A ‘Fantastic Friday’ and ‘Super Saturday’ was experienced in Ballinasloe last weekend as Margaret Barrett, Manager Bank of Ireland and her team led out Ballinasloe Enterprise Town weekend.
The Emerald Ballroom was packed to capacity for the two days.  Minister Denis Naughten, TD officially opened the event on Friday evening and special guest Gavin Duffy added huge energy to the room encouraging all of us to support our local businesses, entrepreneurs and each other.

Later that evening we had presentations of BizWorld certificates to students from Creagh National School, Gaelscoil Ui Cheithearnaigh and Scoil on Croi Naofa. This was followed by a super panel discussion with Seamus Quigley, Quigleys Garage Ahascargh, Jack Parsons O’Kale Krisps, Breda Fox Galway County Enterprise Board, Michael Earls Easyfix and Lorraine Lynch Sugru Therapy, chaired by Gavin who also found time to visit and take selfies with the 140 exhibitors present !

A stunning fashion show wrapped things up for the Friday evening – participating were Dubarry, Kidzkorner, UTAH, Kathleens Boutique and Michael Wards Menswear and Yourwardrobe.ie
Saturday morning saw some 150+ children take part in a mega-blitz with hurling, football, camogie and rugby teams enjoying the sport and sunshine. Plenty of activity indoors too with local musicians and dance troops taking to the stage.

On Saturday we also had the pleasure of hearing a top class Sports panel discussion which was chaired by Darren Frehill of RTE with some sporting greats including John Mullane, Therese Maher, Michael ‘Hopper’ McGrath, Niall Carty, Brett Wilkinson, Darren Kelly and Johnny O’Connor.
Special visits by The National Hurling League Cup, Sam Maguire Cup and Pro 12 Trophy created some great excitement.

Overall, it was an amazing weekend that won’t be forgotten by the community of Ballinasloe for a long time to come.
​

Galway Rural Development Company
​
This one 3 hour workshop aimed at local community groups and early stage social enterprises will cover:
·       The rationale for setting up a social enterprise
·   Understanding the importance of researching the marketplace and validating the enterprise opportunity
·       Understanding the challenges that social enterprises must overcome to be successful
 

Date: 14th June 7pm -10pm
Venue: Ballinasloe – Ballinasloe Enterprise Centre, Creagh

 
To register please complete the attached registration form and return to Patricia Kelly by the 30th May 2017.

Via Post: Patricia Kelly, Galway Rural Development Company CLG
Mellows Campus, Athenry, Co. Galway
Via e-mail to: patriciakelly@grd.ie
Tel No: 091-844335

​THE PILLAR HOUSE

​MAY SCHEDULE
​
​The Folk Music and Comedy schedule for May is full with artists who are all making their debut performances in The Pillar House and indeed, Ballinasloe.
Another first for Ballinasloe will be on Friday 19th May when The Henry Girls, sisters Karen, Lorna and Joleen McLaughlin, from Malin, County Donegal make their debut appearance. Their music falls within the realm of folk, americana, rock, bluegrass and blues with a touch of Irishness tossed in for good measure.  Their new album “Far Beyond The Stars” which was released on 10th March shows off to the fullest their amazing harmonies for which they are well noted.


We all need a belly aching laugh these days and with Karl Spain, one of Ireland’s premiere comedian’s appearing on Friday 26th May you’re guaranteed to get it!  Karl has been in stand-up comedy for over fifteen years having had two very successful TV series, he has performed at all the comedy festivals at home and in Edinburgh as well as performing in the U.S., the Middle East and Australia.  He also writes for countless other comedians and is the resident writer on The Republic of Telly.
All performances in The Pillar House will take place in front of an audience of just 80 patrons who get to experience these super artists in an “Up Close & Personal” venue. 




​Tickets are available on-line at www.thepillarhouse.ie or by calling 090 96 43939. 
Ticket & Dinner Packages available, call for details.

The Pillar House also has live music in the front bar every Saturday night and a lively weekly
Trad Session on Sunday evenings at 6pm. 

​Food is served from 9am with breakfast, lunch and and Á la Carte dinner menu with daily specials available up to 9pm daily.

Kathryn Gibbons
Tel: 090 96 43939
Gibbons’ Pillar House Bar & Restaurant
info@thepillarhouse.ie
​

Mayoral Charity Ball 2017 – Galway County
An Cathaoirleach of the County of Galway, Cllr. Michael Connolly, is hosting this year’s
County Mayoral Charity Ball on Sunday June 4th 2017 in the Oranmore Lodge Hotel, Oranmore.  The Sunday evening of the June Bank Holiday Weekend, will provide an opportunity for Guests, to enjoy a great evening while giving their support to three very worthy beneficiaries, Galway East Life Support; Ballinasloe Cancer Care Centre and the Irish Kidney Association.
 
Councillor Michael Connolly in launching the Mayoral Charity Ball noted ‘I have met with volunteers and staff of the Galway East Life Support, the Irish Kidney Association and Ballinasloe Cancer Care to learn about their commitment to supporting local people and have listened to those who have directly benefitted. It is with great honour therefore that, I am hosting the 2017 Mayoral Charity Ball to help support their services”.   Councillor Connolly commented that, ‘It is often, when the people we know are at their most vulnerable that you realise the importance of and the lasting impact such services can have’. 
 
The Cathaoirleach, Cllr. Connolly confirmed that ‘Funding raised by the hosting of the Mayoral Charity Ball, will directly benefit individuals and families in need of these vital services in East Galway and across the County”.  He added that, 'We have a great night's entertainment planned and our Guests can look forward to a great evening of food, dancing and music as well as supporting three very worthy beneficiaries.'
Guests and Sponsors of the County Mayoral Charity Ball will be contributing to:

GELS – Galway East Life Support
Galway East Life Support or GELS was formed in 2013 in response to the large number of suicides in the East Galway area.  Arthur Carr and Gerry Roche were founding members.  Based in Ballinasloe, the registered charity provides sign posting to the various support agencies available to those in a mental health crisis. The team of volunteers at GELS organise information events in the surrounding towns and villages, working to increase awareness of the signs of depression and self-harm and stressing the importance of local intervention.  Further information can be found at gelifesupport.com or on the Galway East Life Support Facebook Pages.
​
Ballinasloe Cancer Support Centre
Founded in 2009 by John Kilcommins, the Ballinasloe Cancer Support Centre is a voluntary centre which provides physiological and emotional support for people with a cancer diagnosis and their families. Services are completely confidential, free of charge and open to everyone.  The Centre is assisted by an able team of volunteers providing a drop-in service for anyone impacted by a cancer diagnosis, educational support, emotional support, access to therapies and counselling.  Further information can be found on the Ballinasloe Cancer Support Centre Facebook Pages or by
calling 090 9645574.

Irish Kidney Association
The Irish Kidney Association (IKA) is a voluntary organisation founded nearly 40 years ago, with the aim of improving the quality of life of renal patients and to promote organ donation for transplantation, through the distribution of the multi-organ donor card.
The IKA supports both dialysis and kidney transplant patients through patient aid, counselling, holidays, their Support Centre beside Beaumont Hospital, information and education. There are 25 branches, run by volunteers, throughout the country, with head office at Donor House in Dublin 12. Further information on the IKA can be found at www.ika.ie.

The Charity Mayoral Ball will take place on Sunday June 4th in the Oranmore Lodge Hotel, Oranmore Co.Galway.  The evening will begin with a Drinks Reception at 7.30pm followed by Dinner at 8.15pm and entertainment provided by Shane Moore.   Tickets are €50 per person. 
There is a wide range of accommodation available in the area. 

Tickets may be purchased (or further information obtained) by contacting the Mayoral Office at
​Galway County Council – Tel: 091-509321.

Businesses or individuals interested in sponsoring the event may contact Anne-Marie on 087 9002824.
If you are unable to make it on the night you may wish to make a donation towards the worthy charities.