Local Notes: Ballina students all set for annual musical
The students of St Mary's Secondary School in Ballina present their musical, '4Ever in Blue Jeans' on Thursday, February 12 and Friday, February 13 next, at 7.30pm nightly.
The largest annual quiz of its type in Ireland gets going again on Friday, February 6, when 200 young contestants from 26 primary schools across North Mayo and West Sligo will compete in the first stage of the All-Ireland Credit Union School Quiz. This is an increase on the numbers at last year’s preliminary stage.
In 2025, a Ballina team went all the way to the top, taking the Under-13 trophy in the All-Ireland Credit Union School Quiz final in the RDS, Dublin. The team was comprised of Gareth Doyle, Iarla Hannon, Michael Duffy and Cian Gillespie, all from The Quay National School, and representing Ballina Credit Union in the final.
The local stage of the contest is hosted by Ballina Credit Union, and hundreds of young quizzers, teachers, parents and supporters from across the area will descend on Ballina Community Sports Centre for the initial stage of this mammoth event. The quizmaster will be John Joe Kirrane, who has had a long association with the yearly contest.
The Credit Union Quiz is a nationwide competition for primary schools which attracts more than 25,000 participating students each year. It is run over three stages between the months of January to April, culminating in a national final in the RDS Dublin on Sunday, April 19.
The competition is divided by age group into two categories. Competition A is categorised for entrants under 11 years of age and Competition B is for children under 13 years of age. Fifty teams will compete on Friday, with the top teams in each category progressing to the regional/chapter round, which will also take place in Ballina on Friday, March 6.
Winners from the regional round will then progress to the national final, where 100 teams will compete for the title of champions.
The quiz in Ballina Community Sports Centre later this week will start at 7.30pm sharp, and doors open at 7pm.
This year’s Mary Robinson Climate and Nature Conference will have as its theme ‘Food and Care: A Meitheal for Our Time’.
The annual conference will be held in Ballina from July 9 to 10 next, with further details to be announced.
As the members of Craoibhín Ballina settle in to their new location in the Old Convent School, Ballina, its first social event of the year will take place on Thursday, February 12, to mark Valentine’s Day.
The Coffee Morning is open to all, and runs from 11am to 1pm, with live music by Padraig Moran. There will be refreshments and a raffle and entry is just €5, with all proceeds going to enhance facilities at the club’s new location, which opened last month.
A Bereavement Support Group meeting will take place in Ballina at 8pm on Wednesday, February 11.
Life following a bereavement can be very lonely, and trained facilitators will offer their services in The Newman Institute to those requiring support.
All are welcome and there is no need to book in advance. Meetings are scheduled for the second Wednesday of every month.
The Newman Institute is located in the grounds of St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina.
The Moy Valley branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann has commenced beginners classes in traditional Irish music for adults, covering a range of instruments.
The adult classes take place in The Merry Monk, Killala Road, Ballina on Tuesday nights at 8pm, and there are still a limited number of spaces remaining.
Further details are available by contacting 087-2775317.
The death has taken place of Bernadette (Bernie) Ferguson (née Cunningham), 30 Circular Road and late of 51 Lord Edward Street, Ballina.
Bernie was the beloved mother of Margaret, Philomena, Mary, John and William.
She will be sadly missed by her daughters, sons, sons-in-law, grandchildren Declan, Priscilla, Benjamin, Rihanna, Donna, Jason, Jamie, Jamelia and Michael, great grandchildren, brothers, sisters, the wider Ferguson and Cunningham families, neighbours, and a wide circle of friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Patrick and Margaret Cunningham, son Jason, husband John, grandsons John, Benjie-Frances, Jason-Charlie, great granddaughter Kira-Rose, brothers Paddy-Joe and Frank, and son-in-law Michael Clarke.
Bernie reposed at her residence. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Thursday last, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May she rest in peace.
The Hello Café project offers a listening ear and a friendly chat every Monday morning in Costa Coffee on Pearse Street, Ballina.
Hello Café is there to promote conversation and a chat in a cordial and safe space, led by local people who are trained to open up the conversation – on whatever the topic.
Hello Café is open to anyone over the age of 18, with its objective to contribute to a caring, connected community. Volunteers are also required.
The get-together takes place in Costa Coffee between 11am and 12pm, where you can join the group table at the back or even avail of a confidential one-to-one talk with one of the trained volunteers.
The initiative is spearheaded by Bonniconlon woman Jaqi Lodge and you can email Jaqi for more information, or to volunteer, at jackylodge@gmail.com.
Or just come along next Monday morning.
The death has taken place of Benny Jordan, Rehins, Ballina.
Benny was the beloved father of Ursula, Vinny, Kevin and Siobhán. He will be sadly missed by his daughters, sons, sons-in-law Hughie Langan and Paul Fleming, daughters-in-law Melissa and Siobhán, grandchildren Roisin, Sarah, Judy, Katie, Jordan, Cillian, Alanna, Brandon, Luke, Hannah, Conor, Darragh and Emma, sister Louisa Jordan, brothers-in-law Fr Seán Killeen and Seamus Killeen, and his wife Anne, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his wife Breege (née Killeen), sister Dolores, infant daughter Margaret and parents Michael and Sarah.
Benny reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Tuesday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Teresa’s Church, Rathduff, Ballina on Wednesday, followed by burial in Cloghans Cemetery, Knockmore.
May he rest in peace.
Bonniconlon GAA Club wishes to thank everyone who supported its annual St Stephen’s Day walk and charity match in aid of Sunflower Children's Hospice. An impressive €1,455.10 was raised for this very worthy cause.
The results of the game played by members of Ballina Bridge Club on Tuesday, January 13 were as follows: 1st, H. Moran and M. Gilvarry; 2nd, M. Munnelly and A. Callaghan; 3rd, G. Scanlon and F. Walkin; 4th, M. Mongan and M. O’Dowd; and 5th, M. Corcoran and B. Mulkearns.
The results of the game played on Tuesday, January 20 were as follows: 1st, S. and A. Callaghan; 2nd, B. Thomas and G. Moran; 3rd, H. Moran and M. Gilvarry; 4th, C. Callaghan and M. McAndrew; and 5th, A. Ivers and B. Mulligan.
New members are always welcome to join Ballina Bridge Club, which meets every Tuesday night at 7.30pm in The Moy Club, Dillon Terrace, Ballina. For further information please contact 087-4493598.
A Ballina and The Quay Community Games vetting night will take place this coming Friday, February 6 at IQ Ballina, organised by a new committee which has been working hard to bring local participation in Community Games back to the area.
Interest looks promising on the sporting front but, so far, there has been limited enthusiasm for the Community Games Arts and Cultural categories.
Among the events held under the Community Games banner each year are chess, choral singing, quiz, dance and drama, as well as the traditional sporting categories of soccer, table tennis, volleyball, basketball, athletics, tag rugby and other sports.
More information about the vetting night, which will take place from 6pm, is available via Eventbrite.
The death has taken place of Joseph (Joe) Kavanagh, Corcoran Terrace, Ballina and formerly of Garden Street, Ballina.
Joe was deeply loved and will be sadly missed by his brothers Fr Tony and Séan, sister Bridie Kenny, brother-in-law Gerry Kenny, sister-in-law Treasa Kavanagh, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Tony and Elizabeth Kavanagh, sister Marie and brother Vincent.
Joe reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home Ballina on Tuesday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Wednesday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May he rest in peace.
New vocal ensemble Lorica will make its Ballina debut on Saturday, February 7.
A concert from the Dublin-based singing group will feature a rich mix of traditional Irish songs in beautiful choral arrangements, alongside folk songs and music inspired by light, movement and nature, all fitting beautifully into the surroundings of St Muredach’s Cathedral.
Lorica, established in 2024, won the Oak Tree Trophy at the Derry International Choral Festival and is preparing an album of Irish folk song choral arrangements.
Dr Michael T. Dawson is a multi-award-winning conductor, educator and co-founder of the Irish Institute of Music and Song. He is the Artistic Director of Lorica and the Maynooth University Chamber Choir, and will conduct the ensemble for this Ballina performance.
The concert starts at 8pm and tickets are available from Eventbrite.
The death has taken place of Rosaleen Mulderrig (née Loftus), Cloonislaun, Ballina.
Rosaleen was the beloved mother of Ray, Noel, Maura and Gabrielle. She will be sadly missed by her sons, daughters, grandchildren Clare, Mellissa, Amy and Ross, great grandchildren, daughters-in-law Caroline and Siobhan, Gabrielle’s partner Tom, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Pat, parents Patrick and Jane Loftus, sister Maureen and brother Joe.
Rosaleen reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Wednesday of last week, with removal afterwards to St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina. Requiem Mass was celebrated on Thursday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May she rest in peace.
Winners of recent prizes in the weekly Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club 50/50 Cash Draw were as follows: Brendan Langdon, c/o Hughes’ Pub, Ballina, who won €450; Dermot Langan, Ballina, who won €300; Declan Hennigan, Ballina, winner of €350; and Niall McLoughlin, Ballina, winner of €300.
Tickets are available in local shops or through the Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club app.
