Ballybay Monaghan Ireland

Thanks to all who contributed to the recent collection for Emigrants. It amounted to €1090.

The AGM of the Ballybay Outdoor Bowling Club took place on 25th March in the Bowling Pavillion. There was a good attendance of members and all were delighted at the upgrade of the bowling green which was needed after 13 years of use. The Chairman Uel Gamble was in charge of proceedings and thanked all the members for all their help during the year. There was also much praise for all the teams that participated in the various competitions which also included our team which won the Border Counties League in 2018.
The minutes of the last AGM was read and approved. Both secretary and treasurer gave their reports and all was in agreement that it was good to see our financial situation in a healthy state after spending almost €18000 on the new underlay and improvements to the green. After the chairman’s report we had the election of officers for the coming year. President Malachy Mc Skane. Chairman Uel Gamble who agreed to take the chair for another year but said it should rotate at least every 2 years. Vice Chairman – Brendan Magennis. Secretary – Cora Smyth. Assistant Secretary – Philip Gibson. Treasurer – Benny Smyth. Assistant Treasurer – Bertie Latimer. PRO – Benny Smyth. The selection committee who meet every Monday at 7pm is George Berry, Malachy Mc Skane, Seamus Winters and Benny Smyth. It was agreed under AOB that we will have much the same programme of events as last year and its good to see more local teams entering the league. At the moment we have 16 teams entered which will be played in 2 sections. The draw will be made this week and distributed in the coming days as we hope to start the games on the final week in April. In the chairman’s closing remarks he thanked all the members for all they done for the club and hoped that there will be lots of new members joining in the coming season.

There will be a pop-up charity shop in Toners old shop beside the Bank of Ireland this weekend. All proceeds from the sales will be distributed to a number of charities. Items on sale include jewelery, glass items, antiques, curtains, china, clothes and lots more. The shop will be open on Friday and Saturday and it’s a case of first come first served so the advice is get into the shop on Friday if you are after a bargain.

Ballybay Chamber of Commerce will be hosting a Civic Reception at 7pm on Thursday 11th April for the All Ireland winning Ballybay Community College team and Special Olympian Jamie Hughes. Guest of honour on the night will be county team manager Malachy O Rourke. This event is supported by Monaghan County Council and is free to everyone.

The Parish of Tullycorbett and surrounding areas wish to acknowledge and give thanks for the years of service given by the “Ballybay Nuns” over many decades. With changes in the ownership and administration of St. Joseph’s Nursing Home, it was felt that this is an opportune time to thank the Daughters of Our Lady of the Scared Heart for their sterling commitment. To mark the occasion, our new bishop, Larry Duffy, will be the chief celebrant of a mass of Thanksgiving in St. Patrick’s Church, Ballybay on Saturday next 6th April at 11-30am. After the Mass refreshments will be served in Cuan Mhuire.

Last Saturday was a very proud day for the Ballybay Community College senior football team as they won an All-Ireland title and the Edmund Ignatius Rice Cup. Massive congratulations are due to the players and management for such a wonderful achievement. There is a full match report in the sports pages. Ballybay Chamber of Commerce are one of the many groups in the town and surrounding areas who would like to congratulate the team on their amazing success. The chamber plan to have a civic reception for the team in the very near future.
Paul Mc Aviney of the Ballybay and its People facebbok page has asked if everyone could all please send a message by the good old postal service and congratulate the team and the school on this very very special occasion. On the page Paul said, “Let's all commit to spending more than 3 seconds sending an electronic message and instead LETS ALL SEND A CARD OR A LETTER TO TELL THEM ALL HOW PROUD WE ARE OF THEM. Just address it to 'The All Ireland Champions, Ballybay Community College, Ballybay, County Monaghan, Ireland”.
Frankie Wright who spent a number of years in Ballybay and is himself a former Pearse Brothers player was so delighted with the success that he has invited the team to Lilliput Adventure Centre for an overnight on us in recognition of their amazing success.

Local man Eamon Gorman recently celebrated his 80th Birthday. Eamon donated the money he received for his Birthday to the local Lourdes Invalid Fund which this year will be sending 8 people from the parish to Lourdes. Good man Eamon and many happy returns.

Mackey Smyth, who celebrated his 70th birthday last Friday night in Lynch’s of Lisnalong and combined it with a Charity Fundraiser for local charities wishes to say a huge thank you to all those who supported the event either by attending or sending contributions, and by so doing made it such a resounding success. Thanks to Mick McCormick who provided the music and to Kathleen & Paddy for the food. Thanks also to the Northern Standard and local social media platforms for the publicity. Benefitting charities will include Ballybay Cancer Society, Five for the Fight-Cancer Research, Cystic Fibrosis and Loughmourne National School’s Autism Unit. It is gratifying to know that these great organisations will benefit as a result of your remarkable generosity. Anyone who would like to make a donation can still do so by contacting any of the Smyth family.

A church gate collection weekend in aid of UNICEF for The Syrian and Yemen appeal will take place on the 13th and 14th of April at all masses in the parish.
We appreciate your support to bring aid to the innocent victims caught up in the conflict of war, injustice, hunger and division. We continue to thank you for your kindness and generosity. God Bless.