Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballina
Minister Dara Calleary is pictured during his visit to St Dymphna's School in Ballina with Deputy Principal Jennifer McCormack and student Jack Holmes. Picture: John O'Grady
The Global Kitchen returns this year as part of the Ballina Fringe Festival. Volunteers are being recruited to help out with the event, which will be hosted by St Dymphna's School, Ballina.
The organisers are looking for enthusiastic volunteers to join its Tidy Team, ensuring that the kitchen and venue are left spotless and ready for the next event. Among the tasks expected from this single-event volunteering opportunity are to clean and tidy the kitchen after cooking activities, clear tables, wash dishes, and manage waste and recycling.
Volunteers are required for a two-hour period from 3pm to 5pm on Sunday, October 12, while the Global Kitchen event itself will start at 12 noon.
Contact Mayo Volunteer Centre, Ballina on 096 -71444 or email vincent@volunteermayo.ie.
The Mayo Roscommon Hospice Shop in Ballina, now settled at its new location on Tone Street, will host the annual coffee morning on Thursday, September 25. A welcome is extended to everyone, with the coffee morning starting at 10am.
The River Moy Swim date for 2026 has been set by the organisers. The swim, which will take place on Saturday, July 18, 2026, is one of the most popular sports events to be held annually as part of Ballina Salmon Festival, and takes swimmers from the town centre to The Quay.
Ballina Dramatic Society has started preparations for its Christmas panto. Auditions are taking place, with final dates to be confirmed shortly for the group’s annual presentation, which will take place in Ballina Arts Centre in December.
Last year’s ‘Perished – The Panto’ was a clever and thoroughly enjoyable take on the Disney film ‘Frozen’, performed by a local cast against a beautifully seasonal set. It brought audiences to their feet in spontaneous appreciation for the talented cast and backstage crew. Expect even more this year!
The death has taken place of Mary Winifred (Freddie) Maloney (née Reilly), Attychree, Enniscrone and formerly of Castle Road, Ballina and Arbuckle Row, Ballina.
Freddie and her family had a long association with the newspaper. She will be deeply mourned and very greatly missed by her beloved husband Vincent, brother Terry, sisters Helen, Sheila and Geraldine, sisters-in-law Mary Reilly, Mary Byer Reilly, Ann Cassidy, Angela Kelly, Virginia Healy, Kathleen Maloney, Margaret Maloney, Barbara Maloney, brothers-in-law Pat Byrne, Michael Murphy, Tom, Ted and Michael Maloney, Martin Healy, Flan Quigney, nieces, nephews, cousins and other relatives in the United States and England.
She was predeceased by her parents John and Sheila Reilly (née DeVere), brother John, niece Joanne, sisters-in-law Joy Reilly, Margaret Quigney and Celine Barrins, and brothers-in-law Senan Kelly, Christy Barrins and Tom Quirke.
Freddie reposed at her residence in Attychree. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Joseph’s Church, Castleconnor on Monday of last week, followed by burial in St Patrick’s Cemetery, Kilglass.
May she rest in peace.
Such was the success of this year’s Music at Lunchtime summer series of free gigs in Ballina Arts Centre that the venue has decided to continue its run into the autumn.
The half-hour Wednesday shows are designed so that patrons can come along during their lunchtime break and enjoy a cup of tea or coffee while hearing some fine local music talent.
Tomorrow’s offering (September 24) will feature the well-known local artist and singing coach Maureen Lawlor, owner of Centre Stage Vocal Academy in Ballina.
Maureen studied Music and English in Maynooth University and subsequently opened up her singing school, the Lawlor School of Song in 2002. Since 2016, this Ballina-based school has been known as Centre Stage Vocal Academy.
Celebrating 25 years teaching voice, producing musicals and, most importantly, instilling a passion for music and performing among young people, tomorrow will be Maureen’s first appearance at the Music at Lunchtime series. Her performance begins at 1.15pm.
Recently married in the Parish of Kilmoremoy (Ballina) were Claire Irwin, Rosserk, Ballina and Paul Roache, Ballycastle; Lisa Connolly, Riverside Grove, Ballina and Shane Quinn, Riverside Grove, Ballina; and Joshua Walsh, Birmingham and Aine Conboy, Birmingham.
Creativity knows no bounds in the show ‘Driftworks: New Music on the Atlantic Edge’, coming to six venues along the Atlantic coast, from Cobh to Letterkenny, and including Ballina.
Ballina Arts Centre is on the tour schedule this week, with a specially-crafted programme that features electroacoustic new music and performances by Robert Curgenven, Ailís Ní Ríain, Amble Skuse, Brona Martin and Peter O’Doherty. It’s a sound technology experience with spoken word and experimental sonic experiences from these five, quite individual artists.
The show takes place on Thursday, September 25, at 8pm. Tickets are €10/€8, plus booking fee, and can be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
The untimely death has taken place of Raymond Langdon (Jnr), 40 Mount Assumpta, Ballina.
Raymond was the beloved husband of Tara, and dear son of Raymond (Snr) and Suzanne.
He will be sadly missed by his heartbroken wife, father, mother, brother John Patrick, sister Carrieann, grandparents, mother-in-law, father-in-law, aunts, uncles, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his grandfather John Langdon.
Raymond reposed at his father’s residence in Ballina on Thursday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Patrick's Church, Ballina on Saturday morning, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Mayo’s newest independent music venue, TheNCF, welcomes acclaimed American guitarist Sir Richard Bishop to Ballina for a limited capacity show on Sunday next, September 28, part of his first solo acoustic tour in ten years.
While Richard Bishop is renowned for his mercurial guitar-playing with famous Seattle band, Sun City Girls, he has also released a significant body of solo work and will drop his new album ‘Hillbilly Ragas’ two days before the Ballina gig.
Bishop takes his influences from Indian ragas, flamenco, and Appalachian folk and gypsy styles. His compositions often reflect his travels in India, the Middle East and North Africa. Richard Bishop was also a co-founder of the legendary Sublime Frequencies record label.
His Ballina show is one of only four Irish tour dates and tickets for the limited-capacity event at TheNCF Cultural Co-op venue on Pearse Street cost €10.
To reserve a ticket, please email ribbonleggs@gmail.com.
Now in its 42nd year, the 2025 Credit Union Art Competition is open for entries, with this year’s theme asking local artists of all ages across the Ballina, North Mayo and West Sligo region to reflect on ‘The Future Is’.
The competition is one of the most recognisable and longest-running competitions of its type across Ireland. This year’s theme encourages artists to look ahead with imagination, hope and curiosity. Participants might explore personal dreams and milestones, a better world for the next generation, or how change and progress might shape our lives and communities. Whether bold and futuristic or thoughtful and personal, the theme offers endless possibilities for creative interpretation.
Last year, Declan Stenson, from Cooga, Easkey, and Kevin Lee Sweeney, from Rose Cottage, Corrimbla, Ballina reached the national finals of the competition, both representing Ballina Credit Union.
The competition has two categories – General Category and Additional Needs Category – with the following five age groups in each category: 7 years and under; 8 to 10 years inclusive; 11 to 13 years inclusive; 14 to 17 years inclusive; and Adult/18 years and over.
The closing date for entries is Friday, October 24, and all artwork must be left into Ballina Credit Union, O’Rahilly Street, Ballina no later than 4.45pm that day.
Entry forms and full rules are available from Ballina Credit Union at www.ballinacu.ie or directly from the credit union’s office.
Craoibhín Ballina is providing the opportunity for people to learn a musical instrument on Monday mornings, and to take line dancing classes on Tuesday afternoons. Music teacher Maria will be on hand from 11.30am to 12.30pm each Monday to deliver the lessons, and all are welcome.
Line dancing classes start back in the centre on Cathedral Road every Tuesday, taking place from 12.30pm to 1.30pm. The first class returns on Tuesday next, September 30.
Both the music lessons and line dancing classes each cost €10 per person. To book a place, or for more information on either activity, please call the centre at 087-2785365.
