Local Notes: Dark, yet hopeful theatre at Ballina Arts Centre
Stephen Doyle, a professionally trained actor based in Enniscrone, will bring his one-man-show 'In the Wake of Suicide' to the Ballina Arts Centre next month
It is a stark reality that close to 800,000 people die across the world every year by suicide. A one-man performance by Stephen Doyle, who has an enduring association with theatre in Ballina over many years, is set to portray the devastating impact which suicide has on loved ones left behind.
‘In The Wake of Suicide’, written by Stephen, is a powerful solo theatre performance. This theatrical masterpiece is a hard hitting, honest, no-holds-barred production, reflecting on the highs and lows of life and the brutal reality of the ultimate choice made by so many. It takes the audience on a journey which is both wonderfully colourful and contrastingly dark, causing us to feel the final blow all the more.
Following the lives of four friends, this four-act presentation, where each act contains a number of key messages, invites the audience into their world to journey with them through a snapshot in time. Will, an aspiring jazz musician, has the potential to achieve wonderful things, while his father, a rock to Will’s friends during their teenage years, bears a heavy cross in life which causes all their lives to unravel and shatter. The tragic events that unfold are as shocking as they are unexpected, with twists and turns in abundance.
Stephen Doyle is originally from Oxford, England, a place he returned to after graduating from the University of Manchester with an Honours Degree in Drama and studying at a drama school in London, via a scholarship. He taught drama at the illustrious Magdalen College in Oxford University and conducted drama workshops at some of the most celebrated independent schools in his native city, including Headington School. Soon after, Stephen was playing to audiences in Italy and Germany with his one-man shows, based on the works of Shakespeare and Wilde.
An opportunity to work with a theatre company in Dublin came along and, while he was based in Dublin, he worked alongside actors as Andrew Bennett (‘The Quiet Girl’) and Ned Dennehy (‘Peaky Blinders’).
Stephen then took up a post as FAS supervisor with the Ballina-based Yew Theatre Company, a ground-breaking group established in the 1980s by Attymass-resident and French-born Pierre and the late Yvette Campos. During the 1980s and 1990s, the Yew Theatre Company’s contribution to the theatre scene in Mayo and beyond become legendary, and many well-known actors were attracted to work with it, such as Des Braiden. Stephen’s work with this avant-garde group became another key milestone in his career.
Stephen has remained in the West of Ireland, continuing to perform solo theatre work, and conducting drama workshops to groups from all walks of life. And the actor, writer and teacher who also possesses quite an artistic flair as a photographer will soon take up a post as artist-in-residence at Ballina Arts Centre.
As a passionate believer in the importance of drama as a means to empower the individual, and to give them a platform to have a voice, Stephen is convinced that his play ‘In the Wake of Suicide’ is encouraging people to talk, reach out, acknowledge and realise the reverberating destruction caused by suicide. Through its gritty portrayal, it hopes to discourage people from carrying out the final, desperate act of suicide, and encourage them to reach out to the many wonderful organisations which offer support, as well as seeking guidance and help from people around them.
‘In the Wake of Suicide’ comes to Ballina Arts Centre on Friday, September 12. Tickets, at €18 (€16 for concession), plus booking fee, are now available online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also book by calling 096-73593, or by emailing info@ballinaartscentre.com
Fringe festi
Now in its eighth year, Ballina Fringe Festival is a vibrant, community-led celebration of local and national visual arts, music, community engagement and international film.
The annual event was founded some years ago by Mayo North Tourism, a programme run by Moy Valley Resources, and is designed to attract visitors to the region and demonstrate the strong cultural dynamism that exists in Ballina.
One of the objectives of this volunteer-based organisation is to provide a platform for local and national creativity in the Ballina area which will be accessible to all.
The 2025 festival, which is focused on strengthening the town as a cultural hub in the Northwest, will take place from October 3 to 12. This year the annual festival will host the inaugural Ballina Film Festival, along with several music events, an international exhibition of painting, a local climate action project, community creative projects and Global Kitchen.
Fundraising is a constant challenge for the Ballina Fringe Festival organisers, which has opened a GoFundMe page. Every euro raised will go towards the running of the festival, so any donation is most welcome.
You will find more information on the social media pages of Ballina Fringe Festival.
Ballina One-Act Drama Festival will celebrate its tenth year in 2025 when the festival returns to the stage of Ballina Arts Centre.
The event’s popularity has been steadily growing over the years. Last year, 11 drama groups from across the four provinces took part in the competition, with Letterkenny Music and Drama Circle and Wilde River Drama Group winning the Best Play awards in the Open and Confined categories respectively.
The festival will take place on the weekend of October 31, and November 1 and 2 next.
The death has taken place of Martin Gardiner, Castlecourt, Ballina and formerly of Carrowkeel, Kincon.
Martin will be sadly missed by his loving wife Kathleen (née Foley), adored daughters Gabrielle and Deirdre, beloved son-in-law Cormac, cherished grandson Liam, brother Laurence, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
Martin reposed at Hiney’s Funeral Home, Crossmolina. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Monday of last week, followed by cremation.
Ballina Arch Club wishes to thank all who contributed to its recent church gate collection in the town, where €1,978.49 was raised.
The Arch Club is a social club for people of all ages with additional needs. It is a safe space for them to develop their social and interpersonal skills, learn real-world skills, make friends and just have fun.
More details about the Ballina Arch Club are available by emailing secretaryballinaarchclub@gmail.com.
The local club has also expressed its gratitude to the collectors who volunteered their time to help with the collection.
The death has taken place of Bridie Gallagher, Church View, Ballina and formerly of Errew, Castlehill, Ballina.
Bridie is survived by her loving brothers John (Kilmurry) and Tiernan (UK), sisters-in-law Vera Gallagher (Moygownagh), Bridget Gallagher (Kilmurry) and Eileen Gallagher (UK), brother-in-law George Draper (Australia), nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, carers Phil McGuigan, Sabrina Howley and Martha Foody, relatives and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Edward and Agnes, sisters Frances, Teresa and Annie, and brother Eddie.
Bridie reposed at Hiney’s Funeral Home, Crossmolina on Monday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Tuesday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery.
The death has taken place of James Devers, 16 Tyrawley Terrace, Ballina.
James is deeply mourned by his loving daughter Anna, brothers and sisters, brothers-in-law and sisters-in-law, grandchildren, nephew, nieces, relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Thomas and Mae, brother Austin and sister Doreen.
James reposed at the residence of his niece Tina and Nigel O’Neill last Wednesday.
Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Ballina on Thursday morning, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery.
Vintage and current stars of the country music scene will bring the summer to a lively and entertaining close next week, as a collection of top names present their show ‘A Summer Night with the Country Stars’ in Ballina. The concert in the Great National Hotel is a must-see event for all Irish country music fans.
Brendan Shine, Patrick Feeney, Declan Nerney, Gerry Guthrie, Shawn Cuddy and Owen Mac will be on stage for high-energy performances, unforgettable songs and good-time country vibes.
Brendan Shine has been performing since the 1960s while at the other end of the scale is Owen Mac, who is barely out of his teens. Between them, the six artists have achieved sales in the hundreds of thousands and have played all over the world.
Ballina-born Gerry Guthrie has become a household name on the country music scene, 15 years after he first fronted his own band.
Gerry has appeared on ‘The Late Late Show’, and his numerous radio hits have been played across dozens of Irish stations. The local musician and singer has received many top country music awards, including Vocal Performance of The Year, Musician of the Year and Album of The Year.
The six artists will be backed by the four-piece Keltic Storm, regarded as one of the foremost bands to emerge on the Irish country music scene in recent years, and winner of the Best Backing Band award at the Northern Ireland CMA Awards in 2022.
Keltic Storm has accompanied leading country music stars on many stages across Ireland and the UK, along with touring in Canada. The band’s instrument line-up includes electric and bass guitars, keyboards, drums and a pedal steel guitar, a sound that is synonymous with country music. The band has also released four studio albums in its own right, and clocked up a staggering 250 shows in 2024.
Ballina fans can now book to hear ‘six of the best’ and Keltic Storm at ‘A Summer Night with the Country Stars’ on Wednesday, August 27, in the Great National Hotel Ballina by calling 096-23600 or by emailing info@hotelballina.ie.
As a devotee to, and exponent of, the wide spectrum that is Irish folk music, David Walsh has long been a fixture of the folk and trad scene in Mayo.
The Ballina singer and guitar player - originally from Dublin – is the guest performer for the penultimate date in the Music at Lunchtime series at Ballina Arts Centre.
David is well-known across the music scene in Ballina and beyond. His show will take place tomorrow, Wednesday August 20, from 1.15pm to 1.45pm, and the gig is free to attend.
The weekly Irish music session in the Great National Hotel Ballina continues this Thursday night, the final in the summer series of shows by members of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann.
The Bofield branch of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann has brought together some of the finest Irish music and dance talent in the county to present these summer shows, which will also feature songs and storytelling.
The seisiún is a great night out for locals and visitors alike, and Bofield CCE is extending an invite to other musicians, singers and dancers to join with then for the final show of this summer season.
The seisiún is on Thursday, August 21, at 8.30pm.
The death has taken place of Josie Kirby, ‘Rosario’, Church Road, Ballina.
Josie is deeply regretted by her devoted and adored daughters Michelle and Elaine and her much loved son John.
She will be missed by her grandchildren Eugene, Simon, Luke, Karl, Jacqui, Alex and Cillian, sons-in-law Louis and Fergus, and John’s partner Lea. Josie will be sadly missed also by the Kearney family Michael, Billy, Sandra, Judith, Kathleen and Gavin, her relatives, neighbours and a large circle of friends.
She was predeceased by her beloved husband Jackie and brother Patsy.
Josie reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Saturday last. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Sunday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery.
A number of events are taking place in Ballina as part of National Heritage Week.
Among these is a special Window Repair Workshop this afternoon in The Jackie Clarke Collection, Pearse Street, which will discuss the importance of examining window design, construction and historic materials. The workshop will also look at traditional joinery techniques and appropriate repair methodologies.
Window repair works funded under the Historic Towns Initiative form part of the architectural conservation programme at the Jackie Clarke Collection. This museum is located in the former Provincial Bank building and was built in 1881. It was used as a bank until 1977, following which it was purchased as a private residence by the Ruane family.
The workshop is free, but you must pre-book by either calling the Jackie Clarke Collection on 096-73508 or by emailing architecturalconservation@mayococo.ie.
Other National Heritage Week events in Ballina this week include an Open Day at the former Sisters of Mercy Convent in Ballina on Thursday, August 21 and a Cuimsiú session in The Jackie Clarke Collection on Saturday afternoon, August 23.
There will be an Open House at the Father Peyton Centre, Attymass on Friday, August 22 which will include a film screening of the life and times of Father Patrick Peyton and an opportunity to view the peaceful gardens at the centre.
An exhibition which looks at our geological heritage is on view all week until Saturday evening at Ballina Library.
On Thursday, August 21, Niamh O’Sullivan, a former archivist at Kilmainham Gaol and a respected Irish historian, will join the Jackie Clarke Collection for a thought-provoking workshop on the vital role archives play in shaping museums, public institutions and collective identities. The session will run from 11am to 12.30pm.
All events are free.
A series of short readings by writers new and old is the Culture Night offering by TheNCF Cultural Co-op on Friday, September 19.
Formed in 2023, TheNCF is a community of artists, volunteers and patrons based in Ballina who are organising a diverse range of arts events together. Its objective is to provide the local and wider Mayo community with access to creativity.
The group is inviting all ages to come along this Culture Night to celebrate Ballina’s newest cultural institution in its new, dedicated arts space on 5, Lower Pearse Street, where you can enjoy ten-minute readings between 6.30pm and 8pm. No booking is required and admission is free.
