15Mar

RISE Legacy Programme Workshop: Accessing Arts Council Funding – Thursday, March 23

March 15, 2023 darkblue.ie@gmail.com

As part of our RISE Legacy Programme, Ballina 2023 is delighted to invite members of the Ballina and North Mayo communities to participate in a Capacity Building Workshop: “Accessing Arts Council Festival Funding” with Karl Wallace, Head of Festivals at the Arts Council of Ireland.

Date: Thursday March 23, 2023
Time: 2pm
Venue: Online (register by emailing info@ballina2023.ie to receive the Zoom link).

About this event

Karl Wallace, Head of Festivals with the Arts Council will provide an information session to those interested in applying for funding from the Arts Council of Ireland’s Festivals funding streams.

The session will take place online over Zoom and will be for Ballina-based artists, arts organisations, producers and festivals.

The event is FREE but please confirm your attendance to info@ballina2023.ie by Monday, March 20, 2023 in order to receive the Zoom link.

15Mar

Shannon Medals GAA Tournament – Saturday March 25

March 15, 2023 darkblue.ie@gmail.com

The revived Shannon Medals GAA Tournament, first played in 1960, will welcome GAA football teams from Mayo, Donegal, Tyrone and Roscommon for a one-day football blitz

Saturday, March 25 is a day for GAA fans far and near not to miss, as Ballina’s legendary Shannon Medals Football Tournament is revived after a three-decade absence as part of the Ballina 2023 celebrations. In a unique collaboration, Ballina Stephenites and Knockmore GAA will welcome visiting teams from St Eunan’s of Letterkenny, An Charraig Mhór Naomh Colmcille of Tyrone and Roscommon Gaels, for a one-day series of games at senior level, with Kilmoremoy LGFA hosting an underage blitz on Sunday, March 26.*

The Shannon Medals GAA Tournament is proudly supported by Joseph Murphy Ballina Moy Tools & Hardware.

*Update 21 March 2023: A Kilmoremoy LGFA Underage Blitz will take place at a later date, when weather conditions are more favourable.

Past participants in the Shannon Medals Tournament pictured with organiser Gerard Cafferkey and event sponsors Joseph Murphy Ballina Moy Tools and Hardware. From L-R: Jim McGarry, Tommy Lyons, Gerry Leonard, Kenneth Lavelle (Joseph Murphy Ballina Ltd), Gerard Cafferkey, Padraig Ward and Mickey Tighe.

About our Sponsor

For over 107 years, Joseph Murphy Ballina LTD (JMBL) has been a leading wholesale distributor in the Hardware, Agri & DIY Industry operating from a 40,000sqft HQ based in Ballina, supplying their MOY branded products to leading garden centres and hardware stores nationwide. They continually develop new product ranges including their own MOY brands, which encompass MOY Agri, MOY Tools, MOY ladders and much more. Check out josephmurphy.ie for more details.

Tournament Rules

The first games will throw in at 1pm and the event will run until 6pm that evening, with fixtures set for Ballina Stephenites GAA Club (front pitch and Showgrounds pitch) and St Muredach’s College.

The competition format will be a blitz-style league. Each team will play five games in total and each team will play every other team once. Games will be 30 minutes long with 15-minute halves, 15-a-side, with unlimited subs. Substitutions will be made through a fourth official. The league rules are three points for a win, and one point for a draw. If two teams end on the same points, score difference will be used. In the unlikely scenario of equal scores, a penalty shoot-out will decide the winner.

Supporters are welcome to come along and enjoy the action for free.

Schedule of Senior Fixtures

Shannon Medals GAA Ballina graphic schedule of fixtures

Organiser of the event, former Mayo GAA and current Ballina Stephenites footballer Ger Cafferkey, said: “The Shannon Medals Tournament is a legendary competition around Ballina. I’ve really enjoyed talking to former Ballina Stephenites players and players from other clubs who participated in the past about the battles on the pitch and the antics in the clubhouse afterwards, and we’re excited to see where the revival of the tournament takes us this year.”

Kenneth Lavelle, Purchasing Manager with Joseph Murphy Ballina Ltd said: “JMBL and the MOY brand are very proud to sponsor the Shannon Medals 2023 and we wish all the teams a fantastic day on the 25^th. It is amazing to see this event return after over 30 years and what great work Ballina 2023 are doing this year. Best of luck to all the teams, I am sure it will be great day for all!”

Former Ballina Stephenites legend, Denis Coen, is in his third year as the full-time High Performance and Mental Conditioning Coach with An Charraig Mhór Naomh Colmcille in Carrickmore GAA, Tyrone. He said: “We, the management, players, backroom team and officers of the club are really excited about the Shannon Medals Tournament and see it as an opportunity to compete and showcase the quality, brand and philosophy of football we play. I see many similarities in the style, youth, vibrance, talent, pride and tradition of both my home club Ballina Stephenites and An Charraig Mhór Naomh Colmcille.”

Current Ballina Stephenites manager, Niall Heffernan is exiled in Claremorris but played in the Shannon Medals Tournament from 1977 to 1981 and has fond memories: “This was the tournament we looked forward to every year. There was always a great mix of teams, top class competition and great camaraderie in the evenings.”

L-R Ger Cafferkey (Organiser, Shannon Medals), Dylan Thornton (Ballina Stephenites), Keeva Beglin Sweeney (Kilmoremoy LGFA), Padraig Holmes (Knockmore GAA), Linda Beglin Sweeney (Kilmoremoy LGFA.

L-R Dr Lisa Cunningham (Mayo GAA backroom team and Ballina 2023 Ambassador), Kevin McStay (Mayo GAA Senior Manager), Frankie Dolan (Senior Manager, Roscommon Gaels) and Anne-Marie Flynn (Ballina 2023)

History of the tournament

The original Shannon Medals tournament was initiated back in 1960 as a fundraiser for improvements to James Stephens’ Park, and visiting clubs at the time included Tuam Stars, Dunmore MacHales, Castlebar Mitchels, Clerical Students, Western Command and Claremorris GAA. Over the years, the event became a much beloved highlight in the west of Ireland GAA social calendar, as well as offering good competitive games for the participating clubs. The tournament is named for Ballina native and donor of the competition’s original gold medals, Dick Shannon. Dick lined out for Ballina Stephenites and New York GAA, where he eventually settled.

Where are the original Shannon Medals?

The revival of the tournament brings with it the question – where are the Shannon Medals today? Are there former players or family members out there with a rare Shannon Medal in their possession? If so, they are warmly invited to get in touch with Ballina 2023 via email to info@ballina2023.ie, so they can be acknowledged on the day.

Event Sponsors

Event Partners

15Mar

Ballina Soroptimists Springtime Lunch, April 1

March 15, 2023 darkblue.ie@gmail.com

The Ballina Branch of the Soroptimists invites you to their annual Springtime Lunch!

Date: April 1, 2023

Time: 3pm

Venue: Kennedy Glasgow House, The Quay, Ballina, F26 RH58

Tickets: €50

A fabulous afternoon of entertainment is in store, with proceeds in aid of Mayo Roscommon Hospice and the Turkey/Syria Earthquake fund.

Special guests on the day: Buck Taylor and Keith McDonald.

Tickets include a complimentary cocktail, and are available from Marian (087 7985986). Lorraine (087 2198024) or any member of the Soroptimists.

15Mar

Ballina Rowing Club Official Launch and Regatta – Saturday, April 15

March 15, 2023 darkblue.ie@gmail.com

Ballina Rowing Club launches its new eight-seater boat with a coxswain - the first of its kind ever on the River Moy. Photo: John O’Grady / Western People

Date: Saturday, April 15

Time: TBC

Location: The Quay, Ballina

Ballina Rowing Club was founded during the Covid-19 pandemic, and has developed quickly in that time.

As well as purchasing new equipment, including its brand new 65-foot eight-seater boat with coxswain, the club is working on plans to install a new floating dock at the Quay, making access to the river easier and safer.

On Saturday, April 15 Ballina Rowing Club will be formally launched. Event plans to be announced shortly.

Out on the Moy – Saturday, April 15

March 15, 2023 darkblue.ie@gmail.com

Join us for an empowering evening celebrating the LGBTQ+ community and experience the uplifting sounds of Glória LGBT+ Choir and Rejoice Gospel Choir as they perform their inspiring music.

Location: Ballina Arts Centre

Time: 8pm (doors open at 7.30pm)

Ticket: €20 (early booking advised)

Don’t miss out on this incredible night! Get your tickets today HERE and let’s come together as a community for a night of love, acceptance, and unity.

Book tickets now

07Mar

Ballina Salmon Weir Guided Tour – Friday April 28

March 7, 2023 darkblue.ie@gmail.com

A Partnership with Inland Fisheries Ireland

The Moy Fishery is probably one of the most productive salmon fisheries in western Europe, where historical catches of over 5,000 salmon have been recorded in a single season. Its entire length, of just over 2½ km, is located within the Ballina town boundaries.

Originally thought to have been built in the 16th Century, the Ballina Salmon Weir is situated on the lower end of the River Moy and has remained functional since that time.

It is a protected structure and was newly refurbished in 2011 going on to win the National Tidy Towns Heritage Award from the Heritage Council. The new-look weir features hydraulic gates, cranes and a series of fish counters which replaced the old fishing traps enabling free passage of salmon upriver while also providing valuable data on salmon stocks and fish numbers to IFI.

For the first time in Ballina, Inland Fisheries Ireland will offer a series of public guided tours that will provide participants the rare opportunity to experience first-hand the Ballina Salmon Weir. Tours will feature a Health & Safety induction tour of the salmon weir structure and weir building, insight into the history of the Moy Fishery and salmon weir and a familiarisation of the fish counters and hydraulics.

Tour participants must wear personal protective equipment, which will be provided, be over 1.4m in height and be 12 years of age or older.

Bookings

Spaces on the Salmon Weir Tour are limited to 6 per tour. To register your interest, please email us with ‘Salmon Weir Tour’ in the subject line.

Event Partners

06Mar

Mayo Day 2023 – Saturday, April 29

March 6, 2023 darkblue.ie@gmail.com

Time: All day

Venue/Locations: Ballina Town Centre

Schedule: Event announcements to follow. Visit mayo.ie/mayo-day-2023 for updates.

Mayo Day is a celebration of Mayo people and the spirit of County Mayo all around the world, led by Mayo County Council and Mayo.ie.

It is an acknowledgement of all that is great about our county and its people, and a day in the year that Mayo people can claim for ourselves to celebrate our achievements and successes.

Ballina 2023 is proud to welcome the flagship festival event to Ballina for the first time in its history, and looks forward to welcoming people from near and far to the town, where there will be something on offer for all the family.

Visit Mayo.ie

Invitation to Mayo-based Craft Producers

Mayo-based craft producers are invited to avail of the opportunity to exhibit and sell at the #MayoDay 2023 in the heart of Ballina on April 29th. If you would like to take part on the day, fill out the application here:

Apply now

Event Partner

05Mar

Mayo.ie Western People Women’s Mini Marathon – Sunday, April 30

March 5, 2023 darkblue.ie@gmail.com

A large group of female runners in bright colours on a sunny day. The lead runner is checking her watch.

Time: 12 noon

Venue/Location: Market Square, Ballina

The Mayo.ie Western People Women’s Mini-Marathon is to be staged in Ballina for the first time this year, as part of the Ballina 2023 celebrations. This year’s mini-marathon (10km) will be held in Ballina over the Mayo Day weekend on Bank Holiday Sunday, April 30. Sponsored by the Western People, the event attracts hundreds of participants each year.

All levels of ability are welcome to register and participate, and walkers are especially welcome.

The staging of the prestigious event in Ballina is the result of a collaboration between a host of organisations, including Mayo Sports Partnership, local athletics clubs Moy Valley AC and Ballina AC, Ballina Municipal District, Ballina 2023, Mayo.ie and the Western People.

A virtual option will also be available for 2023 with t-shirts and medal posted, to enable you to walk or run from anywhere in the world!

Registration

An Early Bird registration rate of €20 (normally €25) is available until March 26, and in addition, all early bird entries will be in with a chance to win a luxurious overnight stay for two in Mount Falcon Estate, Ballina, with dinner in their award-winning Kitchen Restaurant.

Event Partners

05Mar

Arthur Muffeny Memorial Unveiling – Saturday, April 30

March 5, 2023 darkblue.ie@gmail.com

Arthur Muffeny was one of Ballina’s greatest campaigners, businessmen, philanthropists, industrialists and humanitarians, and was known as a champion of the poor and destitute.

A Land League campaigner and friend of Charles Stewart Parnell and Michael Davitt, Arthur was vociferous in his opposition of landlordism and evictions, serving two prison terms for same.

The story of Arthur Muffeny – a man with a big heart and a brave spirit is not commonly known in Ballina, but that is about to change, as the town honours its past as part of the Ballina 2023 celebrations.

A permanent plaque will be unveiled in Arthur’s honour by the recently formed Arthur Muffeny Commemoration Committee on Sunday, April 30 at 5pm at his former residence at the corner of Pearse Street and Tolan St .(formerly Tyler’s Corner) .

A book, “Ballina’s Forgotten Hero”, co-written by two of Arthur Muffeny’s great grandchildren, Yvonne Ahearn-Kevany and Colum MacDonnell will also be launched on the day.

05Mar

Connacht Fleadh & Festival, June 23 – July 2

March 5, 2023 darkblue.ie@gmail.com

Venue/Location: Ballina Town Centre, St. Mary’s Secondary School Ballina

The Connacht Council of Comhaltas Ceoltoirí Éireann (CCE) has awarded the 2023 Connacht Fleadh to Ballina to coincide with the 300th anniversary of the formal establishment of the town.

The Moy Valley CCÉ and Bofield CCÉ branches of Comhaltas have joined forces to stage the event, which will be held from 23rd June to 2nd July.

Around 2,000 competitors will compete in the Fleadh competitions in a bid to qualify for the All-Ireland Fleadh.

In addition to the competitions, a Fleadh Festival street programme of events is planned for the centre of the town during the week leading into the Fleadh, which will include workshops, ceilis, street entertainment and pub sessions. Ballina will become a Nirvana of celebrations of Irish music and dance for a whole week.

A full programme of events will be announced soon.

Events

About this event

About our Sponsor

Tournament Rules

Schedule of Senior Fixtures

History of the tournament

Where are the original Shannon Medals?

Event Sponsors

Event Partners

Bookings

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Invitation to Mayo-based Craft Producers

Event Partner

Registration

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