Local Notes: Mistletoe markets, memorial trees and Mike Denver
A group of talented knitters from Ballina created amazing mug cosies for the Foxford and District Alzheimer's Trust (FACT) Social Club Christmas Craft table recently. Calling themselves The Beautiful Knitwhits, from left are Paula Murphy, Christina Brennan, Mags Devers Bourke and Sandra Kearney.
Nine years ago, 129 runners and walkers set in motion the first Ballina Parkrun with a fun run through Belleek Forest. According to Ann Egan, Ballina Parkrun Director, that occasion has now grown into one big and happy parkrun family!
Parkrun is a free, community event where you can walk, jog, run, volunteer or spectate.
Ballina Parkrun started on Saturday, November 22, 2014. Since then, some 21,488 people, young and old, have completed the 5k course through the beautiful Ballina Forest, while a total of 370 individuals have volunteered to co-ordinate the event.
382 parkrun events have taken place in Ballina, with the weekly run and walk only ever called off as a result of extreme weather conditions.
Ballina Parkrun got off to a great start with the support of Mayo Sports Partnership and Coillte, who run and manage Belleek Forest.
The 5k event begins from Ballina Town FC grounds at Belleek Park every Saturday morning at 9.30am and is open to anyone to participate, from superfast runners to people who just like to ramble along.
“Nobody comes last at parkrun because there is always a tail walker making sure that everyone gets around safely, and they are the last ones to finish,” said Ann Egan.
“The friendships formed and the parkrun family spirit is stronger than any of us could ever have imagined, and we feel so proud to have been part of the team that brought parkrun to Ballina,” added Ann.
For those interested in taking part in this free 5k event, head over to the parkrun website at www.parkrun.ie/register/ to sign up.
Moyne College Christmas Variety Show takes place on Thursday, December 14, with the promise of top class entertainment! The Ballina post-primary school’s talented students and staff will bring a night of fun and music, and introduce special guest Garron Noone.
The show starts at 7pm and musical direction is by Moyne College’s music teacher Tara Doherty Rouse. The school choir will perform alongside soloists, while hidden talents will be revealed during a novel performance by the teachers.
Tickets are available from school reception between 9.30am and 2.30pm at a cost of €10 for adults and €5 for children and students.
St Muredach’s College Parents’ Association is seeking help from local businesses for its Golf Classic in Ballina Golf Club on April 6, 2024. The association plays a crucial role in supporting various school initiatives, including extracurricular activities, educational resources and community events.
Businesses are been asked to enter a team for the golf classic, which costs €180 for a team of four. Alternatively, a business can sponsor a prize, a tee-box or green.
The Parents’ Association of the Ballina post-primary boys school says that it is looking forward to working with new principal Wayne Walsh and his staff during the years ahead, and with helping to realise the vision that has been shaped.
Archers of Ballina has teamed up with Kilmoremoy Ladies Gaelic Club in a scheme that promotes the development of the club and enables a 10% discount on selected store purchases for a full year.
When you buy a voucher for €100 from Archers, the money goes directly to the club. In turn, the voucher will entitle you to a 10% discount off goods in selected home and garden departments for 12 months, with an option to renew.
This unique fundraising effort by the very progressive football club, which has over 350 members, will help it to expand its activities.
The voucher can be bought online at www.archers.ie or you can call into the store at Bunree, Ballina.
There has been a fantastic response to Henry Wills’ new book ‘In All Kinds of Weather’, which was launched at Mount Falcon Estate last month by former Irish President Mary Robinson.
Henry will be signing copies of his book in Eason Ballina from 12pm to 2pm this coming Saturday, December 9.
Make sure to call in to meet the well-known Ballina man and get your book signed – it is the perfect gift for anyone with strong connections not just to Ballina, but to Mayo and the wider province.
Copies of his book, which is published by the , are selling fast and there is a limited print run, so make sure to pick up yours in good time for Christmas.
Feet are beginning to tap in homes around Ballina as news of Mike Denver’s show filters through, further excited by the announcement that Philomena Begley and Brendan Shine will be joining him on stage!
Twenty years after the release of his debut album, the country music entertainer from Co. Galway has a concert tour lined up in the new year which will see him play counties across Ireland until next Easter.
Mike Denver has been one of the most in-demand artists on the country music scene for over twenty years. He began singing from an early age, continuously honing his craft and performing local shows to eventually become the entertainer he is today.
Mike started touring at the age of 16, signing with fellow Galwayman, promoter and agent, Willie Carty, who has stayed by his side ever since.
More details about tickets for his concert in the Great National Hotel Ballina on Saturday, January 13 are available from the venue on 096-23600, or email info@hotelballina.ie.
The final whist session of the year for members of Ballina Active Retirement Association will take place at 2pm tomorrow (Wednesday) in The Pastoral Centre, which is located in the grounds of St Muredach’s Cathedral.
The group will meet on Thursday, December 7 for a short meeting and a private Christmas get-together.
Then, on Thursday, December 14, Ballina Active Retirement Association will hold its annual Christmas dinner at 4pm in The Merry Monk, Killala Road, concluding a busy calendar for 2023.
The association resumes activities for the new year on Thursday, January 11, 2024, with the AGM taking place on Thursday, January 18.
Christmas Coffee Morning in Craoibhín
Craoibhín Ballina is hosting its Christmas Coffee Morning on Thursday, December 7, between 11am and 1pm.
The coffee morning takes place in the Craoibhín Ballina Centre on Cathedral Road, with live music from Padraig Moran. Refreshments will be served and there is also a raffle on the day. The cost is €7 per person and all are welcome.
A former student of St Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina has been awarded an Excellence Entrance Scholarship at NUI Galway.
Maeve Rafter, a Leaving Certificate student in 2023, was congratulated on her achievement recently by the Principal of St Mary’s Secondary School, Robert O’Reilly.
‘Christmas with Ceol Ó Chroí’ is a magical show taking place at Belleek Castle, Ballina on Friday, December 8.
Presented by Centre Stage Vocal Academy, Ballina, under the direction of Maureen Lawlor, this enchanting night of festive songs marks the beginning of the Christmas season in the awe-inspiring venue that is Belleek Castle.
Hear the beautiful vocals of the performing school’s Ceol Ó Chroí resonate through the castle halls, delivering haunting harmonies and timeless Christmas classics.
Special guests will be the Centre Stage Pop Choir. Tickets for the show, which starts at 7.30pm, cost €14 and can be purchased on Eventbrite.
The Mistletoe Market opens in the new public realm area of Innovation Quarter Ballina on Friday, Saturday and Sunday of this weekend.
The Mistletoe Market is part of Ballina’s annual Frosty Salmon Festival and will be launched on Friday, December 8 at 6pm. Discover a unique shopping experience with local and continental food, sweet treats, crafts and wonderful gifts. There will also be live music and visits from Santa!
Formerly known as the Military Quarter, the public area in front of the three tastefully-redeveloped blocks between Market Square and Pearse Street is designed to accommodate small-scale events and encourage community and social activity and engagement within the space.
Mistletoe Market opening hours are on Friday, December 8, from 6pm to 9pm; Saturday, December 9, from 11am to 6pm; and Sunday, December 10, from 11am to 6pm.
Proceeds from this year’s St Stephen’s Day Swim in Crossmolina will go towards counselling services in Ballina Family Resource Centre.
The organisers of the swim have chosen the Ballina organisation as the 2023 beneficiary, with funds raised helping to provide access to counselling services at a reduced cost.
The fundraising swim takes place at Lough Conn Pier at 12pm on December 26.
Sponsorship cards are available from Mulhern’s Gala, Crossmolina. Your support and generosity would be most welcome on the day, when there will be light refreshments served to the hardy participants.
Enrolment for children starting primary school in September 2024 is now open at The Quay National School (St Oliver Plunkett National School), Ballina. An Enrolment Form and School Admission Policy is available by email at secretary@quignamangerns.ie. The closing date for applications is December 5.
The Christmas Memorial Tree at Craoibhín Ballina is now standing proudly at its centre on Cathedral Road, Ballina.
Be part of the Christmas tree by taking a memorial tag. You can write a personal message of remembrance for a loved one on the tag and place it on the Christmas Memorial Tree. Craoibhín will display the messages on its tree at the centre during December.
If you would like any help or more information, the team at the centre will be happy to assist you. For more information, call Craoibhín Ballina on 087-2785365.
Fr Gillespie will lead a blessing on Tuesday, December 19 at 10.30a.m., where tea and coffee will also be served.
Treblemakers Academy of Performing Arts brings an evening of seasonal music to Ballina Arts Centre on Friday, December 15, starting at 7.30pm.
The Ballina group, led by owner, director and producer, Jack Cronin, is a vibrant mix of talent between the ages of five and twelve.
The members of the academy will be performing their special Christmas show featuring plenty of Christmas classics, in a concert for all the family.
Admission is €12. You can book online at www.ballinaartscentre.com or telephone 096-73593.
Winners of varying cash amounts during November in the 50/50 Weekly Cash Draw run by Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club were Roisin Colohan and Josephine Mangan of Hollister (€325); Marie McNamara, Healy Terrace, Ballina (€250); Willie Dolan, Ballina (€350); and Sean McNulty, Ballina (€340). Draws took place in Breathnach’s Pub, An Sean Sibin, An Bolg Bui and Katie’s Corner.
Tickets for the draw, which raises money for Ardnaree Sarsfields GAA Club, can be purchased in participating shops in Ballina or through the club’s own app.
There have been a number of baptisms in recent weeks in the Roman Catholic Parish of Kilmoremoy (Ballina). These include the following: Cillian Robert Harrison, Belleek Lodge, Ballina; Miaya Everliegh Langdon, Saint Patrick’s Estate, Ballina; Robert Craig Thornton, Riverside Drive, Ballina; Tom McDonagh, McDermott Street, Ballina; and Michael Pio Kelly, Athenry;
Billow Wood has been confirmed for a slot on the IMBOLC International Arts Festival 2024 programme, which takes place from January 28 to February 4 next.
Later in February 2024, the Ballina group will travel to the Folk Alliance International showcase event in Kansas City, USA.
IMBOLC International Arts Festival is an eight-day celebration of music, arts and culture set in Derry’s Cultural Quarter in Great James Street and other locations throughout the Northern Ireland city.
Billow Wood has enjoyed considerable success in recent years, particularly on the international touring circuit. The folk trad band whose music also incorporates more mainstream influences enjoys a prolific recording career, the result of a creative output that has attracted fans from all over the world.
This is the first time that the band has been included in the Derry festival line-up, where Kila will be among the stellar acts on stage. In September, Billow Wood performed at Electric Picnic 2023.
The death has taken place of Alberto Luis Maeso, The Glebe, Ballina and formerly of Spain and England.
Alberto was the beloved father of Helen and Martin. He will be sadly missed by his daughter, son, grandchildren Tilly, Minnie, Bella, Louis, Felicity, Violet, Rufus, Evie, Finn and Fabian, son-in-law Paul Barrett, daughter-in-law Beccy, sister-in-law Nancy, relatives, neighbours and friends.
Alberto was predeceased by his wife Teresa, his parents Angel and Constance Maeso, his brother Martin and sister Helena.
Requiem Mass took place in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Thursday of last week, followed by burial in Ballinahaglish Cemetery, Knockmore.
Balladeer Johnny McEvoy comes to The Great National Hotel, Ballina on Saturday, February 3 next.
The 78-year old singer and guitar player has released seventeen albums and dozens of singles in a career that began in the 1960s. Before turning solo in the mid-1960s, and as a member of the duo The Rambling Two, a young Johnny McEvoy supported The Rolling Stones when they played a show in Ireland in 1965.
His latest nationwide tour is called ‘Song and Story’, and will include many of those singles, some of which became No. 1 chart-selling songs. ‘Mursheen Durkan’, ‘The Boston Burglar’, ‘Those Brown Eyes’, ‘Nora’ and ‘Long, Long Before Your Time’ are among Johnny McEvoy’s best-loved tracks.
His concert performances are second to none, with his songs beautifully delivered in truly artistic fashion and storytelling of the finest order. This is a full evening with Johnny McEvoy, with no support act on the programme.
Tickets for his Ballina concert cost €32.50 (booking fees may apply). You can book online through the Great National Hotel Ballina website. You can also contact the hotel directly on 096-23600 or email info@hotelballina.ie.
