Ballinahown & District News – 24/06/2022
Ballinahown Sportspark Astro Booking
Do you or your friends want 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 18th June 2022. Winning Bonus Number: 26. Winner: Bridie O’Connor, Kilgarvan.
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.
Stories from the Schools 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 was recorded by Agnes Darcy, Magheramore, a pupil in Clonmacnoise National School in the late 1930’s. The story – presented as written at the time – tells us about an attempt by the fairies to join Clonfinlough Lake with the River Shannon. The story was told to Agnes Darcy by her father Patrick Darcy.
The Fairies
Long ago there lived in Ireland a small race of people called Fairies. At that time a man from this district did some harm to the fairies and they were so angry that they said they would have revenge.
For days and nights they held council and on the seventh day the Fairy King said “We will join the River Shannon with the Clonfinlough Lake and drown the people living near. We should complete our work in seven days. But if, inside that time a mortal calls God’s Blessing on our work we cannot continue, but will be forced to go away and leave the people unharmed. ”
The following day they commenced work. They assembled between River and Lake, and half the Fairies worked towards Clonfinlough, whilst the other moved towards the Shannon.
If the fairies worked at the same rate they would have finished in seven days, but on the third day a woman passed by, and as was the custom said “God Bless the work.” The Fairies had to abandon their work as was predicted by the King.
To this day can be seen the cutting in the earth, now overgrown with bushes, and called Clinagh. The Fairies were foiled in their first attempt but a week afterwards they stole the woman who was the cause of their trouble, and it is said that she will not be set free until someone completes the work for the Fairies.
Teacher’s note: Other people tell this same story and say that they were three witches digging the canal with big iron spoons to have revenge on the neighbours. A man passing by said “God Bless the work”. This put an end to the digging as the witches could not do work that had the Lord’s blessing on it.
Doon/Shannonbridge Lotto Results for 20th June 2022
Jackpot €7,800. Numbers Drawn 3, 6, 14, 23. No Winner.
Match 3 Winners: Jack Ryan, Peter & Mary Rohan, Corina Slattery, Frank Moran, John Egan.
Next Week’s Jackpot: €8,000
The committee wish to thank everyone for their continued support
Obituaries
| The death has occurred of Concepta Guinan (née Flynn), Ballyhearth, Clonfanlough, Athlone, Co. Offaly late of Ballinadrimnagh, Athboy, Co. Meath.
Concepta died on June 17th 2022, peacefully with her family in the loving care of the Staff at Ferbane Nursing Home. She was a native of Ballinadrimnagh, Athboy, Co. Meath and was predeceased by her beloved parents Tommy and Madeline Flynn, brother Christy and sister Anne Behan (Naas). Concepta will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her loving husband Ciaran, brothers Brian and Thomas, sister Moira, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family and friends. Removal took place from her home on Sunday afternoon (June 19th) at 2.30pm to St. Ciarán’s Church, Clonfanlough arriving for Requiem Mass at 3.00pm. Interment afterwards in Clonmacnois. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam. |
Ballinahown N.S. Girls Team crowned Westmeath County Football Champions
Ballinahown National School Girls GAA team were crowned county champions in the Cumann Na mBunscol Division 4 County final played in Cusack Park, Mullingar on Monday 13th June. Joint captains Lorna Colcough and Riona Foley led the Ballinahown girls to a 7 Goal 7 Point to 3 Goal 9 Point win over Clonmellon National School. Anna Ryan was named as player of the match. In an exciting game that could have gone either way in the first half Ballinahown pulled away in the second half to secure a magnificent win
The people of Ballinahown turned out in force to welcome the girls home with a celebration in the Community Hall. Well done to all involved.
Ballinahown Summer Camps
Summer Camps for children between the ages of 5 and 12 years will take place from June 27th to July1st and from July 4th to July 8th in Ballinahown Community Sportspark. Activities include Art, Games, Sports, etc. 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/Whats 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.
Ballinahown & District News – 17/06/2022
Ballinahown Sportspark Astro Turf Project – Sponsors Wall
The Astro Turf and Target Wall complex is now open with the Committee finalising plans for an official opening later in the summer. Work on the completion and provision of a Sponsors Wall at the entrance to the facility is now underway.
There have been a number of enquiries from individuals as to the possibility of having their name or that of their family recorded on the Sponsors Wall. The committee have advised this is indeed possible adding “individuals, families and businesses can have their name included on the Sponsors Wall as a Platinum, Gold, Silver or Bronze Sponsor by contacting any member of the organising committee regarding same”.
Once again the committee wish to thank everyone who helped make this community project a reality. Ni Neart Go Cur Le Cheile/ Strength in Numbers
The Astro Turf and Target Wall facility is available for booking by logging on to https://portal.sportskey.com/venue/ballinahown-sports-park
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.
Stories from the Schools 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 was recorded by Teresa McManus a pupil in Clonmacnoise National School in the late 1930’s. The story – presented as written at the time – tells us about a shoemaker who lived in the locality and was told to her by her father James McManus who was 68 years old at the time.
The Shoemaker
Once upon a time, there was a man named Séan Óg, who lived in Creevagh. He was a good shoemaker. One Saturday night, he had to stay up late to make boots as there was going to be a football match next day in Creevagh, and he had to make a pair of boots for each man in the team.
His wife went to bed at about 12 o’clock, and she kept saying, “Arrah, Séan, you should go to bed, for it’s not right to be stitching’ coming on to Sunday”, but her husband remained stitching. At about one o’clock the door opened and twelve men walked in, with twelve red caps, with tassels, on their heads. Each of them went over, and hung his cap on a nail on the wall. Then they sat down and after a while they got up again, took their caps from the nails and put them on their heads, went outside the door and said, “Hi ho, cap, away for London”.
When they were gone, Sean noticed that there was still a cap hanging on a nail. By this time he had the boots finished and he got up, took the cap from the nail, went outside the door, and said “Hi ho, cap, away for London.”. He had the words scarcely said, when he rose up in the air, and caught up with the others, just as they were about to go into a cellar in London. When they got there, he saw that it was a cellar full of liquor. They put their caps in their pockets, and they all drank enough. Then they all (except for Sean who had fallen fast asleep) put on their caps and said “Hi ho, cap, away out of the cellar.” Then they all disappeared.
When the man who owned the liqueur came down to the cellar in the morning, he found Sean fast asleep He called him and said “Ha, I’ve got you at last, it’s you that’s always drinking my liquor. “. Then he put him in hand-cuffs, and brought him before the Mayor of the City, and he was condemned to be hung from the back-band of a cart. When he was about to be hung, an old woman in the crowd said “I never saw anyone hung without a cap, wait and I’ll get him one.” “Oh” said Sean, “I have one myself.” He took out the cap and put it on his head and said “Hi ho, cap, away for Creevagh.” When he said this he rose up in the air, cart and all, and landed at his home. The cart was the first spoke wheel cart ever seen in Creevagh. He was just home in time for the football match next day, and he put down the kettle and made tea, and if he wasn’t happy, that we may.
Obituaries
| The death has occurred of Oliver (Ollie) Keenaghan, Delvin Park, Ferbane, Co. Offaly and a native Endrim, Ferbane.
Ollie died on June 8th 2022, peacefully with his family at Beaumont Hospital, Dublin. He was late of E.S.B. Tarbert, Co. Kerry. He was predeceased by his beloved parents Pat and Annie, sister Anna-May and brother Kevin. Ollie will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by his loving wife Patricia and family, Audrey, Brendan, (Clonaderig, Ballinahown), Declan and Barry, grandchildren Chloe, Sean, Tom, Aimee, Ollie, Anna and Jake, sister Irene, son-in-law Aidan, daughters-in-law Deirdre, Angela and Suzanne, brothers-in-law Seamus and Martin, sisters-in-law Kathleen and Christine, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends. Ollie reposed at his home on Thursday evening June 9th and again on Friday evening June 10th. His removal to the Church of the Immaculate Conception, Ferbane took place on Saturday morning June 11th for Requiem Mass at 11.00am with interment afterwards in Kilrehan Cemetery. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam dílis. |
Birthday Wishes
Happy Birthday to John Rohan, Clonaderig, Ballinahown who celebrated his birthday on Wednesday June 8th. We hope you had a great day John and your family helped you celebrate in style.
Doon/Shannonbridge Lotto Results for 14th June 2022
Jackpot €7,400. Numbers Drawn 18,24,29,31. No Winner. No Match 3’s.
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 – 10/06/2022
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.
Ballinahown Community Development Association – Lotto Results – 4th June 2022. Bonus Number Drawn: 26. Winner: No Winner.
Wedding Bells
Congratulations to Clodagh Boland, Loughill and Damien Egan, Belmont who were married in St. Colmcille’s Church, Ballinahown on Saturday last 4th June followed by a reception in Tyrellspass. Clodagh is the daughter of Eugene and Anne Boland, Loughill while Damien is the son of Paddy and Carina Egan, Belmont. We wish the newlyweds a long and happy life together.
Obituaries
The death has occurred of Angela Farrell (née Brady) Clonaderig, Ballinahown, Offaly Late of Riverstown, Killucan, Co. Westmeath.
| Angela died on May 31st 2022, peacefully with her family at Tullamore Regional Hospital. She was predeceased by her sisters Doreen and Áine.
Angela will be sadly missed and fondly remembered by her loving husband Tony and family, Damian, Aidan, Fiona (Gannon), Sandra (Hamm) and Alan, grandchildren Calvin, Danielle, Kellie, Emma, Rachel, Ella, Jamie, Seána and Rory, brothers Tommy, Padraig and Sean, sisters Valerie and Patrina, sons-in-law Leo and John, daughters-in-law Bernie, Natasha and Sarah, brothers-in-law, sisters-in-law, nephews, nieces, extended family, neighbours and friends. Angela reposed at her home on Wednesday (June 1st) from 6pm to 8pm and on Thursday (June 2nd) from 5pm to 8pm. Removal took place on Friday morning (June 3rd) to St. Colmcille’s Church, Ballinahown for Requiem Mass at 11am with interment afterwards in Clonmacnoise. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam. |
Birthday Wishes
Happy Birthday to Peter Mooney, Doon who celebrated his birthday on Saturday June 4th and to Peter Rohan, Esker who celebrated his birthday on Monday June 6th. We hope you both had a great day and your families spoiled you.
Share your News
If you live in the general area of Ballinahown, Castledaly, Clonfanlough, Doon and have any old photographs or news e.g. events, birthdays, weddings etc. you would like to have featured in the Ballinahown & District News please email us at ballinahownnews@gmail.com by 10.00pm on Sunday evening. Please include your name and telephone number so we may contact you for verification purposes.
If you haven’t access to a computer/scanner you can contact Denis Rohan on 087 6308357.
Ballinahown & District News – 03/06/2022
Wedding Bells
Congratulations to Bríd Daly, Clonaderig, Ballinahown and Clodomiro Borea, Milan, Italy who were married in St. Colmcille’s Church, Ballinahown on Saturday last 28th May followed by a reception in The Shamrock Lodge Hotel, Athlone. Bríd is the daughter of Thomas and Bernie Daly, Clonaderig. We wish the newlyweds a long and happy life together.
Astro Turf
Many thanks to our local artist Shane Turner who supplied a time lapse video of the painting of the Target Wall Mural in the new Astro Turf facility. It’s available to view on Ballinahown Sportspark, Playground and Walkways Facebook Page. Well worth a view to see this extraordinary artist at work.
The new Astro Turf facility is now available to hire at very modest rates. To book follow the link on Ballinahown Sportspark, Playground and Walkways Facebook Page.
Ballinahown Community Development Association – Lotto Results – 21thMay 2022. Bonus Number Drawn: 38. Winner: No Winner.
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.
Irish Dance Classes
Sarah Clogher School of Irish Dance commences in Ballinahown Community Centre on Tuesday 31st May after school and continues every Tuesday for 6 weeks. Classes for all levels. To book a place call 0857181344.
Stories from the Schools 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 was recorded by Kathleen McManus a pupil in Clonmacnoise National School in the late 1930’s. The story – presented as written at the time – tells us about Leitra Castle (located on an “oasis” in the Blackwater Bog) was told to her by her father James McManus who was 68 years old at the time.
The Castle of Leitra is as good as the first day is was built, only the roof is gone and it is overgrown with ivy. A path reaches from this castle to Daoire na grann about a mile north of the castle. The fairies are supposed to change their camp there twice a year in May and November. There are whirl pools on this path and anybody who dares walk on it, is swept away in one of these pools, and sent to a cave under the floor of the castle and never seen again. The cave is supposed to be full of gold and is guarded by a big black cat. If anybody goes to find the gold the cat will fly at them and kill them. The cat leaves this cave once a year and takes a walk through the bog. Once a man from Clondalara dreamt of the date on which the cat leaves. He started on his journey. When he arrived at the castle, he was about to enter the (castle) cave, when he saw the cat’s eyes gleam in the darkness. He ran through the fields so fast that no cat could keep up with him. The cave is not to be seen now as it is covered by the green sod. No weather will ever knock this castle, it been built with bullocks blood and stone.
Once a man was brought into this cave from Creevagh whose name was “Big Jack”. He went to a hill called “Ard Man” to look at his cattle. When he reached the top, two men he had never seen before, walked up to him. They took him by the hands and at the same time the wind lifted him off his feet. Next he found himself in Leitra Castle. The two men spoke enchanted words. The cave opened. The cat stood on one side, the three walked in. He saw people that were dead twenty years before. One man told him to eat or drink nothing. Every kind of food was laid before him on a marble table, but he would not taste it. Next evening he was taken back to the same place he had come from.
Castledaly Development
Do you know someone that might be interested in “Digital Skills for Everyday Living?”
Sign up for free Digital Classes for older people and learn basic and essential online skills. Classes are delivered by Active Retirement Ireland, supported by Vodafone Ireland.
Venue: Castledaly Community Centre. Date Thursday 9th June.
Quote for the week
“Common sense is like deodorant. The people who need it most never use it.”- Anonymous
Share your News
If you live in the general area of Ballinahown, Castledaly, Clonfanlough, Doon and have any old photographs or news e.g. events, birthdays, weddings etc. you would like to have featured in the Ballinahown & District News please email us at ballinahownnews@gmail.com by 10.00pm on Sunday evening. Please include your name and telephone number so we may contact you for verification purposes.
If you haven’t access to a computer you can contact Denis Rohan on 087 6308357.