Local Notes: Ballina gets ready for Mayo Fleadh
Pictured at the International Women's Day gathering in Ballina, hosted by the Ballina Chamber of Commerce at The Cot & Cobble, were, from left: Trish Fox, Marie Murphy, Eileen Diamond, Yvonne Ward, Teresa Murphy, Yvette McGowan and Mary Dunne. Picture: John O'Grady
Entries close this week for Fleadh Cheoil Mhaigh Eo 2026, which will take place in Ballina once again this year. It is the second year in a row in which the town has staged this prestigious county event, to be hosted by Gort na mBó/Bofield branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
The return of the event to Ballina is an indication of its successful staging last year, led by an enthusiastic committee that has gained considerable experience in organising this important annual event in the traditional music calendar, and building on the success of the Connacht Fleadh in Ballina in June/July 2023.
Hope is growing that one of Ireland’s biggest annual music festivals and the world’s largest festival of Irish music - Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann – could return to Ballina in 2028, 30 years after it was last staged in the town.
Hundreds of competitors will descend on Ballina for Fleadh Cheoil Mhaigh Eo. The dancing and sean-nós competitions will be held on the Bank Holiday Monday, May 4, and the music competitions will take place on the weekend of May 9 and 10. Ballina Arts Centre will be the venue for the dancing and sean-nós competitions while the rest of the Fleadh competitions will take place in St Mary’s Secondary School. Trad and folk music sessions will also fill some of the town’s pubs during the week of festivities.
The Cuimsiú competitions also return on Sunday, May 10. Cuimsiú is an inclusive competition launched by Mayo Comhaltas at Fleadh Cheoil Mhaigh Eo to provide a welcoming performance space for musicians, singers, dancers and storytellers with additional needs or disabilities. First held in 2024 and continued in 2025, the competition will take place in 2026 with continued support from Áirc Mayo, Ballina Autism Friendly Town and Down Syndrome Mayo. It’s purpose is to create a stage where every performer can participate with flexibility, dignity and joy.
New Easter craft classes for children will be hosted over two weeks in the Sean Duffy Community Centre, Ardnaree.
The first week’s classes, which will be delivered by Ballina Costume Company, are from Monday, March 30 to Thursday, April 2, followed by another week of classes from Tuesday, April 7 to Friday, April 10.
Children from the ages of 4 to 12 are welcome. The classes run from 9.30am to 3pm daily, at a cost of €90 for the week.
Booking is essential as places are limited. Telephone 096-72154 or email info@ballinacostumecompany.ie.
The date for Ballina Agricultural Show has been confirmed for this year. The annual event will be held in The Showgrounds on Sunday, July 12. Last year’s show attracted large numbers on what was a sweltering day.
The 2026 show is now open for applications for trade stands, including agri supplies, confectionery, crafts and artisan crafts, with the organising committee stressing that public liability insurance is a necessity.
Please email ballinashow@gmail.com or call 083-3893249 for further information.
The results of the bridge game played by members of Ballina Bridge Club on Tuesday, February 24 were as follows: 1st, M. and J. Munnelly; 2nd, D. Hackett and V. Baynes; 3rd, S. Ruttledge and A. Moran; 4th, S. and A. Callaghan; and 5th, M. McAndrew and C. Callaghan.
Winning pairs on Tuesday, March 3 were: 1st, H. Moran and M. Gilvarry; 2nd, B. Mulligan and A. Ivers; 3rd, T. Slowey and M. Lowry; 4th, M. Mongan and M. O Dowd; and 5th, F. Walkin and G. Scanlon.
The results of the game played on Tuesday last, March 10 were: 1st, A. Ivers and B. Mulligan; 2nd, T. Slowey and M. Lowry; 3rd. A. Callaghan and S. Callaghan; 4th, M. Munnelly and J. Munnelly; and 5th, M. Mongan and F. Walkin.
A table quiz taking place on Friday, March 20 will raise funds for Scoil Naomh Bríd/Culleens National School, Ballina. The quiz in The Loft Bar, Pearse Street, at 8.30pm will also offer a fine array of raffle prizes. Teams of four cost €40 so gather your friends, test your knowledge and enjoy a great night of fun and prizes.
For more information, please contact info@culleensballina.ie.
Mayo Cancer Support provides free support services to those affected by cancer at Rock Rose House in Castlebar and, by appointment only, every Tuesday at its outreach centre in Ballina. Call 094-9038407 or 087-2804164 for full details and to book an appointment.
The death has taken place of Gerry (Gerard) Walkin, Broadstairs, Kent, England, who was from a well-known business family in Ballina.
Gerry will be sadly missed and remembered with love by his wife Mary Carty (Ballina), son Sean, daughter-in-law Rosie, adored grandchildren Heidi and Jonjo, sister Maura Gannon (Ballaghaderreen), brothers Eamon (Ballina), Séamus (Ballina) and Vincent (Dublin), nieces, nephews and his wider circle of family and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Paddy and Kitty, and by his brothers Tony, John and, earlier this year, PJ.
Mass of the Resurrection for Gerry will take place in Our Lady Star of the Sea Church, Broadstairs on Tuesday, March 31, followed by a Memorial Mass in Ballina at a later date.
Ballina Family Resource Centre provides a professional and confidential counselling service and therapy sessions for individuals, including adolescents and children, and for groups.
The centre, which is located on Abbey Street, Ardnaree, can be contacted for further information about this important assistance on 096-75573 or 087-0618525. You can also email admin@ballinafrc.com.
The Moy Singers will mark their 40th anniversary with a Gala Concert in Ballina later this year.
This award-winning four-part, mixed choir is the longest-established vocal group of its kind in the area. Across the decades, it has provided a valuable social outlet for members, delivered hundreds of public performances and raised much-needed funds for local charities.
Founded in 1986, the Ballina-based group has also travelled extensively, sharing its love of music and singing with audiences across Ireland and Europe, and gathering many accolades along the away.
The highlights for the choir each year are its Spring and Christmas Concerts, where young local talent is also promoted through guest appearances at their concerts. Musical director is Shona Seck, while Merlin Cummins is the accompanist.
The group welcomes new members, especially male singers, and can be contacted via email at info@moysingers.com.
The special 40th anniversary show will take place in the Great National Hotel Ballina on Saturday, June 13.
Registration is open for the River Moy Half Marathon 2026, which is now less than two months away.
The annual event will be hosted by Ballina Rugby Football Club, and is set to start and finish at the BRFC grounds on Creggs Road, adjacent to The Quay, Ballina.
The race route is relatively flat but with a few challenging hills along the way. Most of the half marathon will be run on roads on either side of the banks of the River Moy. Part of the route will take participants through the scenic Belleek Forest, where there is an excellent trail surface that is used daily by local runners and walkers in all types of weather conditions.
Entry to the River Moy Half Marathon costs €50 and anyone who registers before May 7 will have their pack posted out, avoiding the queues on race day. However, overseas registrations will need to collect their packs on the morning of the race.
There will also be a late entry fee on race day, encouraging people to sign up online before the big event. However, participants are advised that race day entries are not guaranteed a technical top.
You can register at www.myrunresults.com.
The death has taken place of Maura Forde (née Hever), Corrimbla South, Ballina.
Maura was the beloved mother of Seamus, Terry, Cormac, Fergal, Mary and Carmel. She will be sadly missed by her loving daughters, sons, son-in-law Seán, grandchildren Yvonne, Peter, Stephen, Simon, Eóin, Conrad and Tom, sister Anne, brother Anthony, sisters-in-law Claire and Maura, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband T. Henry, parents Bridget and James Hever, and brothers Michael, John Joe and Patsy.
Maura reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Friday evening last. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Saturday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May she rest in peace.
Luck was with Christine Fleming for two weeks in a row in the Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club 50/50 Cash Draw. Christine, from Ballina, walked away with prizes of €350 and €320 from two consecutive draws.
Other recent winners in the weekly fundraising draws which took place during February and March included: Marie Devaney, Ballina (€270); Deirdre O’Hora, Ballina (€350); Cian Bourke, Ballina (€330); and Therese Connor, Ballina (€300).
Proceeds from the draw go to the local club, and tickets are available in local shops or through the Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club app.
The death has taken place of Thomas (Tommy) Ginley, Ellamore, Bonniconlon, Ballina.
Thomas will be deeply mourned by his loving wife Maureen, sons Kevin, Damian and Kieran, daughters Deirdre and Martina (Melvin), daughters-in-law Barbara, Shauna and Denise, sons-in-law Philip and John, grandchildren Thomas, Emma, Aoife, Aoibheann, Lauren, Evie and Paidí, sisters Mary Ruane (Ballina) and Breege Ruddy (Kilfian), brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews. nieces, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Martin and Bridget, and daughter Bernadette.
Thomas reposed at Gallagher's Funeral Home, Bonniconlon on Saturday last. Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Church of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Bonniconlon on Sunday, with burial afterwards in Bonniconlon Cemetery.
May he rest in peace.
Ballina band Billow Wood is currently headlining a major 23-date tour of towns and cities in Germany. Billow Wood will be sharing their music with audiences from Hamburg to Mainz, including some new and previously unheard material. St Patrick’s Day takes the band to Troisdorf, a city near Cologne.
The Irish Heartbeat tour is a celebration of St Patrick’s Day by distinguished Irish traditional and folk musicians, and singer songwriters.
It is the longest-established tour of Irish trad music in Germany, which begun 40 years ago. In those four decades, Irish Heartbeat has featured some of Ireland’s leading trad and folk bands and artists, and many other St Patrick’s Day music events have since been inspired by the tours.
Westmeath folk singer songwriter Eva Coyle and the Breton multi-instrumentalist and loop master Yann Honoré also join the tour.
