Ballinahown & District News – 28/10/2022
Halloween Story
As we celebrate Halloween this weekend it would be remiss of us to let the occasion pass without telling our readers a spine chilling story. This is probably the most well-known ghost story in Ireland – from a childhood pact becomes a ghostly presence. This one will haunt you.
A manuscript of this story was found in Curraghmore, Co Waterford. The story was recorded by Lady Betty Cobbe, the granddaughter of Lady Beresford, sometime in the 1700s.
Lord Tyrone and Lady Beresford were born with the names John Le Poer (sometimes spelled ‘Power’) and Nicola Sophia Hamilton. As children, they were orphans and raised by an atheist guardian who was determined to convert the children to his atheist views.
The children continued to believe in heaven and a never-ending life so they made a pact with each other. They decided that the first of the siblings to die would reappear to the other, thus proving that there was life after death.
Nicola eventually married Sir Tristam Beresford, the oldest son of Richard, Earl of Tyrone, and Lady Dorothy Annesley, daughter of Arthur, Earl of Anglesey.
One night she woke up to find her foster-brother standing beside her bed. He told her that he had just died, reminding her of their childhood pact.
The spirit of her foster brother then told her of future events. He told her that her husband would die and she would re-marry, that she would have four children, and that she would die on the day she turned 47.
Terrified and doubting that her vision was real, she asked her foster brother if this was real. He grabbed her wrist causing it to shrink and wither. From that day forth, she wore a black silk ribbon to hide her deformity.
Everything that her foster brother had predicted came true except for her death. She did not die on her 47th birthday.
On her 48th birthday, Lady Beresford decided to celebrate the occasion with some friends. They included a clergyman who was an old family friend. At the party, she exclaimed, “I am 48 today.” The clergyman replied, “No, my dear, you are 47.” When she questioned how he knew this he said that he had looked at the registry of her birth only days before. She cried, “You have signed my death warrant!” She went to her chamber, made out her will, and died that night.
Ballinahown Development Association Lotto – Bonus Number on main Lotto Draw Saturday 15th October 2022. Winning Bonus Number: 27. Winner: Mary Ledwith, Clonaderig.
Condolences
The death has occurred of Rita O’Leary (née O’Connor) Clonascra, Shannonbridge, Offaly / Clonfanlough, Offaly
| Rita died on October 21st 2022, peacefully at home in the company of her family. She was predeceased by her beloved son Cathal and sister Mai.
Rita will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her loving husband Joe and family, Regina, Yvonne, Lorraine and John-Joe, grandchildren, Laura and her partner Michael McLynn, Gavin, Daniel, Niamh, Evan, Sophie, Josh, Eva and Aoife, sons-in-law Pat-Joe Kelly, Cahal McDonald and Anthony Kelly, daughter-in-law Nicola Turner, brother-in-law Des Leary, sister-in-law Maureen Mitchell, extended family, neighbours and friends. In accordance with Rita’s wishes, a private family funeral took place. |
The death has occurred of Thomas (Tom) Egan, Ballyhearth, Clonfanlough, Co. Offaly
| Thomas died on October 20th 2022, peacefully in the exceptional care of the Staff in the Camcor Suite at Birr Community Nursing Unit. He was fondly known as Tom and was predeceased by his beloved parents Pat and Catherine and brother Peter.
Tom will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his loving sister Bridie Foley, Derrinlough his nephews and nieces, John, Seamus, Regina, Des, Aidan, Peter, Ann and Carmel, extended family, neighbours and friends. Tom reposed at Boyd’s Funeral Home, Birr on Saturday Oct.22nd with removal at 4.30pm to St.Ciarán’s Church, Clonfanlough arriving at 5.30pm. Tom’s funeral Mass was celebrated on Sunday Oct.23rd at 10.30am with interment afterwards in Clonmacnois. |
Mid Term at the Manor
Castledaly Community present Mid Term at the Manor on the October Bank Holiday Monday the 31st October from 2.00 – 4.00pm with live music and free entertainment. Don’t forget to bring money for items on sale at the Craft Fair and for your burger. A great evening’s entertainment promised for all.
Ballinahown Christmas Market
Preparations are underway for this year’s Christmas Market in the village which will be held on Wednesday 21st December from 5.00pm to 8.00pm in the community carpark. 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 with a red suit and a white beard will be making an appearance.
Traders interested in taking part please email ballinahownchristmasmarket @gmail.com
So mark the date in your diary and make it an evening to remember by bringing out the family to celebrate the festive season.
Birthday Greetings
Belated Happy Birthday to Jennifer Rohan, Ballinahown who celebrated her birthday on 21st October. Hope you had a great day Jen.
Local News
If you have any local news – birthday celebrations, wedding anniversaries etc. or indeed old photographs that you would like to share with our readers we would love to hear from you. You can email us at Ballinahownnews@gmail.com or call Denis on 087 6308357.
Ballinahown & District News – 14/10/2022
Ballinahown Development Association Lotto – Bonus Number on main Lotto Draw Saturday 8th October 2022. Winning Bonus Number: 5. Winner: Kellie Gannon, Esker.
This week’s Quote
“When I was 5 years old, my mother always told me that happiness was the key to life. When I went to school, they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down ‘happy’. They told me I didn’t understand the assignment, and I told them they didn’t understand life.” – John Lennon (born John Winston Lennon; 9 October 1940 – 8 December 1980) was an English singer, songwriter, musician and peace activist who achieved worldwide fame as the founder, co-songwriter, co-lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the Beatles. Lennon was characterised by the rebellious nature and acerbic wit in his music, writing and drawings, on film, and in interviews. His song writing partnership with Paul McCartney remains the most successful in history
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 games played around Halloween . The story was recorded by Patrick Doyle, Magheramore, a pupil in Mount Temple National School in the late 1930’s. The story is presented as written at the time.
Halloween
Halloween is one of the most popular festivals of the year. On this night the young people play games.
One of the games played is diving for money. In diving for money they get a bath. Then they fill it with water, and they put money into the bath. Then each person dives his head into the water. They dive one after another, and if any person is able to get the money he keeps it.
Another game they play is three plates. In playing this game, the young people get three plates, and put them on a table. They put clay on the first plays plate, water on the second plate. and a ring on the third plate. Then one person is blindfolded, and he walks over to the plates and if he puts his hand on the plate with the clay, it is said that he is soon going to die. If he puts his hand on the plate with the water it is said, that he is going to cross the water. If he puts his hand on the plate with the ring, it is said that he is soon getting married.
Wedding Bells
Congratulations to Tanya Rohan and Conor Coughlan who were married in St. Colmcille’s Church, Ballinahown on Thursday October 6th. followed by a reception in the Bloomfield House Hotel, Mullingar. We wish the newlyweds many happy years together.
Parents & Toddler Group
The Parent and Toddler Group Meet every Friday morning in Ballinahown Community Hall 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.
Pilates for Beginners – Ballinahown Community Hall
Continues every Monday at 7.30pm & 8:30PM. €60 for 5 week course. All enquiries to Alison on 086 0603986
Ballinahown Astro Turf Booking
You can now book the Astro Turf facility (70 x 40 metres) facility complete with LED lighting, shock pads surface plus target wall making it ideal for all sports. Single hour, multi hour and block bookings available.
Visit Ballinahown Sports Park Facebook Page to book your time.
Condolences
We extend our condolences to Brendan Keenaghan, Clonaderig on the death of his mother Patricia Keenaghan, Delvin Park, Ferbane and to P.J. Hoey, Ballyforan (former Garda, Ballinahown) on the death of his brother Vincent Hoey, Tyrellspass.
May they Rest In Peace.
Line Dancing
Line Dancing returns to Ballinahown Community Hall returns on Tuesday 11th October at 8.00pm. So, if you want to get fit, lose weight and enjoy yourself all at the same time then make it a “date at eight” in Ballinahown Community Hall every Tuesday night.
Local News
If you have any local news – birthday celebrations, wedding anniversaries etc. or indeed old photographs that you would like to share with our readers we would love to hear from you. You can email us at Ballinahownnews@gmail.com or call Denis on 0876308357.
Ballinahown & District News – 07/10/2022
Ballinahown Development Association Lotto – Bonus Number on main Lotto Draw Saturday 1st October 2022. Winning Bonus Number: 43. Winner: Ray Brown, Loughill.
This week’s Quote
“The greatest glory in living lies not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall”. – Nelson Rolihlahla Mandela, 18th July 1918 – 5th December 2013) was a South African anti-apartheid activist who served as the first president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. He was the country’s first black head of state and the first elected in a fully representative democratic election.
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 informs us about Churchyards in Castledaly. The story was recorded by Elis Rafferty, Cartrons, a pupil in Castledaly National School in the late 1930’s. The story is presented as written at the time.
Old Churchyards – Castledaly
There are two churchyards in my district. They are situated in Killomenaghan and Castledaly.
Killomenaghan churchyard is round in shape and it slopes towards the west.
There is a lot of tombs and crosses in Killomenaghan and there are dates on some of them over eighty or ninety years old.
On the 15th of August of every years there is a pattern in Killomenaghan and people come from all parts of the country to do stations there.
Killomenaghan got its name from St. Menaghan who had a church built there. There were about five ash trees growing in Killomenaghan but they are all cut down but one which is said to be St Menaghan’s tree. There are three statues in it. St Menaghan’s Statue, the Statue of the Sacred Heart, and the Statue of the Blessed Virgin. There is one monument in Killomenaghan which belongs to the O Donoghues of the Glens of Ballinahown Court. Some of the O Donoghues are buried in Kerry and one of them is buried in Ballinahown Chapel yard. In years past Killomenaghan was four times as large as it is now. The railway runs through what was years ago part of the church yard. There are remains of an old foundation of a church in Killomenaghan and there are also the remains of an old church in Castledaly graveyard. Some of the tombs are made of wood, some iron others of marble and limestone. There are people buried in the old ruins of Castledaly and Killomenaghan. There are some of the crosses ornamented. There is a road running through what years ago was part of the churchyard.
Parents & Toddler Group
The Parent and Toddler Group Meet every Friday morning in Ballinahown Community Hall 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.
Birthday Greetings
Happy Birthday to Liam Hunt, Bloomhill who celebrated his birthday on 7th October. Hope they all spoiled you Liam.
A big happy birthday to Dympna Dolan, Kilgarvan who celebrated a “roundy birthday” last week. Hopefully Patrick and the crew made it a special day for you.
Ballinahown Astro Turf Booking
You can now book the Astro Turf facility (70 x 40 metres) facility complete with LED lighting, shock pads surface plus target wall making it ideal for all sports. Single hour, multi hour and block bookings available.
Visit Ballinahown Sports Park Facebook Page to book your time.
Line Dancing
While there was No Line dancing in Ballinahown Community Hall on Tuesday 4th it returns on Tuesday 11th October at 8.00pm. So, if you want to get fit, lose weight and enjoy yourself all at the same time then make it a “date at eight” in Ballinahown Community Hall every Tuesday night.
Local News
If you have any local news – birthday celebrations, wedding anniversaries etc. or indeed old photographs that you would like to share with our readers we would love to hear from you. You can email us at Ballinahownnews@gmail.com or call Denis on 0876308357.