Local Notes: Ballina Arts Centre in association with CYPSC launched an exhibition on babies art work.
Ballina Arts Centre, in association with Mayo CYPSC, recently launched an exhibition of babies art work. The project, entitled ‘Art Crawl’, was the creation of artist Sara English. In Art Crawl, the workshop space in the arts centre was lined with paper, and babies were encouraged to explore the space, using paint – and the result is which is the exhibition in display in Ballina Arts Centre. Sara explained: “The art work was very much directed by the babies themselves – they were allowed to roam free, play with the paints, and use brushes, their hands – whatever they wanted. The babies were very much leading this work and were very engaged in the whole process – which was quite amazing to watch!”
A Lip Sync battle to help raise funds for a new community AstroTurf pitch and community walkway in Bonniconlon will take place next month, organised by Bonniconlon Youth Hub.
The proposed AstroTurf pitch at Bonniconlon Community Park will be equipped with floodlights to enable evening activities and will cater for a wide range of sports, from soccer to Gaelic games. It is intended that the new facility will be available to local organisations and for all age groups. It is planned that the new community walkway will incorporate a nature trail to promote biodiversity and will be surrounded by low-level solar lighting for safety and ambience.
The entire facility is to be designed with accessibility in mind, thus ensuring access for people of all ages and abilities. This will include wheelchair access, amenities suitable for people with disabilities, accessible parking, pathways, seating areas and restroom facilities.
The walkway and AstroTurf will be a great addition to the village and will go a long way towards enhancing the health and wellbeing of the local community.
The Lip Sync contest will take place on Saturday, October 19, at 8pm in the Great National Hotel Ballina.
Tickets are available through those acts who have already signed up to take part, including Golden Oldie, Spice Boys, The Holy Show, GaGaMeer, Queens of the Silver Dollar, The Dream Team, Homeboy and The Blow-Ins, The Bunni Beauts, and St. Joseph’s Primary and Joanna’s Preschool LipSync All-Stars.
Proceeds from all ticket sales and donations received by the acts will go towards this fundraiser. Tickets are priced at €25, and can also be purchased through Events54 at https://events54.com/event/byhlipsync/tickets.
Sponsorship opportunities are still available for the show.
Now more than half way through its 22nd year in continuous operation, Ballina Active Retirement Association is advising all members that it will resume meetings following the summer break on Thursday, September 12. The group gets together most weeks of the year in The Pastoral Centre, which is located in the grounds of St. Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina.
Current officers of Ballina Active Retirement Association are Chairperson, Noreen Baker; Deputy Chairperson, Linda Neary; Secretary, Pauline Gray; Assistant Secretary, Rosemary Armstrong; Treasurer, Bernie Cawley; and Assistant Treasurer, Breege Garrett. Ballina Active Retirement Association was founded in 2002 by the late Paddy Flynn and his wife Ann, from Marian Crescent, Ballina. As it approaches the 22nd anniversary of its establishment on November 30, 2002, the group is inviting new members to join. Meetings are in the Pastoral Centre on Thursday mornings, from 10.30am
New members are presently invited to join the newly-formed Kilmoremoy Parish Children’s Choir. The choir sings regularly at the Sunday Children's Mass at 10am in St. Patrick's Church, Ballina. Rehearsals are usually held in St Patrick's Church on the previous Friday, from 5 to 6pm. The invitation to become a choir member extends to girls and boys who are in 3rd, 4th, 5th or 6th classes in primary school. More information is available by contacting choir director Mary Caulfield on 086 3463515.
Meanwhile, St Muredach's Cathedral Boys' Choir is also seeking newcomers for the coming year. Boys who are in primary school classes between 3rd to 6th, and would like to have more information, should email stmuredachsboyschoir@gmail.com before September 18. Being a member of a choir in childhood can help to develop great new friendships, improve self-discipline, enhance skills and bring enjoyment to many people.
Volunteer photographers are being sought by Mayo Volunteer Centre, Ballina, for the forthcoming Céide Coast Atlantic Run, which will take place on Saturday, September 21.
The organisers of the annual athletic event say that photography is an important aspect of race day, and are looking for volunteer photographers to take positions at various locations along the Half-Marathon and 10k routes. Drone operators are also invited to volunteer, but are advised that there are strict rules for drones at the start of the race. The run starts at 12 noon from the Céide Fields Visitor Centre, finishing in Ballycastle village. All photos taken by photographers will be credited on the Céide Coast Atlantic Run website, social media pages, and in promotional material.
To register your interest please visit: https://tinyurl.com/3r2cfxt5. You can also contact Vincent McHale at Mayo Volunteer Centre, Cathedral Road, Ballina on 096-71444 or by email at vincent@voluntyeermayo.ie.
The Ballina Darkness Into Light annual Flag Day takes place this Friday, September 13. Please support the organisation, with all proceeds from the fundraising activity going to the Pieta Ballina Outreach Centre located in Ballina Family Resource Centre, Abbey Street, Ardnaree.
The outreach service is available on Tuesdays from 10am to 2pm and on Thursdays from 12pm to 4pm. Enquiries can be directed to 093 25586.
Ella and Jo Cosmetics has been shortlisted for the finals in the Beauty Category of this year’s Irish Country Magazine Irish Made Awards. The Ballina firm is a fast-growing international skincare brand which was created by beauty and skin experts Charlene Flanagan and Niamh Ryan in 2017.
You can vote for Ella and Jo Cosmetics on the Irish Country Magazine website, with voting open until Thursday, September 12. The awards ceremony will be held on October 4 in Killashee Hotel, Co. Kildare.
There will be one overall winner on the night who, along with a robust advertising package with Irish Country Magazine, will also win the use of a branded Mini Countryman SUV for up to three months and a range of highly desirable Mini merchandise.
Among the previous accolades for Ella and Jo Cosmetics include CEW Best New Brand Prestige UK 2024 and Image Brand of the Year 2023.
Ballina Order of Malta is looking to recruit new members from 16 years of age and upwards to join its team of volunteers. First aid and ambulance services are provided by volunteer members at major sporting and community events, including matches, concerts, festivals, etc.
Members will learn lifesaving skills, meet new friends and give back to their community.
Medics will be asked to attend a variety of events and provide first aid for members of the public and event participants.
All Ballina Order of Malta volunteers are notified of events in advance and volunteers are encouraged to attend at least one of these events a month. But volunteers can put themselves forward for duty as often as they want to, depending on their own work/life balance.
Training will be provided and volunteers will be paired with an experienced member of a higher clinical level, or equivalent, when they are on duty.
For more information contact Mayo Volunteer Centre, Cathedral Road, Ballina on 096 71444 or by email at vincent@volunteermayo.ie. You can also contact the organisation directly by email at ballina@orderofmalta.ie.
Ballina Order of Malta Cadet Unit returned to activities last week, but is at capacity for existing and new members at present. However, parents can email ballinacadets@orderofmalta.ie to place your child’s name on a waiting list.
Moy Singers is setting its sights on Christmas as the Ballina choral group returns, refreshed for the next season. The vocal ensemble would like to hear from anyone who is interested in becoming a member, especially bass, baritone and tenor voices. The 40-member, four-part mixed choir performs under the baton of musical director Alf Potter, and rehearsals take place every week.
Moy Singers enjoyed a trip to Budapest, Hungary earlier this year where the members sang at a prestigious choral festival in the city.
The group produces its own annual Spring Show, where it performs a range of musical theatre and operatic favourites to a packed house, as well as singing at various community events around the region throughout the year. Anyone interested in joining is asked to contact Eve on 085 2445286.
Craoibhín Ballina is a socially inclusive centre located at Cathedral Road, Ballina which supports the ageing population of the Ballina region. The centre, which is run under the auspices of Moy Valley Resources IRD, is open five days a week, all year round.
Several activities take place for members on a regular basis, including computer classes, knitting, crochet, line dancing, seated exercises, Spanish and Irish conversation classes, bingo, boccia, chair yoga and art classes, along with tea dances, coffee mornings, day trips and talks.
Opening hours are Monday to Thursday from 9am to 5pm, and Friday from 9am to 4pm. For more information about how to get involved please call Craoibhín Ballina on 087 2785365.
A matinee performance of ‘Adventures on Old MacDonald’s Farm’ will bring some fun and excitement for little children to Ballina next month. The presentation in Ballina Arts Centre will see friendly Sammy Scarecrow enjoying his first day on Old MacDonald’s Farm and meeting all of the colourful characters that live there. When a mystery unfolds on the farm, the kids will try and help Scarecrow find out what’s going on.
Join Dream World Promotions professional production, with lots of brand-new songs, along with singalong favourites and an original script.
‘Adventures on Old MacDonald’s Farm’ is in town on Sunday, October 13, at 1pm, and children from one to seven years of age are welcome. Tickets are just €12 and can be booked online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
A September soiree in the form of lunch and live music will help raise money for Inis Aoibhinn Cancer Care West. It is being organised by the members of Ballina Soroptimist Club and is taking place at the Kennedy Glasgow Centre, The Quay, Ballina on Saturday, September 28 at 2pm. Live music will be supplied by Buck Taylor and Keith McDonald, while a complimentary cocktail is also included in the ticket price.
Buck is an award-winning American singer who has been living and performing in Ireland now for almost two decades. In that time, he has won Best Soul Performer at the Irish Entertainment Awards on three consecutive occasions, adding to his already glowing list of achievements in the USA, including the prestigious Best of Boston award he won in the 1990's. Athlone singer and musician Keith McDonald is one of the stalwarts of the corporate and wedding entertainment scenes in Ireland, and a true professional.
Proceeds from the Ballina Soroptimist Club September Soiree will go towards Inis Aoibhinn Cancer Care West, a vital residential facility in Galway City for those impacted by cancer. Inis Aoibhinn is located on the grounds of University Hospital Galway, and provides residential care for people receiving radiotherapy treatment at UHG. Patients can stay at Inis Aoibhinn with a family member or a friend for the duration of their treatment. While there, they have complete independence and privacy, as well as the comfort of 24-hour nursing care and staff on hand to provide practical and emotional support.
Tickets for the Ballina Soroptimist Club event are priced at €50, and can be purchased from any of the following: Eileen Diamond 086 2271264, Patricia Fox 087 4196587 or Hilary Lally 087 2744012.
Now back after its summer break, the committee of Ballina Carers Support Group has organised an interesting schedule of activities for carers over the coming weeks. On Wednesday, September 11, Elaine Harrington is providing pottery classes for members of the group in Enniscoe, Crossmolina. The six-week course is from 10am to 12pm each week. A talk on carers’ rights and entitlements will take place in The Sean Duffy Centre, Ardnaree at 7pm on Monday, October 7. The talk will be delivered by Brendan Boyle of the Citizens Information Centre.
Carers are a vital part of the community, working quietly away from the limelight in the selfless care of others, often 24 hours a day, all year round. Ballina Carers Support Group was founded in association with Ballina Soroptimists in 1991 and has been a registered charity since 2017.
The charity organisation provides guidance, friendship and respite for carers in Ballina and the surrounding hinterland, in a welcoming and inclusive environment. The members of the group understand both the rewards and challenges of caring for a loved one, or for a member of their community, and offer support and strength to one another. The committee is made up entirely of voluntary members who organise meetings, information sessions, wellbeing and exercise classes and subsidised outings for which members can avail. This provides a much needed outlet - and often a lifeline - for hardworking and dedicated carers. If you are a family carer and would like to join, then email ballinacarers@outlook.com or phone 087 0953758.
‘Learn to Swim’ classes resume at Ballina Dolphins Swimming Club this coming Thursday, September 12. The club meets at Ballina Swimming Pool, and offers fun swimming lessons for beginners and improvers from the ages of four and onwards. Several young club members enjoyed successful competitive outings during the summer. Further information on the lessons can be had by calling 087 7088126.
Tickets will shortly go on sale for the 9th annual Ballina One-Act Drama Festival, which returns to the stage of Ballina Arts Centre in November. The festival will run on the weekend of November 1, 2 and 3, with a mix of drama and comedy productions.
Last year, nine short plays were presented across the three nights of the event.
The first meeting of the new year for members of Toastmasters Ballina will take place in the Great National Hotel, Old Foxford Road, Ballina on Thursday, September 12. The 8pm get-together will outline plans for the coming year and welcome new members.
If you feel anxious or nervous about public speaking, giving presentations in your workplace or having to undertake a leadership role, then Toastmasters can help you through this journey. With Toastmasters you will learn to take your first steps to find your voice, calm your nerves and improve your skills in an encouraging, friendly and very sociable environment. Newcomers to Thursday night’s meeting will hear all about the work of Toastmasters Ballina from seasoned club members.
St. Muredach’s College, Ballina is one of six Mayo schools chosen to take part in the Mayo Composting and Recycling for Schools Programme. The aim of the programme is to help schools prevent waste, improve recycling and set up, start or improve on-site composting systems to reduce waste, save money and combat climate change. All of these activities will assist the boys’ secondary school with attaining Green School Flags and reaching its Sustainable Development Goals.
The programme will promote biodiversity within the environment of St. Muredach’s College, along with providing students with fun, interactive activities about waste prevention, recycling, composting and gardening. This initiative is supported by Mayo County Council and led by Composting Ireland.
