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?
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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 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:
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. 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 A new interior design service is available to those in Ballinasloe looking to spruce up their home-décor through H.C. Interior Design, offering a variety of tastes to suit your household needs.
The designer Hani Colohan, originally from Israel, has been living in Ballinasloe for the past two decades. She worked for 18 years as a primary school teacher but always taken an interest in art, fashion, drawing or anything creative related. Her first projects in home decoration included a revamp of her own house, as well as furnishing the rooms of her friends and families. Realizing her calling, she went go back to college studying at the Interior Design Academy of Ireland in Dublin. Hani is married and has three beautiful children. Her husband, Adrian, acted as a main source of inspiration for the artist on her path. “I would like to thank my dear husband who supported and believed in me all the way to make my dream reality, it wouldn’t be possible without him” she stressed. In May 2022, she formally opened her new business titled H.C. Interior Design. The studio offers the latest designs inspired by her home country, with bespoke wallpapers, paint and lighting imported from Israel. Hani has travelled the world to find the best materials and ideas for her studio as well as for various assignments, with her primary client bases being located in Ireland, England and Israel. Currently her most significant project is the redesign of a lobby and 14 apartments in Worthing, West Sussex for London company A&S Refurbishments Ltd. Within Ballinasloe, the busy creative finds it important to support other small businesses, incorporating some of her designs with Keller’s Furniture Shop in town. Hani has already redesigned the living room of Lauren Kildea’s home of LMK Beauty Salon on Society Street, and will be collaborating on an upcoming project with Niall and Melissa at Croffy ‘s Launderette. Hani acknowledged both businesses sharing: “I’m very grateful for the amazing support I am receiving from the town I live in”. A drop-in on site is essential for the Designer to get an understanding of the home and atmosphere she would like to create. Before her arrival, a client should typically share their goals and ideas for their house. Appartment or space- share how they live in their residence, determine any specific needs, likes or dislikes, establish who are the major decision-makers in the household for the final presentation meeting, and lastly determine a budget. Once an agreement on a project is settled, a fee will be arranged with the visits included. If not settled, a fee for her time is typically charged by the hour. Her studio works Monday to Fridays between the hours of 15:00 to 19:00. Anyone can get in contact by messaging her Facebook or Instagram at Hani Colohan/hani_colohan. Ballinasloe Tesco has been chosen as a location for an IKEA mobile pick-up point launching tomorrow. The pick-up point will provide an accessible service for people to collect their IKEA products from the carpark.
Orders under €200 will cost a €15 fee, and orders over €200 are free delivery. https://www.rte.ie/.../1397588-ikea-tesco-pickup-agreeement/ by Barry Lally WHAT’S IN A NAME?
“A prophet is not without honour, but in his own country, and among his own kin, and in his own home.” Take a good look at the accompanying photograph. Why? Because it features something unique: the only local street sign bearing the name of a Ballinasloe native – and no, Harris and McNevin don’t count, they were from Roscommon town and Aughrim respectively. It isn’t that the town is short of individuals from the past who distinguished themselves in their chosen fields by a combination of talent and application. We can think of names such as John O’Connor Power, one of the most celebrated parliamentary orators of his day; George Brent (Nolan), born in a Main Street pub, who rose to major stardom in the fiercely competitive world of 1930s Hollywood; Dr. Andrew Horne, an eminent obstetrician and co-founder of Holles Street Maternity Hospital, performed the first successful Caesarean section in Ireland, and who figured in the pages of James Joyce’s “Ulysses”; Emily O’Shaughnessy, born during the Great Famine, emigrated as a child to Australia where she became a pioneering and much-feted portrait photographer; Eoghan Ó Tuairisc (Eugene Watters), widely regarded as the most versatile creative writer in Irish to come from a non-Gaeltacht background. Not one of the foregoing has ever been honoured in a permanent and public manner by the community he or she hailed from To appropriate memorialize the notables of other days would contribute significantly to making the town more interesting for both visitors and locals alike, and would also foster a legitimate pride in the achievements of past generations. This, however, should not be done by re-naming street or housing estates. Place names are reflective of the times in which they were acquired and encourage curiosity about their origins. Whether or not such names chime with current attitudes is irrelevant, and to change them, especially if they are long-standing, can be seen as a kind of cultural vandalism. From my schooldays I recall a teacher who would wax indignant at the thought that there were people in town who would prefer Duggan Avenue to be still called Victoria Street. Similarly, Todd Andrews, IRA veteran and former chairman of CIE, bitterly lamented in one of his autobiographies that in post-Independence Dublin there were streets that continued to carry the names of viceroys and other British officials. Individuals who had lived through and supported a revolution promising the transformation of Irish society often lacked the requisite maturity appreciate the diversity of our heritage and viewed relics of the “ancient régime”, be they in the form of place names, monuments, or even buildings, as jeopardizing the success of a project for which many of their contemporaries had fought and suffered. An egregious example of this mindset was the decision (not acted on) of Athlone Urban Council in the 1960s to demolish the castle in the centre of the town because it had been built by the Anglo-Normans. Another phenomenon that has latterly come to the fore is the reprehensible practice of judging the past by the standards of the present, as exemplified by Trinity College’s recent move to de-name the Bishop Berkeley Library after it was revealed that the philosopher had owned slaves in America. If name-changing in not on the agenda when it comes to honouring the distinguished departed, what is to be done? Locally there are several building developments, either currently progressing or on the horizon, that are as yet anonymous and will present a cost-free opportunity to make amends for past neglect. But the story shouldn’t end there. Something more visible is required in addition. The display stands positioned at various points around the streets could be used to feature potted biographies. As well, the scheme that has been ongoing in Galway City since the early 2000s should be looked at. This consists of bronze commemorative plaques, often free-standing or attached to walls in the neighbourhood. They usually incorporate quotations attributed to the persons in question, an undoubted improvement on bald statements of fact. Perhaps it would not be overly-optimistic to look forward to a day in the not-too-distant future when footballer “Tull” Dunne, good and all as he was, will finally lose his uniqueness. The newly founded Ballinasloe Cricket Club have been gathering regularly and training for upcoming competitions on the town’s Fair Green, the same location where Ireland’s first Cricket Team gathered to practice nearly 200 years ago in 1825.
Postings of this event on the Life Social Media pages brought about remarks from local historian Steve Dolan who has researched and written extensively on Cricket in Galway and provoked Jane Leslie whose grandfather, Frank Kempster, who was from Ballinasloe, played on the Green as a young man in the 1870s and played for Ireland twice. His brother, Jack, also played and was one of the team’s best bowlers - underarm! She like Steve and a great many others are thrilled to see cricket flourishing in town again. The current Cricket Club has only been established in the past year, with members of the local Indian community to the fore - out of a love of the sport. The club trains every Tuesday afternoon in the Fair Green and sees about 40 players involved, although many members work in healthcare and cannot always make the time commitments. The squad have been especially active lately, competing in the Connacht League against many worthy adversaries in Athlone and Galway. The Cricketers recently competed against Athlone in a hard ball competition but lost the game just short of 17 runs. Ballinasloe was Ireland’s first ever Cricket club, being founded in 1825 under the patronage of Lord Dunlo made up of the gentry and professional classes. Their team trekked all the way to the city capital to Phoneix Park and defeated Dublin in 1828. The sport was played regularly on the Fair Green throughout the century, but gradually declined in the 1900s, among other Cricket clubs, following the infamous ban of ‘foreign’ games by the Gaelic Athletic Association. The Cricket Club hope to fundraise for a better facility as the current grounds are not ideal for playing the sport with a hard ball. The Committee are considering options and locations for a suitable pitch . Such a ground will enable the Cricket players to play at a professional level, growing and strengthening the club in the Connacht league. For the moment, the players continue to practice extensively for a variety of competitions this Summer season. The club are always looking for more sportsmen to join them to build the team, and anyone interested in joining can contact coach Shijo George at 089 4235926. |
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March 2024
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