Talk on pension reform for women in Claremorris
A talk on pension rights for women will be held in Curam, Claremorris, on February 7 at 7.30pm. Hosted by the Claremorris Women’s Group, the issue of women not qualifying for the full State pension will be discussed by speakers from the National Women’s Council of Ireland, MABS, and Citizens Information. For further information contact Aine Carr, South West Mayo Development Company on (094 ) 9366692, email: [email protected]. This is supported by the Social Inclusion and Community Activation Programme.
Le Cheile Family Resource Centre events and activities
The parent and toddler group meets each Monday at 10am. Join the Monday Friends group at 10.30am for a chat and a cup of tea. The Women’s Shed meets on Mondays and Wednesdays at 2pm to 4pm. Baby massage classes continue this Tuesday at 10:30am. The basic conversational English class (Fáilte Isteach ) continues this week on Tuesday from 7pm to 9pm, it costs €2 for each class. On Wednesdays, the creative writers meet at 11am to 1pm. On Thursdays the breastfeeding mother support group meets from 10.30am till 12 noon. Knitters meet on Thursdays from 2pm to 4pm, so take your knitting needles and join them for some craic and a cup of tea. Sign language classes continue this Thursday from 7pm to 8.30pm. Little Explorers starts back on Fridays at 2pm. The Latvian group meets on Saturday from 3pm to 5pm. For more information on any of the activities and classes call (094 ) 902 5126 or drop into the centre on Tucker Street, Castlebar.
Tai chi classes in Castlebar
New beginners tai chi class starts Tuesday, January 30 at 10am in the Social Services Centre, Castle Street Car Park. For more information contact Tom on (087 ) 6709128.
Balla Active Retired Group
Balla Active Retired Association activities take place in Balla Community Resource Centre Friday afternoons at 3pm. You can avail of transport to collect you and leave you home afterwards. If you would like to join, feel free to go along. For more information contact Mary Jo on (087 ) 1268420.
Seated exercise classes - Ballina
Seated exercise classes for people with arthritis and fibromyalgia start Monday, January 29 and will run for eight weeks in The Newman Institute Ballina at 7pm. To book your place call (086 ) 0657315, or email [email protected]. Adapted seated exercise aims to improve your physical wellbeing while working on muscle strength and flexibility. This exercise class is a seated class and suitable for people with all levels of joint mobility. The leader will work with you in a group environment to design a workable programme based on what you can do.
St Brigid’s crosses at the National Museum
February 1 – or St Brigid’s Day – marks the beginning of spring in the traditional Irish calendar and was an important festival for our rural ancestors. Celebrate some age-old spring customs at the National Museum of Ireland - Country Life, Turlough Park, Castlebar, on Sunday, January 28. Join the museum’s education team from 2.30pm to 4.30pm to learn more about St Brigid and make St Brigid’s crosses. No booking is required. Admission is free.
Recycling Ambassador Programme - get your bin sorted
A free interactive workshop will be held in Kilmaine Community Centre on Monday January 29 at 8pm, given by Voice Ireland and hosted by Kilmaine Village Enhancement Group to improve recycling rates and reduce levels of contamination in household recycling bins. Spaces are limited, to book contact Ann or Marian on (087 ) 9860972 or (087 ) 9567020.
Ballyhaunis Fit4life
Ballyhaunis Fit4life is holding a registration night on Tuesday January 30. All existing members are invited to reregister for 2018 on the night at 6.30pm at The Enterprise Centre, Ballyhaunis. The team are also inviting anyone who wishes to go and try – to go along and go out with them to see if they would like to join. Many people make New Year's resolutions of getting fit and it can be difficult to do it on your own. They would love to help you if you would like to see what it is like, and would welcome anyone who wishes to join. The members walk, jog, and run, so you will fit in somewhere, and you can move along as you feel fit. If you wish to have any further information, you can check out the Facebook page or contact Martin at (087 ) 2455989.
Getting Citizens Online course
Irish Rural Link is running a free computer course called Getting Citizens Online, in the Erris area. It is designed to help beginners gain basic digital skills for everyday life. The course covers: An introduction to the internet and internet safety; search engines and websites; conducting everyday transactions; shopping online; email; online government services; online video calls; use of apps; instructional videos on YouTube; online banking; and other areas of interest. The course is held in Áras Inis Gluaire in Belmullet and runs for two hours a week over five weeks. To book a place on this course contact (086 ) 0897789.
Belmullet Tidy Towns AGM
Belmullet Tidy Towns will hold its AGM on Thursday February 1 at 8pm in the Talbot Hotel, Belmullet. Go along and help make a difference.
Free IT skills course for farmers
Irish Rural Link is offering a free course to members of the farming community in the Erris area with the overall aim to get farmers online in advance of the new regulations by the Department of Agriculture. The course covers the following topics: using the AgFood website; farmer registration; herd profile; calf registration; online movement of animals, computer literacy; internet search; email; and online banking. The course is held in Áras Inis Gluaire in Belmullet and runs for two hours a week over five weeks. To book a place on this course contact (086 ) 0897789.
Bofield Card Game
Bofield national school annual card game has been rescheduled for Monday January 29 at 8.30pm. Entry is €5. All support is greatly appreciated.
Balla Community Resource Centre
Balla Bingo takes place every Monday night at 8.30pm in Balla Resource Centre. Grow your own vegetables and AED (first aid and defibrillator ) courses starting soon. Contact (087 ) 1850860/(094 ) 9365846 for more information. Balla Resource Centre has various rooms for hire for meetings/classes/groups/lessons. Contact Sheona or Tony on (094 ) 9365846.
New pregnancy workshop
A new pregnancy workshop is about to about to launch this February in the Castlebar region. Doreen Dempsey, experienced chartered women’s health physiotherapist, will present this event. It will be held in Balla Resource Centre on Saturday, February 3, from 10am to 2pm and promises to allow women to “educate, exercise, and enjoy” themselves for a half day. The workshop will blend education sessions covering topics such as: pelvic floor and core, changes in the pregnant body, and guidelines on safe exercise (according to the American College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists ). It will also look at good posture and include some exercise and relaxation sessions. If you would like to participate in this workshop contact Doreen by emailing her at [email protected].
NCBI charity shops in Mayo in need of volunteers
The NCBI has four charity shops in Mayo. They are located in Ballina, Ballinrobe, Castlebar, and Claremorris. All four shops are currently seeking volunteers. The shops offer quality second hand clothes, books, and other items to raise funds for the support and services provided by the charity to 1,571 people with sight loss in County Mayo. NCBI must raise €4 out of every €10 it spends on services. Its 97 charity shops around the country make a vital contribution to its fundraising efforts. NCBI’s services include emotional support and counselling, low vision solutions like magnifiers, assistive technology advice and training, rehabilitation training (including independent living skills and using a long cane ), and a large print, audio, and Braille library. The organisation also has an online shop with lots of practical solutions. If you would like to join the volunteers team in any of the NCBI charity shops give them a call. Any time you can give, no matter how small, would be hugely appreciated. For more information contact: NCBI charity shop - Ballina on (087 ) 9165784, NCBI charity shop - Ballinrobe on (087 ) 6136260, NCBI charity shop - Castlebar on (087 ) 1613138, and NCBI charity shop - Claremorris on (087 ) 1394333.
Ballycastle GAA
The voices are being trained and the dodgy dance moves being polished in Ballycastle at present, as the local GAA club, together with The Kiddies Korner, gear up for their staging of 'Lip Stink - The Rivals' which is taking place at Ballycastle Community Hall on Saturday, February 10. Doors will open on the night at 7.30pm with show to commence at 8.30pm. Entries into Ballycastle GAA's 'Last Man Standing' competition are also still being accepted. Contact Fergal O'Connor on 087 7551680 or [email protected] for more information.
Ballina Active Retirement
Ballina Active Retirement group held its annual general meeting on Thursday last, January 18. The following were elected to see it through 2018 - Chairperson: Rosemary Armstrong with Linda Neary as deputy. Secretary: Pauline Gray with Joe Dolan and Noreen Baker as joint assistants. Treasurer: Michael Gray with Kate O'Connell as assistant. Walking, swimming, mat bowling, and whist are ongoing and take place weekly whenever possible. The table quiz which was scheduled for Wednesday, January 17, was postponed and will take place at a later date.
Eachléim 25 Card Game
The 25 card game takes place in Ionad Deirbhile Heritage Centre, Eachléim, on Thursdays at 8.30pm. Go along and bring a friend. Your support is appreciated.
Mayo’s Lost Islands
Dr Brian Dornan’s book Mayo’s Lost Islands – The Inishkeas has been reprinted by the Forecourts Press in Dublin. The book may be purchased from the Ionad Deirbhile Heritage Centre, Eachléim, or by contacting 097 85727/097 85728.
Mindspace Mayo outreach service in Ballina and Erris
Mindspace Mayo is a free, confidential, support service for those aged between 15 and 25 years. It provides non-judgmental listening and supportive guidance to young people experiencing a difficult or distressing time. Advice and guidance is also provided to anybody who is concerned about a young person’s mental health. The Erris outreach service is open every Wednesday in the Irish Wheelchair Association, Belmullet. The Ballina outreach service is open every Monday in the Ballina Family Resource Centre. The aim of the Mindspace Outreach Programme is to provide essential support for young people in their own locality, in a setting that feels safe and comfortable for the young person. If you would like to find out more about Mindspace or how to go about making a referral contact 094 9067001or www.mindspacemayo.ie
Padre Pio Novena
Ballina’s ever popular annual Padre Pio Novena will take place again next month, concluding on Tuesday, February 27, in St Mureadach’s Cathedral.
Cash for Clobber at Ballina Family Resource Centre
If you are clearing out your home you can drop your unwanted clothes, shoes, bags, etc, into the Ballina Family Resource Centre, Abbey Street, Ardnaree. The centre is holding a Cash for Clobber fundraiser, and your support would be greatly appreciated. If you need bags there are some in the centre, just drop in and collect them. For more information call 096 75573.
Ballina FRC Parent and Toddler Group
The Parent and Toddler group takes place every Thursday from 10.30am to 12 noon in the centre. This group is open to all parents, grandparents, and childminders to go along with their child/children and meet new people over a cuppa and a chat. Various activities take place and new members are always welcome. Ring 096 75573 for more information.
