Ballinahown & District News – 20/12/2022
Christmas Greetings
Here at Ballinahown & District News we want to wish all our readers and particularly our contributors a very Happy Christmas and Peaceful New Year.
For some in our local communities it has been a difficult year with the passing of family members. Our thoughts and prayers are with you at this time. It has also been a year where our communities can be proud of their achievements. Ballinahown Sportspark was successful in seeing the completion of the Astro Turf Project which will serve our younger generation for many years to come. Ballinahown Community Development continued to improve their points in the Tidy Towns competition as they look forward to representing Ireland in the 2023 Entente Florele competition. Naomh Ciaran Ladies Football Team were successful in reclaiming the Offaly Ladies Senior title in October while Cill Oige Ladies Football Team goes from strength to strength. We wish you all the best for 2023.
Christmas Plants – The Poinsettia
One plant that has become very popular in Ireland in recent years is the Poinsettia. It can be seen in almost every house at Christmas. Did you know the Poinsettia is native to Mexico, where the Aztecs used the leaves to make dye and the sap to treat fevers. In Mexico the plant is called La Flor de la Nochebuena or Flower of the Holy Night, and it’s traditionally displayed in December in celebration of Our Lady of Guadalupe Day. In English, it was named after Joel Poinsett, who popularised the plant in the late 1820s while he was United States Minister to Mexico. Today, poinsettias are a traditional indoor plant given as a gift in the Northern Hemisphere. There are more than 100 types of poinsettia, ranging from red to pink, white, yellow and purple. Unfortunately unless carefully looked after they tend to die off within a very short period of time rarely lasting more than a few weeks. However, with proper care and attention you can look forward to displaying your poinsettia next Christmas.
Glee Club, Ballinahown
New to Ballinahown – Glee Club – Win a voucher for our first term of Glee Club starting at 4:30pm and 5:20pm on January 11th in Ballinahown Community Hall.
Join us as we delve into the world of music through pop songs and musical theatre. This club aims to create a social environment for children to express themselves through singing and games. Our club also aims at developing self-confidence, stage performance and ear training through fun activities and team work.
Our glee club is open to anyone aged 6 to 12. Please visit Ballinahown Community Development Facebook page for details on how to win the voucher.
To book places, please get in contact with Emma via telephone: 085 8114039
Or email: emmagvocals@gmail.com
Ballinahown Development Association Lotto – Bonus Number on main Lotto Draw Saturday 17th December 2022. Winning Bonus Number: 20. Winner: Robert Studdart.
Stories from the School’s Collection
We continue with our series of stories from the “School’s Collection” an initiative undertaken in the early part of the last century (late 1930’s) by the Irish Folklore Commission with the co-operation of the Department of Education and the Irish National Teachers Organisation. Our story this week tells us the story of Hurling and Football matches as recorded by pupild attending Bloomhill School in the late 1930’s. The story is presented as recorded at the time.
Long ago each village had a football team. Football was always played in this district but not so much hurling. This village of Bloomhill had a very good team and they were able to beat Ballyduff and Clonascra. The matches were played in the different villages; that is they played in Bloomhill on Sunday and the following Sunday in Ballyduff or Clonascra and so on.
Whenever a match was played in Bloomhill it was always in Mr. Daly’s field. The Bloomhill team called themselves “musk rats” and the Ballyduff team called themselves “white mice”. These matches were played between the different townslands but as well as that there were
bigger matches between parishes.
There was a great match some years ago between Bloomhill and Clonfanlough. Bloomhill won. The ball used was like the present day one but very often they made their own footballs.
Footballs used:-
Whenever a pig was used the bladder was preserved and dried and a cover was made from the skin of a sheep or a cow. This made a goal ball when blown up hard.
Hurleys:-
Nowadays boys buy hurleys in the shops but long ago each boy made his own hurley. He went to the wood and cut a young tree with a bend at the bottom and shaped it into a nice strong hurley.
Famous Footballers:-
Keiran Claffey, Upper Clonadeirg was a famous footballer, he once got a broken leg on the football field and he is lame ever since.
Mick Horan, Ballyduff now age nearly 80 was a great footballer years ago.
Pat Shea, Ballyduff got a broken arm when playing for Ballyduff against Clonderig. His opponent Michael Claffey, still lives. He is over 80 years old.
Weight-Throwing:-
Paddy Kelly, Clongowney, was able to throw the half hundred. Larry Kennedy, Clonadeirg was very good at weight-throwing also.
Birthday Greetings
Belated birthday greetings to Chris Pollier, The Village Inn, Ballinahown who celebrated his birthday on Tuesday 12th December. Hope you had an enjoyable day Chris.
Ballinahown Sportspark Committee
Ballinahown Sportspark Committee have asked us through our column to pass their good wishes for a Peaceful Christmas and Prosperous New year to all who contributed in any way to the successful completion of the Astro Turf Project adding it would not have been constructed with the generosity of local communities.
Condolences
We extend our condolences to Mick O’Brien, Kilgarvan on the death of his brother John O’Brien, Sli An Aifreann, Athlone who passed away on 14th December. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Local News
Why not share your news or old photographs with our readers and brighten up their day. If you have any local news – birthday celebrations, wedding anniversaries etc. or indeed old photographs we would love to hear from you. You can email us at Ballinahownnews@gmail.com or call Denis on 087 6308357.
Ballinahown & District News – 13/12/2022
Ballinahown Christmas Market
The countdown to the Christmas Market is on. It will be held once again on the Winter Solstice, 21st December in our Community Carpark. There will be a wide range of fantastic gifts and treats available to buy so please consider saving some of your shopping until then. On the night you will be able to buy a range of goods including:
Ballinahown Community Calendar, Christmas in Ballinahown Mugs by Shannonbridge Pottery, Art Prints and Pendants by Anna Boles, Handmade clothes for adults, children and pets by Bella Boo Clothing, Jams, jellies, marmalades and chutneys by Scott Jams, Birdboxes and reindeer by Moate Men’s Shed, Christmas wreaths, window boxes, grave arrangements and holly by Eugene Donoghoe, Christmas Eve treat boxes and sweets by Tara Daly,
Mulled wine and festive treats by The Village Inn, Handmade fabric wreaths and table runners by Eithne Naughton. A selection of handmade patchwork cot quilts, cushions, table runners, placemats and aprons by Marian O Brien, Bespoke local woodturning products by Aidan Duffy, Handmade soft toys by Patricia Burke,Wood Kindling by Andrew McEvoy
Baked Goods by Kellie Gannon, Tea and Coffee by The Pantry Moate and Clann Coffee
BBQ by Meadow and Green, Local wildlife art by Dominic O Brien, Pancakes by Fresh French Crepes, Homemade Reindeer by local school children, Fresh produce by Mooney’s Fruit and Veg
We’ll have face painting, children’s activities and games and a special visit from Santa himself.
Parents & Toddler Group
The parent and Toddler Group Meet every Friday morning in Ballinahown Community Centre from 10.30 to 12noon during school term. It is a fun way for parents, minders and grandparents to meet and have a cuppa while the babies and toddlers play and socialise. There is a modest €3 charge per family that goes towards costs. All welcome.
Glee Club, Ballinahown
New to Ballinahown – Glee Club – Win a voucher for our first term of Glee Club starting at 4:30pm and 5:20pm on January 11th in Ballinahown Community Hall.
Join us as we delve into the world of music through pop songs and musical theatre. This club aims to create a social environment for children to express themselves through singing and games. Our club also aims at developing self-confidence, stage performance and ear training through fun activities and team work.
Our glee club is open to anyone aged 6 to 12. Please visit Ballinahown Community Development Facebook page for details on how to win the voucher.
To book places, please get in contact with Emma via telephone: 085 8114039
Or email: emmagvocals@gmail.com
Stories from the School’s Collection
We continue with our series of stories from the “School’s Collection” an initiative undertaken in the early part of the last century (late 1930’s) by the Irish Folklore Commission with the co-operation of the Department of Education and the Irish National Teachers Organisation. Our story this week tells us the story about local heroes in the Ballycumber area. The story was recorded by Joe Concannon, Bellair and a pupil in Boher N.S. Ballycumber having been told to him by Thomas Keena (aged 60), Bellair, Co. Offaly. The story is presented as written at the time.
Local Heros in Ballycumber
Almost ninety years ago there lived in Cappaghnalasset a man named Thomas Henzey. At a hunt in Castletown he was accused by a landlord of killing a foxhound with a stick. This was not true. At the next hunt in Castledaly, Henzey and another man named Daly gave the landlord a merciless beating. As Henzey was a man of powerful build standing six feet three and weighing sixteen stone he was very strong. He was also a great runner wrestler and jumper. All attempts made by the police or peelers (failed) to arrest him failed as none of them could match him in speed or endurance. The peelers were not allowed to carry firearms and consequently could not arrest him. From time to time champion police runners were brought down to catch him but they all failed. One day as he and his two brothers were cutting turf. Two peelers in civilian dress came up the bogs. The stopped to talk to some other men who were working nearby. One of the men noticed that one of the peelers wore very loose boots and an overcoat and trousers that seemed too big for him. He got suspicious and leaning back against the bank he started throwing pieces of turf across his head as a signal to Henzey that it was time to go. Suddenly, the peeler flung off his loose garments and stood barefoot and dressed for a race. Henzey made away through the bog with the peeler in hot pursuit. For a mile there was nothing between them but as the ground began to slop Henzey gradually gained. He then made for the Grand Garden a field in which there was a field of different shrubs. If he got there he could easily dodge the peeler. As (this) he was nearing this a woman stood up on a stile and shouted to him that the Grand Garden was filled with blue coats. He then ran to the Quaker’s drain which divides Offaly and Westmeath. At this point it widened out into a duck pod twenty feet wide. This Henzey cleared in a flying leap. Then he hid in the heather and the peelers gave up pursuit. On another occasion the peelers came at night. Henzey’s father refused to let them in. Henzey in attempting to escape fell from the chimney. He then stood behind the door and told his father to let them in. The peelers trooped in and immediately made for the bedroom leaving one of their number on guard at the door. This man Henzey put out in the street with a box in the face and made his escape. This continued for years but one day, Mooney his landlord was in danger of being killed on a runaway horse when Henzey with great bravery stopped it. Mooney was so grateful that he paid Henzeys fine, and Henzey was never molested by the peelers any more.
Birthday Greetings
Birthday greetings to Nicola Killian, Ballinahown who celebrated her birthday on 10th December. She didn’t whisper a word about it but our undercover reporter has great contacts and passed the word on to us. The information we have is John and the kids spoiled her on the day. Birthday wishes also Robert Rohan, Ballinahown who celebrates his birthday on 16th December. Have a good one Rob.
This week’s Quotation
“We live in a time where intelligent people are being silenced so that stupid people won’t be offended”. Anonymous.
Local News
Why not share your news or old photographs with our readers and brighten up their day. If you have any local news – birthday celebrations, wedding anniversaries etc. or indeed old photographs we would love to hear from you. You can email us at Ballinahownnews@gmail.com or call Denis on 087 6308357.
Ballinahown & District News – 06/12/2022
Parents & Toddler Group
The parent and Toddler Group Meet every Friday morning in Ballinahown Community Centre from 10.30 to 12noon during school term. It is a fun way for parents, minders and grandparents to meet and have a cuppa while the babies and toddlers play and socialise. There is a modest €3 charge per family that goes towards costs. All welcome.
Glee Club, Ballinahown
New to Ballinahown – Glee Club – Win a voucher for our first term of Glee Club starting at 4:30pm – 5:20pm on January 11th in Ballinahown Community Hall.
Join us as we delve into the world of music through pop songs and musical theatre. This club aims to create a social environment for children to express themselves through singing and games. Our club also aims at developing self-confidence, stage performance and ear training through fun activities and team work.
Our glee club is open to anyone aged 6 to 12. Please visit Ballinahown Community Development Facebook page for details on how to win the voucher.
To book places, please get in contact with Emma via telephone: 085 8114039
Or email: emmagvocals@gmail.com
Local Obituaries
Gaffey, Philomena.
The death has occurred of Philomena (fondly known as Mena) Gaffey (née Horan), Ballyduff, Ballinahown, Athlone, Co. Offaly.
Mena died on November 28th 2022, peacefully surrounded by her loving family at Tullamore Regional Hospital. She was predeceased by her beloved husband Michael, sister Josie and son-in-law Mike Rohan.
Mena will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her loving family, son Pat, daughters Annette Rohan and Maura Ledwith, grandchildren Michael, Mark, Niall, Gary, Damon, Danielle, Tanya, Serena and Hazel, great-grandchildren Nicole, Nathan and Priya, sisters Bridgin and Patricia, in-laws, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Philomena reposed at her daughter Annette’s home in Clonaderig, Ballinahown on Tuesday Nov.29th from 5pm to 8pm. Removal took on Wednesday morning Nov.30th to St. Colmcille’s Church, Ballinahown where her Requiem Mass was celebrated at 11.00am with interment afterwards in Clonmacnoise. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.
Flanagan, Ian
The death has occurred of Ian Flanagan, Queenstown, New Zeland and formerly of Coroe, Ballycumber, Co. Offaly.
Ian died on 28th November 2022 in Queenstown, New Zealand. Ian will be sadly missed by his loving wife, Albonie, his adoring mother Frances and father Sean, his sister Aoife and her partner Samuel, and his sister Alice, his mother-in-law Alyssandra, father-in-law Warren, sister-in-law Annaleise, Aunts and Uncles, cousins, extended family and his many dear friends and colleagues and all who loved him. Funeral arrangements to be announced later.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.
Ballinahown Christmas Market
Following on from last year’s success,Ballinahown Community Development Committee are busy preparing for this year’s Christmas Market which will take place on Wednesday 21st December from 5.00pm to 8.00pm in the Community Carpark, Ballinahown. Locally made Crafts, Christmas Gifts, Refreshments, Food Stalls and much more will be available on the evening. We have also learned that a very important visitor dressed in a red suit and growing a white beard will be making a special appearance.
Traders interested in taking part please email ballinahownchristmasmarket @gmail.com
For a full list of traders keep an eye on Facebook and other social media platforms.
Following on from the recent very successful amateur photographic competition the Development Committee have decided to launch their first community calendar which will be available to purchase at the market. Pre orders for overseas posting can be had from ballinahownchristmasmarket @gmail.com
Finally volunteers are being sought to steward parking arrangements for the market. If you are willing to help with car parking on the evening please contact Lorraine on 0868302261.
So mark the date in your diary and make it an evening to remember by bringing out the family to celebrate the festive season.
Stories from the School’s Collection
We continue with our series of stories from the “School’s Collection” an initiative undertaken in the early part of the last century (late 1930’s) by the Irish Folklore Commission with the co-operation of the Department of Education and the Irish National Teachers Organisation. Our story this week tells us about Mills in the general locality in the 1930’s. The story was recorded by Mary A. Galvin a pupil in Tubber School having been told to her by Mrs. Eileen Galvin, Faheeran, Co. Offaly. The story is presented as written at the time.
Factories
In the time of the famine (black forty seven) there were several small mills through the country that are not now in existence. There was no machinery as there is now. The grinding stones were called querns. The corn was put on the kiln to be dried by the owner of the so-called mill and word sent to the man that owned the corn to go and attend the querns. He went or if there were two men in the house they went and worked all night swinging those stones and had their meal to take home in the morning.
There are now two large Oatmills one in Horseleap owned by Mr J. Hackett one in Siona owned by Mr P Walsh. One in Kilfoylan owned by Mr Tom McGuinnes.
Joe Larkin has one in Bryanna and Mr Allen one in Creggan. All of these can make wholemeal but not white flour. There are some other old mills about of which I know very little but the water is still flowing on to them. One, Mrs Egans place, the water flows in and out through a window. It was a woollen mill worked up to seventy years ago.
The other place the water would have been working a wheel and was used as a sawmill was owned by Mr Andy Kinahan.
Ballinahown Development Association Lotto – Bonus Number on main Lotto Draw Saturday 26th November 2022. Winning Bonus Number: 44. No Winner again this week.
Birthday Greetings
Belated Birthday greetings to Danielle Rohan, Ballinahown who celebrated her birthday on Monday 28th November and to her cousin Nicola Rohan-Flood who celebrated her birthday on 5th December. We hope you were spoiled by your respective families on your special day.
Progressive 25 Card Game
Continues every Thursday night in the Community Hall at 9.00pm
Local News
Why not share your news or old photographs with our readers and brighten up their day. If you have any local news – birthday celebrations, wedding anniversaries etc. or indeed old photographs we would love to hear from you. You can email us at Ballinahownnews@gmail.com or call Denis on 087 6308357.