Local Notes: Enhancement works begin at popular Ballina amenity
Pictured at the Ballina Dragons Regatta launch night in the Manor Hotel were, back row, from left: Elizabeth Ferguson, Minister Dara Calleary TD, chairperson Denise Swanick, Ciaran Curtis, Senator Mark Duffy, James Geraghty, Molloy's Pharmacy, sponsor. Front row: Mary Smyth, Michelle Dolan, Cllr Annie May Reape, Michael O'Boyle and Cllr Marie-Thérèse Duffy. Picture: John O'Grady
Phase 2 of the Belleek Woods Enhancement Committee’s goal to make the enjoyment of the woods an even safer pastime for the large numbers of people who use this remarkable resource on the doorstep of Ballina has now commenced.
Phase 1 involved the committee, in conjunction with Coillte, installing three Automatic External Defibrillators (AEDs) at the extreme south, east and west of the woods in early 2023. Together with the previously installed AED beside the Knockatinnole car park to the north of the woods, in the event of a cardiac emergency there is now extensive access to a defibrillator across this important recreational amenity.
The voluntary committee is delighted with the progress made, but is aware also that only training in the use of Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR) and hands-on use of the AEDs will help maximise the well-being of all who use the woods.
With this in mind, and as part of Phase 2, members of the Belleek Woods Enhancement Committee, together with athletes from Moy Valley Athletic Club, Ballina Athletic Club, Park Run enthusiasts, the 5th Mayo Scout Unit and members of the general public availed of a recent Community First Responder (CFR) course.
The committee has thanked Ballina Order of Malta for providing the training at its HQ in Marian Crescent, during which attendees were impressed by the very professional, informative and engaging nature of the course. Following the training those who took part felt very confident in their ability to effectively assist in a cardiac emergency in the future, thanks to their newly acquired skills.
Belleek Woods Enhancement Committee has expressed its thanks to Comdr. Robbie Cawley, Adj. Rosann McDonnell and Adj. Catherine Granahan who presented and assisted in delivering the course on the day. It also expressed its gratitude to everyone in the Ballina Unit for continuing to voluntarily provide such an excellent first aid and ambulance service for sports, festival and other public events, which has been benefiting the people of Ballina and beyond since 1941.
It is hoped to repeat the Community First Responder course in the future, so watch out for further details from the Belleek committee.
Meanwhile, plans are well underway to rectify the algae problems at The Pond in the centre of the woods. All preparation has been carried out, with work to rejuvenate the pond set to commence next Spring.
If you are considering joining the bridge-playing community, then a series of classes starting in Ballina shortly will be of interest to you.
Proceeds from the lessons by registered bridge teacher Vincent McMahon will go to the Dick Hearns Centre development project.
Vincent is secretary of the Dick Hearns Centre and has been involved at a senior level with Ballina Boxing Club for many years.
The Dick Hearns Centre was built in 2022, and is the home of Ballina Boxing Club, considered to be the oldest boxing club in Mayo. The first recorded boxing tournament to take place in Ballina was staged in the nearby St Muredach's College grounds in 1923, and the club was formed in 1927.
As the fundraising efforts for the club and its new HQ continue, you can visit https://cbai.ie or text Vincent McMahon on 087-2263257 to enrol for the bridge classes, which begin on Tuesday, September 2.
The classes will take place in the centre, which is located next door to Ballina Community Sports and Ballina Swimming Pool, just off Cathedral Road.
Tommy Tiernan considers John Colleary as his favourite comic, and even invited John to tour with him on his 2022, 2023 and 2025 shows, performing to tens of thousands of fans across Ireland.
Sligoman John returns to Ballina Arts Centre on Saturday, September 20, exactly one year after his 2024 show in the same venue which attracted great reviews.
Apart from being one of the most in-demand comics in the country, John has also co-written and starred in IFTA nominated shows ‘The Savage Eye’ (RTÉ2) and ‘Irish Pictorial Weekly’ (RTÉ One), and appeared as one third of The Gusset Brothers on ‘The Tommy Tiernan Show’ (RTÉ One).
John Colleary can recreate some of Ireland’s most distinct accents, leading to side-splitting moments from a performer who has entertained audiences at Kilkenny Cat Laughs, The Vodafone Comedy Carnival and The Galway Comedy Festival. Television viewers will also remember him from ‘Naked Camera’ and ‘Bridget and Eamon’.
John scooped a PPI Award for his topical sketch writing and performance on Today FM’s drivetime flagship, ‘The Last Word’.
Other TV credits include appearances on ‘Stand & Deliver (Live from Róisín Dubh)’ and ‘The Panel’ (RTÉ2).
Now, two years after his first solo show ‘Loud and Colleary’ went nationwide, the comedian is going from strength to strength with his latest offering, ‘Wildlife’.
Tickets for his forthcoming Ballina show, at €18 (€16 concession) plus booking fee, are now on sale online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also book by calling 096-73593 or by emailing info@ballinaartscentre.com.
The attractive laneways around Ballina town centre will play host to live performances from local musicians and artists this Culture Night.
These pedestrian walkways will become the gateway to some splendid sounds between 9pm and 11pm, continuing in the spirit of other activities that seek to enhance the quality of life in the town centre such as the Cascade Project and the Ballina Salmon Festival Busking Competition.
Applications from artists wishing to take part in the Ballina Laneways and Sessions Music Trail on Friday, September 19, are now being invited.
Visit the social media pages of Lanewaysandsessions for more information.
The annual Ballina Lions Club charity Golf Classic will raise money for Mayo Autism Camp (Ballina) and Mayo Roscommon Hospice, as well as supporting some of the club’s other worthy projects over the next 12 months.
Ballina Golf Club will play host to the event, with sponsorship from Connolly Motor Group, Sonas Nursing Home and Ballina Credit Union.
Over €4,000 in prizes are on offer, with top prizes sponsored by Gavin Opticians, EzeWarm, Moloney’s SuperValu, Brown Thomas (Galway) and Connacht Whiskey.
The event is set to take place on Friday, September 12, and golfers (including Society Golfers) of all standards are welcome to participate. Team entry is €200 per team and the timesheet is now open for bookings at Ballina Golf Club on 096-21050, where Tina or Eddie will be happy to help.
Any queries can be directed to John Carroll of Ballina Lions Club on 086-8277232.
Should you wish to contribute to the fundraising efforts you can do so at iDonate, via www.ballinalionsclub.ie.
This year’s Yeast Meets West Craft Beer Festival marks the 10th anniversary of the Ballina event.
Reel Deel Brewing Company, Achill Lager, Lough Gill Brewing and Mescan Brewery will offer a wide range of smashing brews at this year’s festival, which will be staged on Saturday, August 30 in the courtyard of the Kathleen Lynn Lane. The one-day event starts at 1pm, running until late, with a festive atmosphere and music. Among the food vendors will be The Pizza Pod.
The Kathleen Lynn Lane courtyard is located in the town centre, along the pedestrian access from Teeling Street Car Park to O’Rahilly Street.
The death has taken place of Mary Kate Coward (née Kelly), The Spires, Ballina and formerly of Clooneenmore, Rathlee, Co Sligo.
Mary Kate was the beloved wife of Sid and loving mother to Garry. She will be sadly missed by her husband, son, grandchild Eloisa, great grandchildren Rory, Grace and Noah, sisters Eileen, Theresa, Christine and Concy, in-laws, nieces, nephews, relatives and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Edward and Kate Kelly, brothers Tony, Brian, Neil, Michael and Colum, and sister Bridget.
Mary Kate reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Wednesday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in the Star of the Sea Church, Rathlee on Thursday morning, followed by burial in Roslea Cemetery, Easkey.
May she rest in peace.
Tomorrow, August 27th, the 13th and final show in the Music at Lunchtime series of weekly summer gigs in Ballina Arts Centre will feature well-known local poet, actor and playwright, Tommy Cooke.
Tommy is a master of the spoken and written word, and last month his drama ‘A Song for Palestine’, which was staged in the main theatre of Ballina Arts Centre, showed how our own Irish history is in some ways mirrored by the genocide in Palestine today.
Tommy’s presentation on Wednesday, August 27th, will be a short and entertaining piece, taking place in the informal and intimate setting of the centre’s mezzanine area between 1.15pm and 1.45pm. Admission is free and tea and coffee will be served.
The death has taken place of Maureen Grealis (née Carey), Rehins, Ballina, and formerly of Bangor Erris, and Chicago, USA.
Maureen was the beloved wife of Padraig and dear mother to Linda, grandmother to Seán and mother-in-law to Danny Murphy.
She will also be sadly missed by her sisters Bridie, Josephine and Carmel, brothers Paddy-Joe and Martin-John, sisters-in-law, brothers-in-law, nieces, nephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Annie and Paddy Carey, and her sisters Kathleen Durcan and Ann Morrissey.
Maureen reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Friday evening last, with removal afterwards to St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina.
Requiem Mass was celebrated on Saturday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May she rest in peace.
Ballina Badminton Club’s juvenile activities will resume on Saturday, September 13. The sessions will be at 10am for primary school pupils and at 11.30am for secondary school students.
Membership is open to boys and girls from seven years of age and upwards.
The club operates out of Ballina Community Sports Centre, off Cathedral Road. Further information is available by email from ballinab@gmail.com.
The new FIT (Fastrack Into Information Technology) hub in Ballina will host a coffee morning in aid of Breast Cancer Ireland on Friday next, August 29.
Friends, families and well-wishers are welcome to call in for a morning of fun, camaraderie, and plenty of coffee and baked goods. There will be a raffle on the day as well.
FIT, which was officially opened just over a year ago, is located on the corner of Teeling Street and Lord Edward Street, Ballina and the coffee morning will take place between 10am and 12 noon.
Breast Cancer Ireland is a registered charity, established to raise significant funding to support pioneering research programmes nationally, as well as to promote education and awareness on the importance of good breast health amongst women of all ages.
There was a huge turnout for the Brian Moylett Memorial Golf Classic at Ballina Golf Club over the August Bank Holiday weekend, where the contribution to the club of the late hotelier and businessman from Ballina was commemorated.
Fifty-five teams took part in the competition, during which the decades-long service of Brian Moylett as an active member of the club and a player who represented Ballina in many inter-club competitions was recalled.
The occasion saw the presentation of several team prizes and an overall prize for the best individual card.
Michelle Mulligan, Geraldine O’Mahoney, Rhianna Glacken and Jack Walsh were the members of the team which took first place, while the individual prize was won by Dolores Tuohy, with an excellent score of 44 points.
The club wishes to thank the Moylett family, as well as Guy Jennings from Oracle Roofing Construction for his generous sponsorship.
The results of other recent competitions played at Ballina Golf Club are as follows: Sunday, August 3 - Ladies' 18-Hole Stableford, sponsored by Caffrey's Pictures and Framing: 1st, Pauline Gilgar - 39pts; 2nd, Ann Cawley - 38pts; and 3rd, Bridie McCormack – 37pts.
Sunday August 10 – Men’s 18-Hole Stroke Competition, sponsored by Lundy Foods: Overall Winner, Niall McLoughlin - 65nett; Category 1, Brendan Kilgallon - 70nett; Category 2, Stephen Langan - 69nett; Category 3, John Duncan - 69 nett.
Sunday August 10 - Ladies 18-Hole Stableford, sponsored by Lundy Foods: 1st, Pauline Gilgar - 35pts; 2nd, Bridie McCormack - 32pts; and 3rd, Patricia Gaughan - 32pts.
Chime, which is the national charity for deaf and hard-of-hearing people, will hold an outreach clinic in Ballina tomorrow, Wednesday, August 27.
The clinic will take place in Ballina Health Centre, Mercy Road from 10.30am to 1pm.
Chime offers information and advice on hearing loss, assistive technology and communication support, as well as providing a minor hearing aid repair service. Telephone 094-9049109 for further details.
Smartphone and e-tablet classes resume at Craoibhín Ballina next week, one of a suite of interesting activities taking place in the centre over this coming autumn, every day from Monday to Friday.
Tutors Susan and Declan will be on hand to provide instruction on all aspects of mobile device use. The classes are on Mondays at 2.30pm, starting on Monday next, September 1. Booking is essential as places are limited. To book a place, which costs €5 per person, please call Craoibhín Ballina on 087-2785365.
Craoibhín Ballina continues to provide a bus service to take people shopping in Ballina, operating throughout Ballina town and surrounding areas from 9.30am on Friday mornings every week. For more information about this very helpful support for those without their own transport please call the Craoibhín Ballina centre on Cathedral Road on 087-2785365.
Mayo County Council will hold a public information session on Wednesday, August 27, in conjunction with Transport Infrastructure Ireland (TII), to discuss the proposed traffic calming measures for Fenian Row, Ballina, as part of the N26 Ballina Bypass Phase 1 project.
The event will be held tomorrow evening in St Mary’s Secondary School, Slí Ectra, Ballina from 4.30pm to 7.30pm. All those interested are welcome to have their say on the proposals.
