Around Mayo's towns and villages. . .Ballina
BALLINA NEWS
WREATH LAYING CEREMONY
THE first event of Ballina 2023 featured a wreath laying ceremony at the Humbert Memorial, Ballina, January 3 last.
With opening remarks by Declan Turnbull, head of Ballina Municipal District, Councillor Mark Duffy, cathaoirleach of Ballina MD, Catherine Gagneaux, French Honorary Consul for Connacht, and Sharon Horkan, In Humbert's Footsteps, lay wreaths.
This ceremony took place to honour 200 years since the death of General Humbert. Ballina 2023 is also collaborating with the French Embassy, Ballina Municipal District and In Humbert’s Footsteps to commemorate the ‘Year of the French'. Events will take place throughout the year, including a festival from August 19 to 22, marking 200 years since the death of General Humbert and 225 years since his landing in Killala Bay.
The year 2023 also celebrates 30 years of Ballina's twinning with Athis-Mons in France.
SEWING CLASSES
Ballina Costume Company has released dates for sewing classes for children. The classes will start on Thursday, January 19, for a six-week period, finishing on Thursday, February 23. Class times are as follows: 3.30 to 5.30 p.m. for children aged from eight to 12 (sewing machine classes); 5.45 to 7.45 p.m. for children aged 12 plus ’(sewing machine classes); 3.30 to 5.30 p.m. hand sewing only for all ages.
The classes will be held in the Jackie Clarke Collection. The cost for the six weeks is €120. Places are limited to 12 per class. Booking is essential. Pre-payment is required; booking will be taken through Facebook or WhatsApp.
PIETA HOUSE
Pieta House provides counselling, therapy and support to individuals, couples, families and children who have been bereaved by suicide or feeling suicidal. Pieta operates an outreach service from Ballina Family Resource Centre on Tuesdays and Thursdays (by appointment only). For more information or to make an appointment, contact (093) 25586.
CHAMBER OF COMMERCE
Ballina Chamber of Commerce is advising local businesses to join up today. In a Facebook post, the Chamber said: “Joining your Chamber of Commerce is still a winning strategy in 2023. Today, more than ever, business is global and online. However, your Chamber of Commerce tends to have a local focus, with many of our activities still taking place offline and in person.
“Belonging to your local Chamber will be a key support to your business as we move into 2023. If you haven't joined your local Chamber yet, make this the year.”
You can find out more at https://lnkd.in/eR49xSEd.
DEDICATED CHILDREN’S MASS
Every Sunday, Kilmoremoy parish celebrates a dedicated children’s Mass at 10 a.m. in St. Patrick’s Church, Ballina.
The Parish Council would like to thank the children’s Mass committee, all the key volunteers and supporters, and the schools, principals and teachers who make these liturgies happen for the benefit of the children of the parish. Why not come along as a family?
Thank you also to the children who participate in the singing, the music and the readings, and to their parents who support their involvement and take them to church.
RUGBYTOTS
Why not try something new with your little person this new year? Check out Rugbytots at www.rugbytots.ie, with classes for two-year-olds to six-year-olds taking place in Ballina.
THANKS
Kilmoremoy Parish Council would like to thank parishioners for their generosity to the priests’ Christmas collection and the collections during the year.
Boxes of envelopes for the parish collections and for the Cathedral restoration fund have been distributed for 2023. If you have not received a box of envelopes or if you would rathe make a contribution using a standing order, contact the parish office on (096) 70555. You are asked to complete a tax rebate form if you donated €250 or more in the year. Your support is appreciated.
Thanks also to everybody who made the parish carol service at St. Muredach’s Cathedral on December 18 last such a prayerful and uplifting occasion. Thanks to the Cathedral Choir, Rejoice Gospel Choir, Children’s Choir and the Cathedral Boys Choir, to the choir directors, the musicians and Ray Forde on sound. Thanks to the children and their parents, all the individuals and families who left gifts at the crib for distribution by St. Vincent de Paul in the community. The generosity made a huge difference to families this Christmas.
BACK WITH A VENGEANCE!
Ballina Salmon Festival – the oldest community festival in Ireland along the Wild Atlantic Way – is back with a vengeance! From National HeritageDay to a seven-day action-packed children’s programme, the festival has something for everyone.
This year, Ballina Salmon Festival will run from July 8 to 15, and will be one of the signature events as part of Ballina 2023 – a year-long celebration that will mark the 300th anniversary of the official founding of the town featuring a series of public events throughout the year.
MINDSPACE OUTREACH
Mindspace Mayo offers a support service to young people (aged from 12 to 25) presenting with anything from common concerns such as dealing with a break-up, exam stress or bullying to young people with emerging mental health difficulties like mild depression and anxiety.
The outreach service runs two days a week (Monday and Friday) and is based in Ballina Family Resource Centre. For further information on Mindspace Mayo, log on to www.mindspacemayo.ie or telephone (094) 9067001.
UNDERSTANDING SELF-HARM
An 'Understanding Self-Harm’ course will be held in the Newman Institute, Cathedral Close, Ballina, on Wednesday, March 8, from 9.30 a.m. to 4.30 p.m. To book a place, telephone (087) 0681294 or email orla.tallott@hse.ie. All are welcome.
CASH FOR CLOBBER
If you are doing a clear-out of your house, Ballina Family Resource Centre will accept clothes, shoes, handbags, etc, as a 'cash for clobber' fundraiser. Bags are available in the centre; just drop in and collect them. For more information, call (087) 0618525
WEEK OF PRAYER
The four Churches – Church of Ireland, Methodist, Presbyterian and Roman Catholic – will hold their Service of Prayer in St. Michael’s Church of Ireland, Ballina, on Wednesday, January 18, at 7 p.m. All are welcome.
SENIOR ALERT SCHEME
Are you aged 65 or over, living alone or with another eligible person in the Ballina area?
If so, you may be entitled to apply for the Senior Alert Scheme, which is a personal alarm connected to a monitoring station. If you or a friend or a neighbour matches this criteria, call (096) 75573 for more details.
CINEMA BABY CLUB
Baby Club screenings at IMC Ballina are designed to give parents and their babies a comfortable, stress-free environment to relax and enjoy the latest films.
Lights will be kept at a dimmed level throughout and the volume will be reduced to ensure comfort for you and your little ones.
The screenings, which will be starting soon, will also give new parents a place to meet and socialise without having to worry about arranging a babysitter.
LAY LEADERSHIP
The Newman Institute, in response to the Diocese of Killala Placing Hope in Faith Synodal Pathway, is offering a part-time Certificate in Lay Leadership: Theology, Culture and Ministry.
Enrolment is open until January 31 and the course will commence on Tuesday, February 21.
For further details or to reserve a place, telephone (096) 2066 or email reception@newman.ie.
THE CRIPPLE OF INISHMAAN
Set on the remote island of Inishmaan, off the west coast of Ireland, in the 1930s, The Cripple of Inishmaan, written by Martin McDonagh, is about a young man called Billy Claven whose parents died at sea when he was a baby.
He has been raised by two soft-hearted foster aunts, Kate and Eileen. Relentlessly ridiculed by the other islanders, 'Cripple Billy' seizes a chance to escape the tedium of his confined life on Inishmaan and become a famous actor when an American film crew comes to the neighbouring island to make the film Man of Aran.
Many of the islanders are excited to be part of it – but none more than young Billy, who develops a reckless scheme to escape the tedium of his grim life.
The play will be staged at Ballina Arts Centre on February 4 and 5 next, at 8 p.m. both nights. Early booking is advised. See ballinaartscentre.com for details.
ACTIVE RETIREMENT
Ballina Active Retirement Association will re-open for business on Thursday (January 12), with a quiz scheduled for January 18 in the Pastoral Centre at 2 p.m. and whist pencilled in for January 25, also in the Pastoral Centre at 2 p.m.
The BARA annual general meeting and election of officers will take place on January 19. Additional events will be discussed when the new committee takes over.
MAYO CANCER SUPPORT
Mayo Cancer Support provides free support services to those affected by cancer at Rock Rose House in Castlebar and (by appointment only) at an outreach centre in Ballina every Tuesday.
Call (094) 9038407 or (087) 2804164 for full details.
THE WELLNESS HOUR
Since collaborating, comic father and daughter duo Pat and Faye Shortt have written and performed two hilarious online shows – The Wellness Hour with Paaah and Sile and Pat Shortt’s Comedy Heads.
Now the pair bring their madcap characters to the stage in Well, and it's coming to Ballina Arts Centre on February 10 next.
The show follows the unfortunate demise of a dad and daughter country and Irish music duo as they attempt to ascend the heights of their local music scene by playing a gig in the town’s hotel.
Well showcases the extraordinary comedy talents of this funny pairing and their exceptional ability to bring humour to the most everyday situation with an array of superbly funny characters.
Tickets cost €30 and early booking is strongly advised. Find out more at ballinaartscentre.com.
WORKSHOP
Grievances, Disciplinaries & Unfair Dismissals – Pitfalls to avoid! is a free event, presented by Sue Baird and organised by Ballina.ie and Ballina Chamber of Commerce, taking place on Tuesday, January 31, from 9 to 11 a.m. (venue to be confirmed).
This short workshop is aimed at giving employers insights into what processes should be followed and what pitfalls to aware of in the event of a grievance, disciplinary breach or gross misconduct arising.
While this is a free workshop, booking is essential at www.eventbrite.ie.