'Rince leis na Réaltaí' will be taking place in the Great National Hotel, Ballina on Sunday, March 16, commencing at 8pm. It’s a fundraising event for Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol and is modelled on the popular television show Dancing With The Stars.

A Manchester-based utilities and infrastructure service provider with strong ties to counties Mayo and Sligo recently had teams on the ground in the west of Ireland assisting the ESB with its response to Storm Éowyn.

Tenders are been sought for the building of the new 5th Mayo Scout and Community Hall in Belleek, Ballina, for which funding of €1,152,000 was secured 11 months ago under the Community Centres Investment Fund.

A Mayo man who lost his seven-month-old son in tragic circumstances four years ago has raised vital funds for an organisation that helped him through this difficult period.

Ardagh Community Players return to the stage with their forthcoming production of the compelling drama, Home is the Hero, by Galway playwright Walter Macken for a two-night run this Thursday and Friday, March 6th and 7th, commencing at 8pm nightly ...

Fine Gael Senator Mark Duffy has called for the Seanad to raise a commencement matter with the Minister for Housing James Browne over land zoning for housing in local area plans.

Ireland Reads Day, celebrated by libraries all over Ireland, got off to a great start in Ballina Library on Saturday, February 22, with the official launch of the initiative by Minister for Social Protection Dara Calleary.

John O’Conor, one of the world’s foremost classical piano players, and widely regarded as the finest pianist that Ireland has ever produced, returns to Ballina for a concert next month, supported by Ballina Lions Club.

Mayo County Council is shifting its focus from building three-bed family homes to developing one and two-bed properties.

Mayo Roscommon Hospice was delighted to receive a cheque recently for €5,222 from Ballina’s Carmel McLoughlin and friends. Carmel wanted to give something back to the charity organisation in memory of her close friend, the late Elizabeth Langdon.

Councillors in Ballina have said it is important that young people continue to be encouraged to engage with Town Centre First (TCF) planning.

Mayo councillors are calling for the imposition of a tax on holiday homes and the regulation of the Airbnb sector. Fine Gael Cllr Peter Flynn raised the matter at last Thursday's meeting of Mayo Co Council's housing strategic policy committee (SPC).

The Cathaoirleach of the Ballina Municipal District has described recent allocations for road projects in the municipal district as "embarrassing". Cllr Michael Loftus welcomed the overall allocation of €40.

Councillors in the Ballina Municipal District will seek an urgent meeting with the Minister for Local Government James Browne after he ruled that no material alterations will be made to the draft Local Area Plan despite several submissions from ...

Mayo County Council currently has 21 vacant housing units in the Ballina Municipal District, writes Paul O'Malley.

Minister Dara Calleary has welcomed an exciting new cultural exchange between Ballina and its twin town in the USA, Scranton in Pennsylvania.

The Ballina community came together on Thursday, February 13, for a fundraising quiz and raffle in support of the Water for Gaza Project, raising an impressive €4,000 at a packed Cot and Cobble.

A local councillor has claimed that the N58 road linking Ballyvary to Foxford has deteriorated from "a first to a third world" route, writes Joan Geraghty.

The first meeting of Moy Canoe Club's new committee was held this week.  Now in its 39th year, Moy Canoe Club is one of the longest-established water-based clubs in Ballina and one of the oldest kayak clubs in Ireland.

Social and affordable housing issues are among the top concerns for local councillors in Mayo, last week's meeting of the county council heard.

A local councillor has called for speed ramps to be installed on a Ballina street to prevent speeding at the location.

Ballina locals Ivan Beattie, Patsy Beattie, Joyce O'Hara, Breege Langan, Joe Langan, Sinead Langan, Carmel Langan, John Langan, Mary Martin, Ann Beattie, Pauline Doherty and Geraldine Quinn are urging their community to turn daffodil yellow on ...

Jason continues to live in Ballina today, and his love of dance music is greater than ever.

Mayo Fine Gael TD, Keira Keogh, has raised urgent concerns in the Dáil regarding the Defective Concrete Block Scheme, calling on the Government to provide clear timelines for a planned review and the implementation of retrospective grant increases.

People in Mayo are being urged to ‘get lost in a good book’ on Saturday, February 22, as Ireland Reads Day comes to libraries nationwide. In Ballina Library, a ‘Read-A-Loud’ event will be held from 10am to 4pm.

Newly elected Fine Gael Senator Mark Duffy used his maiden Seanad speech to reiterate calls he has previously made for a reform of local democracy.

HeritACT Ballina, in collaboration with Mayo County Council, has announced a series of participatory workshops aimed at uncovering and celebrating the rich cultural heritage of Ballina.

Spring into comedy at Ballina Arts Centre It has become one of the busiest community arts centres in the North West, constantly reflecting the diverse range of talent which thrives in this country, but top-class comedy will take centre stage at ...

The people who go back to education later in life are heroes. They really are admirable. They reach a fork in the road and they take a brave decision.

The TF Royal Castlebar has revealed the winners of its 2025 Golden Ticket Competition, an incredible prize worth over €10,000! This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity grants two lucky winners VIP access to every live entertainment event at the TF Royal ...

Quiz mania for primary school students The largest annual quiz competition of its type in Ireland gets going again for this year on Friday, February 7.

Blue raincoat, one of Ireland's most innovative theatre companies, bring their latest production, entitled The Last Pearl, to Ballina Arts Centre on Wednesday, February 19th.

Ballina-based councillor Mark Duffy has won election to Seanad Éireann. Cllr Duffy was one of three Fine Gael candidates to win seats from the 11-seat Labour Panel. He was elected on the 13th count this morning (Sunday).

Drama lovers will be delighted to hear that Riverside Theatre Group are back on the Ballina Arts Centre stage this week with a production of Sean O’Casey’s classic, Juno and the Paycock.

The outgoing chairperson of Ballina Credit Union, Mark Winters, has been praised for his vision and leadership of the organisation over the past four years by the new chair, David Dwane.

Geantraí, the beloved Irish traditional music series, returns for its 19th season with a fresh approach, capturing the rich musical landscape of Ireland like never before.

A local councillor has called for urgent action to be taken to repair an important amenity in Ballina. Ballina Men’s Shed provides a social and creative outlet for men in the local community.

The finishing touches are being put to the 2025 St Mary’s Secondary School musical in the all-girls state-of-the-art school campus.

Ballina Municipal District Council has given an update on plans to take charge of two estates within the town.

Order of Malta recognition for Brian Ballina Order of Malta Ambulance Corps made a presentation recently to Lieut Brian Cronin in recognition of his service as Officer-in-Charge of the group over the past five years.

A Director of Services with Mayo County Council has expressed concern over the handling of recent allocations under the Active Travel scheme.

Planning permission has been granted for the development of a substantial number of houses on the Killala Road in Ballina.

Mayo Mental Health Association (MMHA) is aiming to build on a hugely successful 2024. The assocation’s mission is to promote positive mental health and wellbeing for individuals and communities.

Mayo writer Colin Barrett has won the Nero Book Awards debut fiction prize for his first novel, Wild Houses. The novel, which is set in Ballina, is about a small-town drugs feud, a kidnapping and a life-altering weekend.

Theatre and music fans will have the opportunity to see two unique, inspiring and highly entertaining performances at Ballina Arts Centre this week.

Róisín Cryan (28) from Ard Na Sí, Attyrory, Carrick-on-Shannon, Leitrim, was the partner of Mayo senior footballer Conor Loftus (29).

Mayo North Tourism membership now open Mayo North Tourism has officially launched its 2025 membership drive, inviting businesses from across Ballina and North Mayo to join forces in supporting a dedicated marketing and promotion fund for the region.

Ballina is preparing to submit an application to bring the All-Ireland Fleadh Cheoil na hÉireann back to the town in 2028, 30 years since it last hosted the iconic traditional music festival.

Mayo North Tourism membership now open Mayo North Tourism has officially launched its 2025 membership drive, inviting businesses from across Ballina and North Mayo to join forces in supporting a dedicated marketing and promotion fund for the region.

There are two prime development sites with full planning permission on the market in the north Mayo and west Sligo region with a guide price of over €1 million.

Mayo’s rental crisis continues to escalate and there are fewer than 50 properties to rent in the county with the majority coming at a sky-high cost. Anything available for less than €1,000 a month is a rarity with some exceeding the €2,000 mark.

The renovation of the former Sisters of Mercy Convent in Ballina has made huge strides in the last six months and is proving a great example of what a community-led initiative can achieve.

It’s often said ‘the greatest trick the devil ever pulled is to convince the world he didn’t exist’, and while the validity of that statement is up for debate what certainly isn’t, in this reporter’s humble opinion, is that one of the greatest ...

Lucy Murphy, from St Mary's Secondary School in Ballina, has been recognised as a finalist in this year’s Poetry Aloud competition. The competition challenges second-level students across the island of Ireland to recite a prescribed poem from memory.

My favourite day of the year is Christmas Eve. As the song says, it’s the most wonderful time of the year. For many there is a lot of work to come, but with all provisions having hopefully been made, Christmas Eve itself is a day to savour.

Pleas to Mayo County Council to grit a busy Mayo road this winter have fallen on deaf ears.

The Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth has reiterated its stance that it is not "currently" considering the former site of a Ballina secondary school to accommodate international protection applicants – despite a ...

Mayo North Tourism, the organisation dedicated to promoting North Mayo and its surrounds as a vibrant tourism destination, continues to make a significant impact on the local economy.

The Head of Marine with Mayo County Council has said the county must have capital projects lined up to make the most of funding opportunities that could emerge in the future.

The Mayo. ie Western People West of Ireland Women’s Mini-Marathon is to be shared between Castlebar and Ballina over the next two years. Mayo Sports Partnership, which organises the mini-marathon in conjunction with the Western People and Mayo.

Ballina student Lucy O’Hora received top accolades at the conferring ceremony at Carlow College, St Patrick's, in Carlow town.

Former St Muredach's College student Darragh Hopkins revisited his alma mater recently in support of the school’s non-uniform day.

Rock music features large on the musical line-up this spring at Ballina Arts Centre.

Councillors in the Ballina Municipal District have agreed to spend an unused portion of General Municipal Allocation (GMA) on improvement works at Ballina Athletics Track in Belleek.

St Stephens Day sees the return to Ballina of the Big Christmas Charity Paddle after a short hiatus.

A local councillor has called on Mayo's five TDs to find the money to tackle overgrowing trees that are causing havoc during weather events such as the recent Storms Bert and Darragh.

Mayo County Council has granted planning permission to Ballina Beverages (Coca-Cola Ballina) for the development of a solar farm that will produce the majority of its current electrical demand.The development will consist of a solar PV farm on a ...

Ballina has given the world many legendary figures, some of whom are memorialised in the town. Next one up to be commemorated is Edward Whelan who was born 200 years ago (1824).

Ballina Arts Centre has partnered with Ballina Manor Hotel to offer a dinner theatre special for upcoming performances in January.

With a seat added and Michael Ring retiring, everyone knew there would be at least one new face heading to Leinster House to represent Mayo in the 34th Dáil.

This year, Ballina Meals on Wheels is marking 55 years since the service was first established by the Sisters of Mercy in 1969.

St Vincent de Paul (SVP) in Ballina has seen an increase in requests for assistance with rent arrears, counselling, fuel, car repairs, household bills and education costs.

The Ballina branch of Soroptimist International hosted an Orange Café event last week as part of its contribution to the Orange the World campaign, a movement which aims to raise awareness and combat violence against women and girls.

Ever-evolving Ballina-based folk band Billow Wood has taken the inspiration for its latest single from a Behy Beg woman, Maisie O’Donnell, who emigrated from Mayo to America in 1909.

River Moy Search and Rescue fundraising River Moy Search and Rescue is asking those who would like to help in its fundraising efforts, but who were unable to contribute to the organisation’s street collection in Ballina on Friday last, to consider ...

Season’s Greetings from all of us at Peter Maguire Audiology Ltd. ! As we celebrate the festive season, it's a time of connection, laughter, and cherished moments with loved ones.

The homes themselves will be built to modern, A-energy-rated standards.

Matches and Old Flames is the latest work by playwright and broadcaster Tommy Marren and is hitting the boards across three Mayo venues in the weeks ahead with shows in Claremorris, Louisburgh and Ballina.

The Ballina Arts Centre overturned a €26,000 deficit at the end of 2022 into a surplus of €30,000 by the end of the following year.

House prices in Westport are almost twice as expensive as Ballyhaunis, data from the Central Statistics Office (CSO) has revealed.

Callan Tansey’s joint managing partner David O’Malley was among the lawyers recognised at the 2024 European Legal Awards in Budapest recently.

Not many people can say they have published a book by the age of 16. Ronan Doyle, from Ballina, is one of the few. On November 1, Wild Atlantic Tunes was launched in bookshops across Mayo and Sligo.

The return of Ballycastle to the Tidy Towns competition has been hailed by councillors in the Ballina Municipal District. Members also commended Ballina for picking up a silver medal in the annual competition, sponsored by SuperValu.

In what is almost a tradition by now, councillors in the Ballina Municipal District have rejected their draft budgetary plan as they do not wish to adopt it before the full county council budget.

A local councillor has expressed concern over what he described as a "heavy-handed" approach to parking administration in Ballina of late.

In the 27 years since Mayo became a five-seat constituency, Ballina has only elected two TDs on one occasion.

Last year when US President Joe Biden visited Ballina and, from outside St Muredach’s Cathedral, addressed thousands of people encircled at every possible vantage-point around the loop of the two bridges, I thought of those who at a time of endemic, ...

Cllr Mark Duffy, who is running for a seat in Mayo in next Friday's general election, has expressed his strong support for the inclusion of key regional priorities in Fine Gael’s manifesto.

Two local participants in the 2024 Credit Union Art Competition have been selected to go forward to the national finals of the prestigious event, following their selection last week at chapter/regional level.

Councillors in Ballina have repeated called for the IDA Park in Ballina be given priority for development.

Councillors in the Ballina Municipal District have expressed disappointment that the Mary Robinson Centre has yet to be finished.

Ballina will find out on Friday next if it is to become the European Volunteering Capital in 2026. The North Mayo capital is one of just three European towns shortlisted for the prestigious title alongside Maia in Portugal and Rzeszów in Poland.

Members of the public are encouraged to have their say about the renovation of the Old Garda Barracks on Walsh Street in Ballina at a workshop taking place this week.

A public meeting will take place on Tuesday evening in Ballina about the Occupied Territories Bill (OTB).

The head of Mayo Co Council's Roads Design Office (RDO) gave an update at last week's Claremorris-Swinford Municipal District meeting on several major projects.