Ballinasloe and District Tennis Club held their annual in-house Christmas Tournament organised by club member Emily Riddell. Hosted on a cold, dry day, and played on the new courts (which were completed last August), the players enjoyed some successful exercise after Christmas
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The club also held their Tennis Ball party recently at Gullane’s Hotel to celebrate the success in recent years. It was a great night of music, disco and dancing for the club, with finger food for the guests.
 
Works are ongoing at the courts, with installation of floodlights on site to be installed imminently. Soon afterwards, the club hopes to connect their water supply to the temporary clubhouse for kitchen facilities and toilets. When completed the club will be able to offer a very high standard of facilities to the ever-growing membership of the club , locally and beyond.
 
In the meantime, the group continue their open club sessions every Sunday from 11:00 to 12:00 for beginners, and 12:00 until 14:00 for experienced players. Open sessions on Tuesday and Friday nights will resume when the floodlights are installed. Junior Sessions are held every Saturday from 11:00 until 13:00, with Junior caching also available. The club offers six month period memberships  - Adults cost €30,  families €50, and juniors €20.
 
The club also have their tennis courts available to book for sessions, with club members paying no charge for their use. For more information on club memberships, court bookings and other services, see their website at www.ti.clubspark.com/Bsloetennisclub.
  
New members of all levels are welcome to join and attend an introductory club session. The club can be contacted at at 0872521424 or [email protected] for more information.
 

The East Galway Hunt Pony Club are resuming with rallies in the showgrounds every Friday at 19:00. The Cllub hosts many activities regarding equestrianism including show jumping, horse trials, and tetrathlons.
The East Galway branch are part of the Irish Pony Club which aims to encourage young people to ride and the learn the sport, to take care of their animals, and to show sportsmanship and courtesy.
 
Recently the Ballinasloe Club held an evening at Gullane’s Hotel to celebrate former instructor Lizz Scott’s retirement. Liz had been involved with the club for over 40 years and has trained many of her students to become successful riders with many now competing at European and Olympic levels. At this event, she was presented with a crystal vase and a tribute by Michael Essame, Chairman of the Irish Pony Club Executive. Liz praised her current and former students over the years, and emphasised the importance of young riders in the future of equestrianism.
 
Memberships for 2023 will be opening shortly -  boys and girls up to 21 years of age with activities to suit all levels. Membership is €100 each and €80 for any additional family members, with insurance and administration costs included. As well as having a horse to ride – members are expected to perform at a moderately capable level before participating in any competitions.
 
You can keep up to date with the club’s activities and events on their Facebook page www.facebook.com/IrishPonyClub. If you have any queries, you can contact the group at (087) 274 1869 or (086) 826 7540.

The Ballinasloe Says No committee welcomed news from Galway County Council that permission has lapsed for the Poolboy Waste Facility, along with no further petition or extension requested by the applicant. Originally validated by Galway County Council, approval for development on the site by way of licence has now been deactivated.
 
Ballinasloe Says No is a community group who have challenged the granting of permits to operate a station at an inappropriate location in Poolboy The activists, along with the public in Ballinasloe, have submitted over 2000 objections due to safety and environmental concerns regarding this facility polluting the town.
Chairperson of the committee Dr. Vincent Parsons welcomed the news and congratulated the group on their achievement. “Major health hazards would result from these types of major waste facilities such as noxious gases, dust, insects and vermin as well as pollution of waterways and environment. As part of Ballinasloe Says No we have fought against this inappropriate location and we have taken this to the High Court and won”, he stated.
 
President of the group Eamonn O’ Donogue was pleased with the confirmation saying: “This is wonderful news for the residents of town. We have highlighted the health and environmental challenges of a waste transfer station in this location as well as the road hazards of large waste trucks coming through the streets of our locality”.
 
Senator Aisling Dolan, who is the Co-Founder, Secretary and PRO for the committee, stressed the significant action taken by the activists in preventing the development of this waste transfer station: “We have a great group with a huge commitment who have campaigned and fundraised over the past 5 years. Together with Chairperson Vincent, Parsons and Eamonn O’Donoghue, we have won three times in the High Court challenging permits for the waste transfer station. We would like to thank the legal team of solicitors and barristers as well as people who became part of our legal group and put their names on the line for Ballinasloe now and in 1999.”
 
Councillor Dr. Evelyn Parsons emphasised that proposed development at the Poolboy Waste Transfer Station was against the current Ballinasloe Local Area Plan, and was delighted that her proposal for a remediation startegy at the facility will be included with the draft County Development Plan.
 
Cllr Parsons is a staunch environmentalist and member of the Climate Change and Biodiversity Strategic Policy Committee (SPC), having raising ecological concerns on various occasions. “Throughout the CDP process I’ve championed the guiding principle of environmental justice for fair distribution of environmental benefits and burdens to enable communities such as ours equitable opportunities to prosper within the county in terms of environment, quality of life, health and future economic growth opportunities including attracting investment and sustainable tourism”, she stated.
It remains to be seen if the appellant will pursue other avenues to achieve his stated commercial objectives but the group are remaining vehement and vigilant. 

This year’s St. Patrick’s Parade will assemble in the Fair Green at 13:30, March 17, and after some pre-show music the parade will start at 14:00 sharp.
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The route will follow Society Street towards Main Street, up Slí Na hAbhann, down past Dunlo Street and then ending at a viewing stand in St. Michael Square. This parade, presented by a yet to be selected  Grand Marshall, will use the National Feastday as it’s  theme, encouraging participants to celebrate or highlight any subject they wish.
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The parade will award cash prizes for the best showcase of five categories in Culture, Education, Voluntary Groups, Sporting and Commercial, and the Tony Colohan Award for  the  overall winner last year it was the towns colourful and growing Indian Community. Ballinasloe’s Paddy’s Parade provides a great showcase of the town, and this year’s event will hopefully be another highlight. If you would like further information about this event, you can contact the organizers at 087 6207477 or at 089 9973008.

Following on from the launch of the Ballinasloe Area Tourism Network in April last year in conjunction with Hidden Heartlands, Waterways Ireland , The Western Development Commission ,Galway Rural Development  and Galway County Council Tourism Dept. – a steering group of local tourism and hospitality interests have been busy pursuing next steps.

Key to the Feasibility Plan is the strategic positioning of the town and the network from Ballyforan Bridge to Meelick weir and from Aughrim Battlefield to Shannonbridge  - as a touchstone town on the twin pillars of the Beara Breffni Way and the Shannon Erne Waterway.

With over €59 million of Tourism Investment coming to the Hidden Heartlands via the Just Transition Fund, the fledgling Grouping under the auspices of BACD are confident that with success and support - the town and its hinterland tourism network can position itself as an off grid slow tourism gem of the Hidden Heartlands.

Already becoming a  “Bundoran of the Midlands”  with last January’s Mike Denver Dancing Weekend having every available room booked out in town for two nights – along with rooms in Loughrea and indeed Athlone – the town is gearing up for several busy attraction weekends anchored around hotel based events with a huge weekend promised again in the Shearwater for the last weekend in March – first of April with the National Jiving Championships.

Attempting to build on the huge heritage and amenity work done by a variety of community and voluntary interests the group are with the active support of Hidden Heartlands,  going to host an early season FAMM event for key personnel in the service and hospitality trade in an effort to grow an Ambassador Circle for East Galway and South Roscommon.

This will build out to a Taster Opening Season Weekend – scheduled for late May that will offer some key pillars of activity and theming to locals and visitors alike to grow awareness of all the opportunities that really do exist locally for people to be engaged with on a break.

If you are about to launch a service (Glamping, Trekking, Art Camps, Farm visits etc.) or product that could be of interest to visitors and were not engaged with the project last Spring you should make contact with the group quickly.

Further information on the Tourism Collective can be had from Lyn Donnelly BEC Manager at  [email protected]
 
 

Municipal District Council members were fully briefed on new Council housing developments at St. Josephs and Dunlo Street at their recent monthly meeting.
 
After nearly 20 months of planning and scoping , where even bat colony issues had to be reviewed and considered the Galway County Council Executive have reached the point where they can begin the formal PART 8  planning  process in constructing housing at these sites as part of an  infill development project and Dunlo Hill Regneration Project.
 
In essence the St Josephs construction project will finish out the estate tidily and sympathetically to its original ethos and the Dooleys Corner to the Mount will address a significant area of acute dereliction in the heart of the town.
 
The St Joesph’s Place development will cover a total area of roughly 0.8 acres  consisting of eight two-storey terraces, each with two bedroom units suitable for families. An ideal location for infill, although reliefs are in place regarding flooding issues in the area. Director of Services for Housing, Liam Hanrahan mentioned that the land was owned by Galway County Council and discussed how these small properties were to fit with pre-existing developments at the site.

Cllr. Dermot Connolly emphasised that the “ethos of estate” must be maintained and that he hoped to replicate the success featured at Garbally Drive.
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Mr. Hanrahan advised that the part 8 for St. Josephs will be brought before the members in early 2023 .
 
The derelict buildings at the 1.8 acre site on Dunlo street, including seven two-storey dwellings, a three-storey over basement premises and another adjacent three storey building consisting of a total 12-15 bedroom units, will be completely revamped.

This housing will likely be prioritized for elderly people with mobility issues on the town’s housing waiting list to provide them convenient access to the town centre facilities .

On the insistence of Cllr. Dermot Connolly the external stone structure and architectural character to the building will be maintained and conserved, while the interior will be modified to allow accommodation units to be put in place. Director Liam Hanrahan hopes these refurbishments to the building will provide a more pleasant image for people entering into Ballinasloe West. Consideration was given to communal uses for the ground floor bar and shop but this proved too difficult.

Cllr Dr. Evelyn Parsons was also in favour of a memorial plaque or some other commemorative memorial be installed for Irish Bilingual poet Eoghan Ó Tuairisc at the site, who was a highly influential and internationally recognised author who was born and lived at the third house on the row.  
 
Director Hanrahan advised that staff are waiting for the completion of some surveys and pending their arrival they will move to Part 8 as soon as possible.
 

Along with the release from May onwards of the 165 social and affordable dwellings directly south of Tesco, many more residential schemes  have been granted permission since Christmas.
 
Ballinasloe Municipal Council is finalising start of the part eight process at  Dooley’s Corner Dunlo Hill and expanding the St. Joseph’s estate. Dunlo Hill will be refurbished, consisting of 15 dwellings at the with a mixture of 1 to 2 bedroom units and will be targeted for elderly people. St. Josephs estate is getting  eight two-storey terraces with 2 bedroom units each designed for families.
 
Galway County Council has recently approved plans for 34 new dwellings along Church Road and in Kilgrave, Creagh beside Roscarn.  Theses private properties will be double storied ranging from 2 to 3 bed units, and from semi-detached to terrace housing. Included with this development will be road access to the R446, communal green space in the estates centre, bicycle parking areas, footpaths, public lighting, 77 parking spaces, and connections to the town’s water facilities.
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The original development was to consist of 36 housing but the panners removed two of the dwellings to provide additional communal space. The Council will also receive four of these properties in providing social and affordable housing in accordance to Part V planning law requirements. Additionally the contractors Leadlane LTD will pay €136,123 in development costs to maintain facilities within the area.
 
Planning was confirmed prior to December for 8 dwellings featured at Bachelor’s Walk led by contractors Brian and Brenda Connolly. This development consisted of an infill project which will contribute to and finish the residential scheme on this estate. The eight detached houses will feature six four bedroom units and an additional two larger units.
 
In Portnick – Moycarn a lapsed planning decision of 2014 but reactivated by the developer in 2019 for 16 detached two story dwellings and 10 semi-detached two stories – has less than a year to commence.
 
34 Houses have had their foundations poured in the Church St Social and first phase Affordable development , with An Bord Pleanála grappling with how many bungalows to allocate in the low density area of housing in Creagh.
 
Regarding the planning application put forward by Limehill Esker for 165 housing behind Tesco, there has been no official decision made from An Bord Pleanála which was due to be finalized last December. The planning application for this site was made by Limehill Esker which would include 106 apartments and duplexes, 27 three-bed terraced housing and 32-bed semi-detached with two-beds.
 
This will bring us to a total of 256 housing new units in the  pipeline within our town, plus providing an availability for hundreds of people to live in Ballinasloe, with nearly 199 being built.
 
With a local housing need list in the MDC area of about 800 plus – it appears that nearly 50 % could be accommodated with the 80% of new builds demised being for social and affordable housing.

The archaeological finds uncovered in Society Street during the course of monitoring of works for Ballinasloe Water Services Upgrade and Town Enhancement Scheme were the subject of a fascinating talk by Creagh native Fiona Maguire, Member of the Institute of Archaeologists of Ireland, before a capacity audience in Ballinasloe Library last November.
 
As part of the team from Atlantic Archaeology, a Sligo-based company, Fiona had been working on the project since July 2018, when in May 2020  portion of a Late Medieval/Post-Medieval cemetery was uncovered at the foot of Church Hill, under the pavement and roadway outside Supermac’s and McGorisk’s Pharmacy.  This discovery cannot have been altogether surprising, for in 1968 a human skeleton was found at the same location during the erection of an ESB public lighting standard.  Duly noted by Professor Rynne of UCG, the remains had been left in situ.
 
A total of 10 articulated bodies and a large quantity of disarticulated bones were discovered, approximately 12 centimetres down from the pavement and road surface, amounting to 18 burials of individuals all under 45 years of age at the time of death.  Interments had taken place between the years 1477 and 1638.  There was no evidence of the use of coffins, which would not have been unusual during the period in question.  To judge by the arrangement of the limbs, the bodies had been wrapped in winding sheets.  A curious feature of some of the burials is that light-coloured stones had been placed where supposedly the individual had a pain or injury while alive, a mortuary practice  reflective of the belief that in this way the body could be healed of its afflictions after death.  Of special interest were 65 barrel-shaped beads, probably animal bone, discovered about the feet of a female aged between 35 and 44 years.  When strung together they formed a six-decade rosary.
 
Also recorded was a circular drystone well constructed from angular limestone blocks built in courses.  It had been backfilled with layers of post-medieval building material.  A well in a cemetery seems counterintuitive.  It may, however, have existed prior to the graveyard, and afterwards functioned in a ritual context, not as a source of potable water.  At present its location is marked by an arrangement of contrasting paving stones on the new footpath.
 
The real significance of the Society Street excavations consists in the corroborative evidence they offer of the development of the town west of the Suck earlier than the 18th century.    Petty’s Atlas of 1683 shows a church on a hill near a street of houses.  Surely this must be what we now know as Church Hill, once the location of a possible Bronze Age hillfort.  (Whether this or the structure that occupied the site of St. Michael’s Church  was the legendary Dún Leodha remains a matter of speculation.)  The 1837 Ordnance Survey map shows the 1818 St. John’s Church of Ireland surrounded by a ditch or bank which has since disappeared from the grounds of the present building, though a segment of it can be seen extending across the upper end of the grassy, enclosed area at the back of the Town Hall.  An old name for Church Hill was Knockadoon (Cnoc an Dúin: Fort Hill), while later it became known as Cnoc an Teampaill, translated as Temple or Churchyard Hill.  The Canons Regular of St. Augustine once owned the site of the Society Street graveyard, and in pre-Reformation times the Canons, who were secular priests, not monks, served the parish of Kilclooney from the Priory of St. Mary in Clontuskert.  It would hardly be too fanciful to suggest that the foregoing points to the existence of a pre-Reformation church on the summit of the hill associated and contemporaneous with the Society Street cemetery.
 
Fiona’s talk was followed by a question-and-answer session, after which she was presented with a framed replica of the rosary beads referred to in her lecture.

David Maguire, an aspiring country musician born in Birchgrove, Ballinasloe, has found great success with his newest album “From the Cradle” which went straight to Number 1 on the iTunes Irish Country Charts.

Featuring with this release were many singles including “They were Lord, I Hope This Day is Good”, “The Town of Kilkee” and a cover of Dire Straits “Walk of Life”, now has thousands of people listening on platforms such as Spotify and YouTube.
 
David Maguire grew up in Birchgrove/ Creagh  and was a student at Garbally College. During his secondary years he joined various gigs including musicals and the school’s folk group. Additionally, he was also part of the school choir directed by Fr. Colm Allman. David musical inspirations include many traditional country icons including Willie Nelson, Johnny Cash and Elvis Presley, as well as modern guitarists like Mark Knopfler.
 
Following his secondary education, David moved to the UK and studied at the University of Wales, Aberystwyth obtaining a degree in Agricultural Science. Whilst David was being educated in the Aberystwyth, he often played music in local clubs and student bars.
 
Following his graduation from University, David wrote and released his debut single “Close to My Heart”, being an instant radio hit throughout Ireland. While in the UK, the musician also met and worked with famous producer Marcus Cliffe, who performed with various popstars such as Mark Knopfler and Rod Stewart.
 
Through various gigs and touring David gained ties to people in the music industry from the USA. He was eventually invited to Nashville in 2007 and 2008 and eventually begun touring the country. David found himself especially welcomed by the Americans and hopes to return late this year.
 
David remains close to his local routes, having toured all around Ireland – North, South, East and West. He plans in future to do a nationwide tour, and will make sure to return to include Ballinasloe in this line-up.

Along with his day job as QA Validation Consultant at Regeneron in Limerick, David is currently working hard on new album in London, which he hopes to have released by Autumn next year.

In the meantime, make sure to stay alert on any new singles released by him on iTunes, Spotify or YouTube.

Joe Kelly Senior a passionate GAA Tribesman and local supporter all his life ran the GAA Supporters Shop in the Pre All Ireland build up in Greenes’ old store Society St. – raising significant sums for the County Football Board.
 
Joe set about highlighting the true potential of the Duggan Park in a Winter Campaign culminating in an open public meeting in Gullane’s Hotel in early January  attended by over 60 people, TDs, Senators and Councillors.
 
Chaired by Padraig Lyons and briefed on the Heritage of the ground by Cllr. Declan Kelly ( cousin of Joe),  the meeting heard a summary outline of the type of development that the ground could accommodate if the stakeholders and key interests agreed on such a Masterplan.
 
Joe’s Highlighting campaign drew heavily for support from a lot players and officials of GAA past and present and indeed a great many ex pats who were involved in playing or coaching down through the years. Retired businessman Billy O Carroll and even Colm Mc Loughlin Chair of the Duty Free in Dubai , among others wrote in support of Joe’s future vision for the Duggan Park.
 
Following a whirlwind of media interviews and a statement from the Duggan Park Committee confirming that there” is a multiple staged plan in place for the development with full planning permission and €500,000 has been spent thus far on the early phases, done to an excellent standard by local contractors with the support of the previous town council for grants and sports capital grants. The work carried out is future proofing Duggan Park and is done on a budget.”.  The County Board had some communications with Joe on foot of the meeting and outlined their views on how best they would proceed with the advancing of the plans over time for the Duggan.
 
Joe after some 50 years of campaigning decided that this project was his very last one as he is now fully confident that the Duggan Park will be developed over the next 3 years with the best  County board he has  have ever seen . “I will now be supporting their efforts with fundraising and encourage everyone who engaged wit me to do the same “ , stated Joe.