Balla No Name Club held the lighting ceremony of their Emigrants’ Light of Hope on Tuesday November 15 in the youth centre in Balla.
The light, which is solar powered, will remain constantly lit to symbolise all our people that have emigrated.
Along with the Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council, Cllr Austin Francis O'Malley, other attendees included Cllr Al McDonnell, Cllr Blackie Gavin, Cllr Henry Kenny and Cllr Eugene Mc Cormack. Other guests included Kevin Bourke and members of the Mayo Emigrants Liaison Committee; Michael Feeney and members of the Mayo Peace Park and Garden of Remembrance, and Bernie Divilly, training officer for the No Name Clubs in this region. Special guest and Rehab Person of the Year Charlie Gannon (14 ) did the honours when he formally turned on the Emigrants’ Light of Hope during the ceremony.
The Balla Pipe Band led by Mattie Dowd got events under way, while Paul O’Malley of the Balla No Name Club and comedian Frank Forde entertained guests during the evening.
Cllr O'Malley said that the light offers comfort to those who have emigrated.
