Liam Towler welcomed Margaret Dennehy and Denise Lowther daughters of the late Michael Collins, they presented the Cup to the winning Skip.

Liam Towler thanked Cllr. Terry Shannnon for his continued support. He also congratulated Terry on being selected by his Party to be the incoming Lord Mayor of Cork in June 2011. Terry in his reply said that he will continue as long as he can, to support & sponsor the Event. He also paid tribute to the late Michael V. Collins, saying a lot of the facilities available in the centre today, were as a result of the large input Michael had in the community centre.

Liam also thanked Michael J.Collins & Vincent Barry for their help in organising the competition. The committee are now organising the ‘Christmas competition’

On Behalf of the Retirement Club Liam expressed a vote of sympathy to Minister Micheal Martin, Mary & family on the recent death of their daughter Leana.

Entitled ‘Flowers, Fun & Festivities – all are welcome to come along and have a hot chocolate or a mulled wine while browsing and chatting! Discounts on the night, raffles, flower demonstration, hot chocolate & mulled wine. Donations on the night in aid of St. Vincent de Paul.

For more information contact Fiona Donnelly in Petals:

Email: fdonnelly@eircom.net
Website: http://www.petalsfloral.ie

Senior Citizen's Christmas Dinner organising committee

This years Ballinlough Senior Citizen’s Chrismtas dinner will take place Sunday December 5th 2010, at 5.00pm in the Rochestown Park Hotel.

The cost of the evening, including bus transfer is €30.

All those wishing to attend the dinner should contact either Ena Collins (021 4295008) Marian Quinn (087 294 8079 ), Maura Maher (021 4294854) or Maura Olden (021 4363193)

A great night of dinner, dance and music is guaranteed! If you don’t know how to do the “slosh” now, you will after December 5th!

Note: The bus will depart from the Ballinlough Community Centre at 4.00pm and return when the festivities end, departing the hotel at 10.30pm.

Check out the photos page, for photos from last years Senior Citizens Christmas Dinner.

The Parade starts from the Youth Club at 5.00pm sharp. Registration before that from 4.45pm All children must be registered for insurance purposes and accompanied by an adult.

All the children will be given  glow sticks and musical instruments to add the atmosphere in the Community. There is a small charge of €2 per child, (or €5 for a family of three children) to cover the costs.

After the Parade there is a Halloween Party back in the Youth centre, and a magic show. All this is included in the €2 charge!

Parade Route: from Ballinlough Road, through Somerton, Sundrive, Belmont & Beechwood Parks. Return to Youth Centre(6.00-7.30pm) for Halloween Fun & Games, Spot Prizes & Magic Show€2 Entry fee. Family of 3 children €5.

Come in Costume!

For more information contact, ballinloughyouthclubs@gmail.com

Pictured outside the Greenfinch Restaurant in Charleville

The Annual Senior Citizens Outing was last Saturday 10th July. Forty people travelled to Limerick City, they spent some time there, and then travelled to the Crescent Shopping Centre, for a spot of retail therapy, also for a bit of relaxation and for a welcome cup of tea. When the purchases were completed, it was back on the bus and off for Dinner at the Charleville Park Hotel on the way home. The Dinner was great and the staff were fantastic. On the way home bus driver Pat O’ Donovan did a great job to make the day so enjoyable with his singing, storytelling and jokes. The committee would like to say a ‘Big Thank’ you to the Manager & staff of the Charleville Park Hotel, and to the jolly bus driver Pat O’Donovan.

Three very brave men are joining the group of almost 50 women, when they take to the roads. This year’s annual trip is to Limerick, where the group will visit the Crescent Shopping for a spot of retail therapy amongst other local attractions. Dinner in Charleville Park on the way home, and perhaps a sing song! Remember to bring us home a stick of Rock!

There is currently a waiting list for the Annual Trip, but Marian Quinn will take names in case of cancellations. Contact Marian at 087 294 8079

(check the photos section of the website later in the summer for photos of the outing)

Paddy Crowley with some of his supporters before he departs for the Over 60's Final in City Hall

Paddy Crowley, Ballinlough’s contestant in the Over 60′s final on May 23rd, did the Community proud.  Paddy sang “A bunch of Violets Blue” his winning song from the local Ballinlough heat last February.

One of fourteen finalists on the night, Paddy was successful in both our own local community heat and again in City Hall on April 18th in the Semi Final.

Over the past number of months Paddy has taken the excitement and pressure in his stride, and in  his own words, he has “enjoyed every minute of the experience”.

The fun doesn’t end here for Paddy – this week he is singing in Marymount Hospice with some of his fellow finalist, in an event organised by Paddy O’Brien. And the “End of Summer Festival” has already made a booking in Paddy’s diary for another appearance on August 28th, 2010!

The Lord Mayor Cllr. Dara Murphy welcomed the members and praised all the voluntary work that was been undertaken by the Association in the Community. Cllr Murphy made particular reference to the unique community spirit that was evident in Ballinlough during the recent flooding. Where all across Ballinlough pulled together to ensure that no one was isolated or forgotten about. . He stressed the importance of voluntary workers in the Community.

Dara also said he wasdelighted that the Ballinlough Community Association had decided to enter the ‘Over 60′s Competition again, after a great many years, and wished our contestant Paddy Crowley all the best in the Final.

The attendance included Chairperson Cllr. Laura McGonigle, Cllr. Terry Shannon, former Lord Mayor Donal Counihan, Officers & committee members.

A presentation was made to the Lord Mayor by Cllr. McGonigle.

Among the Attendees were Canon Jim O’Donovan P.P, Rev. Adrian Wilkinson. Cllrs Jim Corr, Des Cahill, Kieran McCarthy, & Terry Shannon. Senator Dan Boyle was represented by Mary Ryder & Dominic Donnelly. Community Gardai Conor O’Mahony, Trish O’Riordan (Anglesea Street), & Dan Cowman (Douglas). The meeting was chaired by Laura McGonigle (Chairperson of Ballinlough Community Association) Councillors spoke in praise of the voluntary work especially the Meals on Wheels, Parish Newsletter, The End of Summer Festival & the Local Heat of the Over 60′s and each wished the Community Association continued success.

Reports:

Meals on Wheels – 9,028 meals were delivered last year, this is all thanks to the cooks who turn up on their rota to cook and likewise to the drivers that deliver them, this averages 40 meals per day. As the holiday period is approaching, they will be appealing for people to come forward as reserve cooks & drivers. It is one day in the fortnight for a few hours in the morning, if you have recently retired, you might like to help. Call to the Community Centre any morning between 11.00 am and 12 noon.

Youth Clubs – Judy Murphy reported that this was a very successful year for them. Membership is very high in the Youth Clubs.

Their activities included Arts & Crafts, Soccer, a Sleep Over, Christmas Party; all the clubs participated in a number of Ogra Chorcai Events.

Youth Cafe – Judy Murphy reported that the Youth Cafe operates very successfully every second Friday night from 8.00 to 10.00pm the Cafe offers young people a safe environment to meet, socialise, make new friends; many parents have come to supervise.

I.C.A.: The I.C.A. meet the first and third Wednesday of every month in the Community Centre some of their meetings this year included talks on different subject & also Arts & Crafts, They had a very nice Christmas Dinner at the Rochestown Park Hotel, and next month are going on a trip to Bunratty, New members are welcome.

Indoor Bowls – Marie Hallissey reported that they play on Monday & Tuesday nights at the Community Centre. This year was a very successful year as in the I.I.B.A. – Cork Zone National Pairs competition, 125 teams competed, the Ballinlough team of Vincent Barry and Ryan Higgins reached the Final – In the Barrs Triple Competition, 99 teams competed, the Ballinlough team of Vincent Barry, Dan Swanton & Ryan Higgins with Gladys O’Keeffe as sub. They have 18 members, New members welcome

Other activities include Ladies & Gents Retirement Clubs, Bingo, Newsletter, 45Drive & Computer Classes.

Canon Jim O’Donovan congratulated the Officers, and all the voluntary workers in the different committees, he said the closing prayer.