Local Notes: Dragon boat enthusiasts attend training camp in Spain
Dragon boat enthusiasts who attended a week-long training camp in Murcia, Spain. From left are Fiona Slevin (Plurabelle Paddlers, Dublin), Deborah Bonner (Donegal Dragons Boat Club), and Mary Fleming, Catherine Timlin, Denise Swanick and Anne Monnelly (all of Ballina Dragons Boat Club).
Caroline Galvin and a nursing colleague are inviting people from Ballina, its environs and beyond to a free information evening that they are holding at the Broadhaven Hotel in Belmullet tomorrow (Wednesday, March 6) about a medically approved weight loss programme known as the 1:1 Diet by Cambridge weight plan. The plan, who the pair will explain about in the hotel from 6pm to 9pm, has been established for two years in Swinford with some amazing results. So why not come along for a relaxed and confidential one-to-one chat with an optional free weigh-in. For further information phone Caroline at 086-6020582.
Members of Ballina Credit Union heard that a surplus of €955,657 was declared in its annual report for 2023. This was among the many positives reported to members at the AGM of the financial co-operative in the Great National Hotel Ballina on February 12.
Assets increased to €106.9m, which equates to 5.12% growth during the year.
Chairperson, Mark Winters, outlined some of the year’s highlights.
“This year has seen the launch of our Cultivate Loan. This is a specific product to enhance our offering to our agricultural members. We are privileged to have forward-thinking, innovative, hardworking and financially savvy members in our local agricultural community who are looking for a viable, reliable and willing partner to access finance. We look forward to developing this product even further in 2024,” he said.
The Chairperson also reassured those in the community who have been affected by the defective blocks fiasco that Ballina Credit Union is ready to help in any way. Mr Winters proceeded to highlight the Green Loan available at BCU and reaffirmed the commitment to the target of decreasing the organisation’s own carbon footprint.
Mr Winters also referred to the Credit Union (Amendment) Act 2023, the first major legislative change for credit unions since the 2012 Act, and which was as published at the end of 2022 and signed by the President in December 2023. This act will provide for changes in governance, investments, the provision of services, enhanced co-operation with other credit unions and other changes.
“We will be fully implementing any changes recommended by the Central Bank of Ireland, by our auditors and by our board, to work positively for our members,” he said.
Ciaran Loftus of O’Mara Loftus and Co. Ltd, who are the auditors for Ballina Credit Union, outlined details of the Income and Expenditure Account and Balance Sheet for 2023, pointing out that its Regulatory Reserve is now at €11,759,147.
Secretary, Fionn Sweeney, read the minutes of the previous year’s AGM while vice-chair, David Dwane, led the election process for new officers.
Ann Conlon reported to the members on behalf of the Board Oversight Committee.
A new Director, Declan Rigney, was elected to the board by the members.
A number of Ballina Dragons Boat Club members attended a week-long training camp in Murcia, Spain recently.
Hosted by Heat International Dragon Boat Coaches, the camp attracted 38 enthusiastic participants from Ireland, Spain and Belgium, all of whom are either breast cancer survivors or supporters.
The group from Ballina bonded in a common theme of resilience, strength, friendship, focus and mutual respect while dragon boat paddling with their colleagues from around Europe.
Other Irish attendees included crew members from Clonmel, Kilkenny, Dublin, Donegal, Shannon and Carlow, and all participants funded their own trips.
Ballina Dragons Boat Club welcomes new members and meets weekly to learn the skills of dragon boating, have a cup of tea, and plan sporting and social events.
More information about the club is available from Denise Swanick on 086-2385542.
Sick and elderly guests going on the Order of Malta Ireland Pilgrimage to Lourdes in May will be looked after by the medical, nursing and care team from Ballina Order of Malta and by their colleagues from around the country.
The pilgrimage tour to the French Marian shrine is from Friday, May 3 to Tuesday, May 7, flying from Ireland West Airport Knock. Full board in a choice of 3-star hotels, flights and a full pilgrimage programme are included in the overall price.
For more information, please contact Rosann McDonnell of Ballina Order of Malta on 087-6856509, or email ballina@orderofmalta.ie.
The annual Seachtain na Gaeilge Bilingual Quiz will be held in The Merry Monk, Killala Road, Ballina on Thursday, March 14, starting at 8.45pm.
Seachtain na Gaeilge is an annual festival to promote our language and culture across Ireland and around the world. It takes place this year between March 1 and 17.
If you don’t have a team for the Ballina quiz, then the organisers will fix you up with one on the night.
The death has taken place of Mavis Walsh, Cloonagun, Breaffy, Ballina.
Mavis was a loving mother to Amanda, Linda, John and James. She will be sadly missed by her daughters, sons, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, son-in-law Paul, John’s partner Mary and James’s partner Marie, sister-in-law Peggy Farrell, brother-in-law Seamus Walsh, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Mavis was predeceased by her husband John Pearse.
Mavis reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Friday of last week, with removal afterwards to St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina.
Requiem Mass was celebrated on Saturday, with the funeral proceeding to Leigue Cemetery, Ballina for burial.
The weekly bridge session in the Moy Club, Dillon Terrace, Ballina welcomed a strong turnout of card players on Tuesday, February 27.
The results of the competition were as follows: 1, Caroline Callaghan and Mary Mc Andrew; 2, Mary O Dowd and Mary Mongan; 3, Gerry Scanlon and Francis Walkin; 4, Trisha Slowey and Mary Lowry; 5, Mary Gilvarry and Helena Moran.
Ballina Bridge Club meets at 7.30pm on Tuesday nights in the Moy Club and is always delighted to see new members join.
Ballina Carers Support Group is hosting a coffee morning in The Merry Monk, Killala Road, Ballina on Monday next, March 11 at 10.30am.
The event will also feature a talk by Maria Ward from the Flourish Project.
Everyone is welcome. For further information please text or call Catriona on 087-0953758.
The death has taken place of Kathleen Fitzpatrick (neé Sheerin), Derrygullinane, Corroy, Ballina and formerly of Bradford, West Yorkshire, UK.
Kathleen was the beloved sister of Frank and Úna and she will be sadly missed by her siblings, brother-in-law Tom, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Brendan, daughter Caroline, parents John and Mary, and brothers Val, Jack and Damian.
Kathleen reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Wednesday last, with removal afterwards to St. Teresa’s Church, Rathduff, Ballina.
Mass of the Resurrection took place on Thursday, followed by burial in Cloghans Cemetery, Knockmore.
If you would like to learn a musical instrument at Craoibhín Ballina, a community-focused organisation that operates under the auspices of Moy Valley Resources IRD with support from Pobal, then you are invited to come along to the centre on Thursday next, March 7 from 2pm to 3pm.
Craoibhín Ballina supports the social needs of all adults from its centre on Cathedral Road, which is located next door to St Muredach’s Cathedral.
With the help of music teacher Maria, you can learn tin whistle, keyboard, flute, accordion or other musical instrument. The cost is €10 per session and classes will run every Thursday during March.
All are welcome, and for more information or to book a place please call Craoibhín Ballina on 087-2785365.
The death has taken place of Richard ‘Rick’ Bono, 26 Manor Gardens, Church Road, Ballina and formerly of East Hampton, New York, USA.
Rick was the beloved husband of Finola (Jennings) and dear father of Brian. He will be sadly missed by his loving wife and son, brother Joe and wife Carol, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Joseph and Mildred.
Rick reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Thursday last, after which removal took place to St. Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina. Requiem Mass was celebrated on Friday, with the funeral proceeding afterwards to Leigue Cemetery, Ballina for burial.
Tickets for Ballina Stephenites GAA Club Celebration Dinner on Saturday, March 9 are now on sale.
The event will honour the dedication and achievements of the club’s county senior football champions and Mayo junior hurling ‘A’ final winners of 2023.
The function, which includes medal presentations, will take place in the Great National Hote,l Ballina. Live music is by Bee Honey and the special guest is Kevin McStay.
A drinks reception at 7pm will precede the meal at 8pm. There will be late music and dancing with a DJ, and tickets for the night’s entertainment are priced at €45.
Tickets are now on sale via TicketTailor (online) or from Gerry Kenny’s, Mister A or Harrison’s Bar.
For further information contact Sinead at 087-6674483.
The Roman Catholic Parish of Kilmoremoy has congratulated Nikita Helly, Woodville, Ballina and Jonathan Griffin, Claremorris on their recent marriage.
The death has taken place of Kathleen Veillard (neé Lynch), Drumrevagh, Mount Falcon, Ballina and formerly of the Swiss Barn Restaurants, Ballina and Killarney.
Kathleen was the beloved and loving mother to Patricia Veillard Calvillo (Mount Falcon, Ballina) and Philippe (Midleton, Co. Cork).
She will be sadly missed by her son, daughter, sister-in-law Catherine (Killarney), grandchildren Kieran, Shane, Alex, Lucy and Sarah, son-in-law Christopher, daughter-in-law Evelyn, cousins Paul, James and Jennifer, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends, and also by her family and friends in Lausanne, Switzerland.
She was predeceased by her adored husband Daniel, her daughter Caroline, her parents Danny and Deborah Lynch (Killarney), and her brothers Sean and Tim.
Kathleen reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Friday last. Cremation service took place in the Island Crematorium, Ringaskiddy, Co. Cork.
A memorial service will take place at a later stage in Kathleen’s hometown of Killarney.
The Annual General Meeting of Ballina Family Resource Centre CLG will take place in Ballina Family Resource Centre, Abbey Street, Ardnaree, Ballina on Monday, March 25. The AGM starts at 7pm.
Minister of State Dara Calleary TD has announced that the Department of Education has sanctioned a modular framework extension for Newtownwhite Educate Together National School.
Located in Ballysakeery, Ballina, the school is a mainstream primary school where the National Primary Curriculum is taught alongside the Learn Together Programme.
“I am delighted to have received confirmation that an extension has been sanctioned for Newtownwhite Educate Together school,” said Minister Calleary.
“The proposed development will allow the school to continue to grow its offering to current and future pupils. I am delighted for the principal, Caroline Walkin, and for the entire school community who have advocated for this for quite a while, and I am happy to have been able to assist them,” he said.
