Local Notes: Ballina native wins Best Young Chef award
Daragh Birrane Murray from Ballina, after winning the All-Ireland 2025 Young Chef of the Year Award.
YesChef magazine’s All-Ireland Young Chef of the Year Award for 2025 has gone to Ballina man Daragh Birrane Murray.
Daragh won the prestigious accolade at a ceremony in the Radisson Blu Hotel and Spa, Sligo last Tuesday. The citation praised Daragh, who is a much-valued chef at Castle Leslie Estate in County Monaghan, for his passion, technique, knowledge, talent and execution of food.
Robert Murray of the Ice House Hotel, Ballina, who represented Connacht, was also among the finalists in the running for 2025 Young Chef of the Year.
Lesley Moore, who retired earlier this month as Manager of Mayo Volunteer Centre, has been wished well by Moy Valley Resources IRD, under which the centre is operated.
“While we are sad to see her leave Moy Valley Resources, we are also delighted that Lesley will now have lots of free time to live her best life yet,” said the organisation.
“Lesley has been a highly professional and effective manager who committed herself fully to her role in Mayo Volunteer Centre. Her experience and expertise added greatly to the success of Mayo Volunteer Centre over the last few years and she regularly put a smile on everyone’s face with her quick wit. We will miss you, Lesley.”
Kim Merrifield, who has worked with the Moy Valley Resources LEADER programme for a number of years, has now taken over as manager of the centre, which is based at Cathedral Road, Ballina.
Mayo Volunteer Centre helps volunteers to find roles in organisations in County Mayo that are seeking help and that best suit their individual skills, abilities and availability. It can be contacted at 096-71444 or by email at info@volunteermayo.ie.
Monday, May 12th, is the date for this year’s Ardagh Social Services annual day trip to Knock Shrine.
The group will depart Ardagh Community Centre at 10.30am that morning.
For more information, please call Mary on 087-9259790 or Breege on 087-2591862.
In advance of next Sunday’s Cuimsiú competition taking place in St Mary’s Secondary School as part of Mayo Fleadh Cheoil 2025, a Cuimsiú session will be hosted in The Jackie Clarke Collection, Pearse Street on Thursday, May 8th, at 5pm.
Cuimsiú is an inclusive competition for people with a disability/additional need, and the inaugural competition was held at last year’s Mayo Fleadh Cheoil in Westport, across four age categories.
The informal Cuimsiú session in Ballina on Thursday evening will feature young musicians playing a range of instruments. With support from Bofield Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann musicians, they will entertain with a great evening of music, learning and fun, all adding to the impressive county Fleadh Cheoil which Ballina is hosting this week, closing on Sunday, May 11.
Other Fleadh events over the next few days include Rambling House in Ballina Stephenites Hall on Wednesday, May 7th, at 8pm and a Fleadh concert in Ballina Arts Centre on Friday, May 9th. The Piper's Cross Céilí Band will provide the music for a Céilí Mór in Ballina Stephenites Hall on Saturday, May 10th, at 9pm, while the Fleadh Gig Rig will be swinging to trad and folk sounds at Market Square on Saturday and Sunday.
The Fleadh Session Trail will feature a host of well-known trad musicians, and will visit Katie's Corner (Friday at 9pm), The Cot and Cobble (Friday at 7pm), An Bolg Buí (Saturday at 9pm), An Sean Síbín (Saturday at 7pm) and Breathnach’s (Sunday at 9pm).
The week’s programme also includes two specially-curated exhibitions at the Jackie Clarke Collection titled ‘North Mayo to Leeds Music Connection’ and ‘Bofield to Battery’, and a busking competition which will take place in the town centre on Sunday next, May 11th, the closing day of Mayo Fleadh Cheoil 2025.
Rehins National School raised a total of €1,025.55 for Down Syndrome Mayo recently. The proceeds were from the Ballina primary school’s Down Syndrome Awareness Day event last month, and reflected a great response from all involved.
When Rejoice Gospel Choir provided the soundtrack to Easter religious ceremonies in Ballina last month, the members of the renowned singing group earned plentiful compliments for their valuable contribution to church services.
The next project for this Ballina-based choir is the staging of a concert on May 23 when the programme 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.
So, if you would like to hear more of the great music that this mixed choir can deliver, performing under the baton of well-known local singing teacher Jack Cronin, then you are invited to come along to its concert in Belleek Castle, Ballina. A few special guests have also been lined up for the night’s show.
Costing €20, tickets for the Rejoice Gospel Choir and Friends concert on Friday, May 23rd, at 8pm are available from any choir member or from Ballina Tourist Office, Pearse Street.
An urban farm right in the heart of Ballina is now open from 12 noon to 2pm for members of the public to enjoy a quiet lunchtime moment.
Visitors are welcome to bring their own lunch, take some fresh air and marvel at the garden of The Mary Robinson Centre, Emmett Street, located on the far side of the river across from St Muredach’s Cathedral.
The garden is open from Monday to Friday (except public holidays), offering an opportunity for anyone to unwind for a few minutes and to be refreshed by nature. Access is free and the garden is also wheelchair-friendly.
Meanwhile, the Mary Robinson Centre is the venue for a Swap Shop on Saturday next, May 10th.
This monthly event is an opportunity to bring along up to five items which must be clean, gently used and in good condition, and which may include clothes, books, toys and plants. Once you arrive, you will receive tokens for each item you are swapping. You can then use these tokens to purchase or swap new items from the selection available on the afternoon. There is usually something for everyone at this climate-friendly Swap Shop.
Electrical items or food items such as baby formula cannot be accepted. Also ineligible for swapping are toys with a cord over 30cm, car seats, baby slings or other safety equipment.
The Swap Shop will be held in The Climate Hub of The Mary Robinson Centre from 2 to 4pm, with access from Moy Lane, immediately to the left of the building.
Competitions are now in full swing at Ballina Golf Club as the first ‘major’ of the year took place last week with the Captains’ Drive-off on Sunday, April 27. Both the gents and ladies competitions were well attended.
The competition was kindly sponsored by Western Windows and Glass, Ballina and the club has thanked Colin Hennigan for his ongoing support.
Results are as follows: Gents: Overall winner - Donal Tuohy, 42pts; Category 1 - Jack Walsh, 37pts; Category 2 - Eddie Harney, 41pts; and Category 3 - Dara Gaughan, 42pts.
Ladies: 1st - Elaine O Hora, 35pts (B9); 2nd - Edel Maloney, 35pts; and 3rd - Sinead Fox, 34pts.
The competitions on Sunday, April 20, were generously sponsored by The Cot and Cobble Bar and Restaurant, Ballina, with the club thanking Mary Moyles for her great support.
The day produced some excellent scores and the winners were as follows: Gents: 1st - Stuart Bruce, 44pts; 2nd - Eddie Harney, 43pts; and 3rd - Shane Melia, 41pts. Ladies: 1st - Deirdre Beattie, 41pts; 2nd - Catherine Smith, 36pts; and 3rd - Edel Maloney, 35pts.
Officers elected for 2025 are Charles Doherty (Club President), Ann Cawley (Lady Captain) and Michael Brady (Gents Captain).
The death has taken place of Linda O’Hora, Carrowcushlaun, Church Road, Ballina and formerly of Laughty, Ballina.
Linda was the beloved daughter of Paddy and sister of Eugene and Barry.
She will be deeply missed by her father, brothers, Linda’s partner Eamon Crean, uncles Tommy, Micheál, Sean, Cathal, Kieran, and Michael Durkin, aunties Marian, Peggy, Nuala, Joan, Delia, Mary, Nan, Nora and Frances, sister-in-law Brenda, niece Rachel, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her mother Kathleen.
Linda reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Thursday evening of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral on Friday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
A Fleadh concert on Friday night will bring a feast of trad and folk music to Ballina from four highly-regarded bands.
Billow Wood, who have taken their music live to audiences across Ireland, including at Electric Picnic, as well as to Europe and the United States, will headline the show in Ballina Arts Centre that marks the staging of Mayo Fleadh Cheoil in Ballina this week.
On the bill too are Mayo/Galway band Tradwest, For Folks Sake from North Mayo and another Mayo-based group, Seoda. The concert is on Friday, May 9th, beginning at 7pm.
Tickets can be purchased online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. Tickets are priced at €15 for an adult or €30 for a family of four. You can also book by calling 096-73593 or emailing info@ballinaartscentre.com.
Watch out for some further appearances by some of the show’s performers on the open-air Fleadh Gig Rig in Market Square, Ballina on Saturday and Sunday.
Mayo Fleadh Cheoil is being hosted by the Gort na mBó/Bofield branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann. In addition to music performances, the all-important Fleadh music competitions will take place this weekend in St Mary’s Secondary School.
The death has taken place of Kay Ruane (née Mullarkey), Knocknacarra, Galway and formerly of Kay’s Hairdressing Salon, Bury Street, Ballina and Pearse Street, Ballina.
Kay is deeply mourned by her much-loved daughters Eimear, Grainne and Deirdre, and her son Brian.
She will be sadly missed by her grandchildren Ross, Kayna, Shanelle, Conor, Niamh, Ronan, Aidan, Aisling, Cormac and Cathal, sons-in-laws Adrian Clarke-McDermot, Gerry Halloran and Hubert O’Donoghue, daughter-in-law Orfhlaith, sisters Harriet Gill (UK), Lena McGlinchey (UK) and Vera Peyton (Aclare), in-laws, nieces, nephews, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Liam Ruane and by her daughter Audrey.
Kay reposed at the Church of St John the Apostle, Knocknacarra where Requiem Mass was celebrated on Saturday of last week. Burial took place in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Ballina Dragons Boat Club is offering two carbon fibre paddles to raffle, sponsored by Kingsbridge Private Hospital in Sligo. The proceeds of the raffle will go towards the purchase of a new safety boat.
Visit the Ballina Dragons social media pages for further information.
Last month, Ballina Dragons Boat Club, which is based at The Quay, Ballina, took delivery of two new boats with help from the National Lottery, the Government’s Sports Capital Programme (through OSCAR) and other local fundraising activities.
It’s still not too late to join in with the Ballina Darkness Into Light walk/run this coming weekend.
Darkness Into Light takes place this year early on Saturday morning, May 10.
The Ballina walk/run will begin at 4.15am from St Muredach’s Cathedral, and the participants will be among over 150,000 people who will take part in events at more than 200 locations around the country that morning.
Darkness Into Light is an annual charity event to raise funds for Pieta, the suicide and self-harm organisation.
Visit the Darkness Into Light Ballina Facebook page for more information.
The theme for this year’s Mary Robinson Climate and Nature Conference is ‘Courage in Crisis’, and it takes place in Ballina on May 26th and 27th.
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 is now open at Eventbrite.
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 Ballina GOAL Mile in Belleek Forest on Christmas Day last raised €10,471.59 for the charity, making the Ballina contribution the highest of any event outside of Dublin.
€10,471.59 was the final figure raised, with the Ballina GOAL Mile ranking 10th in terms of the money donated out of the over 200 GOAL Miles which took place around Ireland in 2024. Over €750,000 has been raised nationally to date.
This was most successful Ballina GOAL Mile to date, beating the previous record of €8,977.20 set in 2023.
The event’s ongoing success is a great achievement by all those from the wider Ballina area and beyond who contributed to the charity. Special praise must go to the organisers, and in particular to Marion Mattimoe, who has been the driving force behind the Ballina event for many years.
