Local Notes: Minister hails work of Mayo North East Partnership
Mayo North East Partnership’s Empowering Communities team were praised by Minister Joe O’Brien and the Department of Rural and Community Development officials in Athlone last week.
The Empowering Communities Programme (ECP), which held its national gathering at the Shamrock Lodge, aims to empower local communities to craft their own responses to area-based poverty, social exclusion and the resulting consequences. For more on the programmes that Mayo North East operate, email info@mayonortheast.com.
Embers Young People’s Film Festival 2024, which will take place in Ballina this month, includes a special schools’ showing of ‘Wall-E’, along with seven other film screenings.
Ballina Arts Centre will host this exciting film festival for children and youths over the weekend of October 18 to 20.
The film festival is filled with eight enjoyable films from around the world over three days, including ones made in Ireland. The event programme includes shorts, animations, live-action and documentaries, as well as workshops.
Other film screenings will include ‘Matilda’, ‘Lilo and Stitch’, ‘Kensuke’s Kingdom’, ‘Marcel the Shell with Shoes On’ and ‘Edward Scissorhands’.
Also showing will be ‘Shorts for Middle Ones’ on Saturday, October 19, a collection of short animation films for those aged eight and above, along with a free screening of a Ukrainian version of ‘Puffin Rock and the New Friends’ on Sunday, October 20, at 11am.
There will be a great range of workshops in film-making, writing, animation, model-making and drama.
A nominal charge of €5 will be in place to attend screenings and workshops but a proportion of spaces will be offered for free to communities and groups where cost is a barrier to attendance.
All film times can be checked out on the Ballina Arts Centre website at www.ballinaartscentre.com, where you can also book your tickets.
Enquiries about the ‘Wall-E’ school screening on Friday, October 18, at 10.30am should be directed to the box office on 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
Bookings are now open for a two-day intensive, interactive and practice-dominated workshop designed to help caregivers recognise the immediate risk of suicide and learn how to intervene to prevent the tragic consequences of suicide.
ASIST, which stands for Applied Suicide Intervention Skills Training, is a HSE Community Healthcare West programme that is aimed at professionals and individuals who are working in an area where they are likely to come into contact with someone who is at risk of suicide.
Through a series of steps, ASIST is designed to help all caregivers become more ready, willing and able to help persons at risk of suicide.
The ASIST workshop is suitable for all caregivers, for example, community members and volunteers, health and social care professionals, youth workers, members of An Garda Síochána, teachers, etc.
As the ASIST training can be challenging at an emotional level, it is not recommended for anyone who is feeling emotionally vulnerable. If you have experienced a major challenge in the last year, such as a bereavement, particularly a suicide bereavement, or have had thoughts of suicide in recent months, it is recommended that you do not undertake the training at this time and delay until you are feeling emotionally stronger.
The ASIST programme takes place in The Newman Institute, Ballina – located in the grounds of St Muredach’s Cathedral – on Thursday and Friday, November 21 and 22, from 9am to 5pm each day. The workshop is for those over 18 years of age. Places are limited and booking can be made online.
The death has taken place of Phillip Mead (Snr), ‘Coombe Cottage’, Carrowkelly, Ballina and formerly of Bristol, England.
Phillip was the beloved husband of Mary and loving father to David, Stephanie and Phillip (Jnr).
He will be sadly missed by his wife, daughter, sons, grandchildren Francesca, Katelyn, Eoin, Evan, Andrew, Fiadh and Cillian, daughters-in-law Michele and Laureen, brothers, sisters, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, relatives and many friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Iris and Jack, and by his brother Martyn.
Requiem Mass for Phillip was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Ballina on Tuesday of last week. Cremation took place on Wednesday in Shannon Crematorium.
A Harvest Thanksgiving Service will be held in Ballina Presbyterian Church, Walsh Street next Sunday, October 6, at 8pm. Everybody is welcome to come along to this inspiring service. Tea will be served afterwards.
Traditional Irish music has seen a spectacular resurgence in the 21st century. This development followed on from a steady rise in popularity for the genre which began in the 1950s and 1960s with the founding of Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann and the folk revival led by the Clancy Brothers, The Dubliners and The Chieftains. The fusion of traditional music with classical music by Sean O’Riada, and later by Mícheál Ó Súilleabháin, and the adding of traditional elements to rock music by bands such as Horslips and The Pogues all contributed to this positive evolution of traditional Irish music.
It is also why the local Bofield Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann group has been so successful. Bofield CCE has become a preeminent training ground for young musicians over the years, stimulating a strong interest in trad and folk music among the wider population and even leading to some of its members becoming professionals in the field of traditional music.
The annual registration night for newcomers to this award-winning Comhaltas group takes place at its new location in Culleens National School, Killala Road, Ballina tomorrow night, Wednesday, October 2, from 6pm to 7.30pm. Those attending are asked to bring along their instruments.
The busy group will be offering group classes for those up to 18 years of age on Wednesday evenings at 5.30pm, starting on October 16.
In the meantime, a fundraising table quiz in aid of the Bofield CCE 15-18 group that is heading to perform at the Stiges Festival in Spain on the last weekend of October will take place in The Cot and Cobble Bar and Restaurant, Sligo Road, Ballina on Friday, October 4. The event costs €20 per table of four.
Contact Sarah on WhatsApp at 086-1943687 for details about the registration session for new members tomorrow night, and to book for the table quiz on Friday night.
A total of €41,470 was given away in the Quarterly Members Draw in Ballina Credit Union last month.
The top prize of €15,000 cash went to Ciaran Rouse, Ballina, while Gretta Reilly Blewitt, Ballina won the second prize of €3,000.
A prize of €2,000 went to Teresa Henry, Enniscrone; Maria Dwyer, Ballina; and Seamus Creane, Ballina.
Winners of €1,500 each were Jacqueline and Paul Hackett, Killala; Sarah Duffy, Ballina; Gervase Padden Snr, Ballina; Josephine Conroy, Ballina; and Paul Hogan, Ballina.
Eight others members won €1,000 each. These were Desmond Leonard, Ballina; Pat O’Dowd, Enniscrone; Margaret Bowe, Ballina; Mary Ruddy, Ballina; Gerard McGurrin, Ballina; Cathy McHale, Ballina; Stephan Gaughan, Ballina; and Kate Battle, Ballina.
The other winners included Marcella and Padraic Gilroy, Enniscrone (€700), Geraldine Carden, Killala (€650) and John Convey, Ballina (€620).
Ballina Credit Union runs four draws throughout the year. The cost of entry is €8.28 per quarter, and is for members only. Members must be over 18 years of age to enter and terms and conditions apply. For more information, please call to Ballina Credit Union, O’Rahilly Street, Ballina. You can also phone 096-71066 or email info@ballinacu.ie.
Throughout the month of October the Ballina Ignatian Retreat team will offer a Stay-at-Home Retreat, where each participant commits to spending half an hour of quiet time praying each day.
The retreat group says that this is an opportunity for those who wish to experience a deepening awareness of the presence of God in everyday life. Taking part is similar to making a directed retreat but without the expense or disruption of leaving home.
Each participant will also meet with an assigned Prayer Guide once a week for 30 minutes.
To find out more, or to avail of this opportunity, please contact Kathleen Duffy on 087-6798839.
The death has taken place of Marion Devers, 26 Ferran Terrace, Ballina.
Marion was the beloved mother to Patrick and long-time partner of Sean.
She will be sadly missed by her partner, son, brothers Thomas, Ivan and Noel, in-laws, nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Patrick’s Church, Ballina on Wednesday morning of last week followed by cremation in Lakelands Crematorium, Cavan.
Services around the visit to the Catholic Diocese of Killala of the relics of Saint Bernadette will take place on Thursday, Friday and Saturday of this week.
The relic pilgrimage takes in the cathedrals of Ireland, including St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina.
The relics arrive in Ballina on Thursday, October 3, at 2pm and will be welcomed by Archbishop Francis Duffy, Archbishop of Tuam and the recently appointed Apostolic Administrator of the Diocese of Killala.
This will be followed by Rosary and Confessions. Mass of St Bernadette with Lourdes water will be celebrated at 7pm on Thursday evening, with a Holy Hour taking place from 9pm to 10pm.
Among the services scheduled for Friday, October 4, are a talk on St Bernadette, a Mass and Anointing of the Sick at 7pm and a candlelight procession. There will also be morning Masses at 8am and 10am, Stations of the Cross, Rosary and Confessions on Friday.
Following a Parish Mass at 10am, the relics will depart for the Diocese of Achonry on Saturday, October 5, visiting the Cathedral of the Annunciation and St Nathy, Ballaghaderreen.
The death has taken place of Eliza Jackson, Maunselles Park, Taylors Hill, Galway and formerly of Culleens, Killala Road, Ballina.
Eliza will be sadly missed by her niece Mary, nephews Matt, Ray and Harry, grandnieces, grandnephews, extended family and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Mary Kate and Matthew of Culleens, Killala Road, and also by her brother Mattie, sister-in-law Mary and nephews Gerard and Lawrence.
Eliza reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Wednesday evening last. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Thursday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
A Quit Smoking programme will commence in Ballina today, Tuesday, October 1. The programme will run from 2pm to 3.30pm every week for seven weeks.
The location for the course is Craoibhin Ballina Centre, Cathedral Road, Ballina (right next to St Muredach’s Cathedral).
This HSE programme provides HSE smoking cessation specialists with the resources to build client capacity for behaviour change in smoking cessation.
For more information, and to register your interest, please contact Craoibhín Ballina on 087-2785365 or email brenda.mcnicholas1@hse.ie.
The death has taken place of Edward Clasby, 6 Bachelors Walk, Ballina and formerly of Ballinderreen, Co Galway.
Edward was the beloved brother of Paul (Louisburgh), John (Crossmolina) and Nicky (Canada).
He will be sadly missed by his brothers, Paul’s partner Mo Tiernan, sister-in-law Margaret, nieces Kaitlyn and Amber, and nephews Eoin, Lorcan and Oisin.
He was predeceased by his parents Edward and Mary.
Edward reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Friday of last week.
Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Saturday, followed by burial in St Tiernan’s Cemetery, Crossmolina.
HeritACT Ballina, an EU-funded project focusing on cultural heritage as a catalyst for sustainable development, is inviting local communities and professionals to join the Ballina Co-Envisioning Day at the HeritHUB in Ballina Library later this week.
Co-Envisioning Day will be co-ordinated by IQ Ballina-based company Accelerating Change Together (ACT), a social enterprise architecture and design practice dedicated to accelerating the green transition in the built and natural environment. It was co-founded in 2021 by Ballina-born architect and urbanist Kevin Loftus and his two business partners. ACT’s James McConville will be one of the facilitators for the multiple events which will take place in and around Ballina Library on Co-Envisioning Day, Saturday, October 5.
This is an opportunity to help shape Ballina's future by sharing the public’s ideas and feedback, and ensuring these future interventions reflect the vision and identity of the community.
Across the full day of activities, it is hoped to engage with the local community and professionals in collaborative design processes to facilitate sustainable urban development and explore potential solutions for historic sites in Ballina through a series of interactive activities.
Ballina is one of three European sites selected to explore how cultural heritage can drive sustainable urban development.
Participants will get a chance to preview heritage-themed installations coming to Ballina in 2025, including a digitally fabricated vegetable garden and eco-friendly structures made from recycled materials.
For those who cannot make this weekend’s event, an evening of related talks will take place on Thursday, October 3, in the former Fashion Shop, Pearse Street, including discussions on Ballina’s rich architectural history.
To secure your spot and be part of this exciting journey towards a more sustainable and culturally rich future for Ballina please register now via the ACT Linkedin page or on Eventbrite.
One Million Stars is an arts project that connects communities through the craft of weaving stars, with each star symbolising light, hope and solidarity against violence.
Mayo Volunteer Centre will host Star Weaving Workshops every Monday from 1pm to 2.30pm, from which all stars created will then be used in an art installation to highlight the forthcoming 16 Days of Action against Gender-Based Violence campaign.
This is a wonderful opportunity to be part of a nationwide project, learn new craft skills and meet new friends over a cup of tea and a chat.
Full training on star weaving will be given by a tutor and all materials will be provided. The Monday workshop sessions will finish on November 18.
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence is an annual international campaign that kicks off on November 25, the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women, as designated by the United Nations.
Call into the Mayo Volunteer Centre on Cathedral Road, Ballina for more information. Alternatively, contact Arlene on community@volunteermayo.ie for more information.
Those in the Generation X and Millennial cohorts will have a particular affinity for the music of the 1980s, having grown up to the sounds of bands such as Duran Duran and Spandau Ballet. Unsurprisingly, more recent generations are also tuning in to music from that decade.
This multi-generational fan base for the electronic-driven sounds of the 1980s can look forward to the ‘80s Icons Show’, which visits Ballina later this month.
What makes the songs of that era so attractive? Well, you can find out and relive the magic with all of the greatest 80s hits by icons such as Duran Duran, Spandau Ballet, Go West, Paul Young, Deacon Blue, Phil Collins, Nik Kershaw and many more.
A seven-piece band regarded as Ireland's leading live act paying tribute to those musical icons of the 1980s will take to the stage of Ballina Arts Centre on Friday, October 18.
Tickets for the show are €28.50 and can be booked online at www.ballinaartscentre.com. You can also call 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
