Local Notes: Ballina school's musical was a brilliant success
Students from St Mary's Secondary School performing in their fantastic musical 'All Dolled Up', which was staged at the school last week. Picture: John O'Grady
Six school quiz teams from Foxford, Ballina, Bonniconlon and Knockmore have qualified for the Regional Final of the Credit Union Schools Quiz 2025, which will be held in Westport in early March.
The teams competed in the initial stage of the competition at a packed hall in Ballina Community Sports Centre on Friday night, February 7, where almost 200 primary school students – representing 26 schools from across North Mayo and West Sligo – took part, cheered on by hundreds of parents, teachers and family members. The event is organised by Ballina Credit Union, with staff and volunteers on hand to ensure the quiz ran smoothly. Quizmaster and compere for the night was John Joe Kirrane, whose engaging presentation style was acknowledged by the large attendance.
The three top-placed teams in Category A (Under 11) were: 1st, St Joseph's NS Bonniconlon; 2nd, Foxford NS; and 3rd, Currabaggan NS.
The three top-placed teams in Category B (Under 13) were: 1st, The Quay (Quignamanger) NS; 2nd, Lisaniska NS; 3rd, Currabaggan NS.
The team members of the top three placed teams in each category were as follows: Category A - Cillian Carr, Aoibhe Judge, Chloe Toher and Cathal Devers (St Joseph’s National School, Bonniconlon); Senan Ryder, Carrie Doherty, Abby McMahon and Saorfhlaith Burke (Foxford National School); and Grace Reddington, Barry O'Boyle, Sean Feeney and Iarlaith O'Donnell (Currabaggan National School).
Category B - Cian Gillespie, Gareth Doyle, Iarla Hannon and Michael Duffy (The Quay National School); Aoibhinn Hopkins, Grace Gaughan, Aoife Rochford and Evie Barrett (Lisaniska National School); and Ronan Molloy, Darragh McHale, Michael McHale and Tuiren Clarke (Currabaggan National School).
The six teams will now progress to the Regional/Chapter level finals in Westport on the weekend of March 7 to 9.
The national final will be staged in the RDS Dublin on Sunday, April 6.
Children from Ardagh, Attymass, Behy, Breaffy, Carns, Crossmolina, Culleens, Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol (Ballina), Garracloon, Kilglass, Kilmurry, Knockanillo, Lahardane, Mount Palmer, Newtownwhite Educate Together, Rathbane, Scoil Naomh Brid (Ballina), Killala, Rehins, Stokane and Templemary National Schools also took part in the Ballina Credit Union stage of the quiz.
The quiz highlighted the remarkable dedication and preparation from all school teams, with questions spanning a variety of topics, and their hard work and enthusiasm were truly inspiring.
The Quay National School, Ballina has a strong record at national level, winning the overall competition three times in recent years (Category A in 2014, 2019 and 2024), and being joint runners-up twice (Category B, 2024; Category A, 2023), thus becoming the most successful school from the North West in this annual contest.
The late Patricia Mungovan (née Casey), who died recently in Birmingham, England, was a native of Fenian Row, Ballina.
Patricia’s Funeral Mass will take place on Thursday, February 27 at 12.30pm in the John Fisher Church, Longbridge, Birmingham, followed by cremation.
A Table Quiz offering plenty of fun, prizes and some intriguing questions will be hosted by Ballina Stephenites Hurling and Camogie Club later this month.
The quiz will take place in the bar of Ballina Stephenites GAA Club on Friday, February 28 at 8.30pm.
A table of four costs €40 and all proceeds will go towards the club’s development fund.
Recently baptised in the Roman Catholic Parish of Kilmoremoy (Ballina) were: Luna Emma Bourke, Circular Road, Ballina; William Dean Ferguson, Glen Lodge, Quay Road, Ballina; Archie Stephen Anderson, Castlecourt, Ballina; Ruby Mae McDonagh, McDermott Street, Ballina; Tilda Lourdes Barrett, Cluain na Rí, Ballina; Zuzanna Brylinska, The Hawthorns, Ballina; Maja Brylinska, The Hawthorns, Ballina; Finley McCarthy, Cork.
The Sean Duffy Community Centre, Ardnaree will be the venue for a six-week Local Writer's Course, starting later this month. The in-person course is for all levels, helping you to learn to write poems and stories. Phone Martin on 087-6007100 for further information.
The death has taken place of Chevalier William Johnston, Quignalecka, Sligo Road, Ballina and formerly of Rathlee, Co Sligo.
Chevalier was the beloved father of Chevalier Jr (Chevy) and Christopher. He was predeceased by his adored wife Joyce and by his parents John and Hannah.
He will be sadly missed by his sons, son-in-law Dougie, daughter-in-law Rosanna, cherished grandson William, brother John, sisters Phyllis and Movita, sister-in-law Carmel, brothers-in-law Frank and Tim, Joyce’s family, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Chevalier reposed in his Rathlee homeplace and in his own family home in Quignalecka, before finally reposing at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina.
Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Thursday morning of last week, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Martha Durcan, Ballina won €400 in the Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club weekly 50/50 cash draw. Another recent winner in the club’s popular fundraising activity was Olain Durcan, Ballina, who took home a cash prize of €275.
Tickets can be purchased in local shops or through the Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club app.
League winners at tennis club Winners in the Ballina Tennis Club 2025 Winter League were as follows: Ladies - 1st, Rosaleen O'Malley; Runner-up, Marie Loftus. Ladies Advanced - 1st, Grainne Gough; Runner-up, Carmel Tuffy. Gentlemen: 1st, Frankie Stevens; Runner-up, John Valerio.
The club has thanked Chairperson, Damien Kelly for the new format, and the Competitions Secretary Helen Peglar.
St Vincent de Paul, Teeling Street, Ballina is offering Baking and Cooking Classes, starting on Tuesday, February 25 and Thursday, February 27 respectively. There are a limited number of spaces available and further information, including registration details, can be had by contacting 096-72905. The courses will run until April, with classes taking place between 10.15am and 12.30pm.
The death has taken place of Gerry Devers, Attymass, Ballina.
Gerry will be deeply missed by his wife Mary, daughters Karen and Gillian, son Michael and extended family.
He was predeceased by his parents, Tom and Bridie.
Gerry reposed at Clarkes Funeral Home, Foxford on Saturday of last week. His Funeral Mass was celebrated in The Church of The Immaculate Conception and St. Joseph, Attymass on Sunday morning, with burial afterwards in Killeen New Cemetery, Attymass.
The Urban Farm at The Mary Robinson Centre, Ballina will benefit from the skilled input of collaborators from Ballina Men’s Shed group.
Like all people, men like to continue to be productive and contribute to those around them once in retirement age. A Men’s Shed provides a place for men to talk and contribute, where practical skills and knowledge can be shared.
All shed groups are different: some like to do woodwork, whereas others can be more outgoing and like to contribute their time to helping the local community.
Ballina Men’s Shed is working with The Mary Robinson Centre to design and handcraft beautiful furniture from re-purposed wood. The project includes building weather-resistant high-raised beds for accessibility, ensuring an inclusive garden experience for everyone, as well as bee hotels to support the local pollinators and biodiversity. The bee hives mimic the bees’ nesting places and are seen as a positive contribution to the eco-system.
Ballina Men’s Shed is located at Teeling Street, Ballina, in the former Estoria Cinema building.
