Rehearsals are in full swing for this year’s annual show!! Get ready for the fabulous comedy by Grainne Jordan and with her permission ' A room with a Queue ' will graciously come to life courtesy of the Ballybay Drama Group on Thursday 4th, Friday 5th and Sunday 7th of April in the Ballybay Pearse Bros Centre at 8pm! Save the date...we'll see you there...and enjoy the show folks!!

Six children from Ballybay are part of the HIPHOPICAL dance group which will appear in Ireland’s Got Talent on Saturday night next at 7-15pm on Virgin Media 1. Five of the children namely Sarah Louise & Niamh Harte, Macey Mc Kenna, Kamila Grigaityte & Kaitlyn Rayburn attend Scoil Eanna while Grainne Smyth attends Our Lady’s Secondary School. The 37 strong dance group are made up of children from counties Monaghan, Louth and Cavan. Please watch and tell your friends wish them good luck - you call follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter. Spread the word.

Community Games are back in action - If anyone is interested in Art, Debating, Duathlon, Handwriting, Model making, Project or Swimming the closing date for entries is tomorrow Friday 22nd Feb @ 4pm. Entries for Choir, Culture corner, Gymnastics, Talent (Group Music / Singing / Dance or Drama, Solo Dance / Music / Recitation or Singing must be in by 8th March and entries for Quiz must be in by 15th March. The closing date for Cross Country, Mixed Distance Relays and Marathon is 23rd March. Camogie, Futsal, Gaelic Football, Pitch and Putt, Rounders, Tag Rugby, Skittles, Soccer and Spikeball will accept entries up until 5th April. The athletics and Cycling closing date is 24th May. If you are interested in any of the above contact Maire 086 0826103 / 042 9748955 or Sharon 087 2332882 / 042 9748110.
Good Luck to the Under 13 Indoor Soccer Team who will soon be playing against other local teams within Co Monaghan. The team managed by Martin Sheridan and Peter Ward are Eoin Brady, Eanna Curran, Simon Du Plessis, Stephen Duffy, Jerome Lavelle, Martin Quinn, Eoin Sheridan and Sean Ward.

Apply now to study with us at Monaghan Institute, to kick start your progression to completing a degree course and/or career. We welcome Leaving Certificate students and mature candidates returning to education. We are hosting our Open Day on Thursday 7th March from 11am – 7pm and our tutors and guidance staff will be present to offer you best advice and support. Browse all our 2019 Courses now online at https://monaghaninstitute.ie/

There will be a presentation of medals by the county lads to the Pearse Brothers under 17 team at 8.30 next Friday in Ballybay Club house. All welcome.

Martina Walsh (nee Lennon) form Tullycorbet has taken up the challenge to run 100 miles in the month of February for the Mater Foundation. As off the 16th February she was flying and had already completed 71miles. Anyone wishing to donate to Martina’s effort can do so by clicking this link - https://www.facebook.com/donate/1976142602500125/

The annual St. Patrick’s Day parade will take place on Sunday 17th March at 5pm. Floats, community groups and others participating in the parade should assemble at Gerry Traynor’s shop. Now is the time to start thinking about your float. Anyone seeking further information should contact Therese at 0876853316.

Jayne Drury has been named captain of the Monaghan minors. The St. Brigid’s player recently captained the Ulster Inter-provincial team and will bring a wealth of experience to the role. Monaghan were to get their Ulster campaign under way this weekend with a game against Derry however it has been postponed. Congrats Jayne.

In the year of 2006 an Outdoor Bowling green was established in the Town Park with the help of Ballybay and Derryvalley Indoor Bowling Club. In the years that followed the outdoor club went from strength to strength where we now have around 80 members. Competitions are held during the summer months which are run on a league basis. We also joined the Border County League which includes teams from Letterkenny, Omagh, Enniskillen, Fivemiletown and Dungannon. Sixteen of our members compete in the league on a home and away format. We have won this league on two occasions in the past twelve years. Because of extensive wear over the years on the carpet surface the committee felt it was time for an upgrade and so on 4th February a from Greenguage in Scotland the original installers arrived on site and with a lot of help from some of our dedicated members a new underlay was put down with the top carpet being turned over so as to provide us with a completely new surface. First indicators are that it is somewhat slower which is what most of the members desired. Anyone wishing to have a try can do so on Saturday morning the 16th February between 10-30am and 1pm – weather permitting.

Ballybay ICA we are hosting a cookery demonstration with Astrid Moffett in Cuan Mhuire as part of The County of Sanctuary in conjunction with Monaghan County Council. This takes place on Saturday 16th February from 10.30am-1pm... if you would like to come along please let any ICA member know as we need numbers for catering. There is no cover charge as the event is funded by Monaghan County Council.

The 6th class pupils of Scoil Eanna will be joining the parish community at the 6-30pm Mass on Saturday next 16th February. This is to mark their journey towards receiving the Holy Spirit at confirmation. The confirmation ceremony for 2019 will be in St. Patrick’s on Sunday 26th May at 3pm.

If anyone has news which they would wish considered for the Ballybay Pearse Brothers notes on their facebook page and in the Northern Standard should contact Sean O Grady. His contact details are This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

On Sunday next Monsignor Larry Duffy will be ordained as Bishop of Clogher in St. Macartan’s Cathedral, Monaghan. While Larry is from the parish of Magheracloone in the south of the county he was actually born in Ballybay on 27th November 1951. He is the son of the late Thomas and Elizabeth Duffy. For anyone who would like to see the ordination but who cannot get to Monaghan don’t worry. The whole event is available live via the web cam in the Cathedral. This is accessible from the homepage of www.clogherdiocese.ie or via https://mcnmedia.tv/camera/st-macartans-cathedral-monaghan . There will also be updates via the diocese Facebook, Twitter and Instagram pages.

A mindful motivation workshop discussing awareness, accepting and letting go will be held in the Wetlands Centre on the Clones Road on Thursday 14th February from 7-30pm until 10pm. Kathleen Tuite will be the facilitator and can be contacted in advance on 0862408724.

Thanks to some funding we have received, we are about to employ a company to do a survey of the 5 graveyards in the parish - St. Mary's Latton, St. Patrick's Bawn, Aughnamullen Church of Ireland, Corlea Presbyterian Church & Killahear.

The survey will include taking photographs of all headstones and making them available to view on a website www.irishgraveyards.ie
Also a scaled map of each graveyard will be produced with each grave marked on it and this will be placed on a display board in each
graveyard. Before the map is finalised, a draft of it will be on display in each church for the public to make any corrections. Work on all the graveyards will begin approx. around the middle of February to the beginning of March 2019.

Check out the website www.irishgraveyards.ie to see the graveyards in Co. Monaghan that have been completed. If there is no marking on a grave, then it can't be included on the website.

A community youth club takes place in Christ Church Hall on Saturday 9th February from 6 to 7pm. All national school children are welcome. Activities available include arts and crafts, table tennis, lots of fun games on the night with refreshments served afterwards, love to see you there!

A gentle yoga class will begin in Ballybay Community College on Monday 11th February at 8-30pm. The programme is excellent value at €25 for 8 weeks. Pre-registration is essential as limited places are available. For further information or to register contact Monaghan Sports Partnership 042 9755126 or Dean 087 2623956.

Ballybay Cancer Society have been chosen by TESCO Monaghan as 1 of 3 charities to benefit from their Goodwill Token Scheme for the next 6 weeks. So Please if you do shop there place your BLUE token in the assigned box. If you have family and friends in Monaghan town or surrounding areas could you contact them and ask them to help the Ballybay Cancer Society by doing likewise.

Circuit training takes place in the recreation Centre every Monday night at 8-30pm. This class is excellent for strength building and improving your cardio fitness. Everyone welcome including beginners.

Monaghan County Museum will launch their events programme for 2019 at an event in the Museum next Tuesday, February 5th at 8pm.

The event, which will be hosted by the Friends of Monaghan County Museum, will be marking the centenary of the Monaghan Asylum Soviet of 1919. Further details here >>

At this event, there will also be the unveiling of a silver snuff box, which was purchased at auction with the help of the Friends of Monaghan County Museum. The box was originally presented to the infamous Sam Gray of Ballybay in 1828. 

On the night the Friends of Monaghan County Museum will be highlighting the benefits of the Friends organisation and the purchase of the silver snuff box, which has a strong connection with Ballybay.

We are hosting an evening of style will the very popular Maria Macklin Image Consultant on Tuesday next, 5th February 2019 at 8pm in Cuan Mhuire. Come along for advice and help on looking your best for any occasion. Admission is €10 and refreshments will be served.

The priests will bring Holy Communion to those who have requested it on Friday 1st February. If anyone would like to have a visit from the priest on the First Friday simply ring the parish office at 0429741032. Mass this Friday St. Brigid’s Day will take place in St. Patrick’s at 9-30am.

Thanks to some funding we have received, we are about to employ a company to do a survey of the 5 graveyards in the parish - St. Mary's Latton, St. Patrick's Bawn, Aughnamullen Church of Ireland, Corlea Presbyterian Church & Killahear.

The survey will include taking photographs of all headstones and making them available to view on a website: www.irishgraveyards.ie
Also a scaled map of each graveyard will be produced with each grave marked on it and this will be placed on a display board in each graveyard. Before the map is finalised, a draft of it will be on display in each church for the public to make any corrections. Work on all the graveyards will begin approx. around the middle of February to the beginning of March 2019.

Check out the website www.irishgraveyards.ie to see the graveyards in Co. Monaghan that have been completed. If there is no marking on a grave, then it can't be included on the website.

A gentle yoga class will begin in Ballybay Community College on Monday 11th February at 8-30pm. The programme is excellent value at €25 for 8 weeks. Pre-registration is essential as limited places are available. For further information or to register contact Monaghan Sports Partnership 042 9755126 or Dean 087 2623956.

There was a large turnout of parents at the recent juvenile information evening. A registration night for ALL juveniles will take place on Friday 1st Feb at 7pm in Pearse Brothers Football Centre. Registration costs €30. This includes Insurance & Pearse Brothers Club Top.

A Faith Mission Gospel Service will take place on Friday 1st February 2019 at 8pm in Rockcorry Presbyterian Church Hall (kindly granted). Speaker Andrew Mc Cullough (Faith Mission). All welcome. Refreshments afterwards.

A number of local residents especially those living on the Castleblaney Road have an issue with their water being discoloured. This was brought to the attention of local Councillor Seamus Coyle who in turn has raised the matter with both Monaghan County Council Water Services Section & Irish Water. Speaking to the Ballybay News Cllr. Coyle said, “I totally accept that the Water leaving the Kilkit Treatment Plant is of the highest quality however when it gets to the sinks, baths, showers etc in the Ballybay area there is discoloration and it is not useable. I have also requested that Irish Water and Water Services Section of Monaghan County Council attend the next meeting of Ballybay-Clones Municipal District to discuss and offer a resolution to this totally unacceptable situation in Ballybay Town & surrounding area”.

The parish envelopes for the next twelve months will be delivered during this week for use beginning Sunday 3rd February.

The annual Community & Environment Grant Scheme will open for applications on Thursday 17th January 2019, closing date for receipt of applications is Friday 15th February 2019. Support filling out applications forms is available from the Community Development section if any group would like assistance.

Advertisement Community and Environment Funding Scheme 2019 (Word Doc) 

Community Environment Grant Scheme Application Form 2019 (Word Doc)

Monaghan_County Council Community and Environment Grant Scheme Guidelines 2019 (Word Doc)

Monaghan_County Council Community and Environment Grant Scheme Timeline of Roll out 2019 (Word Doc)

Late Sunday night or early Monday morning someone seen fit to throw the contents of the three-tiered flower pot around the foot path at the entrance to Loch Mor Avenue opposite Riverdale Hotel. Speaking to the Ballybay News Martin Gleeson the Chairman of the local Tidy Town group was very annoyed. “I feel very disappointed and let down by a few scumbags who saw fit to throw the contents of the three-tiered flower pot at the entrance to Loch Mor Avenue around the footpath last night/this morning. These flower pots are there to enhance our town. I'm appealing to anyone who has information about this to come forward about these acts of thuggery. This type of vandalism has no place anywhere”, said Martin. If anyone has any useful information regarding this event could they either contact Martin, any Tidy Town committee member or the local Garda.

Free conversational English classes will take place in Ballybay Men’s Shed every Thursday. The classes will take place from 7pm until 9pm. All are welcome and all levels of English are catered for.

A gentle yoga class will begin in Ballybay Community College on Monday 11th February at 8-30pm. The programme is excellent value at €25 for 8 weeks. Pre-registration is essential as limited places are available. For further information or to register contact Monaghan Sports Partnership 042 9755126 or Dean 087 2623956.

Last weekend the Garage Theatre played host to a new play “And a Red Flag Flying” which was co-written by Ballybay man Aidan Mc Quillan. The play tells of the dramatic events of January 1919 when workers in the Monaghan Asylum (St. Davnet’s) took it over and declared a worker’s ‘soviet’. Aidan also directed the play and drew together a great cast of experienced actors from throughout County Monaghan. A number of locals attended last weekend including Sally Mc Aviney and John Smyth.
Commenting on the play Sally said, “It is a wonderful portrayal of a true story – Don’t miss it” while John also enjoyed the play and commented, “A great play and a factually accurate account of the first occupation strike in lrish labour history. Well worth going to see, well done to Aiden and all the crew”. If you would like to see this production it plays tonight (Thursday), Friday 18th and Saturday 19th in the Iontas Theatre, Castleblayney at 8pm.

Ballybay Cancer Society have been chosen by TESCO Monaghan as 1 of 3 charities to benefit from their Goodwill Token Scheme for the next 6 weeks. So Please if you do shop there place your BLUE token in the assigned box. If you have family and friends in Monaghan town or surrounding areas could you contact them and ask them to help the Ballybay Cancer Society by doing likewise.

Ballybay ICA are having a presentation given by Ann O’Shea Clarke from SAGE on Tuesday next, January 22nd at 8pm in Cuan Mhuire. SAGE is a Support and Advocacy Service for older people whose mission is to protect their rights, freedom and dignity. If you have a parent or older family member that you need some information or advice for, this is for you. This is a FREE open information evening and would encourage everyone from the local area to attend.

The Local Authority Waters Programme Community Water Development Fund is now open. The closing date is 12th February, 2019.

Application Form Community Water Development Fund Application.doc

 Guidelines Community Water Development Fund PDF

The ATM at the Bank of Ireland should be back in place before the end of the month. Ballybay Chamber of Commerce were delighted with the response of local businesses after the machine was disabled. The Chamber would like to place on record their thanks to the businesses for their help and support, the Ballybay Fightback Committee for their work in making sure there was plenty of money in the local economy over Christmas and Bank of Ireland who opened on the Saturday and Sunday before Christmas to facilitate customers. Until the ATM is back in action remember that Ballybay Post Office offer a banking service for AIB, Ulster and Danske customers as well as An Post Smart Account. Ballybay Credit Union opens Tuesday through to Saturday and that there is an ATM machine instore at Centra. Most retail shops and pubs will accept debit cards and offer cashback.

The Ballybay Christmas Lights Committee would like to thank everyone who purchased a remembrance candle in the run up to Christmas. Thanks is also due to the shops who sold the candles. These proved a massive success and all profits from their sale will be used to alleviate the cost of putting up and taking down the lights.

Ballybay Chamber of Commerce were delighted with the uptake in town vouchers in the run up to Christmas. Don’t forget to spend them and keep the money in the local community.

There will be a Juvenile Information meeting for Parents and all those interested in underage football at The Ballybay Pearse Brothers Football Centre on Wednesday, January 16 at 8pm. It would be great to see a big turnout for this. The juveniles are the future of our club and we ask that you make a special effort to attend.

The first Ballybay Senior Citizens Social day of 2019 takes place tomorrow Friday 11th January at 11 am. A four-course meal and entertainment will be provided so why not come along and bring a friend.

Pilates has now resumed after the New Year. Classes will take place in the sports Hall on Monday evenings at 7pm and in Cuan Mhuire on Thursday mornings at 10am. Beginners are welcome.

Classes recommenced yesterday (Wednesday) in Tullycorbet Hall. Continuing students can come at their usual times. New students should contact Francis on 087 2395396.

In the early hours of last Sunday morning the Bank of Ireland ATM machine was ripped from the building and a large amount of monies were stolen. A mechanical digger was used in the robbery. Local Garda are keen to hear from anyone who may have observed anyone acting suspicious in the town in recent times. They would also like to hear from anyone who was in the vicinity of Main Street early last Sunday morning.
As a result of the robbery local solicitor Lynda Smyth organised a meeting on Monday night. At the meeting it was confirmed that the local branch of Bank of Ireland will be open on Saturday and Sunday next from 10am until 6pm and on Monday until lunchtime. The bank will offer ATM services inside. In relation to general banking it is important to note that Ballybay Post Office offer a banking service for AIB, Ulster and Danske customers as well as An Post Smart Account. Ballybay Credit Union will be open on Saturday and that there is an ATM machine instore at Centra. Most retail shops and pubs will accept debit cards and offer cashback. A list of the shops offering cashback is available on the ‘Ballybay and its People’ FACEBOOK page. Many retailers have promised special promotions on Friday and Saturday of this week.
Lynda’s committee have been nicknamed the BFC (Ballybay Fightback Committee). The BFC has vowed to beat the JCB!!

Blood donations will be taken on Sunday 23rd December at the Recreation Centre behind the Community College. Donations will begin at 11-30am and will continue until 3pm. New donors are very welcome. Your blood would make a very generous Christmas present.

With just a few days to Christmas Ballybay Town Vouchers which are available throughout the town would make excellent Christmas presents. Ballybay Chambers of commerce would urge locals to shop locally in the run up to Christmas and to support the local shops

The first Christmas Mass will be celebrated in St. Patrick’s on Christmas Eve at 8pm. There will be three masses on Christmas Day. There will be 10am mass in Tullycorbett and Ballintra. The final mass of the day will take place in St. Patrick’s at 12-15pm.

A nice way to remember loved ones at Christmas is with a blessed candle. Fr. Mc Eneaney has blessed a number of candles which are available in local shops. They are €7 each or two for €10. Proceeds from the sale of the candles will go to the Christmas Lights.

Ballybay Pearse Brothers are hosting a Christmas Bingo at 3pm on Sunday 30th December. There will be a €1000 jackpot which must be won.

Ballybay Community College are hosting a Craft Fair in the Sports Hall today from 11am until 1pm. As well as tasty treats and clever crafts the Community College Choir will perform.

At 6pm on Christmas Eve the long running ceremony of placing baby Jesus in the crib at the Market House will take place. Carol singers will be present and everyone is welcome.

Massive congratulations to Loch Mor Avenue man Ollie Lennon who won his seventh county darts doubles title at the weekend. Ollie was playing with Aughnamullen’s Shane Mc Guirk and in the final they defeated Wesley Cawley and Daniel Mc Entee. Playing some amazing darts Ollie hit a 137 checkout to win the title.

Recently local farmer Patrick Gorman recently celebrated his 30th Birthday with a great night in Liam Smyth’s Bar. While great celebrations took place, donations were also collected and these have been donated to Cavan Monaghan Pallative Care. A big thank you to all who supported.

The AGM of Ballybay Pearse Brothers will take place on Saturday 1st December at 5pm in the clubhouse.

A cook ‘n’ taste event will be held in Drumhowan Community Centre on Sunday next 2nd December from 2pm until 5pm. There will be an opportunity for those in attendance to cook, share and taste recipes before Christmas.

A huge thank you to all who contribute in anyway by giving cakes, milk, cash donation, prizes for the raffle to make this event such an outstanding success. Special word of thanks to Pat O Brien for the use of his premises, Paul Duffy for his valuable support and Brendan Macklin for supplying the boiler and to all those who joined us on the day for the tea and the natter and bought tickets, also our helpers. A huge thank you to one and all.

A Senior Citizens Xmas Dinner will take place on Friday Dec 7th in Cuan Mhurie from 11am until 2pm. Along with a lovely four course meal Briege Clerkin will be doing Xmas flowering arrangements and there will also be music and dance and plus an xmas gift for everyone in the audience so why not come along and bring a friend and enjoy good food good craic and good company.

The local SVP Conference is concerned about locals who may need some extra help at this time of year. If you are in need of assistance you can contact the SVP in writing (SVP, C/O Confraternity Rooms, St. Patrick’s Street, Ballybay) before Friday 14th December. Contact can also be made at 1800677777. St. Vincent de Paul wishes to thank all those who contribute financially to collections throughout the year and are seeking continued support towards the annual pre- Christmas Church Gate Collections which will take place on the 8th and 9th December. Your support at the collections would be very much appreciated.

Invitation to Local Communities
Would your community like to work with Monaghan Sports Partnership in supporting a physical activity programme in your local area?

Does your community have the capacity to come together to provide a range of physical activity opportunities for everyone?

Would your community like run a programme which develops fitter, healthier, happier people?

If you think this is for your community in 2019, please contact Monaghan Sports Partnership to find out more.

Expression of Interest and additional information is available at;
www.monaghansports.ie or
by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by phone to: 042-9755126

Community Transformation Programme Information PDF >>

CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS - DECEMBER 7TH

(Communities must have the capacity to start 8-week activity programme in January 2019)
Please note the number of communities that can be supported is limited.

With just under five weeks to Christmas Ballybay Town Vouchers which are available throughout the town would make excellent Christmas presents. Ballybay Chambers of commerce would urge locals to shop locally in the run up to Christmas and to support the local shops.

The Christmas Lights turn on will take place on Friday 7th December. Santa will be in the Square afterwards with a free present for all children. More details next week.

A nice way to remember loved ones at Christmas is with a blessed candle. Fr. Mc Eneaney has blessed a number of candles which are available in local shops. They are €7 each or two for €10. Proceeds from the sale of the candles will go to the Christmas Lights.

Crossduff Parich Church will be holding their annual Carol Service on Sunday 2nd December at 3pm with music by Ballybay Country Gospel Group and guest preacher Rev. Colin Anderson (Castleblayney/Corvally Presbyterian group of Churches). Everyone is most welcome and there will be refreshments afterwards in the old stables.

Ballybay Special Needs annual coffee morning and cake sale takes place on Friday 23rd November from 10am till 2pm beside Pat O Brien’s Bar. There will also be a raffle on the day. Please support this worthy cause.

All welcome to 'Community Carol Service' in Rockcorry Presbyterian Church (kindly granted) on Sunday 2nd December 2018 at 7pm. Soloist: Lynda Lindsay and Christmas message by David Bennett, Faith Mission. Refreshments afterwards. Organised by the Andrew and Jenny McCullough of the Faith Mission. Come and bring family/friends.

The annual Community Carol Service takes place in Christchurch on Wednesday 19th December at 8pm. Practice for the service will take place every Wednesday at 8pm in the Confraternity rooms. All very welcome to attend.

On Wednesday Murnane’s shop was a hive of activity as members of the Ballybay Heritage Society/Ballybay Artists displayed their recent work. Several pieces were sold while others were photographed and no doubt will shortly appear all over the place.

Ballybay Community Creche are busy organising the crèches Christmas Fayre. It is on Saturday 1st December from 1-4pm in the creche grounds. Your support would be very much appreciated.

Ballybay Tidy Towns Committee have organised the first estate litter pick/tidy up for this Saturday (17th November) at 10am. If you are living in Loch Mor Avenue or if you want to help out, please meet at the Peace Bridge at 10 am.

Keep free Friday 30th November for a monster barn dance in aid of Ballybay Cancer Society. Tullycorbett Community Centre will be the venue with a 9pm start. Music on the night by Glor Tire winner Gary Fitzpatrick. Supper served.

The annual Camphill Advent Craft Sale takes place at the Camphill Community, Robbs Farm on Saturday 24th November. All the usual attractions will be there. It is also a great opportunity to purchase some nice Christmas gifts while helping a very good cause.

The Cavan Monaghan Sciene Festival is running from 10th to 24th November and a number of associated events will run in Bally bay and surrounding areas. All workshops are free however booking is essential. You can book at the local library or at http://www.cavanmonaghansciencefestival.ie/. Today (Thursday 15th November) will see a children’s workshop at the library entitled ‘Precious Corals and Jewels of the Ocean’. It is aimed at children aged 8-12 years. Tomorrow Friday 16th November Tanagh Outdoor Education centre will host an event entitled ‘Exploring Citizen Science along the Dromore River Corridor’. This event is aimed at persons over 18 years old and starts at 10am sharp however registration takes place at Tanagh from 9-45am. The morning event will show citizen science in action and Guest speakers from Met Eireann and the Biodiversity Data Centre will show the how and what citizen science records have been taken in Monaghan in recent years. The event will also showcase how everyone can get involved in recording nature with local citizen science projects. In the afternoon we will try it for ourselves on a boat trip down the Dromore or in the wetlands of Tanagh. This event involves outdoor activity so please wear raingear and suitable footwear. Not wheelchair friendly. The final event will be held in Ballybay Library on Thursday 22nd November between 4pm and 6pm and is entitled ‘Paint, Pendulums and Acrobats Workshop’. Children aged between 8 and 12 years will learn about force and motion through art. Make a magical gravity defying acrobat, participate in the Cup Racing Game and create a messy pendulum painting project!

A mass will be held for the deceased Sisters of Our Lady of the Sacred Heart, Ballybay on Sunday next 18th November. The mass will be held in St. Patrick’s church at 3pm.

Last Sunday was the 100th year anniversary of the ending of world war 1. Below is an article from http://www.gaa.ie/ about Thomas Bradley a Ballybay footballer who fought in the great war. Thanks to Martin Mc Aviney for sharing the link on Ballybay and its People.

This Saturday 10th November Limerick legend Jimmy Buckley will take to the stage in Lisdoonan Community Centre as the main attraction for this year’s Senior Citizen Fundraising dance. The event organised annually by Gerry Mc Elroy raises monies for a number of Senior Citizen charities and is brilliantly supported by large numbers. The night before the big fundraising dance (Friday 9th November) Gerry will host his annual Senior Citizens party with a 7pm start. Music on the night will be supplied by Country Harmony and as with previous parties there will be some special guests stopping by to say hello to all who attend. Admission to the senior citizens party is free.
Saturday night’s spectacular kicks off at 8-30pm with DJ Stefan’s Country disco. Stefan is sure to warm you up and then from 10pm until 12midnight Dermot Mc Connell will provide support to Jimmy Buckley who will appear on stage at midnight and play until 2pm. Supper will be served on the night and all proceeds will go to support numerous local senior citizens groups. Admission to the night which sees over six hours of music is just €15. Tickets are available at Gerry’s Takeaway, various local outlets or you can also pay at the door on the night. Gerry would like to sincerely thank you all for your continued support and looks forward to seeing many old friends on the night.

Balybay Special Needs annual coffee morning and cake sale takes place on Friday 23rd November from 10am till 2pm beside Pat O Brien’s Bar. There will also be a raffle on the day. Please support this worthy cause.

We are having CPR Training with Castleblayney First Responders on November 13th at 7pm in Cuan Mhuire. It’s two years since our last training and our certificates are due for renewal... if you were with us then get in touch if you want to avail of the training. Cost is €20 and this will cover your certificate which is valid for two years. We need to have numbers by November 5th... everybody is welcome to take part and training includes how to use a defibrillator, which is a life-saving device.

Welcome to Faith Mission Gospel Rally on Thursday 15th November 2018 at 8pm in Rockcorry Presbyterian Church hall (kindly granted). Speaker Andrew McCullough Faith Mission. Refreshments afterwards.

Congratulations to Jayne Drury who has been selected to represent Ulster at the Ladies Gaelic Inter-Provincials Schools competition in Kinnegad in January. Jayne who attends school in Castleblayney plays her club football with St. Brigid’s. She came through a series of trials before making the final thirty players. This is the second year in a row that Jayne has won a schools All Star.

On Saturday week 10th November Limerick legend Jimmy Buckley will take to the stage in Lisdoonan Community Centre as the main attraction for this year’s Senior Citizen Fundraising dance. The event organised annually by Gerry Mc Elroy raises monies for a number of Senior Citizen charities and is brilliantly supported by large numbers. The night before the big fundraising dance(Friday 9th November) Gerry will host his annual Senior Citizens party with a 7pm start. Music on the night will be supplied by Country Harmony and as with previous parties there will be some special guests stopping by to say hello to all who attend. Admission to the senior citizens party is free.

Saturday night’s spectacular kicks off at 8-30pm with DJ Stefan’s Country disco. Stefan is sure to warm you up and then from 10pm until 12midnight Dermot Mc Connell will provide support to Jimmy Buckley who will appear on stage at midnight and play until 2pm. Supper will be served on the night and all proceeds will go to support numerous local senior citizens groups. Admission to the night which sees over six hours of music is just €15. Tickets are available at Gerry’s Takeaway, various local outlets or you can also pay at the door on the night. Gerry would like to sincerely thank you all for your continued support and looks forward to seeing many old friends on the night.

The organisers of the recent church gate collection in aid of the Chernobyl Children would like to thank everyone who either contributed or helped on the day. The amount raised was €865.

The annual Parish Dance which raises money each year for the parish Lourdes Fund was a major success. The organisers would like to thank everyone who supported the dance in anyway. The amount raised was a fantastic €6,129-50c.

A massive thank you is due to all who contributed old spectacles and glasses to Sally Mc Aviney. Sally has been in touch to say that her appeal resulted in 83 pairs of glasses being donated. 25 of these have gone to Specsavers and the remainder to the Lions Club in Monaghan. John Smith who hails from Ballybay and who is President of the Lions Club has assured the Ballybay news that the glasses will be put to good use by Sightsavers clinics run by the Lions Club International in India, Africa and Europe.

We are having CPR Training with Castleblayney First Responders on November 13th at 7pm in Cuan Mhuire. It’s two years since our last training and our certificates are due for renewal... if you were with us then get in touch if you want to avail of the training. Cost is €20 and this will cover your certificate which is valid for two years. We need to have numbers by November 5th... everybody is welcome to take part and training includes how to use a defibrillator, which is a life-saving device.

Monaghan Integrated Development is planning to run an Introduction to Renewable Energy Technologies Training Programme. The training is aimed at community groups and enterprises who have an interest in developing their understanding of different types of renewable energy technologies available. As part of the programme, participants will be given support to assess if these technologies would be economically and environmentally beneficial to their community facility or enterprise, and to develop a Renewable Energy Technology Plan that may be used to seek funding from LEADER or other funders. We are planning to run this training from a couple of different locations in Co. Monaghan (likely Monaghan Town and Castleblayney). The course will be delivered 1 session per week over 9 weeks.

Monaghan Public Participation Network (PPN) has organised training for its member groups on “Developing Grant Applications”. This programme of training will be delivered by Cramden TECH solutions who were awarded the contract.

Tuesday 30th October Clones Library, Clones at 6.30pm (Refreshments served on arrival for people coming from work)
Tuesday 6th November Carrickmacross Workhouse at 6.30pm (Refreshments served on arrival for people coming from work)

A meeting has been arranged to relaunch the scouts, cubs and beavers in Ballybay. This meeting which initially is for parents and guardians only will take place in Church Street Hall on Thursday 15th November at 8pm. Scouting is a brilliant way to encourage the physical, intellectual, character, emotional, social and spiritual development of young people so that they may achieve their full potential and, as responsible citizens, to improve society. It would be great to see parents of children aged between 6 and 15 at the meeting.

Ballybay Library reopened on Monday last after the Council carried out internal renovations. Opening hours will be as before. If you have any queries on this matter, please contact Library HQ at 047-74700 or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.. Monaghan County Council apologise for any inconvenience this may cause.

In order for the Tidy Town Committee to continue their great work they are holding a Quiz night in order to raise some funds. The quiz will be held in Meena and Tom Smiths Welcome Inn Bar on November 2nd starting at 8 pm. They are asking people to get a team of four people at €10.00 per person. Quiz nights are usually good fun with Stephen Duffy the Quiz master and they would ask you to support this event. The more funds they get the more they can do for the town.

Ballybay Special Needs annual coffee morning and cake sale takes place on Friday 23rd November from 10am till 2pm. there will also be a raffle on the day. Please support this worthy cause.

Harvest is the time when the leaves gradually change colour and we reap what we sow. This has been such a great year that we have much for which to be thankful. On Sunday 28th October Second Ballybay Presbyterian Church on the Clones Road in Ballybay are holding their harvest thanksgiving services. The morning service at 12 noon will be taken by our minister, Rev Dr. Gerry Clinton with special singing by the church choir along with the Sunday School children. The evening service will be taken by Rev Dr. Jean Mackarel who will preach from the Bible on the Harvest Theme: "The Fruits of Revelation". We will have harvest praises in congregational singing led by the Choir and Musicians of the CAVAN PCI Union of Churches. There will be harvest anthems by the Cavan Male Voice Quartet, and harvest solos by Michael Lawson (Voice of Ireland). The church will be decorated for the occasion with flowers, fruit, vegetable and many other emblems as we remember and give thanks for God’s generous goodness in once again providing a great harvest. All members of the community are welcome to join us for this celebration of harvest, and there will be a light supper served in the church hall after the evening service.

Tanagh Outdoor Education & Training Centre are running a Night Paddle on the Dromore river on the 26th October and Forest School sessions on the 30th October, 31st October & 1st November. Courses are subject to minimum numbers. Booking Essential. Contact Philomena for more information 049-5552988.

The Presidential Election and referendum on the publication and utterance of blasphemous matter takes place on Friday 26th October. Polling booths will open at 7am and remain open until 10pm. Voters are reminded to take evidence of identity with them.

The Monaghan Branch of MS would like to thank most sincerely all those who contributed to their recent church gate collection in the parish. The amount collected was €1,005.
The information contained in this message, and any files transmitted with it, is intended for the named recipient(s) only. It may contain privileged and/or confidential information and if you are not the intended recipient, you must not disseminate, distribute or copy this e-mail. If you have received this e-mail in error, please notify the sender immediately by e-mail and delete it from your system. E-mail transmission cannot be guaranteed to be secure and therefore Monaghan County Council does not accept legal responsibility for the contents of this message. Except where sent in the ordinary course of business, any views or opinions presented are solely those of the author and do not necessarily represent those of Monaghan County Council. Monaghan County Council operates anti-virus programs; however, we do not accept responsibility for any damage whatsoever that is caused by viruses being passed. Monaghan County Council monitors e-mail communications for operational, security and business reasons. Don fhaighteoir (nó do na faighteoirí) ainmnithe amháin an t-eolas atá sa teachtaireacht seo. D'fhéadfadh eolas rúnda nó faoi phribhléid a bheith istigh inti agus murach tusa an faighteoir beartaithe, níl cead agat an ríomhphost seo a scaipeadh, a dháileadh nó a chóipeáil. Má fuair tú an ríomhphost seo de bharr botúin, cuir in iúl don té a sheol é láithreach, le do thoil, trí ríomhphost a chur, agus scrios é ó do chóras. Ní féidir a dheimhniú go mbeidh seachadadh ríomhphoist slán agus mar sin de ní ghlacann Comhairle Contae Mhuineacháin le freagracht dhlíthiúil as ábhar na teachtaireachta seo. Ach gurb é gnáthchomhfhreagras gnó atá i gceist, is leis an údar amháin aon bharúil nó tuairim a chuirtear i láthair agus ní gá gurb ionann iad agus barúil nó tuairim Comhairle Contae Mhuineacháin. Tá ríomhchláir frithvíreas i bhfeidhm ag Comhairle Contae Mhuineacháin, ach ní ghlacaimid le freagracht as aon díobháil d'aon sórt a mbeidh seachadadh víris mar chúis léi. Déanann Comhairle Contae Mhuineacháin monatóireacht ar chumarsáid ríomhphoist ar chúíseanna oibriochtúla, slándála agus gnó..

Ballybay Pearse Brothers will have to wait at least another year to get their hands on the Mick Duffy Cup. On Sunday last Scotstown defeated Ballybay 1-13 to 0-13. Ballybay finished the game strongly and but for a brilliant save by Rory Beggan and a couple of goal chances that just went right of the post the result could very well have been different. Full match report on the sports pages.

Gerry’s Prepared Veg and Takeaway have secured Jimmy Buckley as the main attraction for this year’s Senior Citizen Fundraising dance. The Limerick native will play Lisdoonan Community Centre on Saturday 10th November just four weeks away. Speaking to the Ballybay News Gerry Mc Elroy said, “I am delighted to announce that we have secured one of the biggest singing attractions in the country for this year’s fundraiser. Jimmy Buckley is a superstar and he has promised me a night we will all remember”. The night before Jimmy takes to the stage Gerry has organised his annual Senior Citizens Christmas Party. On Friday 9th November Lisdoonan Community Centre will host the party with a 7pm start. Music on the night will be supplied by Country Harmony and as with previous parties there will be some special guests stopping by to say hello to all who attend. Admission to the senior citizens party is free.
Saturday night’s spectacular kicks off at 8-30pm with DJ Stefan’s Country disco. Stefan is sure to warm you up and then from 10pm until 12midnight Dermot Mc Connell will provide support to Jimmy Buckley who will appear on stage at midnight and play until 2pm. Supper will be served on the night and all proceeds will go to support numerous local senior citizens groups. Admission to the night which sees over six hours of music is just €15. Tickets are available at Gerry’s Takeaway, various local outlets or you can also pay at the door on the night. Gerry would like to sincerely thank you all for your continued support and looks forward to seeing many old friends on the night.

Christ Church Ballybay are holding their harvest thanksgiving service on Sunday the 14th of October at 3:30pm. Guest speaker Mr. Walter Pringle. The children from Ballybay Central NS will also be taking part. All are very welcome and refreshments severed afterwards.

Joanne’s big Charity Barn Dance in aid of the Ballybay Cancer Society planned for the 26th October has been postponed owing to the use of Tullycorbet Hall for the Presidential election. The good news is that a new date has been found. The barn dance will now take place in Tullycorbet Hall on Friday 30th November. Music on the night by Gerry Fitzpatrick.

The annual parish dance will take place on the 19th October in the Ballybay Pearse Bros Centre doors open at 9.30pm.
A wonderful nights entertainment is guaranteed with the fabulous Celtic Swing to keep us on our feet! A delicious supper will be served at 10.30pm. Tullycorbet C.C.E along with our ladies line dancing display will add to the enjoyment!
Bar facilities are available and of course a raffle with some great prizes! Tickets are on sale now priced at €10. We ask if you would please support our ticket sellers and thank you for your ongoing generosity! This as you know is a fantastic event bringing funds for a more than worthy cause.
We do hope to see you there!

You are welcome to Corlea Presbyterian Church Harvest Thanksgiving Service on Sunday 21st October 2018 at 4pm with Rev Dr Gerry Clinton. Plan to come and bring family/friends. (please note change of date to avoid clash with Corvalley Harvest on 14th October at 3.30pm with Rev Phil Houston).