On behalf of the Ballinasloe Community, we were absolutely thrilled to be awarded the coveted title of 'Galways Fittest Town 2016' (towns and urban areas over 2000 population) at Mondays Fit Town awards ceremony.

Along with our new title we will also receive €5,000 in prize money from Galway Sports Partnership.  The Fit Town Team will be regrouping over the coming weeks to explore areas where this money could be best invested and utilised to benefit the entire community.  We are inviting all participating groups to contribute to our ‘ideas bank’ and consideration will be given to all responses.  Please email your ideas directly to fitballinasloe@gmail.com before Friday 3rd June.
 


We have arranged a Fit Town social get together ‘Get Up, Get Out!’ for Friday 27th May in Clarkes Dunlo Bar @ 9 pm to celebrate Ballinasloe’s success (Live Music and Finger Food).  It will be a great opportunity to catch up with friends, other clubs and groups and  maybe even poach a few new members!   
 
Once again, we would like to thank each and every one of you who got behind the project with such enthusiasm and made it the success it turned out to be.  We have an incredible community spirit in Ballinasloe and Fit Town is only one example of what can be achieved when a group of positive people come together. 
 
Look forward to meeting you all on the 27th May  please inform all your club members, Fit Town participants and volunteers,  friends, and anyone you think is in need of a good night out ;-) (poster attached for circulation and display)
 
Warmest regards,
 
Marion
 
Marion Ruane, Noel Mannion, Lyn Donnelly, Eoin Hurley, Laura Finn
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Creagh National School are hosting a Fun Run/Walk on 22nd May.   There has been a change of start time because of funeral arrangements.  Registration from 2pm at Creagh School.  The race/walk will begin at 3pm. 

Adults cost €10, Children €5 and a Family costs €20 to enter. 

Refreshments will be served after in the School Hall.

For more information see www.creaghns.com 

Ballinasloe Regional Novena will commence on Tuesday, June 7th in St. Michael’s Church, Ballinasloe and will continue each day until Wednesday, June 15th.
 
 Sessions each day will be:  7.30a.m.    10.00a.m.  and  8.00p.m.
 
On Sunday, June 12th Masses (and Vigil Mass on Saturday night) will be at the usual times.
 
Special features during this Novena:
 
1).       Sacrament of the Sick:  Thursday, June 9th – 4p.m.
                                                                                               
2).       Mass with blessing of children:  Sunday, June 12th @ 12.15pm Mass
  
3).       Rite of Reconciliation:  Monday, June 13th   – all sessions
 
The Redemptorist Priests conducting the Novena are: Fr. Denis Luddy, C. Sc.R and Fr. Brendan O’Rourke C. Sc. R.  If you require any more information please phone (090) 9643916.
 
The Novena is a time to celebrate, explore and deepen faith. Even if you have not been part of the Novena in the past feel assured of a warm welcome.
 

"On behalf of the Ballinasloe Community, we are absolutely thrilled to be awarded the coveted title of 'Galway's Fittest Town 2016' (towns and urban areas over 2000 population) at today's Fit Town Ceremony. A huge well done to all the competitors from across the county and a special mention to the other two category winners Inis Bofin (Islands) and Maree Community Development Company (Population under 2000).

We are planning a celebratory evening for Friday 27th May (tentative) so save the date and we will post/email details shortly?. We will be engaging with all groups over the coming weeks to do a little brainstorming on how we can make best use of our winnings. Once again, we would like to thank each and everyone of you who got behind the project with such incredible enthusiasm and made it the success it turned out to be - let's hope we can keep recreating this magic."

Marion, Lyn, Noel, Eoin & Ciara
Fit Town Team

(For details of what Fit Town was all about click here)

A new and exciting initiative to develop Ballinasloe as an accessible, inclusive environment is due to be launched this month with an information evening scheduled for Monday 23rd May @ 7.30pm in Gullanes Hotel & Conference Centre.

The focus for the project is to develop Ballinasloe town and hinterland as an area which welcomes and supports everyone to live an independent and healthy life regardless of age or disability.

The project was born out of a recognition that although much progress has been made to date, there are still many shortcomings and this is an area which requires continuous development and adaptation to meet the needs of everyone in our community.  The Accessibility Ballinasloe Team are taking a holistic approach which will be cognisant all life stages from  parents with babies and young children to older adults.  Another key aspect of the project will focus on empowering  persons with disabilities – sensory, physical and intellectual. ​​

Considerable work is currently taking place within this area both nationally and regionally and there will be many opportunities to collaborate with groups throughout the country who have already made inroads in developing more supportive communities.   Many businesses are also taking the initiative to provide a more inclusive service with Supervalu Monksland and Clonakilty leading the way providing sensory friendly shopping which is of particular benefit to those with autism as well as other special needs.  At set times during the day all music and in-store announcements are turned off and lighting is dimmed to create a calmer environment with less sensory stimulation.  These businesses have taken a lead in this area in the hope that many others including the large chains will follow suit. 

The Project will be driven by a Project Team represented by Deborah Brady, Ken Campbell, Marion Ruane and Teresa Coughlan who each bring with them a wealth of experience and knowledge within this area.  The Team however stress that the overall model for the project will be Community based with all sectors contributing to the development and implementation of our Accessibility Ballinasloe Action Plan.  There is ample opportunity for all groups and clubs to work together in identifying creative ways of improving the lives of people in our community.  This was very much a key element of the success of the recent Fit Town Project  where we saw groups with a common interest (such as the Brothers of Charity and Ballinasloe Rugby Club, Ballinasloe Eagles and East Galway Hunt) join forces to support each other.

There are a number of priority projects the Accessibility Ballinasloe Team are interested in pursuing over the coming year including;  working towards universal design to ensure our public areas are accessible to all, awareness and education campaigns, National Buddy Bench project with local schools network, outdoor fitness equipment fit out, working with the business community to identify areas for improvement – physical layouts, service area, awareness/training, visual picture menus.

An information evening will take place in Gullanes Hotel & Conference Centre on Monday May 23rd  @ 7.30 pm and  we are inviting representatives from all Clubs, Groups, Organisations, Businesses and Schools to attend so that together we can identify what changes we can make and how we can make them happen #togetherwecan

For further information and updates check out Accessibility Ballinasloes Facebook page below

Something for the diaries - Pat Byrne will be playing Padraig Pearse in Acorn Theatre`s "Gale Day" in the Town Hall Theatre, Ballinasloe on 26th and 27th May @ 9pm. Also featuring a host of well known locals. 

Music & Song from the combined choirs of BARA & EGMCSC Singers (East Galway & Midland Cancer Support Centre) with Ballinasloe Town Band
Songfest Ensemble & Ballinasloe Town Hall Committee present a feast of songs from classical to country, movie themes & more on Thursday 19th May at 8pm, to mark the 21st anniversary of the National Bealtaine Festival.
Tickets €10 at door

Proceeds go to local charities

Please contact Ballinasloe Town Hall Theatre for more details  - See their Facebook page below

Comhghairdeas to our Consituency's newest Full Senior Cabinet Member in over 4 decades!  Well done to Denis Naughton TD from Drumm who yesterday received his Seal of Office to become the Minister for Communications, Energy and Climate Change.
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The VERY newly elected TD Denis Naughten will be coming to Ballinasloe today, Saturday 7th May.  It would be great if all the town could welcome him at 8:50 pm in St. Michael's square.