Local Notes: All the latest news from Ballina
Ballina Soroptimist Club makes a presentation of €1,000 to St Vincent de Paul, Ballina, part of the proceeds from the club’s recent fundraising activities which raised a total of €10,500. Pictured from left are Alison O'Connell (Ballina Soroptimist Club Treasurer), Teresa Murphy, Marian Flynn (Ballina St Vincent de Paul), Yvonne Ward (Ballina Soroptimist Club President), Marie Morris and Eileen Kelly. Picture: John O'Grady.
An original musical drama from the pen of John Cribben comes with a great story of community spirit, but is not without its light moments too.
‘The Gate’, which will be staged by Moyne College, Ballina later this month, tells the story of a fictional pub in Ballina of the same name, under threat from forces beyond their control… or are they?
Long-suffering Auntie Rita runs The Gate. She has survived more than her fair share of storms, from a parade of unwanted suitors and a pair of lazy nephews, to a lifetime without a moment’s peace. But just when Rita thinks she has seen it all, local TD Gordon O’Driscoll announces that The Gate will be flattened within a fortnight to make way for a new motorway connecting Ballina to Dublin. Suddenly, the pints stop flowing, and the panic starts pouring.
Her hapless nephews, Dara and Cormac, musicians with more dreams than sense, rally the locals in a last-ditch fight to save the pub, led by the reformed drunk Tim Foyle who chains himself to the adjacent gate. Hope arrives in the form of Buzz Brady, a smooth-talking American who might sweep Rita off her feet… or off her guard.
This new production in Ballina Arts Centre on Thursday, January 15, is a heartfelt and humorous celebration of community, resilience and the places that are home to us all.
The cast includes Daniel Dyksy, Ethan Devaney, Emin Kelly, Kayn Kellegher, Kyle Walsh, Mia Marion Cafolla, Nikodem Zahoroda, Olivia Jakobowska, Sara Raba, Shane Harper, Sean Collins, Tom Kerrigan, Veera Helin and Zach Halligan.
The band comprises Tiernagh O’Neill, Jordan Igoe and Michael Durcan. Backing vocalists are Andrea Gallagher, Ellie Igoe, Fiorela Rivera, Lisa Htoo, Malika Reape, Megan Keane, Niamh Long and Rebecca Igoe.
Directors of ‘The Gate’ are Michael Devaney and Sinéad McCarthy, with Tara Doherty as musical director.
Moyne College has thanked Áine Egan and Cliodhna Rogan for their contribution in choreographing one of the dances, the school’s teachers who covered classes to facilitate their colleagues involved in preparing the show, and Tommy Cooke for loaning his set.
Tickets cost €15, plus booking fee. These can be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com. Further information is available from Moyne College at 096-21472.
Ballina Stephenites will host a charity Lip Sync next month with the Sunflower Children's Hospice among the beneficiaries.
When built, the Sunflower Children’s Hospice will be the first dedicated children’s hospice outside of Dublin. To be located in Castlebar, the hospice will provide respite, comfort and a safe space for families.
Building on the success of Mayo Roscommon Hospice Foundation, which has already delivered two state-of-the-art hospices through community generosity, this new project will extend care to the youngest and most vulnerable in our communities.
Fundraising to build the new hospice has been ongoing, and both Sunflower Children’s Hospice and another very worthy cause, Mayo Mental Health Association, will benefit from the forthcoming Ballina Stephenites GAA Club Strictly Lip Sync Night.
This electric show, with plenty of laughs, music and glamour, is coming to the Great National Hotel Ballina on Bank Holiday Sunday, February 1.
Tickets are on sale in various locations around Ballina, including Gerry Kenny Sports, Mister A, Harrison's Pub and Keane’s Pub, as well as online via the Ballina Stephenites GAA Club social media pages.
Strictly Lip Sync is sponsored by Moy Solar.
The death occurred on December 22nd of Bridget O’Grady (née Ruane) of 31 Morrison Terrace, Ballina.
Bridget passed away peacefully, surrounded by her loving family. She was predeceased by her parents Patrick and Mary Ruane, brothers Packie, Charlie, John, and sisters Kathleen, Margaret, and Mary.
Bridget was the beloved wife of James and dear mother of John (Ballina) and Ann O’Shea (Ardagh). She will be sadly missed by her husband, son, daughter, daughter-in-law Anne-Marie, son-in-law Cathal, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours, and friends.
Bridget reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on December 26th with her Funeral Mass taking place on Sunday, December 27th, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May she rest in peace.
The Mayo Artists Show 2025 continues its run in Ballina Arts Centre this week, finishing on Saturday, January 10.
The exhibition showcases a stunning collection of works by Mayo artists, carefully selected by guest curator Aoife Banks, and filled with an exceptional and diverse range of artworks.
The exhibition, which opened on December 2 last, is mounted in the beautiful Concourse Gallery of the centre, overlooking the River Moy.
The gallery’s opening hours are from 10am to 6pm, Tuesday to Saturday, and admission to the exhibition is free.
The death has taken place of Dr Conor Molloy, The Quay, Ballina and Charlotte Quay, Dublin 4.
Conor was the beloved son of Denis and Phil and loving brother to James and Olga.
He will be sadly missed by his parents, brother, sister, brother-in-law Stephen, sister-in-law Shari, nieces, nephews, aunts, uncles, cousins, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Conor reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Tuesday evening, December 23. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina, on December 24, followed by burial in Killanley Cemetery, Ballina.
May he rest in peace.
Ballina Family Resource Centre will re-open tomorrow, Wednesday, January 7, following the Christmas/New Year break.
The centre on Abbey Street, Ballina is part of the National Family Resource Centre Programme, and offers a wide range of services, including family support and counselling in the local community.
Winners of recent prizes in the weekly Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club 50/50 Cash Draw were as follows: Marie McLoughlin, Ballina, who won €300; Mary Folan, Ardnaree, who won €330; and Michael Devaney, Bunree Road, Ballina, who took home €400.
Community Games Ballina is working to re-establish a local committee to ensure that the much-loved spirit of Community Games can return once again to the town.
With a long tradition of celebrating youth participation, sport and creativity, the organisation hopes to rebuild a strong volunteer team that can provide children and young people with exciting opportunities to compete, learn new skills and connect with their community.
Community support and new volunteers will be essential in bringing this cherished initiative back to life, so, in order to get the ball rolling again in Ballina following a hiatus of several years, Mayo Volunteer Centre is now looking to recruit volunteers for three specific roles: Chairperson, Administrator and Children's Officer.
For more information, please contact Mayo Volunteer Centre on 096-71444 or by email at vincent@volunteermayo.ie.
A sustainability project at TheNCF Cultural Co-op is set to expand the cultural proposition of this Ballina-based organisation.
TheNCF is participating in the Collaboration for Sustainability project, funded by ACT (Accelerating Change Together) on behalf of TheNCF and other participating groups.
The ambitious voluntary group is to create a published masterplan for its centre at 5 Pearse Street, which will help to protect its space and demonstrate the organisation’s commitment to the community.
The vision is to convert the downstairs of its current location in the town centre into artist studio space, develop the back garden yard of the premises as event and exhibition space, and create public access from both sides.
ACT, the social enterprise of architects, urbanists and policy specialists operating out of IQ Ballina, is now conducting a community consultation and those interested in the project are asked to share their thoughts with Rebecca O'Malley at rebecca.omalley@act-studio.com.
An in-person workshop will be held in the coming weeks.
Further information is available online at thencf.art.
The death has taken place of Mary Grogan (née McNulty), Derryvicneill, Attymass, Ballina.
Mary will be dearly missed by her family Sean, Maura, Padraig, Gerard, Michael and Joan, grandchildren Christopher, Stephen, Alex, John, Alannah, Michael, Fergus, Kevin, Ailbhe and Niamh, daughters-in-law Linda, Margaret, Michelle and Kate, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and many friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Pat and Sheila, husband Johnny, daughter Helen, brothers Jimmy and Padraig, and sister Ann.
Mary reposed at The Father Peyton Centre, Attymass. Funeral Mass was celebrated in The Church of The Immaculate Conception and St Joseph, Attymass on Monday of last week, followed by burial in Bonnifinglas Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
Ballina Tennis Club will stage its inaugural Vincent Frawley Memorial League later this year.
The event is in memory of the late Vincent Frawley, a Waterford man who spent much of his life in Ballina. He arrived in the town in 1978 to work for Bank of Ireland and, during the next few decades, went on to use his passion and enthusiasm for tennis to help develop Ballina Tennis Club.
Vincent was a highly regarded tennis player and represented Connacht in numerous Irish tournaments. He also served across various roles in the Ballina club during his long membership, including as a committee member and coach, which was where his gentle personality really shone through.
Vincent died in 2024, and his widow Fia was on hand in the clubhouse last month at the first showing of the new Vincent Frawley Memorial League trophy, which will be presented after Easter.
Recently married in the Parish of Kilmoremoy were Jamie Collins, The Hawthorns, Ballina and Chanelle Maloney, Oaklawns, Killala Road, Ballina.
They are wished good health and happiness in the years ahead.
Three men from the area have completed a Camino Walk to raise funds for Trocaire volunteers in Gaza. John McDonnell, Tony Harrison and Sean MacEil raised an impressive €5,000 for the charity.
Funded by Sláintecare Healthy Communities, a free 11-week multi-modal exercise and health education programme in Bonniconlon this month is scientifically proven to improve fitness, strength, balance, mobility, health and wellness.
Anyone over the age of 35 is invited to take part in this Prime Time of Life Mayo course for middle aged and older adults, which is supported by Mayo Sports Partnership and Mayo County Council.
The 11-week programme includes pre-fitness and post-fitness testing, a 60-minute multimodal exercise class on Tuesdays, and a 45-minute multimodal exercise class and 15-minute health education workshop on Thursdays. Attendance is required on Tuesdays and Thursdays, starting at 12.30pm.
For each exercise in each class, an instructor will provide a variety of different levels including beginner, intermediate and advanced. In this way, the exercise classes will be suitable for adults of all fitness abilities and those living with, and without, one or more clinical conditions.
Bonniconlon GAA Club is the venue for this programme, starting with the pre-testing session on Tuesday, January 13, at 12.30pm. The final session concludes with post-testing on Tuesday, March 24.
The health education workshops will teach participants about the importance of multimodal exercises such as aerobic, strength, flexibility and balance for healthy functional ageing, top tips for a healthy balanced diet, and special exercise considerations for clinical conditions that typically exist in middle-aged and older adults. These workshops will be streamed in the hall and will also be available to watch back online at any time during the programme’s duration.
Weekly take-home resources will also be provided.
Booking can be made through Eventbrite at www.eventbrite.ie. You can also contact Edel O’Malley on 087-4764140 or email eomalley@mayococo.ie.
The death has taken place of Joe Garrett, Childers Heights, Ballina and formerly of Rathmacostello, Castlehill, Crossmolina.
Joe was the beloved husband of Lorretta. He will be sadly missed by his wife, brothers Frank and Sean, brother-in-law Tony, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
He was predeceased by his beloved son Josh, parents John and Annie, and brother Brendan.
Joe reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Friday afternoon of last week, with removal afterwards to St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina.
Requiem Mass was celebrated on Saturday morning, with the funeral then proceeding to McGowan’s Crematorium, Collooney, Co Sligo.
Crossmolina, Ballycastle, Lahardane, Bonniconlon, Foxford and Ballina members were lucky winners in the Ballina Credit Union draw which took place before Christmas.
Christine Maguire was the top prizewinner in the quarterly cash draw for members in December, taking away €15,000.
The draw also saw Anita Ginley (Attymass) win €3,000. Robert Nugent, Leanne Ginty and Brendan Langdon, all from Ballina, were the recipients of the €2,000 prize.
Other prize winners included Una Judge (Ballina), Michael O’Malley (Ballina), Alison O’Hora (Ballina), Siobhan Renouf (Ballina), and Caroline Mary Walsh (Ballycastle), each of whom won €1,500.
€1,000 went to Bernie Bourke (Ballina), Anthony and Noreen Sheerin (Lahardane), Stephen Dempsey (Bonniconlon), Pauline and Anthony McNulty (Ballina), Emma Noone (Ballina), Geraldine Carolan (Crossmolina), John Joyce (Ballina), Amanda Reape (Foxford), and Mark Hanahoe (Ballina).
Other prize winners included James Coggins (Crossmolina), who won €800, and Nollaig McHale (Ballina), who won €730.
The total amount awarded was €42,030.
Only members of Ballina Credit Union can take part in the Members’ Quarterly Draw. To enter, members must sign up and pay the entrance fee of €8.28 per quarter, which will be deducted in advance from unattached savings. All funds raised are returned to members in the form of cash prizes.
The death has taken place of Patricia Kelly, 5 Castlefield Grove, Ballina and formerly of Litherland, Liverpool and Beltra, Carrowmore Lacken, Ballina.
Patricia was the loving mother of David, Angela, Catherine, John and Anthony. She will be sadly missed by her sons, daughters, daughters-in-law Marie, Karen and Sue, sons-in-law Brian and Stephen, grandchildren Martha, Méabh, Eve, Niamh, Shannon, Patrick, Liam, Conor, Ethan, Matthew and Laura, great grandchildren Maya and Keidis, relatives, neighbours and a wide circle of friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Paddy Kelly.
Patricia reposed at her residence on New Year’s Day. Funeral Mass was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Lacken on Friday, followed by burial in Lacken Hill Cemetery.
May she rest in peace.
Rathroeen Civic Amenity Centre, Killala Road, Ballina is now accepting Christmas trees for recycling.
People are asked to ensure that all decorations are removed from trees prior to dropping them off. Tree drop-offs will be accepted at the Ballina depot until Saturday, January 24 and further information is available from environment@mayococo.ie or by phone at 094-9064000.
The centre is open from 9am to 4.30pm Monday to Friday (closed 12.50pm to 1.30pm), and on Saturday from 9am to 1pm.
Mayo County Council advises that trees deposited at any other public locations will be treated as litter and litter pollution fines will apply.
