Local Notes: Successful Sligo outing for Ballina school choir
The choir of St Mary’s Secondary School, Ballina which came second in competition at Sligo Choral Youth Festival. Their conductor is Regina Deacy, music teacher at St Mary’s.
St Mary's Secondary School, Ballina had a very successful outing at the Sligo Choral Youth Festival recently.
There was intense competition in the three-part and four-part singing category, with ten other secondary school choirs from across the country also taking part.
The close marking made it difficult for the judges to reach a decision. In the end, Convent of Mercy, Roscommon took the winning spot, followed closely by St Mary's Secondary School, Ballina, with just a point separating the two choirs.
St Mary's was thrilled with its performance, and delighted the audience in Sligo with renditions of 'Mo Ghile Mear' and 'Singing in the Rain'.
St Mary's Secondary School director was music teacher Regina Deacy and accompanist was Transition Year student Aoife Sherry.
Congratulations to Henry Wills on the hugely successful launch of his wonderful new book, , at Mount Falcon Estate on Friday, November 17.
The town was buzzing with excitement the following morning as attendees reflected on one of the best nights in Ballina in many years.
Henry's book, which is reviewed elsewhere in this edition by John Cuffe, is a remarkable record of life in Ballina, Mayo and the West over the last 50 years, and it is already proving hugely popular among early Christmas shoppers. Indeed, it will be taking pride of place under a lot of Christmas trees in Ballina and North Mayo this year.
Published by the , the book has also generated national interest and Henry was interviewed last Saturday in by well-known journalist Keith Duggan who described as a "magical collection" of photographs. Well done, Henry, on such deserved recognition.
Henry will be signing copies of his new book in Eason Ballina on Saturday, December 9, from 12 noon to 3pm.
Ballina/Dublin band John of the Apocalypse will top the bill at a fundraising gig in Ballina this weekend in aid of the Palestine Children's Relief Fund.
The band will be supported by Magnetic Monopole and French act Ismael Mougafi at their show in Tarbh 47, Tone Street, on Saturday, December 2, at 10pm.
John of the Apocalypse comprises Ballina musicians Patrick Hallinan (vocals, guitar), Stephen Dwane (drums) and Brendan Clarke (bass), along with Dublin-based Boris Riquelme on lead guitar. The band comes with a primitive alt-folk tag on their music and has played venues such as the Workman’s Club, Dublin and Livestock Outdoor Music Festival in Galway. An EP and a number of singles from the band have attracted very favourable comments from music industry quarters and from across their growing fan base.
Ismael Mougafi (guitar, vocals), Michael Walsh (drums) and Sid Murphy (bass) form the grunge-metal hybrid trio Magnetic Monopole, whose members come from the Mayo-Sligo area.
French artist Nanorisk Akatsuki will also be on stage. This one-man band plays drums with triggers and computations connected to a synthesiser, and delivers to fans of Lightning Bolt and Ravi Shankar.
With Conor Hickey and Sid Murphy in its driving seat, the gig is organised by Ballina Punx, a bunch of music enthusiasts who have been giving voice to the town’s thriving alternative, punk and metal music artists for two decades.
Your support for a very worthy cause will be appreciated and admission is €5.
Ballina Special Olympics Basketball Club is the proud winner of the September 2023 Gala Retail Gifts for Clubs cash prize.
Restarting from September 2022, the club built back from the Covid-19 pandemic period in energetic style. At a roster of 24 athletes, it has increased its size from a high point of 20 athletes pre-pandemic.
This has been due to tireless work by the club’s volunteer and coaching contingent.
Club treasurer Catriona Gallagher contributed organisational efforts through countless phone calls, financial work and control, and assisting athletes with transport.
Coach Barry Murphy and volunteers Aileen Gough and Jonathan Verry led training sessions with determination. All club members were included, ensuring everyone had court time and engaged in individual and team activities and development.
The social aspect hasn’t been neglected either, with club stalwart Pops McNamara always present at sessions to help organise social events including Christmas and end-of-year get-togethers.
Jonathan Knight is the longest-standing member of the club, with an involvement that stretches back almost to the club’s founding 30 years ago. This included welcoming the Olympic Torch to Ballina along with teammate and fellow local ambassador Agnes Melvin.
Jonathan continues to enjoy his club experience: “We train once a week, which I really enjoy. We have mixed teams of men and women, and we play other clubs on an away and at-home basis. My favourite part of being in the club is playing every week, but it’s also great to be able to meet people and make friends.
“We are delighted to win the Gala Gifts for Clubs prize this month, and I’m looking forward to our next match,” said Jonathan.
Coach Barry Murphy said: “It is fantastic to have our athletes back in training after the summer break. Everyone values these sessions and misses hanging out with friends. We are delighted to receive this generous gift for our club. Thanks to Gala Retail, this money will go towards much-needed equipment and activity within our club.”
The club plans to invest in new basketballs, new bibs for training sessions, and new team shorts, socks, and tops.
The new Taste of Ballina Christmas Hamper is now available from Ballina Chamber of Commerce.
If you would like to send a corporate Christmas hamper from your company which is full of hand-picked products that are sourced locally in Ballina and North Mayo, and specially chosen for the corporate market, then this superb gift is available through the Chamber’s office.
The hamper includes a box of Milk Chocolate Honeycomb Crunch from award-winning Noo Chocolates, The Quay, which have been specially commissioned for the Taste of Ballina Christmas Hamper.
Also included is Jack the Lad and Irish Blonde from craft brewery Reel Deel Brewery, a delicious Iced Christmas Cake from O’Hara’s Bakery, 3 in 1 Hydrating Mist from Ella and Jo Cosmetics, a bottle of red or white wine from Eno Wine and a bag of Caramel Crunch from the Gourmet Popcorn Company.
Each hamper contains a written description featuring the local businesses supported in The Taste of Ballina Hamper 2023.
Ballina Chamber has also launched two additional hampers, the Classic Ballina and the Deluxe Ballina, each specially curated for the person who wants to shop and support local, while offering a very unique gift to friends and family.
For more information about the Taste of Ballina Christmas Hamper, and to order your hamper, please contact Ballina Chamber on 096-72800.
Tuesday Teas will take place at the Ballina Manor Hotel for the last session tonight, Tuesday, November 28. This initiative has been facilitated by ALONE and Flourish Social Prescribing, and anyone living in Ballina or surrounding areas is invited to come along and join the group for a cup of tea and a chat in the town centre hotel from 6.30pm.
If you have any queries, then please contact 087-1857280.
The Family Shark Show is a fully professional performance with an original script that will be presented at Ballina Arts Centre on Sunday afternoon, November 26.
The production by The FairyTale Stage Show brings children some of their favourite fairytale characters, with great tunes that bring to life the story behind the songs in a wonderful and captivating atmosphere.
Show support as Baby is confronted by the school bully, Alex ‘the Angry’ Alligator and his sidekick, Sammy ‘the Silly’ Sealion.
Sing out loud 'Happy Birthday’ to Baby as everyone in attendance is invited to Baby’s Birthday Party on Treasure Island.
There is fun for all the family, when Miss Magiclegs, the schoolteacher, announces the upcoming talent concert – The Fish Factor.
Join in with the Super Star Fish band as they sing a very special song given to them by Grandma and Grandpa.
This production is perfect for families with small children between one and eight years of age.
The Ballina matinee performances are at 1pm and 3.30pm, with tickets priced at €45 for a family.
You can book online at Ballina Arts Centre's website, telephone 096-73593 or email info@ballinaartscentre.com.
The death has taken place of Marie Hesketh (née Gillespie), London and formerly of Carramore, Cloghans, Ballina.
Marie will be dearly missed by her daughter Sara, sons Simon and Mark, grandchildren Harry and Isobella, son-in-law Richard, daughter-in-law Vicki, brother Michael and sister-in-law Nora (Tullamore), nephews, nieces, relatives and friends.
Marie was predeceased by her parents John T and Mary (née Cosgrave) and her infant sibling Charlie.
Funeral Mass for Marie was celebrated in St Teresa’s Church, Rathduff on Saturday, November 25, followed by interment in the family plot in Cloghans Cemetery.
The recently formed Parkside Community History Group warmly invites new members to join. Meetings take place regularly in a welcoming and informal atmosphere to share memories, stories, history, tales and old photographs of days gone by in the area affectionately known as Parkside, on the western side of Ballina.
New members of all ages are most welcome to come along for a chat, a laugh and a cuppa. The group is aiming to work towards an exhibition or community project in the future.
For more information, please email parksidehistorygroup@gmail.com, call Gerry on 087-2259986, or drop into the Parkside Community office, which is located at 89 Lord Edward Street, Ballina. Everyone is most welcome.
Author Máirtín Ó Maicín will be signing copies of his best-selling book ‘On This Day In Mayo’ in Eason of Ballina on Saturday next, December 2, at 3pm.
His new book, which will have a lot of interest for readers in the Ballina area and beyond, seeks to tell the story of Mayo by connecting the 365 days of the year with an event of significance relating to the county, or with an event pertaining to a person from the county.
Máirtín Ó Maicín is one of the county’s leading champions for the Irish language, and the Balla man has been a prolific writer over many decades.
Tá scór de na scéalta scríofa trí mheán na Gaeilge freisin.
Tonight (Tuesday) is Ballina Poetry Night, when lovers of verse, rhyme and stanza come together to enjoy readings in a convivial atmosphere. The poetry get-together is organised by Pangur Ban Bookshop, Tone Street, Ballina, and will take place in the courtyard behind Vincent’s Charity Shop, starting at 7pm.
You can bring along your own poems, scribbles or musings, or choose from your favourite poet. All are welcome.
The Ballina Family Resource Centre Cash for Clobber scheme invites you to submit your old clothes, shoes, handbags, etc, to help with its fundraising.
If you are doing a clear-out of your house, then you can help this vital community organisation to raise money by placing your unwanted items in a bag and dropping them into the organisation at its centre on Abbey Street, Ardnaree. In fact, Ballina FRC will even provide you with bags into which you can collect your items. For more information, please contact 087-0618525.
The death has taken place of Michael (Micky) O’Sullivan, Roche's Terrace, Ballina and formerly of Co Kerry.
Michael will be sadly missed by his loving and devoted wife Nancy, nephews, nieces, relatives, in-laws and friends.
He was predeceased by his parents Mary and James O’Sullivan and by his brothers.
Michael reposed at McGowan’s Funeral Home, Ballina last Tuesday. Requiem Mass in St Patrick’s Church, Ballina on Wednesday was followed by burial in Leigue Cemetery, Ballina.
Mayo Cancer Support wishes to thank all those who supported and facilitated its recent church gate collection in Ballina, which took place on the weekend of November 18 and 19 last. The group has issued a special thanks to the volunteers who helped with the collections. A total of €2,440.92 was raised.
These funds will support the ongoing provision of emotional support to people affected by cancer. Mayo Cancer Support's Ballina outreach clinic operates every Tuesday at The Quay, offering free support services including professional one-to-one counselling and complementary therapies. Telephone 094-9038407 for more information.
Tickets for the Ballina Meals On Wheels Christmas raffle are now on sale around town. This long-established organisation provides an invaluable service every day in the Ballina area from its location at Ballina Community Centre.
Tickets are available from Raftery Shoes, Heffernan’s Deli and Moran’s Butchers. Tickets cost €5 per line, and the raffle will take place on December 8.
You can also buy tickets online at www.idonate.ie.
