Time for the ‘forgotten village’ to rise and shine

A team of dedicated volunteers is seeking to invigorate and rejuvenate their village of Ballivor and are looking for more help to make it happen

Hannah McNamara

The village of Ballivor, known for its country charm and community spirit feels it is being left behind by many of the proud locals who call the west Meath hinterland home.

With a committee made up of only eleven members the dedicated band of volunteers believe making improvements to the community is proving difficult.

Lisa Byrne, chairperson of Ballivor Community Council said: "We have great volunteers that with one phone call would come to help out but it's not just physical help we need, we simply haven't got the funding."

Ballivor CC say they have approached Meath Co Council several times for financial support for projects that would benefit the community and surrounding areas, however they feel as though their ideas are being pushed aside and delayed while the focus goes to more advanced communities.

Ballivor CC want to modernise the village through redevelopment of sites, conserving the town's older building and providing community facilities to make a positive contribution to the town.

Speeding in and out of the village is another of the main concerns that local residents have. Requests for traffic calming measures such as speed ramps to encourage road safety have yet to be acted on while additional road safety signs coming into the village have yet to be installed.

Niall Spelman, Secretary of Ballivor Community Council said: "In the past 20 years there have been three road fatalities in the Ballivor area as well many as non-fatal accidents. Ballivor council want to address this issue now to avoid future collisions and improve traffic safety".

In 2004, Meath Co Council bought St Kinneth's Church in Ballivor with the intent of transforming it into a library. The residents finally felt their long-promised facility would be opened when renovations were completed on the building and site in summer.

Now that the building, which lay empty for almost two decades, has been revamped Meath Co Council are “considering its options for the future use of the building”.

Ballivor Community Council claim they have been left completely out of the loop and say they have no idea what direction St Kinneth’s will take.

After waiting years for the building to be refurbished, the committee just want answers as to what's happening with it now."

And it's not just the local authority, Ballivor CC feels have been keeping them at arms length. They've experienced knockbacks with the scheme for free broadband for communities aimed at unlocking the potential for growth in rural areas.

Claire O'Mara, assistant chair of Ballivor CC said: "This would be perfect for our community centre especially with the new meeting room we've just completed. With WiFi available, students could come to study or teachers could arrange group grinds sessions here."

When enquiring about this service, the committee were told they weren't eligible.

Ballivor's community centre is now fronted by the Health Centre which was the first Ballivor National School that opened in 1864. The community hall was built in 1981 and after 42 years of excessive use the community hall desperately needs to be renovated. A project as big as this needs funding, grants and investors, all the help they can get. The community council are struggling to find people willing to invest in those ambitions.

"This project will require a lot of help, fundraising will not raise enough money. We are calling on investors and councils to consider supporting this project.

With many plans for the future of the village, which will also benefit neighbouring communities, Ballivor Community Council wants to change the current dynamic which is making them feel “unheard”. They said: “Our village has so much potential and we have many amazing ideas to reach it but we need extra help.”

Ballivor Community Council members is calling on the locals to get actively involved in the community through volunteering and helping run community functions.

"There are a lot of talented and knowledgeable people in Ballivor who we wish we had in our corner for advice. Like an accountant for example who we could go to for financial advice."

“With limited publication people don't realise what is on offer at Ballivor's community centre. Community groups such as scouts and Irish dancing take place weekly as well as activities for the active retirement group who have a whist card game on Wednesday evenings.”

Bingo on Saturday night is the council's main source of income but they are not making the same money from it as they did pre-Covid which leads them to worry further about finances.

Additionally to these social clubs on offer at the hall, there is also a physio and fitness health clinic upstairs and the meeting room that can be rented for meetings, grinds sessions, etc.

With more volunteers and ‘hands on’ members, Ballivor CC could commence their future plans for a Women's Shed, badminton and basketball groups, social crafts classes, and many more activities.

If you wish to get involved or have queries about any of the groups who gather at the community centre, email Ballivor Community Council at ballivorcommunitycouncil@gmail.com or call Ballivor Community Council Treasurer, Seanie Faulkner on 0863060733.