Ballybay Monaghan Ireland

It is with deep regret and sadness that we record the passing of Mary McGuinness (nee Mc Phillips), 24 Loch Mor Avenue, Ballybay on Sunday last. Mary died peacefully at the residence of her Daughter Brid and son in law John Rutledge, Edenaneane. Ballybay Pearse Brothers provided a guard of honour at Mary’s funeral on Tuesday. May her gentle soul rest in eternal peace.

The Credit Union has extended its opening hours as the country starts to get back to normal. On Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday the office will be open from 10am until 4-30pm (closed for lunch 1 to 2) and on Saturdays from 10am until 2pm. Remember support local – borrow local.

On Friday last 26th June we had the first play off the season at the outdoor bowling green with the start of a rinks competition. This was a glorious afternoon for bowling which reflected in the games played. Through to the next round are St. Michaels of Cootehill who had an outstanding game with Clontibret C. Also into the next round are Derrynoose. Monday evening saw Muckno play Clontibret A and Derryvalley play Tullyvin. (Results next week).
Each Tuesday evening the green will be available for beginners and improvers. Anyone wishing to partake can get in contact with Benny Smyth at 0874152392.

The Tidy Towns committee is starting a Thursday Evening Tidy Town clean up. It may mean litter picking, weed picking, sweeping etc. Volunteers can meet at the Square at 6.30 pm and do what they can for an hour or two. Extra helping hands would be very welcome with the general upkeep of the town and if you are coming maybe bring some gardening tools that could be helpful.

Do you have any pictures of the handball alley that once stood in the Town Park? The alley was built in 1954 and demolished in 2007. It was located were the Community Creche is today. If anyone has any pictures could you please contact Paul Flynn or private message him on Facebook.

From Monday the 6th of July, Cuan Mhuire Ballybay, will resume holding meetings. The times are as follows:
Mondays; commencing at 8.30 PM
Thursdays; commencing at 1pm
And Saturdays at 11.30 AM.
Aftercare will also be on Wednesdays at 8.30PM.
Everyone is welcome and we look forward to seeing you. Please spread the word.

Although no longer living in Ballybay local lad David Moen is always on the lookout for items relating to home. David recently came across a letter in a local paper posing the question, “Was this the GAA, first MBE to win a SFC medal”. The letter referred to the Ballybay team of 1969 who defeated Castleblayney in the county final in front of a record crowd in Emmet Park, Carrickmacross. Playing corner forward for the Pearse Brothers that day was Tony Campbell. A few years later the Derry native headed off to South Africa where he spent his time teaching in the poorer areas of the country. He made such an impression that the British Government awarded him an MBE (Members of the British Empire). An MBE is given for an outstanding achievement or service to the community which will have had a long-term, significant impact and stand out as an example to others. If anyone has any memories of Tony and can confirm if he was the first SFC medal winner to receive an MBE can you email This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

The volunteering trip which was to be undertaken by local girls Laura McPhillips (Latton) and Ciara Quinn (Drumhowan), has been postponed due to the current circumstances. The girls would like to thank everyone who has donated to the trip. Their current plan is to reschedule the trip for next year and the proceeds gathered so far will go towards this. The local duo would like to most sincerely thank all who have supported them through donations on sponsorship cards in local businesses and through their GoFundMe page online.

In line with Government rules Public worship can re-commence in all churches as and from Monday 29th June. The local parish are currently planning for this as it is not possible for a full return, instead the parish plans to begin with small and tentative steps. In order to adhere to the 2metre social distancing rule means that the congregation will only be about 10% of the churches capacity. For this reason it would not be possible to meet the parish needs with the usual 4 weekend masses. As a result of this the parish is proposing that the Sunday mass gets spread across the entire week. Instead of being confined to the 4 weekend masses, parishioners will have 9 masses to choose from. The following 9 masses are being proposed and attendance at anyone of the weekday masses will be the equivalent of going to mass on a Sunday – as the Sunday obligation has been set aside owing to the pandemic.
1.Monday 7-30pm St. Patrick’s
2.Tuesday 9-30am St. Patrick’s
3.Wednesday 7-30pm St. Patrick’s
4.Thursday 9-30am St. Patrick’s
5.Friday 7-30pm St. Patrick’s
6.Saturday Vigil 6-30pm
7.Sunday Tullycorbet 9-30am
8.Sunday Ballintra 11am
9.Sunday St. Patrick’s 12-15pm
To make this work the times of some of the weekday masses have been adjusted. This initially is a trial.
Parishioners are asked to make an effort to spread their mass attendance across the seven days with as many as possible opting to go to one of the weekday evening masses – this will help alleviate the pressure on the weekend masses. It is also important to remind people who are vulnerable or unwell, and especially those with any symptoms that might suggest Covid-19 infection are asked to stay at home and if possible participate via webcam, social media, television of radio.