Benson says Ballina funding figures were ‘erroneous’

Fri, Nov 23, 2012

Acting Ballina town manager Paul Benson has said that funding figures for tourism and sports projects in the three major towns in the county in the last 18 months that were published this week were “erroneous”. Mr Benson was speaking at the November meeting of Ballina Town Council, where he was giving a presentation on the numerous capital projects that have been undertaken in the town over the past 10 years, by local authorities, other State bodies and private investments. At the start of his presentation he said: “I don’t share that view on the news report on funding for Ballina in relation to Castlebar and Westport, that there is an anti-Ballina bias.”

Moy men’s health evening

Fri, Nov 23, 2012

Moy Sports Forum is hosting a men’s health evening in Ballina Rugby Club on Thursday November 29 from 6pm to 9pm.

Over €360 million invested in capital projects in Ballina in last decade

Fri, Nov 23, 2012

The town of Ballina has benefited to the tune of €364,308,000 from capital investment in the town from both public and private investment over the past decade. The figures were given to the members of Ballina Town Council on Wednesday night by acting town manager Paul Benson in a presentation which had been requested at the previous month’s meeting by councillors.

Killocraun's drummers to feature on Late Late Toy Show

Fri, Nov 23, 2012

The drumming band from Killocraun National School, Crossmolina, are to perform on the Late Late Toy Show on Friday November 30.

West of Ireland home helps to march in Castlebar this Sunday

Fri, Nov 23, 2012

SIPTU home helps and their supporters from across the west of Ireland will march on Sunday, November 25, in Castlebar to protest against cuts to home help services. The workers will assemble in the church car park, Chapel Street, at 1.30pm and march to Market Square.

Luisne Art Project celebrates International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Fri, Nov 23, 2012

Luisne Art Project will launch a new exhibition of art with special guest speaker Denis Toomey, manager of the Irish Paralympic Cycling Team.

Ring announces €33,000 funding for Mayo festivals

Fri, Nov 23, 2012

Minister of State for Tourism and Sport Michael Ring has announced that funding of €33,000 has been approved by Fáilte Ireland for festivals and events taking place in Mayo next year.

Ballina councillors support abbey preservation

Fri, Nov 23, 2012

With the impending dissolution of town councils coming up at the end of their current term in 2014, the members of Ballina Town Council are determined to forge ahead with conservation work on the Augustine Abbey in the town. The abbey which was built in 1423, is the birth place of the town as it is today and the members were give an update on the first phase of restoration works undertaken by the town council in recent weeks. Kevin Keegan, town architect for Ballina Town Council, told the November meeting of the council: “We’ve made some good progress, the ivy on it looked more like a forest than anything else. We were worried about the weight of the ivy which could become top heavy on the ruins.”

Balla school’s musical extravaganza

Fri, Nov 23, 2012

Preparations are well under way at Balla Secondary School for this year's musical which premieres on December 6 and 7. The school has always prided itself on its inclusive spirit and this year has decided to forgo a single musical show to instead present a selection of numbers from some well-loved shows such as Grease, Oliver, and Annie.

Fianna Fáil leader's Westport walkabout

Fri, Nov 23, 2012

During his whistlestop tour of Mayo last week, Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin paid a visit to Westport on Thursday where he enjoyed a meet and greet with people in the town.

Mary Robinson visits NUIG to mark the new Ballina Visitor Centre

Fri, Nov 23, 2012

Former President of Ireland Mary Robinson, visited NUI Galway to mark the beginning of a new partnership with the university around an exciting development for the Ballina region. Recent plans have been unveiled to establish a Mary Robinson Centre in the former president’s home town of Ballina. The centre, supported by Mayo County Council and Ballina Town Council, will be established at Mary Robinson’s birthplace and will include both a visitor centre and an academic research centre, supported by NUI Galway and focused on scholarly research and education in the fields of human rights and women’s leadership.