A brand-new art and heritage collaboration is set to launch in the Ballinasloe Library titled ‘On Our Doorstep’ highlighting the wealth of the town’s unique historical features through art.
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The project came about through Library Assistants Zara Little-Campbell and Abbie McGowan, a collaboration with Zara as Chairperson of Group 8 and Abbie as Secretary of Cath Eachroma 1691 and the newly formed Ballinasloe and District Heritage Society.
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The organisers hope that each year will see artists submitting their work on a different theme, which will then be showcased in the Church Gallery. This year’s exhibition theme is the 1691 Battle of Aughrim, possibly the most significant point in Ireland’s turbulent history. Submissions have already been made, and all are welcome to the launch on Saturday August 12 at 14:30 free of charge with no booking required.
Following the exhibition, the library will feature Dr Geraldine Curtin to discuss the Ballinasloe Girl’s Reformatory School at 15:30 that Saturday. The talk is a joint venture by the Ballinasloe and District Heritage Society in association with Galway Archaeological and Historical Society.

A graduate of the University of Galway, Dr. Curtin holds a Ph.D in Modern Irish History with a particular focus on juvenile crime in Connacht during the nineteenth century. Dr. Curtin currently works in the Special Collections and Archives Reading Room at the University of Galway.
Dr. Geraldine  will outline the background to the Ballinasloe reformatory’s establishment, discuss the circumstances of the children detained there, the staff who ran it, along with spotlighting the day-to-day lives of its residents.

Recently the Ballinasloe Library hosted Irish novelist Colm Tóibín, along with writer Kevin Power who showcased his book White City. A large crowd attended the event, who had the opportunity to raise any questions to the two authors.
 
Additionally, the Library showcased a new exhibition ‘Renewal: Grennan Mill 1981’, highlighting the work of the very first students of a crafts course in Grennan Mill Craft School, Kilkenny. Forty years later, their original craftwork filled the Church Gallery, viewed by many upon their launch day earlier in the Summer.
Later in the year, The Tallest Smallest Theatre will deliver two live performances at the Ballinasloe Library on Culture Night on September 23. The first will feature a stilt-walking, storytelling session of Roald Dahl's The BFG, offering an experiential and entertaining approach to one of the most loved books for children. The other performance will see a series of circus acts challenging and delighting both young and old. The events are free and no booking is required.

Visit Ballinasloe Library on Facebook to find out more! 

Waterways Ireland are proposing significant changes to the current Shannon Navigation and Canal Bye Laws, some affecting operations of local boat owners and cruiser traffic of the River Suck.
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The Irish navigation authority, responsible for the management, maintenance, development, and restoration of inland navigable waterways, has proposed revisions to their bye-laws including an introduction of a €200 Annual Registration Fee for vessels, mandatory insurance for all vessels, abolishment of their Winter Mooring facilities, reducing the Five Day Mooring Rule to three days in key locations, and introducing a Fixed Penalty Notice of €150.
 
The primary proposal affecting boat lovers of town and the area would be the abolishment of Winter Mooring where boat owners, who can currently leave their vessels in the harbour during the off-season between November and April for a fixed charge, would no longer have the service available. This will result in the local marina being deserted during the Winter and Spring seasons and force local boat owners into the financial strain of taking up private mooring facilities. Thankfully the Marina remains at the current Five Day Mooring Status for the main-season within town.
 
Several Public Consultations have taken place nationwide, with locals giving their views at a recent meeting in Athlone. Many attendees agreed paying the €200 Annual Registration Fee for use of the navigation was a reasonable ask, although some remained concerned regarding proposals which could personally impact their operations.
 
The deadline for the consultation is 16:00 on October 2 2023.  River Suck IAWAI Club Chairman Graham Bartlett encouraged submissions reminding: “I would very strongly advise that anyone that enjoys the use of our local waterways in any capacity to visit the Waterways Ireland website and familiarize themselves fully with all the proposed changes”.

Those with thoughts can email a submission to corporate@waterwaysireland.org (including ‘Byelaw consultation’ in the subject line) or you could post it out to Waterways Ireland Inspectorate, The Docks, Athlone. Additionally an online Feedback Form is available at www.waterwaysireland.org/Pages/Public-Consultation-on-Draft-Byelaws.aspx.
 
In other activity, the River Suck played host to the annual gathering of the Freeman Cruisers Ireland. Owners of Freeman vessels berthed in the Marina and participated in a competition judging the appearance of their crafts. The first place winner of the best decorated boat were Nuala and Cain on their ‘Funky Duck’, along with Runner-Ups Sinead and Brendan on ‘Take a Chance’ and Conor on his ‘Camino’.

Club Chair Graham Bartlett expressed thanks to Ryan’s Bar for their support, and confirmed that the event will take place again next year.

The River Suck is available for hosting any potential events, ideal for its easy access to the town’s shopping and hotels. The first point of contact for organising your occasion would be through Waterways Ireland via their Online Services Portal on their website. The IWAI River Suck Branch can be of assistance in any way via email at iwairiversuck@gmail.com.

The all-conquering U13 Town AFC team have been on a hot-streak, completing the Galway League and Cup doubles and emerging victorious upon a visit to the Netherlands at the Brabant International Cup.
 
Played in Holland’s sweltering heat, the U13s faced against Belgian, Dutch and German squads on their path to the final against California’s MVLA Academy. Local AFC player Callum Conway scored a superb 25 yard free kick to secure their victory, and Ballinasloe’s Keela Donnelly Meehan earned Player of the Tournament.
 
At home base, Club under 13 Players Callum Conway, Adam Lloyd, Éanna Colleran, John Kelly, Fionn Duffy and Adam McLoughlin represented Galway at the Centre of Excellence, Dublin, playing three showcase games against Waterford, Dundalk/Drogheda and Kerry. Ballinasloe’s captain Aaron Treacy became the first county player to lift the prestigious Kennedy Cup after beating the Midlands League 2/1.  Additionally, U12s Ty Finnerty, Nathan Blair and Aaron Mannion were selected on the Galway United Academy who defeated Finns Harps 2/1 in the Westport Invitational Tournament final.
 
A 5K Solidarity Walk was held for U13/14s player Luke Doherty who was diagnosed with Hodgkins Lymphoma last year. A great turnout arrived at the AFC grounds to support Luke in the walk, raising €14,412 on the day -towards  St. Teresa’s Ward at Portiuncula Hospital, Our Ladies Children’s Hospital Crumlin, Aoibheann’s Pink Tie Charity Foundation, Cliona’s Foundation, while the last 20% was donated to the family by the club to treat Luke to a holiday.
 
Walk Organiser Johnny Walsh thanked the local community for their support, and the Doherty family for their cooperation in agreeing to the event.
 
The Annual General Meeting  saw a new committee elected with Bjorn Manning as Chairperson, Vanessa Lloyd as Secretary, Johnny Walsh as Treasurer, Ellen Egan as Assistant Treasurer, Sonya Dowd as Youth Secretary, Simon Price as Child Protection Officer, Michael Burke as Groundsman, Brendan McNally as Assistant Groundsman, Johnny Walsh and Joeb Kelly as joint PROS, along with Committee members Demelza Egan, Michael Riddell, Joey Walsh, Noel Lyons, Mark Duffy, Shane Fallon, Séamus McCarthy, Sylvia ó Hara, Seamus McCarthy and Breda Cleary.

​Galway’s Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) have opened a new charity shop along Main Street, and since their launch have cooperated in helping numerous abandoned animals to find a new home, locally.
 
Galway SPCA is a charity based within the county aiming to help, rescue, rehabilitate and re-home domestic animals to permanent homes. The service hosts a cattery in Athenry, a dog sanctuary in Killimor, as well as three charity shops at Briarhill Business Park, Athenry, and now Ballinasloe.
 
The Ballinasloe GSPCA store offers a vast range of items for ladies, gents and the young ones with clothing for all seasons, books, DVDs, homeware items, and small furniture pieces including coffee tables, bedside lockers and bookcases. The not-for-profit business is supported by a team of volunteers who, as SPCA volunteer Anita Broadmor described: “are the backbone of the shop and who we simply couldn’t manage without”.
 
Since their initial opening in March 2022, they have been open five days a week between Tuesday and Saturday from 11:00 and 16:00. In April 2023, they welcomed a new vibrant sign on their store front displayed onto Main Street. The shop does not offer any treatments or services itself for animals but can help by providing any necessary GSPCA contacts.
 
The charity provides support to all animals whether abandoned or in distress, but are only able to house cats, dogs and other small companion animals such as hamsters, guinea pigs or rabbits. Regardless they work closely with selectively chosen wildlife specialist groups and the Department of Agriculture, ensuring assistance is available to other species in need.
 
One of many animals who received treatment through the GSPCA was an English Bulldog named Mrs Slocombe who was found on the streets within Ballinasloe with bones protruding from her skin, punctured wounds on her head and with knee and elbow difficulties. She was estimated to be six years old, assumed to have given birth to a litter of pups and lived a life of cruelty and neglect.
 
The GSPCA team brought her safely to their sanctuary in Killimor and within weeks treated her skin issues, kept her well fed, built up her strength and showered her with love and kindness. Soon she recovered and has since found a forever home through a lady named Caroline and is living a comfortable sheltered life.
 
Available pets to adopt can be found on the Galway SPCA website at gspca.ie. Those who witness animals in distress or abandonment can contact their office at (091) 563 631 between Monday to Saturday from 10.30 to 17:30.
 
Donations can be given at their Ballinasloe counter, with any purchase being appreciated by the charity. Further discussions surrounding contributions, or enquiries regarding volunteering, can be made to them at (083) 8113391. OR checkout their fbook page – gspcashop, Ballinasloe. 

​Call it a midlife crisis, a case of itchy feet, or just a craving for a life where I didn't need a coat but when a chance came to take a couple of years off work and move abroad I grabbed it.   I packed up my life in Ireland, loaded everything into the car, my two dogs and a few suitcases and moved to South Eastern Spain.
 
My friend Deborah travelled with me, on our “Thelma and Louise” style adventure, without the cliff bit. (Or the Brad Pitt bit) mores the pity. She stayed a few weeks and the day we arrived it was lashing rain.
 
That was in March 2022 and for the first three weeks it never stopped raining here in the Vega Baja. Rivers were flowing past the house and you most definitely needed a coat. Poor Deborah went home paler than when she arrived.
 
Jump forward to summer 2023, I've been living here 16 months now and have grown to love this Spanish life.
 
Yes it's roasting hot at the moment, hovering between 35 and 45 degrees celcius and we're expecting it to stay that way for the next month or so. 
 
But you learn to adapt. 
 
We live in a small Spanish Village about a half an hour south of Alicante, quaint, cute, and very very Spanish.  But that's exactly what we wanted.
 
If we want crowds of tourists, bars and nightlife we can drive for an hour or so and reach the tourist hub that is Benidorm to the North or 30 minutes south, the very popular area of La Zenia, a favourite with Irish visitors. 
 
For me life here is Spain is slow and simple. The cost of living is lower. Eating out 4 or 5 times a week is affordable, the cost of any medical treatment for myself or veterinary treatment for the dogs is half the cost of home.Did I mention the weather is glorious?
 
Yes I miss things about Ireland, my friends and family of course, but they can have a Spanish holiday whenever they like and I get the excitement of waiting for them at Alicante airport and the fun of showing them around my new home. Tour guide Barbie is alive and well. 
 
As I write, the temperature is 35 degrees, but sitting here in my shaded patio area is no hardship, and the house is air conditioned should I start to break a sweat.
 
I heed the warnings from the authorities here about staying safe in this type of heat and humidity.
It's simple common sense really. - Stay out of the sun between midday and at least 4pm, drink loads of water and for God's sake don't be that crazy Irish person burned to a crisp on a Costa Blanca beach, and I've seen plenty despite all the warnings.
 
This heatwave is a bit different to any other I've experienced as it's intense and prolonged and nighttime temperatures are not much different to daytime, dropping only a mere 10 degrees or so.  6am yesterday morning it was already 31 degrees.
 
That said, I'm enjoying life here, I can finally speak a fair bit of Spanish and I'm ''brown as a berry" as my mother used to say.
 
This isn't my forever home. That will always be Ireland, but maybe when we fully retire we can make a life of 50/50, Winter in Spain and Summer in Ireland. 
 
Now where did I leave that lotto ticket?
 

Supporting over 200 members within the Ballinasloe branch, the town’s seniors are some of the most active across the entire island. Since their appointment earlier last Spring, this year’s Social Committee have been responsible for the many activities and well attended breaks throughout the last few months.

The local Branch founded in 2002 is the largest of the 34 strong county wide in Galway for registered members, linking in with the 550 plus units nationwide. 

The season started with 51 Ballinasloe Active Retirement (B.A.R.A.) members embarking on a five-day trip to Arklow and its surrounding countryside by coach. Stopping off in Newbridge for a brief coffee, the tourists eventually made their way into Wicklow for a four-night residency at the sumptuous Arklow Bay Hotel. The following afternoon they visited the splendid Powerscourt House and Gardens, as well as Bray with its famous strolling promenade and Bray Head Walks.

The retirees took guided tours of Wicklow’s world famous sites including Glendalough, Mount Usher Gardens and Avoca. The final morning, they returned to Ballinasloe weary and tired but overall satisfied with their sweeping journey.

Among their other breaks for members this season was a pleasant evening in County Clare’s Bunratty Castle and Folk Park. Additionally, a full coach travelled East to ferry towards England to Bristol and Bath thereafter. Following a guided tour of Berkeley Castle and a scenic drive of Castle Combe in Cotswolds, they made their way to the country’s smallest city Wells. They were able to take a day of leisure in Bath where they would later explore its stunning abbey.

Finally, they capped off their Summer Season with a visit to Dublin where as well as some City Centre browsing they had a wonderful afternoon at the Dail in Leinster House . Joined by TD Denis Naughten, they availed of every photo opportunity at the House of Oireachtas  including some shots with Tánaiste Michael Martin.

Next on the menu for the BARA members will an outing to Leitrim’s Carrick-on-Shannon, as they glide back to their usual activities. The walking club and ‘keep fit’ regime continue every Tuesday morning on the Dunlo Running Track in Brackernagh at 10:30, while their regular meetups resume in Gullane’s Hotel every Wednesday at 15:00.

New members are always welcome, and those hoping to get involved can contact their Secretary Deirdre Hogan at (086) 382 4556 or visit their website at ballinasloeactiveretirement@gmail.com.

Having just won the County Féile Final, the U15 Girls travelled to the Staker Wallace Club in Limerick to compete in the Regional Finals. After playing three group games, they qualified for the Shield Semi Final against St. Patricks, Limerick.
 
In an exciting game which ran into extra time, the girls lost narrowly by just two points. It was a fantastic achievement for the footballers to have reached the National Finals regardless, and the girls enjoyed the entire journey throughout.
 
Similarly, the U14 Girls Footballers reached the Shield Final in their league but unfortunately lost out to Oughterard. The U12 footballers also progressed to the Shield Final in their campaign but fell to St James of Galway despite their best efforts.
 
The Men's Junior Hurlers made a very impressive start to their Championship with two out of two wins, beating Kilimor 2.20 to 2.19  and Kilnademma 2.14 to 2.12. 
 
The Footballers are also having a great season, winning their League Shield final against Loughrea. The boys showed great determination all season, especially evident in their Shield Semi Final where came back from 5 points down in extra time to beat Glinsk.
 
The final, played in Duggan Park, was a dramatic encounter start to finish before Ballinasloe ran out winners on a 2.15 to 1.14 scoreline and are now looking to their Championship with great confidence.
 
U17 player Clodagh Killeen took part in the Galway Co. Development football Programme and joined the Galway squad in winning their Shield Final in the National Blitz at Abbottstown, Dublin.
 
Unfortunately, the club were recently hit by news that longtime player Paraic Gavin passed away. As well as being a selector and manager with many teams in his time, Paraic established the Suck Valley League which proved massively successful in promoting hurling in Galway, Roscommon and Mayo.
 
“All at Ballinasloe GAA would like to send our sincere condolences to the Gavin family and put on record our deep gratitude for his many years of service to the sport he loved.” shares PRO Damien Clarke.

The club’s nursey programmes continue for the younger players with training, matches, and some occasional trips. Lately the boys U8 Footballers made their way to UCD for a ‘Festival of Football’ organised by Kilmacud Crokes competing against teams nationwide. The U10 Girls participated in the County Blitz at the Connacht Centre of Excellence, playing within the Dome.
 
The nursery programme welcomes new players to join, with training every Saturday morning at 10:30 on the grounds. Girls U8 and U10 football take place on Monday evenings at 18:00.
 
Those with any enquiries or wish to join the club can contact Club Secretary Stephen Kerr at 087 2312273 or vist their Facebook Page. ​

TUS LEARNING GATE AT ENTERPRISE CENTRE
 
Ballinasloe Enterprise Centre is one of 11 Connected Hubs facilities in the Midlands known as TUS
‘Learning Gates’ which allow part-time students to live and study within their own communities in
partnership with Technological University of the Shannon 
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Minister for Rural and Community Development, Heather Humphreys TD, and Minister for Further
and Higher Education, Simon Harris TD launched the new initiative that will allow TUS third level part
-time flexible students who are learning online through the Faculty of Continuing, Professional,
Online and Distance Learning to complete college courses in their local remote working hub.
 
The pilot initiative is targeted at adult learners and will see students carry out course work and
attend classes in a group setting at a Connected Hubs facility.
 
The following programmes will take place exclusively in the 11 Connected Hubs and newly
designated Learning Gates commencing in September 23:

• Certificate in Business in Entrepreneurship (Level 6) - the objective being to support potential entrepreneurs, start-ups and others locally with an interest in the world of entrepreneurship;
• Bachelor of Business (Hons) (Level 8) degree programme with plans to widen participatio in third-level education through general business.

This collaboration between Connected Hubs and Technological University of the Shannon will bring
third-level education to communities all over Ireland through the National Hub Network, allowing
adult learners to learn in a group setting locally alongside their peers. Speaking at the launch in Athlone, Minister Humphreys said:
 
“‘Learning in the Hubs’ is the latest in a range of exciting new initiatives that we are rolling out as
part of our bold ambition to make remote working a reality I believe that by giving our students that choice to do a course in their local hub, we will breathe new life into towns and villages and change the way education is delivered for the better.”
 
Manager of Ballinasloe Enterprise Centre Lyn Donnelly said: “We are delighted to be able to bring
the opportunity of these fantastic courses to the wider Ballinasloe community, we already have had a
great response particularly from our Pulse Club Members. It really is about making our local
community aware of the many opportunities available to them on their own doorstep."
 
For Further details about the courses contact Declan Doran, Business Development , TUS – 086
0748499 Declan.Doran@Tus.ie Or Lyn in Ballinasloe Enterprise Centre on 0909646516 or
lyn@bacd.ie

ConnectedHubs.ie provides a vehicle for individual hubs to come together under a shared identity to
maximise the economic opportunity of remote working and is represented locally through The Study
Centre and Ballinasloe Enterprise Centre, with the New Ballinasloe Enterprise Hub on Society Street
to come on stream in Q1 2024.

The ever-ambitious Cllr Declan Geraghty has been elected as Cathaoirleach for Ballinasloe Municipal District, taking over Cllr Dr. Evelyn Parsons in the role. The East Galway native  believes the forecast is bright for the year ahead and hopes he can deliver to the town and surrounds in his new position.
 
Independent Declan Geraghty, who is married with one son, was first elected as Councillor for the Ballinasloe MDC in the 2019 local elections and has since been serving in the town. Declan found coming into the role that, being new and enthusiastic, he was optimistic he could bring change in the district.
 
He was initially surprised by the slower pace of working in local government, finding that while operating in the private sector, decisions and change could be made more immediate. Since 2005, Declan and his colleague Michael Donnellan have been operating a successful roofing retail business - DG Roofing, currently employing 22 people, hubbed in Williamstown .
 
The Entrepreneur / Businessman believes that he  has been quite grateful to be a representative on the Ballinasloe MDC, understanding that he and his fellow councilors must work well as a team. Additionally, he is delighted to help communities within the region and “always has the craic” with the people.
 
Cllr Geraghty found it was an honour to be appointed as Cathaoirelach, being nominated by Councilors Dermot Connolly and Peter Keavney. Declan believes the role is one of serious civic responsibility and will try perform all his duties and functions to the best of his ability.
 
Our newest Cathaoirleach ( the last before the local elections next June 2024 ) will be prioritizing tackling issues surrounding drugs and rural crime, as per his appointment on the Joint Policing Committee forum, as well as establishing Community Alerts within the surrounding district villages. In addition, Declan will focus on providing social housing to all those in the area who need it, making sure everyone has a roof over their head. High on his agenda are the improvement of rural road conditions, as well as bringing young people into politics to demonstrate the efforts of Councillors in our regions.
 
Declan is optimistic about the year ahead and: “can see Ballinasloe go only one way, up”. He referred back to recent development plans including the town enhancement scheme and Big Dig project, which he sees as only positives for the municipality. Declan hopes to continue partnering with his Roscommon Council counterparts on developing tourism on the River Suck, as well as in town referencing its accessibility and good infrastructure.
 
“The way forward with an organisation is positivity, negativity can bring people down”, he emphasised. Geraghty his adamant to remain optimistic in his role, and working together with the community, hopes to continue to push the town on track for new development during his term. 
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Aughrim Paralympian Katie Dillon just returned from Berlin after competing in this year’s games in the shotput and the 100m run, placing fifth overall in both events.
 
Katie is no stranger to the Special Olympics, coming home with a silver medal at the 2014 European Games in Antwerp, and in 2019 represented Ireland at the World Olympic Games in Abu Dhabi. She has also competed in the National Games, in 2018 earning a silver and gold medal.
 
In advance to this year’s competition, Katie prepared well with her clubs the Ballinasloe Eagles and the Mountbellew Tigers. In addition, she practised with her coaches Ailish Smyth and Paddy Slattery monthly in Dublin and participated in some sessions with Coral Leisure in advance of the games.
 
This time around, she trained for the 100m run, finding it more difficult than the 400m walk at Abu Dhabi. The talented Olympian went again for the shotput in Berlin, a sport which seems to be her strongest field discipline.
 
Comparing her experiences, the Aughrim athlete shared: “I liked both Abu Dhabi and Berlin, both were wonderful experiences. I made new friends with the members of the athletic teams who were from all over Ireland.” Katie was joined by 72 other athletes of Team Ireland, four of which within her Athletics category.
 
She initially stayed in Germany five days prior to the opening ceremony, taking in the culture of the country. Similar to her stay in Abu Dhabi, the temperature was sweltering between 28 and 31 degrees.
 
Regardless the Irish sportswoman persevered, winning her quarterfinal in the shotput against stiff competition, as well as the semi-final 100m run with a personal best. Team Ireland were unlucky in the 4x4 100m relay with a disqualification who may have earned a silver medal .
 
Katie received a great deal of support back home, with cards and calls ringing in from neighbours and friends, along with her Mountbellew coaches and family members who joined her in Berlin. Upon her return, Katie was escorted through Aughrim by the Ballinasloe Gardai to a welcome party organised by the Hall Committee. More recently, she was honoured by Galway County Council for her placements and efforts in Berlin.
 
Katie and the Dillon family would like to thank everyone who supported her this year, and especially to the Ballinasloe Credit Union for their sponsorship.
 
Next for the young competitor will be some regional games in swimming and athletics this Autumn where she hopes to again reach the national games. In the long-term, Katie has her eyes set ahead at the next World Games in Perth, Australia.
 
“I may be lucky enough to get through. If not, I have wonderful memories of the past games and it would be lovely for someone to get the chance to go next time” she concludes