Ballinasloe and District Soroptimist Club Celebrates 30th AnniversaryBallinasloe and District Soroptimist Club celebrated their 30th Anniversary recently in glorious sunshine at the Moycarn Lodge.

In 1995, 30 local women got together under their inaugural President Cepta Connolly (RIP), Ahascragh, and formed the club here in town. Over the years they have supported women and girls to enable, educate, and empower them to reach their full potential in life.

Funds have been raised for so many local, national, and international charities and projects by the Club, well in excess of €200,000.

It has not all been about fundraising. The Club has done a lot of lobbying with Government to make them aware of issues in relation to women and the environment, and to try and change outcomes for the better.

They are members of the National Women’s Council of Ireland and are involved in the White Ribbon campaign, Turn Off the Red Light, and Orange the World campaign to end domestic violence.

They have run seminars on Mental Health, Domestic Violence, and Drug Abuse locally. They also run a successful National Public Speaking Competition for girls to help them with communications and give them confidence to speak out in public.

This competition is open to all girls in the Senior Cycle of 2nd Level Education. It is a wonderful platform for helping girls to develop the skills to speak effectively and to articulate with clarity.

In attendance at their 30th Anniversary celebration was Minister for Education, Helen McEntee. She spoke highly of the work the Soroptimist movement is engaged with. She praised the Club for their work in trying to eliminate domestic violence through education programmes and project work in the month of December, highlighting the issues involved and showing that help is available for those in need.

She also spoke about the Public Speaking Competition which is run nationally.

The National President of Soroptimists, Anne O’Sullivan, was also in attendance.
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Club President Kathleen Croffy presided over the evening and welcomed many members past and present, as well as members from other clubs who joined in the celebration. Also in attendance were Cllr Evelyn Parsons and Cllr Alan Harney.

​Smart Surplus is a new local start-up led by a small team of two brothers and a colleague. “We are really just a few people who hate food waste and love a good deal,” says founder Jack Parsons.

He has over 10 years of experience in the food industry, and is joined by Fintan Parsons, Head of Software Development, and Michael O’Neill, Head of Business Development. The business is backed by a small team of funders.

In the pilot phase of the project, the platform is being tested in town, and will soon expand to Athlone. So far, the businesses who have signed up include Baked by Trina, Bistro 18, and Dolan’s Centra, all of whom will be listing their last-minute deals on the site.

Food waste is a growing environmental and social problem at a time when we’re all urged to reduce what we throw away. The Environmental Protection Agency estimates that over 853,000 tonnes of food waste were generated in Ireland in 2023, with restaurants and food service outlets estimated to account for over 175,000 of that total.

The new local business, Smart Surplus, aims to help restaurants, cafes, delis, and other food outlets reduce the amount of food they send to refuse by turning it into surprise deals for customers.

“This project is about fixing a real problem with something simple,” says Jack Parsons, one of the founders. “It’s about helping get great food eaten.”

Smart Surplus works by giving businesses an opportunity to sell off goods they would normally throw out at the end of the day, not because they’re bad, but because they didn’t sell in time. “Think a bag of pastries that didn’t sell, delicious sandwiches left after the lunch time rush, or carvery dinners going to waste,” says Jack.

Consumers and businesses register on the project website, and businesses can then offer last-minute deals, which customers can reserve and pay for with a few taps. Customers then pick up their surprise deal during a particular time slot. Registration is free, the service is fast, and buyers will find some incredible deals.

The project has a zero-waste mission, and a counter on the website shows each user how much food they’ve saved from landfill. Not only does the initiative reduce rubbish, but it gives businesses working off tight margins the opportunity to attract customers before food waste, increasing revenue and attracting new customers.

Consumers also get the opportunity to eat better for less, reducing their food bills at a time when the weekly grocery shop is trending endlessly upwards, and they can try out foods they wouldn’t normally eat.
“Food businesses waste less. People eat better for less. Everyone wins,” according to Jack.

To register, customers can go to www.smart-surplus.com and complete the registration form. Interested businesses can find Smart Surplus on Instagram @smart_surplus. “We’ll get you set up in minutes and help you make money from what used to be waste,” Jack says.
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They plan to stay focussed on small towns and cities where, as Jack says, “people know their food spots...we think it can make a real difference... [so] follow along, sign up, and tell your local cafe. Let’s get good food off the shelf and onto plates.”

Following three years of hard work, the award-winning social club for autistic children, Infinity Friends, officially opened their Clubhouse in Thomastown Demesne.

The guest of honour was AsIAm Cofounder and CEO, Adam Harris. It was a weekend of celebrations for club members, their families, and the local community, with events attended by Claire Kerrane TD, Cllr Alan Harney, and Cllr Valerie Duffy.

Infinity Friends caters to children aged 4 to 18 years old and was founded by Claire Earley and Hilda Duignan with the aim of providing a safe and inclusive environment for children to make friends.

“As parents of autistic children, we both understood how isolating the world can be for our children and the lack of opportunities to build friendships.”

The club currently supports 87 families from the west and midlands.

While they started in rented rooms: “We knew from day one that we would eventually need our own space to be able to support children with sensory and occupational therapy (OT) needs,” Claire added.

Their new clubhouse now includes a specialist art sensory room and an OT space.

Belonging to the club is:
“A source of support, connection, and joy for its members,” Claire noted. “We provide safe, judgment-free spaces where children feel accepted for who they are... peer connection with others who share similar experiences helps combat loneliness and fosters a sense of belonging.”

The group also hosts family events, and they hope to begin workshops for parents, carers, and siblings soon. The project has been hugely successful and was honoured with the “Community Group of the Year” award at the Athlone Business Chamber Awards, just a year after it was founded.

“We were blown away with emotion to receive the award,” said Hilda and Claire. “We felt the heart-warming welcome, acceptance, and recognition in the community.”

There is currently a waiting list for new members, but they hope to open more sessions this year.

How to Get Involved
If you have a young person who would like to join, please complete the membership form at
www.infinityfriends.ie
If you're interested in volunteering for Infinity Friends, you can apply online at
www.i-vol.ie
To donate, visit www.idonate.ie or contact Claire on 085 106 7276.

By Julia Prystupa
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A vibrant new business has arrived on Society Street, bringing with it a fresh wave of creativity and international flair.

Balissa, an art and fashion studio founded by Ukrainian designer Ksenia Baliuk, is a place where heritage, handicraft, and style come together in a warm and welcoming space.

Ksenia’s journey to Ballinasloe is marked by a distinguished career in the fashion world. Before making Ireland her home, she successfully operated a thriving image and fashion business in Kyiv, where her expertise in image design and exclusive fashion gained recognition among well-known personalities in media and entertainment.

Since her relocation, Ksenia has actively embraced her new community, participating in multicultural events across Athlone and Galway, passionately representing Ukrainian culture and fostering meaningful intercultural dialogue.
Balissa offers a wide range of services rooted in craftsmanship and style. These include:

• Professional clothing alterations and tailoring, helping people give a second life to their wardrobes with expert modifications and custom tailoring, ensuring a perfect fit and renewed appeal.
• Styling and image design for special occasions, including weddings, christenings, photo sessions, and professional events.
• Clothes rental: Discover unique outfits for special occasions without the commitment of purchase – perfect for a fresh, sustainable look.
• Décor and design for life events, including the setup of unique photo zones for birthdays, family celebrations, and more.
• A curated selection of handmade goods, such as jewellery, woodwork, embroidery, and home décor.

One of the standout features of Balissa is its in-house photo zone, which is redecorated seasonally. Visitors can book professional photo shoots using the studio’s exclusive wardrobe, designed and produced by Ksenia and her team.

Ksenia’s vision goes beyond business — she plans to make the studio a true cultural space: a place for meetings, exhibitions, workshops, and artistic initiatives.

Her goal is to foster understanding between cultures, supporting community integration and development through creativity.

“I saw opportunity, warmth and potential in Ballinasloe,” says Ksenia. “There are incredible people and an authentic atmosphere here, where my experience and culture can be both useful and inspiring.”

Open Tuesday to Friday (10 a.m.–7 p.m.) and Saturdays (10 a.m.–6 p.m.), Balissa welcomes clients from all backgrounds.

Whether you’re seeking custom tailoring, a new look for a special event, or a meaningful gift made with care, you’ll find something unique here.

The Pulse Club, an initiative of Ballinasloe Area Community Development (BACD), continues to gain momentum as a vital networking hub for local entrepreneurs, start-ups, and established businesses alike.

June Meeting at KPW Print & DesignOn 26th June, members gathered at the impressive KPW Print & Design premises, where Managing Director Brendan Kelly delivered an insightful talk on the company’s remarkable 75-year journey.

Brendan spoke passionately about KPW’s evolution — from its modest beginnings to becoming one of Ireland’s most respected print and digital solution providers. He highlighted how the business has adapted over the decades to meet technological advancements, changing market demands, and evolving customer needs.

He emphasised the importance of investing in people, innovation, and the local economy, sharing valuable lessons that resonated with entrepreneurs at all stages of their journey. A guided tour of the facility followed, offering guests a real sense of the scale and quality of operations at KPW.

July Meeting at Brian Brennan CoachingThe 24th July Pulse Club meeting took place at Brian Brennan’s small group training gym in St Michael’s Square. Brian, founder of Brian Brennan Coaching, welcomed attendees with his trademark energy and passion.

With over a decade of experience in physical and mental transformation, Brian shared his personal journey. His coaching philosophy focuses on helping people overcome gym fear, boredom, or lack of direction — guiding them to become their strongest and most confident selves, both physically and mentally.

His down-to-earth and engaging style sparked plenty of discussion. Many attendees left not only inspired but re-energised to prioritise their own well-being while growing their businesses.

A Growing Network of Diverse EntrepreneursBoth events once again highlighted the diverse community within the Pulse Club — from emerging start-ups and creatives to long-established business owners and local professionals. The combination of structured talks and informal networking continues to be a winning formula, with attendees frequently citing new collaborations and ideas sparked at these monthly meetups.

Upcoming Events Looking ahead, Pulse Club has two exciting events planned:

• 28th August at 9:00 a.m. – AIB Ballinasloe will host a session focused on financial supports for businesses with guidance from their expert team.
• 25th September – Salmons Department Store will open its doors for a special behind-the-scenes tour and networking event with one of Ballinasloe’s most iconic family-run businesses.

Get Involved
The Pulse Club is open to anyone interested in enterprise and community development.

To learn more or register for upcoming events:
Follow Ballinasloe Pulse Club on Facebook