Vibrant Ballinlough community shows full pride for visiting judges

The work of the Ballinlough Pride of Place (POP) committee and the many active clubs and organisations in the area was highlighted in a presentation to Pride of Place judges which took place in the village last week. Ballinlough was chosen to represent Meath in the Pride of Place Co-operation Ireland competition for communities with a population of 200 or less. A large crowd of local people turned out last week to welcome judges, John Quinlivan and Tony Kennedy to the area. Norah Gaughran, chairwoman of the local Pride of Place committee, outlined the various activities of local groups and following her presentation, the judges were brought on a tour of the area and then met the local community for a chat and refreshments. In her presentation, Ms Gaughran explained that Ballinlough POP was established in 2005 with the main objectives of creating and improving community spirit, enhancing the overall appearance of the village, the further development of the amenity value of the locality, and to safeguard tourism. "We completed a five year plan in 2006 and to date we are ahead of schedule with its implementation," she said. Ms Gaughran told the judges that their first project was the village garden, where they planted box hedging, shrubs, plants and trees and it is now a very attractive entrance to the community hall. They have also relocated the pump after restoring it to its full glory and have planted 33 native trees around the village, as well as shrubs, hedging and flowers, with assistance from Meath Partnership. One of their more interesting projects was the restoration of the Postman's Hut, which has proven to be of great interest to visitors and locals alike. This was a resting spot for the postman in the early 1900s and was also used by travellers for rest and refreshments. The judges heard that last year, Ballinlough won two awards at the Pride of Place Competition, one for most improved community and the other for best community effort. She outlined the committee's plans for the future, which included the rebuilding of the wall at the graveyard next year in conjunction with Meath Partnership and the provision by Meath County Council of new footpaths, kerbing and lighting to make the walk to the community centre, church and village safer. She explained that it had been a pet project for the POP team for a number of years now to have a harvest walk in the area and they are really keen to get working on this project in the near future. Ms Gaughran's presentation also focused on Ballinlough Gaelic Football Club, which is represented from juvenile up to intermediate level. The club's under-eight team, who were present at last week's judging, were just back from a fantastic day out in Croke Park. "A new floodlighting system was installed last autumn and now Ballinlough football pitch has a lighting system to compete with the best in the county. A number of players from the club have represented Meath at county level, including Mattie McDonnell, Jody Devine and currently Peadar Byrne," she said. Ms Gaughran told the judges that the Young At Heart group was 'the glue that keeps us all together.' "With their weekly meeting, social outings and many activities, they keep a presence here in the village hall year round. In fact it was their group that instigated the recent re-development of the community hall," she said. The judges heard that the local youth club has been running for three years and with the help of Meath Sports Partnership have obtained sports equipment, while the St Vincent De Paul Society, under chairperson, Michael O'Keefe, is very active in the parish. They also heard about the parish's two choirs, the first established in the late 1980s, and now the new folk group. Ms Gaughran spoke of the work of the pastoral care committee in the parish who were conscious of the needs of all parishioners, in particular non nationals and new residents and she told the judges there were over 50 people involved in the Liturgy Group and Altar Society. She outlined the history of the community centre, which she said was at the very heart of the community, and explained that current modernisation work would be completed next year. "The building of our church commenced in 1829 by Fr Terence Reilly and was completed four years later by Fr Patrick Kelly," she told the judges. "Major restoration was carried out on the church in 1999 and the Patrick Aranyos memorial window was installed in 2003. Patrick died in the Twin Towers on 11th September, 2001. His mother, Winnie, is a native of Ballinlough," she said. The judges heard that Ballinlough National School was recently awarded its first green flag and won a POP award this year in Best Whole School Effort category. Ms Gaughran also spoke of Ballinlough's many famous sons - the mother of Most Rev Eugene McGuinness, Bishop of Oklahoma, came from Clonabreany, Matthew O'Reilly was a TD for Meath for 27 years and Johnnie Brady is currently a TD. "Frank Cogan who grew up in Clonasilla is our Ambassador to Austria and Mattie McDonnell and Jody Devine won All Ireland medals for Meath," she said. "Traditionally, Ballinlough, has always been an agricultural area and this still remains true. In fact two of our own local farmers Tom Brady and Seamus Magee have served on the IFA executive at county level," she said. She also spoke of the numerous local enterprises within the community 'which breath life and energy in the form of employment and social integration.' These included, Woodfield Farm, Mary Burke's organic self catering farmhouse accommodation, Vincent Ryan's wholesale meat business, Jim Ryan's Farm shop, Clonabreany House, the Forge Restaurant, the Halfway House and Sheridan Cheesemongers "We can confidently say that our community is a strong and vibrant one," she told the judges.