Ballinahown & District News – 29/07/2022
Ballinahown Development Association Lotto – Bonus Number on main Lotto Draw on Saturday 23rd July 2022. Winning Bonus Number: 4.Winner: Paul Murray.
Obituaries
The death has occurred of Patrick (Paddy) Brazil, Clongowney, Clonfanlough, Athlone, Offaly.
Patrick died on July 18th 2022, peacefully at home with his family. He was fondly known as Paddy, was a native of Endrim, Ferbane and late of Bord na Móna. He was predeceased by his parents Michael and Catherine, brothers Johnny and Michael and sister Mary-Jo.
Paddy will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his loving wife Margaret and family, Michael, Damien, Aiden, Catherine (McManus), Pakie, Bridget and Ciaran, grandchildren, Sinéad, Cormac, Aoife, Christian, Aaron, Conor, David, Paul, Alan and Gavin, sisters Rosie (Smith) and Bridie (Duffy), brother Jimmy, son-in-law Anthony, daughters-in-law Mary, Martina, Patricia and Mary, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Paddy reposed at home on Tuesday July 19th and on Wednesday July 20th from 5pm to 8pm. Removal took place on Thursday morning July 21st to St. Ciaran’s Church, Clonfanlough for Requiem Mass at 12noon with interment afterwards in Clonmacnoise.
Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis.
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 underground passages in Clonmacnoise. The story was recorded by Jimmy McEvoy a pupil in Clonmacnoise NS in 1938 having been told to him by his grandfather Pat Flannery who was then aged 80 years. The story is presented as written at the time.
Clonmacnoise – Underground Passages
It is said that there is an Under-ground Passage from the Nun’s Church to St Ciaran’s little Church and that the Nun’s used to walk in this passage from their Convent to the cemetery. There is another Under-ground Passage from O’Connor’s Church to the Shannon. The monks used to go through this passage to the Shannon for water. It is said that the monks and Nuns were afraid that the enemy would put them to death and that is why they used to walk in those Under-ground Passages. Those passages are closed up now, but an under-ground room was found this year (1938) It is closed up yet until some Authorities from Dublin come to open it. This room is in St Ciaran’s Church.
Ballinahown Sportspark Astro Turf Sponsors Wall
There has been a great response from families and businesses alike in recent weeks to the opportunity to have their names recorded on the Sponsors Wall to be sited at the entrance of the Sports Park. This is the final stage of the fundraising effort to clear all costs associated with the construction of the Astro Turf and Target Wall that recently completed by Premier Pitches. Having already raised €510,000 of the required €520,000 for the construction of the facility the committee are now working to clear all costs associated with the project prior to the official opening in September. Individuals or families can have their name recorded as a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum contributor by contacting any committee member. The organising committee wish to thank everyone associated in one way or another with bringing this project to completion. It will serve the communities of Ballinahown, Castledaly, Clonfanlough and Doon for many years to come.
Any club or organisation wishing to book the Astro Turf or Target Wall you can do so by logging on to https://portal.sportskey.com/venue/ballinahown-sports-park
All sporting organisations are welcome to book the facility.
Birthday Wishes
Happy Birthday to the following locals who celebrated their birthday recently: Siobhan (Kennedy) O’Shea, Clonaderig, 26th July, Mary (Mannion) Ledwith, Clonaderig, Patrick Dolan, Kilgarvan and Mike Kennedy, former Principal at Rashina and Ballinahown N.S – all celebrated on 27th July and finally Seamus Kelly, Ballinahown 10th July who celebrated a “roundy” birthday on 10th July. Hope you all had an enjoyable birthday.
This week’s Quote
This week’s quote is from Vincent Van Gogh (1853 – 1890) a Dutch Post-Impressionist painter who posthumously became one of the most famous and influential figures in Western art history. In a decade, he created about 2,100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings, most of which date from the last two years of his life.
He is quoted as follows: “If you hear a voice within you say, “you cannot paint,” then by all means paint and that voice will be silenced”.
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. Please email us at Ballinahownnews@gmail.com or contact Denis Rohan on 0876308357.
Ballinahown & District News – 22/07/2022
Great Farming and Bog Weather
The recent spell of good weather has been a godsend to local farmers and turf savers alike allowing them to save crops and turf for the winter season. The good weather has seen quite a lot of hay saved that would normally have been saved as silage if the weather wasn’t good. Farmers are always on the lookout to save some hay during the summer season as they will tell you its great feed for young calves who are not that keen on silage. The rise in energy prices recently has also contributed to an increase in the saving of turf this year. With heating oil and gas at their highest ever prices allied to the uncertainty around turf cutting in future years householders have been out in force saving turf to reduce their heating costs over the coming winter and beyond.
Ballinahown Development Association Lotto – Bonus Number on main Lotto Draw on Saturday 16th July 2022. Winning Bonus Number: 40.Winner: Caroline Murray. Cooldorragh.
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 is a ghost story recorded by Ciss Edwards a pupil in Clonfanlough School in the late 1930’s. The story was told to her by John Loonam, Garbally, Co. Offaly who was then aged 93. The story is presented as written at the time.
Ghost Story
After the Famine in Ireland the people used to spin yarn and grow a good deal of flax, and they used to sell it at the market in Birr. One night a man from near Banggher set out to Birr with a ball of yarn to be in time for the market next day, which started that time at seven o’clock. On his way he had to pass a certain bush, and there he heard great crying, and breaking of sticks. He wondered what was the matter and on standing in behind the bush he saw a lot of young boys and girls setting a large fire, when all was ready they brought forth a(nd) very old man with a white beard. They put a spike straight through his body and kept swinging him in and out over the fire till the man thought they had him burned up, but not a scorch ever came near him. Then they stopped and an old lady came out and said I wonder who will help us to turn the handle, and they all shouted who will only calling the man by his name. They brought him over to the place, and warned him that if even a hair of the old man’s head was burned that he was in for the same. The man was not two minutes turning the handle when the old man was burned up, he got frightened and ran away as fast as he could with the ball of yarn. He went into a little house in the fields and told what had happened to the people of the house. Ha said the woman of the house you are lucky to get away so easily, I know several people who were taken in the fairies by standing to look at them. The man was glad to get away and went on his way to Birr.
Ballinahown Sportspark Astro Turf Sponsors Wall
The final stages of fundraising are underway to complete the payment for the construction of the Astro Turf and Target Wall. Having to date raised €510,000 of the required €520,000 for the construction of the facility the committee are now offering people the opportunity to have their or their family’s name recorded as a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum contributor on a Sponsors Wall to be displayed at the entrance to the Sports Park. If you are interested you can contact any committee member for details. The committee are hoping to clear all debt associated with the project before the official opening in September.
If you wish to book the Astro Turf or Target Wall you can do so by logging on to https://portal.sportskey.com/venue/ballinahown-sports-park
All sporting organisations are welcome to book the facility.
Birthday Wishes
Best wishes to Ciaran Rohan, Clonaderig, Ballinahown and to Mary Hanamy, Corr, who celebrated their birthdays last week. Both kept it quiet however, our roving reporter got wind of the celebrations and duly informed us. Hope you both had a great day.
This week’s Quote
This week’s quote comes from Betty White (1922 -2021) an American Actress who died last December at the age of 99 is credited with the following “People say to me, ‘but Betty, Facebook is a great way to connect with old friends.’ Well, at my age, if I want to connect with old friends I need an Ouija board.”
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. Please email us at Ballinahownnews@gmail.com or contact Denis Rohan on 0876308357.
Ballinahown & District News – 15/07/2022
Ballinahown Sportspark Astro Turf Sponsors Wall
Having raised €510,000 of the required €520,000 for the construction of the Astro Turf and Target Wall the organising committee are now in the final stages of their fundraising effort. If you would you like to have your name or your family’s name recorded as a Bronze, Silver, Gold or Platinum contributor on our Sponsors Wall to be displayed at the entrance to the Sports Park you can do so by contacting any committee member for details. The aim of the committee is to clear all debt associated with the project before the official opening date in September.
If you wish to book the Astro Turf or Target Wall you can do so by logging on to https://portal.sportskey.com/venue/ballinahown-sports-park. The facility is open for bookings from all sporting organisations.
Tidy Towns Competition
The weekly Tidy Towns Group continue to meet every Wednesday evening from 7 30 – 8 30pm, at the Community Hall in Ballinahown. Ongoing tidying and maintenance is the focus of the group at the moment. Litter control while continuing to be a problem is thankfully improving. Vigilance from locals in this matter is very much appreciated.
A very special thanks is extended from Ballinahown Community Development Committee and all volunteers for their ongoing work. Remember improvements to our local village doesn’t happen by chance, it requires your help, so please come along and help. All ages welcome. Anyone wishing to get involved or to hear more about what is happening in the village please text Lorraine on 0868302261 or Aoife 0861991424 on to be added to the local volunteer “Whats App Group”.
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 is about a Lone Tree that stood near St. Ciaran’s Well and recorded by the teacher in Clonmacnoise NS Mr. P. O’Maolmhuaidh in the late 1930’s. The story was told to him by An Kilmartin who was aged 90 at the time. The story is presented as written at the time
The Lone Tree
There was a tree growing at the turn as you go to St Ciaran’s Well called the Lone Tree because it was standing all alone. Some say St Ciaran planted it, but others say there was an old house there and an old woman lived in it. Her name was Moll, and a good number of the old people called the tree Moll’s tree. She used to sit out under it knitting or sewing in the Summer time. This tree was a very big tree and like St Ciaran’s Trees it was hollow in the centre and was a fine hiding place for the children. In the troubled times young fellows often hid in these trees from the enemy. This tree fell one stormy night about ten years ago.
One night a long time ago a man was going home late to Creevagh. It was a very bright night, and as he was coming near the Lone Tree he saw a lot of people with shining belts on coming to meet him. As he came nearer he saw that instead of ordinary people that they were all monks dressed in their brown habits, with their hoods up on their heads so that he could not see their faces. He got very much afraid and went in close to the wall on the other side of the road. The monks passed on two by two without ever a word out of them and each one had a lighted candle in his hand, and on they went down the road towards the churchyard. They were the souls of monks who had to come back to finish the Long Station that they did not do when they were alive. As soon as they had gone the man ran home and he was not found out late on that road again.
Ballinahown Development Association Lotto – Bonus Number on main Lotto Draw on Saturday 9th July 2022. Winning Bonus Number: 42.Winner: Anthony Duffy, Kilgarvin.
Birthday Wishes
Best wishes to Declan McEvoy, Clonlyon who celebrated a big birthday on Saturday last 9th July and to Aoife Farrell, Ballinahown who also celebrated her birthday during the week. Hope you all had a great day.
This week’s Quote
This week’s quote comes from Lao-Tze an ancient Chinese philosopher who is credited with the following wise words: “Watch your thoughts; they become words. Watch your words; they become actions. Watch your actions; they become habits. Watch your habits; they become character. Watch your character; it becomes your destiny.”
Local News
If you have any local news – birthday celebrations, wedding anniversaries etc. or old photographs that you would like to share with our readers please email us at Ballinahownnews@gmail.com or contact Denis Rohan on 0876308357.
Ballinahown & District News – 08/07/2022
Ballinahown Development Association Lotto – Bonus Number on main Lotto draw on Saturday 2nd July 2022. Winning Bonus Number: 47. No Winner this week.
Ballinahown Sportspark Astro Turf Sponsors Wall
Would you like to have your (or your family’s) name recorded as a contributor to the construction of the new Astro Turf facility. If so you can have your name included on the Sponsors Wall which will soon be displayed at the entrance to the Sports Park. If you are interested please contact any committee member for details.
Do you or your friends wish to get fit while enjoying yourselves? Then why not book the new AstroTurf facility. It has a shock pad surface that has been described as the best in the midlands.
The Astro Turf and Target Wall facility is available for booking by logging on to https://portal.sportskey.com/venue/ballinahown-sports-park
Tidy Towns Competition
Over the next few weeks we will focus on preparations that are underway by Ballinahown Development Association for this year’s Tidy Towns Competition. This week they are concentrate on Tidiness and Litter Control.
Volunteers have been working diligently on maintaining tidiness and litter control in the village. They meet every Wednesday at 7.30pm at the Community Hall to paint, weed, sweep etc. and plan additional work that needs to be carried out . They are happy to report good progress is being however they have noted an ongoing issue with litter, particularly on the Athlone approach road. They ask for particular vigilance on this road by all residents. If you are interested in helping the volunteers please contact Aoife on 0861991424 or Lorraine on 0868302261 to be added to the Ballinahown volunteer What’s App group.
Wedding Bells
Congratulations to Rachel Warby (formerly of Corr Hill) and Ciaran Duggan who were married in St. Colmcille’s Church, Ballinahown on Saturday last 2nd July. We wish the happy couple a long and joyous life together.
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 about the roofing of Clonfanlough Church and was recorded by a student named Kelly (first name not recorded) from Clonfanlough N.S. in 1938. The story was told to the student by his/her father Kieran who was told the story by his father William who died in 1926 aged 72 years. The story is presented as written at the time
Roofing of Clonfinlough Church and the Landlord
An old land lord named Lowther was owner of this district in years gone by. When the Chapel in Clonfanlough was being built the timber for the roof was cut in the townland of Corrigeen. The land lord heard it and tried to prevent the Priest from taking the timber. He thought to draw it home himself and yoked four bullocks to one tree to draw it when horses failed. The Priest borrowed a pony from a farmer and yoked him to the tree and the pony drew it to the church at its ease. The end and roots of the tree are to be seen still in Tom Shea’s garden. It is as sound as bell metal and it is called Lowther’s stumbling block.
This week’s Quote
This week’s quote is attributed to Marcus Tullius Cicero (3 January 106 BC – 7 December 43 BC). He was a Roman statesman, lawyer, scholar, philosopher, and academic skeptic, who tried to uphold the Roman aristocrats principles during the political crises that led to the establishment of the Roman Empire. His extensive writings include treatises on rhetoric, philosophy and politics, and he is considered one of Rome’s greatest orators and prose stylists. He came from a wealthy municipal family of the Roman equestrian order, and served as consul in 63 BC.
This quote is as appropriate today as it was 2000 years ago:
“Six mistakes mankind keeps making century after century:
Believing that personal gain is made by crushing others;
Worrying about things that cannot be changed or corrected;
Insisting that a thing is impossible because we cannot accomplish it;
Refusing to set aside trivial preferences;
Neglecting development and refinement of the mind;
Attempting to compel others to believe and live as we do.”
Local News
If you have any local news – birthday celebrations, wedding anniversaries etc. or old photographs that you would like to share with our readers please email us at Ballinahownnews@gmail.com or contact Denis Rohan on 0876308357.
Ballinahown & District News – 01/07/2022
Ballinahown Gaelic Football Team
We were delighted to receive information recently from Mr. Joe Hunt, formerly of Bloomhill and a school teacher in Co. Longford for many years – now retired, regarding a Gaelic football match that took place in 1890 – six years after the formation of the Gaelic Athletic Association. The football match involved Ballinahown Gaelic Club and Glasson Gaelic Club. Joe came across a report of the football match while reading a book titled “Lough Ree and Its Islands” written by Sean Cahill, Gearoid O’ Brien and Jimmy Casey. The report of the game was as follows “On Sunday 11th May 1890 Ballinahown Gaelic Club travelled to Glasson to play a return match with the local team. Ballinahown ladies chartered a special wagonette to accompany the team and follow the fortunes of the white harp (the Ballinahown colours were a green jersey with a white harp on the left breast).
The drive was through Ballykieran and the view of the lake was enchanting. Glasson was reached at two-o-clock and the team went to the field about a mile from the village. Glasson won the toss and there was a fine display of football. At half time the Athlone National Band arrived and played airs. Ballinahown won the match three points to nil. The team list read as follows: F. O’Donoghue, J.Healy, Michael, Joseph and Kieran Rohan, K. and J. Hunt, K. and P. Rigney, D. Sweeney, J. Longworth, P. Kennedy, P. Egan and K. Horan”.
Readers will observe there were only 14 players listed on the Ballinahown team. Having researched this number it appears the GAA rules at the time provided for a minimum number of 14 players and a maximum of 21 on each team. The first game of Gaelic Football under GAA rules (developed by Michael Davin) was played in February 1885 near Callan in Co. Kilkenny.
On a final note it would be interesting to establish if any local GAA clubs in Offaly or Westmeath can claim to have existed prior to the Ballinahown Gaelic Club mentioned above (Lucan Sarsfiels in Dublin is the oldest GAA Club in the country having been established in 1886).
Obituaries
The death has occurred of Bridget Rourke, formerly Duffy (née Daly), Kilnagooney, Ballinahown, Athlone, Offaly, late of Ballymore, Westmeath.
Bridget died on June 26th 2022, peacefully at home with her family in her 91st year. She is predeceased by her husbands Johnny Duffy and Sean Rourke, brothers Jack, Frank and Pat-Joe, sister Janie and an infant son.
Bridget will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her loving family, Padraig, Sean, Carmel (Rohan), Gerald, Mary, Rita (Buckley) and Paul, step-family, Tom, Ann and Patricia, grandchildren Tracy, Jennifer, Conor, Jonathan, Lisa, Shane, Mark, Alison, Amy and Katy, great-grandchildren Mikayla, Jacob, Theo and Odhrán, sons-in-law, daughters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends.
Bridget reposed at her home on Monday evening 27th and on Tuesday evening 28th June. Removal took place on Wednesday morning June 29th to St. Manchan’s Church, Boher for Requiem Mass at 11.00am with interment afterwards in the adjoining cemetery. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam.
Ballinahown Sportspark Astro Turf Sponsors Wall
Would you like to have your (or your family’s name) recorded as a contributor to the construction of the new Astro Turf facility. If so you can have your name included on the Sponsors Wall which will soon be displayed at the entrance to the Sports Park. If you are interested please contact any committee member for details.
Do you or your friends wish to get fit while enjoying yourselves? If so, then why not book the new AstroTurf facility. It has a shock pad surface that has been described as the best in the midlands.
The Astro Turf and Target Wall facility is available for booking by logging on to https://portal.sportskey.com/venue/ballinahown-sports-park
Ballinahown Development Association Lotto – Bonus Number on main Lotto draw on Saturday 25th June 2022. Winning Bonus Number: 39. No Winner this week.
Parents & Toddler Group
The Parent and Toddler Group which met every Friday morning during the school term is now suspended for the summer and will resume again when the schools return at the end of August.
Ballinahown Summer Camps
Summer Camp for children between the ages of 5 and 12 years continue next week i.e. July 4th to July 8th in Ballinahown Community Sportspark. Activities include Art, Games, Sports, etc. Time: 9.30am – 2.00pm (drop off from 9.00am). Cost: €65 per child per Camp, €120 for two children and €160 for three children. To book Text/What’s App Michael on 0894881786.
Local News
If you have any local news – birthday celebrations, wedding anniversaries etc. or old photographs that you would like to share with our readers please email us at Ballinahownnews@gmail.com or contact Denis Rohan on 0876308357.