe, enjoyable and fun space for all the kids to enjoy.
The quiz starts at 8.30pm in Ballina Golf Club. A table of four costs €40, or €10 per individual.
Everyone is invited to come along, but donations are also welcome if you are unable to attend.
This weekend sees the return of Ballina Tennis Open, once again bringing a few days of entertaining and competitive tennis to the town.
The Ballina Tennis Club event is part of the National Tour 200 Open, and will attract some top-class players.
Categories include Men’s, Women’s and Mixed Doubles, at Class Levels 2, 4 and 6.
Event sponsors include AIB, Ballina Credit Union, Cllr Annie-May Reape, Coca-Cola Ballina, Dunnes Stores, Hollister, Lundy Transport, Ballina Municipal District of Mayo County Council, Soopa Pets and Tuffys Gala. Tournament sponsors are Cllr Marie Theresa Duffy, Cllr Michael Loftus and Gerry Kenny Sports.
The tournament takes place in Ballina Tennis Club (just off Cathedral Road, Ballina and next door to Ballina Community Sports Centre) from Friday, May 23 to Sunday, May 25.
