Local Notes: Ballina's Lynsey wins overall prize at Hibernia conferring ceremony
Pictured is Lynsey Lynn from Ballina with her family Max, Oli and Theo and husband David at the annual Hibernia College conferring ceremony. Lynsey won the Overall Prize and graduated with a Professional Masters in Primary Education from Hibernia College and was amongst the 937 graduates from all 26 counties to qualify with a Masters in Primary and Post-Primary teaching, or with a Postgraduate Diploma in Inclusive and Special Education. Picture: Chris Bellew/Fennell Photography 2024
River Moy Search and Rescue is asking those who would like to help in its fundraising efforts, but who were unable to contribute to the organisation’s street collection in Ballina on Friday last, to consider donating directly.
River Moy Search and Rescue is based at the old Quay School in Ballina and is comprised of a dedicated group of volunteers who will help in a search for somebody who may have been tragically lost to water.
Its principal objective is to perform search and recovery work on the River Moy in Ballina, with a secondary objective to combat the problem of marine litter and to improve the marine environment.
Through sports activities, the group also promotes the skills used in searches, and members regularly participate in recreational sport together, particularly diving and kayaking.
You can contribute via the iDonate website.
Rejoice Gospel Choir marks its return to performing following a year’s break, as new musical director, Jack Cronin takes over the baton for the Ballina vocal group. Jack operates Ballina-based Treblemakers Academy of Performing Arts.
Rejoice Gospel Choir is a group which celebrates faith and spirituality through the medium of uplifting spiritual songs. In the past, members of the choir were regular performers for services in St Patrick’s Church, Ballina and at concerts across the area, and the group is renowned for its inspiring music in the gospel singing style.
In 2010, under then musical director, Lavinia Gilmartin, a 40-strong mixed voice Rejoice Gospel Choir performed a heartfelt selection of their favourite songs at a Mass to celebrate Day for Life, which was broadcast live by RTÉ One Television from St Patrick’s Church, Ballina.
The death has taken place of Martin Gerard Roache, Cheshunt, Hertfordshire and formerly of Corrimbla South, Ballina.
Martin, who was aged 90, will be sadly missed by his son Stephen and daughter Maria, grandsons Ross and Mark, brothers Noel and Muredach, and sisters Mary Kelly and Bernie Flaherty.
He was predeceased by his parents William and May Roache, his wife May, brothers James and Kevin, sister Kitty and sister-in-law Maureen.
A service for Martin was held on Thursday last at Woollensbrook Cemetery and Crematorium, Hertford Road, Hoddesdon, Hertfordshire.
St Muredach's College students Mikey Caden and Jack Forde organised a Chop ‘n’ Chat charity haircut day recently, helping to raise funds for Mayo Mental Health Association and Mayo Roscommon Hospice.
The two boys were assisted by Lewis Nealon, Robbie Norton and Ricky Pownall, and managed to generate proceeds of €630 for the two organisations, as students and teachers dropped in for a trim and to join in the fun.
Members of Ballina Bridge Club are whiling away the dark winter evenings with regular card games every Tuesday night in The Moy Club.
The results of the session on Tuesday, November 19 were as follows: 1st, Mary Gilvarry and Helena Moran; 2nd, Vincent McMahon and Mary Doherty; 3rd, Mary Corcoran and Breda Mulkearns; and 4th, Mary Lowry and Trisha Slowey.
The death has taken place of John Barrett, 34 Lord Edward Street, Ballina and formerly of 2 Tyrawley Terrace, Ballina.
John was the beloved husband of Teece (Ann) and dear father to Annemarie, John, Susan, Christina and David.
He will be sadly missed by his loving wife, daughters, sons, grandchildren, sisters Mary and Patricia Walshe, brothers Tony and Thomas, Susan’s partner Tom Moyles, Christina’s partner Jimmy Holmes, David’s partner Ann-Marie Marshall, in-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Martin and Mary-Kate and his brothers Paddy and Mike.
John reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Ballina, followed by private cremation in Shannon Crematorium.
Children can discover how to create their own little decorations and gifts this Christmas with the help of Ballina Costume Company.
Christmas craft classes for children are being delivered by the organisation in the Jackie Clarke Collection, Pearse Street on Saturdays, December 7 and 14.
The costume company will tap into the creative talents of kids and introduce them to the value of using upcycled items and turning these into gifts which will be lovingly treasured by their family members.
The course runs from 9.30am to 12 noon both days, but booking is essential. Contact 096-72154 or 086-8517302 for further information.
Congratulations to the girls of the 50-strong St Mary’s Secondary School choir who participated in the 2024 Sligo Youth Choral Festival, coming away with a first prize in this prestigious competition.
Under their music teacher and choir director Regina Deacy, the choral group from the Ballina school sang two pieces in the contest in the Knocknarea Arena of Atlantic Technological University (ATU), Sligo, accompanied on piano by fellow student Aoife Sherry.
The girls picked up the top prize in the three-part and four-part singing category, winning the Maura Butler Perpetual Trophy and a cash prize of €200. The annual festival attracted choirs from many parts of Ireland.
Last year, St Mary’s Secondary School was just pipped at the post by Convent of Mercy, Roscommon Town, but positions were reversed this year with the Roscommon girls coming in second place to the Ballina girls.
A vacancy for a general operative has arisen on the Bofield/Bonniconlon Community Employment Scheme.
Department of Social Protection criteria apply to this position, and you can contact cebonniconlon@gmail.com for further information.
Once again this year, Ballina’s Christmas lights will have everyone dazzled with seasonal charm. The big switch-on takes place at Market Square on Sunday next, December 8, at 5pm, when the town will light up to welcome young and old to enjoy its charming Christmas magic.
Mayo Volunteer Centre will mark the annual International Volunteer Day on this Thursday, December 5 with a ceremony to announce the winners of its recent poetry competition. The event is taking place at the organisation’s HQ on Cathedral Road, Ballina, where each winner will receive a prize and read their poems at the prizegiving celebration.
International Volunteer Day provides an opportunity to thank and celebrate people across Ireland and all around the world who dedicate their precious time and efforts to voluntary service.
Mayo Volunteer Centre, which was established by Moy Valley Resources IRD, is one of the most active organisations within Volunteer Ireland, the national association of which it is a member.
Further details are available from Mayo Volunteer Centre on 087-6801934 or email info@volunteermayo.ie.
Ballina Chamber of Commerce is encouraging people to shop local this Christmas. The organisation, whose objective is to promote and support the economic well-being of local businesses, works closely with its members in Ballina and surrounding areas, and lobbies on behalf of the business community in order to achieve its aim.
Ballina Chamber of Commerce was named Chamber of the Year for 2024 and also took the national award in the Supporting Business category, receiving the prestigious accolades at a high-profile ceremony in June of this year.
To find out further information about Ballina Chamber of Commerce initiatives for Christmas 2024, you can telephone 096-72800.
Twenty-one years on from the very first Christmas Day GOAL Mile in Ballina, plans are in place for the staging of this year’s charity event in Belleek Forest.
Over 500 people participated in the GOAL Mile on December 25 last, resulting in an impressive €8,977.20 in proceeds, and the ranking of Ballina GOAL Mile in 14th place out of the 160 GOAL Mile fundraisers which took place around Ireland in 2023.
The Ballina organising committee, led by Marion Mattimoe, is hoping that the 2024 GOAL Mile will raise even more money for GOAL, an Irish organisation which is active in 15 countries, helping people whose lives and livelihoods have been shattered by conflict, disease and climate change.
Runners and walkers will convene again this year on December 25th in Belleek Forest, Ballina, from 11am to 12.30pm.
The GOAL Mile, supported by AIB, is held throughout December and on New Year’s Day in villages, towns and cities across Ireland and in other parts of the world. The event sees tens of thousands of people run or walk a mile to raise funds for GOAL.
It is a Christmas tradition for thousands of families, especially in Ballina, and it attracts huge numbers from all around the area, no matter what the weather.
Participants can run, walk, crawl or just have a chat and enjoy beverages and sweet treats kindly donated by local businesses, while also supporting this vital charity work.
Craoibhín Ballina is now selling tickets for its Christmas raffle. The lucky winners will receive prizes that include a home fuel bundle worth €500, a Christmas food hamper worth €300 and Ballina Shopping Vouchers worth €200.
Tickets are available to purchase directly from the centre at Cathedral Road, Ballina between the hours of 9am to 4pm, Monday to Friday, at a cost of €5 each or €25 for a book. The draw will take place on Wednesday, December 11.
All proceeds will go towards the running costs of Craoibhín Ballina, so your support will be greatly appreciated.
The death has taken place of Breda (Bridget) Kilbane (née Moran), Oaklawn, Leixlip, Co Kildare and late of Carralavin, Bonniconlon.
Breda is deeply regretted by her loving husband Bartley, daughter Shirley, son Bartley, daughter-in-law Michelle, granddaughters Katie and Sarah, brother Gerry, sisters Mary, Lil and Joan, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, family and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Thomas and Elizabeth, and by her brothers and sisters Ann, Noel, Bernie, Padraic, Seamus and Christopher.
Burial took place in Confey Cemetery, Co Kildare on Saturday last following Funeral Mass in the Church of Our Lady's Nativity, Leixlip.
Emmanuel Matt, a resident of Doonfeeney, Ballycastle, will have the honour of staging the first solo art exhibition in the new NCF Cultural Co-Operative’s community art space on 5 Pearse Street, Ballina next week.
His exhibition is entitled ‘Commonage’ and there will be an opening talk between Emmanuel and another artist on Saturday, December 14, at 7pm to discuss the landscape of North Mayo and its influence on his work.
Originally from France, but brought up in Switzerland, Emmanuel and his partner moved to Mayo in 2021.
The NCF Cultural Co-Operative is a creative co-op based at Pearse Street, Ballina that is a community of artists, volunteers and patrons who meet regularly and organise events together.
The ambitious new group has already been involved in attracting several events to the area. For Culture Night last September, The NCF hosted Ethiopian DJ Hewan Mulugeta at Ballina Arts Centre and was also involved in bringing artists to the town for Ballina Fringe Festival 2024, along with co-hosting other events in Ballina during the year.
Emmanuel Matt’s exhibition will run from Sunday, December 15 to Saturday, December 21, between 3 and 5.30pm each day.
