Congregations of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland

Walsh Street
Ballina
County Mayo

Sunday Service:
11.15am

Minister: Rev. Molly Deatherage
Telephone: 096-21397
E-mail: mdeatherage@presbyterianireland.org

Ballina

In the 1830s, some local folks dredged the River Moy and built the market town of Ballina on the banks, soon attracting businesses and trade. Some of the businessmen were Presbyterian who organised a small congregation supplied by the Killala congregation's minister. In 1846 Thomas Armstrong was ordained as the first Presbyterian minister in Ballina and the church was established. Armstrong was a visionary and the church soon grew to include a school and orphanage. Through the years, the church has gone through the usual growth spurts and consolidation phases, and the current congregation has a core of 18 committed families and another 20 families that would have some connection to the church.

The congregation meets Sunday at 11.15 under the banner "Celebrating the Life of Jesus Christ in the Heart of Ballina" and tea and coffee are served after each service. In addition, we gather for a Passover Lamb Supper before Easter, for healing services at regular intervals, for Harvest Thanksgiving, Christmas Day, and occasional other ecumenical services. The congregation also sponsors a lunch on Heritage Day during the annual Salmon festival with all proceeds going to local charities. All visitors are welcome.