Local Notes: Welcome Day invite from Ballina Tennis Club
Siobhan Maye makes a presentation to Hugh Hanley on his retirement from the position of Treasurer of Ballina Tennis Club. Pictured are, back row, from left: John Kelly, Mairead McDonagh, Siobhan Maye, John Valerio, Hugh Hanley, Eithne Duffy, Dietrich Pfeiffer, Artur Jastrzebski (Coach) and Catherine Whittle. Front row: Frankie Stevens and Kieran Gough. The Ballina club will host its ‘Welcome Day’ on May 10. Picture: Karolina Ostrawska
It will be ‘love all’ at Ballina Tennis Club next week when newcomers and existing members are invited to come along and gain an insight into the huge enjoyment and health benefits that playing tennis can bring to a person’s life.
The club’s Tennis Welcome Day on Saturday, May 10, will be a unique opportunity for individuals of all ages in the Ballina area to experience the sport of tennis in a welcoming and supportive environment and is free to attend. However, registration in advance is required.
Speaking on behalf of the club, Karolina Ostrawska said: “The day’s schedule includes free coaching sessions for both adults and juniors and tennis drills and games, as well as family-friendly activities such as a colouring competition and using a ball machine.
“No prior tennis experience is necessary and equipment will be provided for those who wish to participate,” continued Karolina.
Attendees will also have access to trial membership offers, and receive information on summer camps and upcoming coaching programmes for children, adults and seniors.
Coaching will be available for children as young as five years of age and there is no upper age limit for adult participation.
Ballina Tennis Club encourages all members of the community to attend and to discover the many benefits of this lifelong sport.
There is no charge to attend the event, but please ensure you register on Eventbrite to reserve your place. A limited number of coaching spaces are available.
There will also be a raffle offering prizes that include a one-year free adult membership, individual coaching vouchers with a professional coach, and a five-week adult beginner group coaching session.
Visit the social media pages of Ballina Tennis Club for further information.
Monday, August 4 is the date set for this year’s Bonniconlon Show, with leading country music stars Mike Denver and Michael English confirmed to be among the entertainment acts to perform live at the event.
Typically attracting over 30,000 visitors for the one-day spectacle, Bonniconlon Show is held on 200 acres of specially developed showgrounds outside the village of Bonniconlon.
The show, which offers prize money of up to €60,000, is more than just an exhibition of livestock, farm produce, trade stands and jumping - it is a family-orientated event with plenty to keep young and old amused and enthralled.
With free parking and free buses from car parks to the show, Bonniconlon Agricultural Show and Gymkhana 2025 will have a jam-packed programme that prides itself on offering something of interest for everyone. So watch out for further news over the coming months.
Trade stand applications have just opened, and the organisers welcome new traders as well as those traders who have come to Bonniconlon Show down through years.
Traders can download an application form and register now on the show’s website at www.bonniconlonshow.ie. You can also email bonniconlonshowtradestand@gmail.com for further details about trading.
Among the Bealtaine Festival 2025 events in Ballina is a viewing of the work of visual artist Clare Henderson, followed by a drawing workshop with Clare using charcoal and erasers.
Clare will guide participants in choosing a subject, using a viewfinder, setting up a drawing area and working with the materials.
Bealtaine Festival is an initiative of Age & Opportunity, the national organisation that promotes active and engaged living for people as they get older.
The event in Ballina is run under Mayo County Council’s Arts Services programme which this year includes free performances, workshops and tours across County Mayo.
The Clare Henderson event will be held in the Co-Working Space of IQ Ballina, located just off Market Square, on Tuesday, May 6, from 1.30pm.
Booking can be made by calling the Mayo Arts Office on 094-9064086 or by emailing mayoarts@mayococo.ie. The event is free to attend.
Congratulations have been extended by the Parish of Kilmoremoy, Ballina, to Shane Rafferty, Offaly and Shirley Bracken, Offaly on their recent marriage.
Friends of St Joseph's Hospital, Ballina has teamed up with Ballina Community Clean-Up Group, Mayo Volunteer Centre and other local community groups to help provide much-needed enhancement to the grounds of Ballina Community Hospital.
Dedicated volunteers turn out weekly to give up their own time and to make the grounds tidy and accessible. These groups want to enhance and improve the grounds to make it a warmer, more aesthetically pleasing location for its patients, visitors, staff and surrounding neighbours.
The first major milestone of this project will be the painting of the hospital itself which will be followed by a host of other important works. However, the volunteers now need your help.
Almost everyone in the area has, at one time or another, had a loved one being cared for in the hospital and locals are being asked for their support to help the volunteers continue in their efforts to enhance the hospital campus.
All funds raised will go directly to supplying materials to the volunteers to carry out their work, with the initial priority being the painting of the hospital itself. A GoFundMe online page has been set up, with a target of raising €4,500 and further details are available through the social media pages of any of the organisations involved.
Tá Club Cúpla Focal ag cruinniú i dteach tábhairne Rouses ar 5ú Bealtaine, ó 8-11 a chlog. Ceol agus comhluadar, cúpla focal agus siamsaíocht le cairde agus le ceoltóirí áitiúla. Ceapairí, tae agus caife ar fáil. Fáilte roimh chách. Bígí linn!
Craoibhín Ballina activities this week will feature a range of classes offering a choice of interesting topics for everyone.
Tomorrow (Wednesday), the centre has seated exercises between 10 and 11am, followed by a Spanish conversation class for one hour from 11am. In the afternoon you can enjoy a bingo session from 2 to 4pm.
On Thursday there’s boccia from 11am to 1pm and chair yoga from 2.30 to 3.30pm.
An art class will be held in the centre from 10am to 12pm on Friday, with Irish conversation from 12.30 to 2pm. And the Craoibhín Ballina shopping bus service also operates on Friday.
Next Monday will see French conversation from 9.45 to 10.45am, while knitting and crochet classes are from 10am to 12 noon on Tuesday.
Craoibhín Ballina is located on Cathedral Road, Ballina, next door to St Muredach’s Cathedral.
For more information, please call the centre on 087-2785365.
Liquid Motion Triathlon Club, Ballina is to host a Try-A-Tri for over 18s and registration is now open.
The event will include a 200m swim, a 7k bike ride and a 2k run, and will take place on Saturday, May 10, at 8.30am. It commences in the pool of the Great National Hotel.
Following last year’s successful Ballina outing, Try-A-Tri has become a firm favourite and is a great way to dip your toe into the world of triathlon.
More information is available from the social media pages of the Ballina-based Liquid Motion Triathlon Club or you can book online through the Triathlon Ireland website.
A date has been confirmed for the annual Yeast Meets West Craft Brew Festival in Ballina.
This year’s event marks the 10th anniversary of the festival and will be held on Saturday, August 30, at Kathleen Lynn Lane, located between O’Rahilly Street and Teeling Street car park. Along with a range of craft beers, the event will also feature live music and food.
The results of the game played by members of Ballina Bridge Club on Tuesday, April 14, were as follows: 1st, David Hackett and Val Baynes; 2nd, Ethel Walker and Amy Maguire; 3rd, Bill Thomas and Ger Moran; 4th, Mary Corcoran and Breeda Mulkearns; 5th, Helena Moran and Mary Gilvarry; and 6th, Breedge Mulligan and Ann Ivers.
The game took place in The Moy Club.
The crew from Ballina Fire Station will take part in the River Moy Half Marathon this year as a fundraiser for two important charities - Foxford & District Alzheimer Trust (FACT) and Jamie’s Echo.
The retained firefighters of the Ballina service are preparing hard for the race, and have opened an iDonate page online to accept contributions from the public.
Explaining their involvement, the crew members say: "Alzheimer's disease is a cruel thief, gradually stealing the memories, personalities and independence of those we love. It is a devastating condition that impacts not only the individual but also their families and communities.
"This is why the crew of Ballina Fire Service is raising funds for Foxford & District Alzheimer Trust (FACT) Social Club and Memories Charity Shop. Your contribution will make a real difference in the lives of those battling Alzheimer's. Every donation will help fund this vital service, which provides comfort, dignity and a better quality of life for those affected."
Jamie’s Echo is a charity whose purpose is to raise funds to buy a vital Echocardiograph machine for the Special Care Baby Unit of Mayo University Hospital. This is a piece of equipment that will benefit everyone who uses the Castlebar hospital.
Donations to Ballina Fire Fighters Fundraiser are now being accepted via iDonate.
The River Moy Half Marathon will be held on Saturday, May 17, starting from Ballina Rugby Club at 10am.
