Local Notes: New Group Co-ordinator for Ballina First Responders
Brian Connor and Leonard McDonnell of Ballina Community First Responders. Brian has taken over from Leonard as the new Group Co-ordinator for Ballina Community First Responders.
The much-anticipated Ballina St Patrick’s Day Parade will be held on Tuesday, March 17, kicking off at 3pm.
‘Pride of Ballina’ is this year’s theme and the parade organisers are promising to bring the streets of Ballina alive with music, colour, tradition and history, in a celebration of community groups, sporting clubs, businesses and all those who help make their area such a vibrant locality in which to live.
Groups wishing to take part can apply now online via the St Patrick’s Day Parade Ballina social media pages. Participation in the Ballina St Patrick’s Day Parade is subject to approval by the organisers and all applicants will be contacted to confirm arrangements.
The parade organisers are also looking for people to help steward the event this year. Volunteers are required to walk alongside the parade, offering friendly support to walkers and floats. This will assist the organisers in helping to create a welcoming, positive atmosphere for participants and spectators alike, ensuring that the town’s annual parade, one of the biggest in the county, runs smoothly.
Volunteers are also expected to be a friendly, visible presence for families, community groups and performers taking part.
Volunteers will meet at the IMC Cinema on the corner of Mercy Road and Convent Hill, from where the parade departs.
Volunteers can sign up online through Mayo Volunteer Centre or you can contact Vincent McHale in the centre on 096-71444 for more information, or email vincent@volunteermayo.ie.
The death has taken place of Joanna (Joey) Lavelle, The Spires, Ballina and formerly of Killeenduff, Easkey, Co Sligo.
Joanna was the beloved sister of Ann Teape, Nora Jan, Patricia Kelly, John and Tommy.
She will be sadly missed by her sisters, brothers, brother-in-law Tom Kelly, sister-in-law Tina Kenny Lavelle, nieces, nephews, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Tom and Mary Lavelle, brothers-in-law Jan and Michael, sister-in-law Lillian, and niece Mary Teape Gallagher.
In line with Joanna’s wishes a private funeral and cremation was held.
The death has taken place of Kevin Finnerty, Calladashin, Knockmore, Ballina.
Kevin was the loving husband of Mary and loving father to Brian (Deirbhle), Margaret (Martin) Clarke (Carramore Lacken), John (Alison) (The Neale), Mary (Tom) and Christopher (April). He was the loving grandad to Kevin, Ethan, Aaron, Aoife, Kieran, Ezra, Aoibheann, Casey and Fiadh. He will also be dearly missed by his brother Tom, sisters Theresa and Martha, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents John and Mary (née Ferguson), infant son Gary, brothers Martin-John and PJ, and sisters Veronica, Mary, Ann, Bridie and Phyllis.
Kevin reposed in Clarke’s Funeral Home, Foxford on Tuesday of last week. His Funeral Mass was celebrated in the Church of Christ The King, Knockmore on Wednesday, with burial afterwards in Ballinahaglish Cemetery, Ballina.
May he rest in peace.
Ballina Community Radio had successfully broadcast in the Ballina area on FM 101.9 for several years, before closing in early 2025.
A meeting in The Merry Monk, Killala Road, Ballina tomorrow night, Wednesday, February 25, will seek to establish if there is sufficient interest within the community to bring back a local radio station for the area.
BCR, which was launched in 2013 by an enthusiastic group of locals, had a strong and loyal listenership for its weekend shows, and was seen as a great resource for the town and environs, providing local snippets of news, along with playing a range of music genres.
As work continues on the new Scout Den at Belleek, Ballina, the 5th Mayo Scout Unit is expecting that the official opening of its new headquarters will take place on Sunday, August 2 this year.
Work commenced on site in July 2025, following the securing of funding of €1,152,000 under the Community Centres Investment Fund. This followed years of campaigning for a new location for this busy Scout group by its longest-serving member and Leader, Benny Walkin, and current Leaders Matthew Garrett and Jonathan Merrick.
The present Scout Den at Teeling Street, which was built in 1969 on church-owned property at the rear of the former Ballina Town Hall, is no longer fit for purpose for the 100 members of the 5th Mayo Scout Unit, which operates Beaver, Cub, Scout and Venturer sections for young people in the area.
Work on the new den is now almost complete at roof stage, including the installation of solar panels.
The project is a joint venture involving Mayo North East LEADER Partnership CLG and 5th Mayo Scout Group Ballina CLG, and will accommodate the 5th Mayo Scout Unit as well as other groups using the recreational facilities of Belleek Forest.
The main contractor is John Healy Construction Ltd., Ballina.
The death has taken place of Patrick Joseph Greham, Howley Terrace, Ballina.
Patrick was the much-loved brother of Loyola, James, Eleanor, Breege and twin sister Margaret, and brother-in-law of Deirdre, Brian, Liam, Dennis and Alan. Patrick will be deeply missed by his nieces Avril, Ann, Anita, Elaine and Nicola, nephews Julian, Eoin, Conor and Stephen, grandnieces, grandnephews, relatives, neighbours and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Jimmy and Breda Greham, brother Michael and sister-in-law Toni.
Patrick reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home Ballina on Tuesday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Wednesday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May he rest in peace.
Ballina Community First Responders benefited from a recent fundraising activity by Castleconnor Gun Club. The club raised €360 in memory of the late James Devers from Ballina, who died last August.
David Devers of Castleconnor Gun Club, and a nephew of James, presented the donation to Brian Connor, the new Group Coordinator of Ballina CFR.
The annual general meeting of OutWest will take place on Tuesday, March 3 at 7.30pm.
OutWest is a voluntary social, support and advocacy group for LGBT+ people in Connacht, with its drop-in centre located at Unit 6, Cualgara, just off Teeling Street, Ballina.
You can attend the AGM, which will be held in the Ballina centre, in person or online. To register for online attendance, please visit the OutWest social media pages, or email info@outwest.ie for more information. Everyone is welcome.
The drop-in centre is open every Saturday from 2pm to 5pm offering a range of activities such as arts and crafts, games and the chance to chat over a cup of coffee.
Additionally, the OutWest Ballina centre runs other social events, including a book club, games nights, supportive spaces where parents, guardians and families of LGBT+ people can connect and learn, and, on Friday next, February 27, a free showing of the British film ‘Beautiful Thing’ at 7pm.
The death has taken place of Maureen Walsh (née Clarke), Culleens, Killala Road, Ballina and formerly of Ballybrooney, Cooneal, Ballina.
Maureen was the beloved mother of Michael (Culleens), Eamon (Dublin), Marian Hannick (The Quay, Ballina), Bernie Doherty (Culleens), Gerry (Broadlands, Ballina), Joan (Ballina) and Martin (Rosserk).
She will be sadly missed by her sons, daughters, daughters-in-law Breege and Teresa, son-in-law Gerry, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, niece, nephew, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her husband Anthony, sister Nan, and parents Michael and Annie Clarke.
Maureen reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina on Thursday of last week. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Muredach’s Cathedral, Ballina on Friday, followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
May she rest in peace.
The death has taken place of Margaret Kieran, (née Clancy), Rathmeel Lawns, Ballina and formerly of Market Street, Clifden, Co Galway.
Margaret was the beloved wife of Tony and dear mother to Fiona, Alan, Brian and Leah.
She will be sadly missed by her sons, daughters, granddaughters Clara, Maisie and Isla, sisters Mary, Sheila, Bríd, Angela, Eileen and Carmel, brother Tom, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, daughters-in-law Avril and Angéline, nephews, nieces, relatives, neighbours and friends.
She was predeceased by her parents Michael (Sonny) and Ellen Clancy.
Margaret reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home Ballina on Thursday last. Requiem Mass was celebrated in St Joseph’s Church, Clifden on Friday, followed by burial on Omey Island.
May she rest in peace.
Ballina Bridge Club meets at 7.30pm every Tuesday night in The Moy Club, Dillon Terrace, Ballina. The results of the charity game played by members on Tuesday last, February 17 were as follows: 1st, M. Corcoran and B. Mulkearns; 2nd, a tie between A. Ivers and B. Mulligan, and S. and A. Callaghan; 4th, M. O’Dowd and M. Mongan; and 5th, S. Rutledge and A. Moran.
J. and M. Munnelly won the competition played on Tuesday, February 10. 2nd placed were B. Thomas and G. Moran, 3rd were M. Corcoran and B. Mulkearns, 4th were S. and A. Callaghan, and 5th were H. Moran and M. Gilvarry.
New members are always welcome to join Ballina Bridge Club and further information is available from 087-4493598.
