Ken Wright
Emigrants Light of Hope
By Ken Wright
23, Nov 2011 - 08:36

Balla No Name Club held the lighting ceremony of their 'Emigrants Light of Hope' on Tuesday 15th of November at the Youth Centre in Balla. The light itself is solar powered and will remain constantly lit to symbolise all our people that have emigrated.

Balla Pipe Band who played at the opening of the Emigrant Light of Hope which was turned on by Charlie Gannon, the event was organised by the Balla No Name Club. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2011.

Frankie Forde who entertained the large crowd at the opening of the Emigrant Light of Hope which was turned on by Charlie Gannon, the event was organised by the Balla No Name Club. Photo © Ken Wright Photography 2011.

Members of the Mayo Emigrant Liaison Committee pictured with Councillor Austin Francis O’Malley, Cathaoirleach and Neil Sheridan Mayo County Council who attended the turning on of the Emigrants Light of Hope in the Youth Centre Balla by Charlie Gannon Mayo Rehab Young Person of the Year. Front l-r; Kevin Bourke, Mayo Emigrant Liaison Committee, Councillor Austin Francis O’Malley, Cathaoirleach MCC and Marianne Staunton. Back l-r; Mick Morgan, Catherine Bourke, Neil Sheridan, MCC and Michael Larkin. Photography 2011.

Councillors and members of the Mayo Emigrant Liaison Committee who attended The turning on of the Emigrants Light of Hope in the Youth Centre Balla by Charlie Gannon Mayo Rehab Young Person of the Year. Front l-r; Brendan Conwell, Balla No Name Club , Kevin Bourke, Mayo Emigrant Liaison Committee, Charlie Gannon, Councillor Austin Francis O’Malley, Cathaoirleach MCC and Frank Forde. Back l-r; Ernie Sweeney, Bernie Divilly,Training Officer for the No Name Clubs Councillor Henry Kenny, Councillor Eugene McCormack, Mayor of Castlebar, Donna Murphy, Neil Sheridan, MCC, Councillor Blackie Gavin, H. Photography 2011.

Brendan Conwell, Balla No Name Club making a presentation to Charlie Gannon Mayo Rehab Young Person of the Year who officially turned on the Emigrants Light of Hope in the Youth Centre Balla. Photography 2011.

The night was a great success and was attended by Cathaoirleach of Mayo County Council Austin Francis O'Malley, Al Mc Donnell cllr., Blackie Gavin cllr., Henry Kenny cllr., Eugene Mc Cormack cllr. and Ernie Sweeney cllr. Other guests included Kevin Burke and members of the Mayo Emigrants Liaison Committee, Michael Feeney and members of the Mayo Peace Park and Garden of Remembrance and in this region. Special Guest and Rehab person of the year Charlie Gannon (14yrs) did the honours when he formally turned on the Emigrants Light of Hope during the ceremony.

The Balla Pipe band lead by Mattie Dowd got events underway, while Paul O Malley of the Balla No Name Club and comedian Frank Forde entertained guests during the evening.

Austin Francis O'Malley, Cathaoirleach of Mayo CoCo, spoke on the evening and told us that he had been an emigrant himself and understood what our emigrants are experiencing. He said that the light offers comfort to those who have emigrated. He thanked the Balla No Name Club for having him as a guest and said that he was honoured to have association with the club.

Kevin Burke of the Emigrant Liaison Committee also spoke. He reminded us about the importance of remembering our emigrants and told us how over the past 12 years they have helped repatriate over 1000 emigrants to their families here. These were people that thought they'd never return. The organisation is doing trojan work.

Bernie Divilly of the No Name Club also spoke a few words to the capacity filled hall on the evening. She spoke of the ongoing work of the No Name Club and its aim to work with young people in an alcohol and drug free environment. She praised the Balla No Name Club for their excellent work in the community.

Chairperson of the Balla No Name Club Brendan Conwell wishes to express his thanks to Charlie Gannon for switching on the Emigrants Light of Hope and wishes him well as Rehab Young Person of The Year. Thanks also to The Shebeen, Mayo County Council and Mayo Express Windscreens for their sponsorship towards the light, it is deeply appreciated by the club. Thank you to the large number of people from the area that turned up on the evening, it was wonderful to see such support. Lastly, thank you to our committee and members, you were great.