Issue 45 Volume 10 : Thursday January 14th 2021

Ballybunion woke up on Wednesday morning to the sight of five camper vans on the Strand Road, the occupants of which, had obviously stayed over night in the town.

The French-registered vans are owned by Black Sheep Vans, a company based in France, who lease and hire camper vans and mini buses to holiday makers in various countries across Europe.

As one of the occupants emerged from a van, he was asked by a local woman, where they had come from, and he informed her that they arrived in Ireland from France the day before (Tuesday), to deliver the vans to a “Client” and they were supposed to go back that same night, but had decided to stay an extra day to “See the sights”.

The local woman also asked him if they had been Covid tested and was informed they had not, at which point she left, because she became very annoyed over this.

Thankfully, the vans and their occupants left town around 11.00am but were spotted later in the day at Ross Castle in Killarney. Is it any wonder that virus numbers are continuing to rise ?

TAKING IN THE SIGHTS

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Hello and welcome to another edition of Ballybunion News. We’ have enjoyed some nice weather this past week which has also been mixed with horrible damp conditions, but I suppose it is to be expected at this time of year. Ironically, as I write this on Thursday morning, the sun has come out, the cold has gone and it’s a really lovely day outside and ideal for golf, but sadly, the courses are closed under level five restrictions. January is usually the quietest and most boring month of the year and of course this year its worse because of lockdown. The majority of people are staying indoors except for doing some grocery shopping or going for a walk, and that is the way it will remain for the foreseeable weeks, until there is a noticeable decline in the spread of the virus. Remember to please check on an elderly friend or neighbour (from a safe distance of course) and see if you can be of any help to them in these difficult times God Bless and Stay Safe

GerGerGerGer

A Note from the Editor

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COVID FIGURES REACH AN

ALL-TIME HIGH

It was another record week in Kerry for new cases of the virus with 833 which was up by 8 on the previous week’s 825, with last Thursday’s setting a new daily record of 262 for one day.

The only good news for us in Ballybunion however, is that the Listowel Electoral Area (LEA) of which are part, is the least affected of the county’s six LEA’s with an incidence rate of 310 per 100,000 which is less than half of the Killarney LEA which is the highest at 712, 38 over the national average of 674.

Nationwide in the past week, there were 38,083 new cases which is up by 7,072 on the previous week’s 31,011, representing a 22.8% rise.

Meanwhile the total number of deaths recorded nationwide in the past week was a whopping 166, and increase of 92 on the previous week’s 74 (127.7%).

These figures now bring the total number of positive cases in Ireland since the pandemic began, to 159,237, while there have been 2,465 deaths recorded in that time.

CLOSING THE STABLE DOOR AFTER THE

HORSE HAS BOLTED

Ireland unfortunately has the highest infection rate in the world last week, prompting our Government to rule that nobody is allowed to enter the country from Saturday next, unless they can provide proof of a negative Covid test, in a classic case of “Closing the Stable Door after the horse has bolted.

The time to close down travel was last March, when in spite of having their six nations match against Ireland cancelled because of the pandemic, over 3,000 Italian rugby fans were allowed to travel to Dublin when Italy was at the epicentre of the outbreak.

One week later, 20,000 Irish people were also allowed to travel to Cheltenham and back, for the racing festival, but now after almost 160,000 Irish people have been infected and nearly 2,500 have died, the penny has finally dropped and they have decided that closing the country to incoming travel is the way prevent further spread of the virus !

Hardy MenHardy MenHardy MenHardy Men A group of locals who enjoyed a swim on

Christmas morning

SCOIL ÍOSAGÁIN ENROLLMENT

Scoil Íosagáin, Church Road, Ballybunion would like to remind parents that they are now enrolling for 2021/22 school year and that the closing date for all new Junior Infants is Monday February 1st .

Enrolment applications are available on the school website www.ballybunionprimary.ie or by email from Catherine at office@ballybunionprimary.ie

Principal Ita Walsh and her staff look forward to meeting all the new boys and girls.

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BALLYDONOGHUE PARISH

MAGAZINE 2020

The 2020 or 36th edition of the Ballydonoghue Parish magazine is arguably the best-ever, produced by this small tight-knit community which is located just a stone’s throw from Ballybunion, the focal point of which is Lisselton village on the main Listowel Road.

As Christmas approaches each year, the folks not just of Ballydonoghue, but of North Kerry and beyond, look forward to this publication which contains all the news of the year from the parish, including deaths, births and marriages, local happenings and of course coverage of cultural and sporting events.

The whole concept for the magazine was born back in 1985 when members of the Parish Committee decided to produce a magazine aimed at preserving parish traditions and giving the emigrants of the parish a voice, and the first two in 1985 & 1986 were entitled “Ballydonoghue – Our Parish”.

Such was the success of the first two editions, that a separate committee was formed, the name was changed to the “Ballydonoghue Parish Magazine” and the rest as they say, is history, with the magazine going from strength to strength ever since.

This year’s edition is 306 pages in full colour and is crammed with stories, photographs, articles and reports all related to our neighbouring parish.

Throughout the year the hard-working committee are beavering away behind the scenes collecting material for the latest issue and one of the most popular features each year are the competitions which attract entries from all over, with prizes awarded for Creative writing, Poetry, Photography, and for both Primary and Second level schools, while the awards ceremony for these competitions is a huge part of the launch night which attracts a large gathering and is usually one of the social highlights of the year in the parish.

There were 900 copies of this year’s issue printed and the vast majority of these have now been sold but there are a limited number still left for sale, so do yourself a favour if you haven't already seen it, and buy a copy. They're available at most shops in the North Kerry area and online at www.ballydonoghueparishmagazine.com priced at €17.

BALLYBUNION VOLUNTEERS INVOLVED IN

SEARCH FOR MISSING MAN

Members of Ballybunion Sea & Cliff Rescue and Coast Guard were among the volunteer groups who were involved in a search for an elderly man who went missing from his home on Tuesday in the Ballylongford area.

The searchers also included the Gardaí, the Glenderry Sea & Cliff Rescue (Ballyheigue), the National Search & Rescue Dog Association (SARDA), along with friends and neighbours of the man who was believed to be in his 80’s.

Sadly, he was found dead on Wednesday in bogland less than a kilometre from his home, and Gardaí are not treating the death as suspicious, believing that he died of natural causes.

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Cahill’s Main Street Ballybunion

Proudly Supporting 48 Local Jobs

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ONLINE TRAINING WITH

GIGGS

Local soccer club L.B. Rovers have come up with a novel way to keep their under-age players fit and active during lockdown as the current restrictions prevent any sort of communal gathering, therefore ruling out collective training, so club coach Eoin “Giggs” O’Mahony has designed a series of online exercises and stretches that the players can do to remain active.

Eoin who has a Skills Active Approved Reps Fitness qualification, presents his exercises twice weekly on Tuesday and Thursday nights at 7.00pm and there is no equipment of any kind required for these exercises just a safe space in the home.

The classes are absolutely free with a private “Zoom” link sent out to the parents so that the boys and girls can access the class, while parents are also encouraged to take part and its proving to be hugely popular, with a whopping 43 families taking part on Tuesday night last, and no doubt that number is set to increase in the coming weeks.

Eoin who was one of the most gifted players in the history of the Kerry District Soccer League, won every honour possible in the game and in fact spent some time in the UK on trial at Maccelsfield who were at the time managed by Manchester United legend Sammy McIlroy.

Since his retirement as a player, he has given his time to nurturing the “beautiful game” at local underage level and is one of the founder members of L.B. Rovers.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

Padraig Murphy Mike Kennelly Sat Jan 9th Sat Jan 9th

Liz Clancy Linda Blake Sun Jan 10th Sun Jan 10th

Jenna Fitzgerald Aoife Kennelly Tue Jan 12th Sat Jan 16th

Joe Hellard Áine O’Farrell-Hellard Mon Jan 18th Wed Jan 20th

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“FOREVER” LOOKING AFTER

YOU AND YOUR FAMILY

With Miriam Costello

The start of a new year is full of hope, resolutions and a need for changes, but it’s not always easy to get going. My name is Miriam Costello and I’m writing this little piece to tell you about some fantastic products which really benefit your immune system, your skin and general wellbeing.

Five years ago, I was introduced to an amazing company called “Forever” when I began using the products and working my network marketing business. These products range from skin care, nutritional supplements, weight management, personal care and essential oils and the key to Forever Living’s success is commitment to the quality and purity of our Aloe Vera products using only the inner-leaf gel.

My family and I begin every day with a shot of Forever pure aloe vera drinking gel which is great for skin, the immune system and it’s an ideal digestive aid. It's also high in vitamin C which contributes to the normal function of the immune system and to a normal energy-yielding metabolism.

The gel is also one of five products which make up the very popular C9 box and this 9-day programme includes advanced nutrition and exercise routines to help you succeed and it helps to reset your body to develop healthy habits to take you forward.

I completed one before Christmas as I felt my gut needed a break, my energy levels were low and I felt that I needed that cleanse before finishing 2020 while January is also a very popular month for people to follow the 9-day programme.

Another very popular product in our house are the bee propolis tablets. Propolis is the protective substance gathered and used by bees to disinfect and protect their hives from pathogens. These are taken at the slightest sign of a sniffle and they work wonders. They say that an apple a day keeps the doctor away, well in our house it’s the aloe gel and propolis.

The cold weather outside and the extra heat inside our homes at this time of year can also be challenging on our skin and having quite sensitive dry skin myself, I struggled to find a suitable face cream until I found Aloe Forever’s deep moisturizing cream.

Continued in next column

It is so hydrating and it reduces the appearance of fine lines and wrinkles whilst promoting the elasticity of the skin.

The skin care range also includes masks, eye cream, cleansers, toners, scrubs and much more., while the very popular aloe lips is also a must, especially to keep the lips nourished.

Finally, I must mention the new Aloe liquid soap from the personal care range. This powerful, gentle and versatile cleanser can be used on the kitchen sink or in the shower and is suitable for all the family.

If you would like any further information on any of the products or indeed the wonderful business opportunity Forever has to offer, contact me on 087 6982711.

Wishing you all a wonderful, successful and healthy 2021. Be kind to yourself and to others.

Miriam Costello

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Ger Walsh, the late Niall Horgan RIP and Maurice Mannix at a Beale GAA Ger Walsh, the late Niall Horgan RIP and Maurice Mannix at a Beale GAA Ger Walsh, the late Niall Horgan RIP and Maurice Mannix at a Beale GAA Ger Walsh, the late Niall Horgan RIP and Maurice Mannix at a Beale GAA Social back in the early 1990’sSocial back in the early 1990’sSocial back in the early 1990’sSocial back in the early 1990’s

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Anniversaries : Margaret (Maggie) Keane & Michael Keane of Gortnaskehy, Imelda O’Connor, Sylvia Harty, Evelyn Allen and Emile Beauseigneur Senior

Masses will be offered for the following :

Saturday 7.00pm : Margaret (Maggie) Keane & Michael Keane

Sunday 11.30am : Imelda O’Connor

Monday 10.00pm : The People of the Parish

Wednesday 10.00am : Richard Kissane (Month’s Mind)

Friday 10.00am : Maureen Sheehan and Joan Marshall

Mass : Weekday masses for intentions will be said privately while Saturday night’s vigil mass (7.00pm) and Sunday morning mass (11.30am) will be streamed live on the St John’s Facebook page

Parish Office : Under Covid Level Five restrictions, the office is closed to the public but you can leave a message on the answering machine and we will get back to you

Priest on Duty : Sunday January 17th Fr Seán Hannafin Tel : 087-8341083

Diocesan Mission : Begins on Sunday January 24th. The Mission, Be Christ’s Joy offers an opportunity for people to gather in reflection and prayer online and in the home. All are welcome to participate. Register at www.dioceseofkerry.ie. You will receive an email each morning offering links to daily Mission Activities.

Private Prayer : Under level five restrictions, we cannot gather to celebrate Mass in person. However, St. John’s Church remains open for private prayer but please adhere to all safety measures in place. Sanitise your hands on entry, enter through the left hand side, please maintain social distance of two metres from fellow parishioners, exit through the righthand side and sanitise your hands when leaving the church.

Thank you for your continuing co-operation and remember that Mass can be viewed live on Monday, Wednesday and Friday at 10 a.m. and on Saturday at 7 p.m. and Sunday at 11.30 a.m. via our

HEARING GOD’S VOICE

This invitation written in the 1800's is very much relevant for today. It is difficult to hear God speak because I am full of other voices. It's a help occasionally go into silence or turn off the other voices so that I may hear God's voice in my heart..

Jesus did this. Once he left home, he went straight to the Wilderness or Desert to hear the voice of God. Jesus had a burning desire that God would save the people from oppression and being downtrodden.

The Wilderness or Desert was the place where the Hebrew people discovered God. They wandered for 40 years listening to God's voice as they became a nation and a community in relation to God. They went back time and again in times of crisis to hear the clear voice of God.

The Diocese of Kerry is holding a mission online 'Be Christ's Joy' from January 24th to 29th. This is an opportunity to step away for a period of time each day to hear God's voice.

St John’s Parish News with Fr Seán HannafinSt John’s Parish News with Fr Seán HannafinSt John’s Parish News with Fr Seán HannafinSt John’s Parish News with Fr Seán Hannafin

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LISTOWEL CREDIT UNION BUSINESS UPDATE

LEVEL FIVE

Listowel Credit Union wishes to advise people in Ballybunion that their Ballybunion Office will remain open to the public during the current level 5 Covid restrictions.

As Credit Unions are now deemed an essential service, this decision has been taken in order to facilitate all of their members and both the Listowel and Ballybunion offices are open for essential counter transactions. However, members are requested to use the offices under the current circumstances ONLY when absolutely necessary and to please adhere all the usual protocol of sanitising, social distancing and wearing masks if you do have to visit any of the offices.

Online Banking: All members registered for Online Banking can avail of the following services via Website or Mobile App :

♦ Transfer funds from your credit union account to an external bank current account.

♦ Transfer funds internally from your Credit Union savings to your loan.

♦ Transfer funds internally from your Credit Union savings to your eStamp account

♦ Set up utility suppliers Payees to pay Bills e.g. Bord Gais, Electric Ireland

♦ View & print your credit union account statement.

♦ Complete a loan application form.

If you have already registered for online banking but have forgotten your details, please contact the office by phone on 068 21938 or email info@listowelcu.ie

To register for Online Banking please visit www.listowelcu.ie.

A member of staff will be in touch to confirm your details on review of your account and a PIN will be issued in the post.

For Online Access your photo ID and address verification must be up to date on your account.

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ROGER MARTIN RIP

Those of us who were fortunate to have known him and called him a friend, were deeply shocked and saddened to hear of the sudden death on Wednesday of Roger Martin of Maidstone in Kent.

Aged 71, and a retired Police Officer, Roger who was the brother of the late Brian Martin of Sandhill Park, was a big man with a big heart. He dearly loved Ballybunion and spent much of his holiday time here for over the last thirty years, visiting his “Irish” family, and liking nothing better than fishing the Atlantic waters from the long strand.

By night, he loved a pint and a sing song in the Railway Bar where he always requested songs from the Furey Brothers, who were his favourite band and he often attended their shows in the UK.

A very personable individual, he had many friends in Ballybunion, particularly among my generation, as his niece’s and nephew’s friends became his friends over the years, and he kept in touch with us all by Facebook.

He missed out on a trip to Ballybunion last year because of Covid, but had planned to be here this coming summer, alas, it was not to be.

Roger is survived in the UK by his wife of 47 years Jean, his son Richard, daughter Adele, sisters Anne, Jill & Ruth and extended family, while over here, his Irish family includes his sister in law Mary Martin, her daughters Angela, Barbara, Sandra & Noreen, her sons Liam & David and their extended families.

As his fellow angler and great friend Mike Enright so eloquently put it : “He has gone to cast his line on another shore” Sleep Well Roger.

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AccountantsAccountantsAccountantsAccountants

Hannan & Culloty, Church Road Tel : 068-27428

Bars Bars Bars Bars

Courtney’s, Main Street Tel : 068-28038

The Exchange Inn, Main Street

Tel : 068-27123

Liston’s Bar, Main Street Tel : 087-2265932

The Railway, Main Street

Tel : 068-27303

B & B / GuesthousesB & B / GuesthousesB & B / GuesthousesB & B / Guesthouses

Beasley’s 19th Lodge, Golf Links Road Tel : 068-27592

Cashen Course House,

Golf Links Road Tel : 087-2898453

Courtney’s Bar Main Street

Tel : 068-28949

Liston’s Bar Main Street

Tel : 087-0962387

Building & Carpentry ServicesBuilding & Carpentry ServicesBuilding & Carpentry ServicesBuilding & Carpentry Services

N & C Courtney, Main Street Tel : 087-2471670

James Fogarty, Doon Road

Tel : 087-9154265

Car Repairs & DismantlersCar Repairs & DismantlersCar Repairs & DismantlersCar Repairs & Dismantlers

Dirra Cross Motors Asdee

Tel : 0863510478

Credit UnionCredit UnionCredit UnionCredit Union

Listowel Credit Union, (Ballybunion) Main Street

Tel : 068-27685

Dog GroomingDog GroomingDog GroomingDog Grooming

Magic Coat Grooming, Listowel Tel : 068-22040

Electricians Electricians Electricians Electricians

Stephen O’Connor, Lisselton Tel : 087-8382166

Financial Advice & ServicesFinancial Advice & ServicesFinancial Advice & ServicesFinancial Advice & Services

Eoin Liston, McGuire Liston

Financial Tel : 087-1341500

Filling Station & Convenience Filling Station & Convenience Filling Station & Convenience Filling Station & Convenience

StoreStoreStoreStore

Buckley’s, East End Tel : 083-3921792

Hair & BeautyHair & BeautyHair & BeautyHair & Beauty

Girlie’s Beauty Lounge, East End

Tel : 083-3523278

Magic Scissors, East End Tel : 068-27568

Rose’s Hair Studio, Main Street

Tel : 068-28898

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WE’RE LEAVING THE LIGHTS

ON

Ballybunion is taking inspiration from the town of Elphin, in County Roscommon in deciding to keep our Christmas lights on for the rest of the month.

January is generally a dark month anyway and with the present lockdowns and ongoing restrictions, keeping the lights on will help to add a little brightness to the streets.

At the moment, not many are travelling to work due to the “Work from home” guidelines and those who are travelling are doing so for essential work and frontline roles only.

Hopefully, we look forward to brighter days ahead with vaccinations rolling out and of course with the “grand aul stretch in the evenings” as we head for spring.

Having the lights on might just brighten up your day in some small way, and represent a sign of hope for better days ahead. Stay safe everyone.

The Ballybunion Community Forum’s “Go Fund Me” page is still open and the forum would like to sincerely thank everyone who has already contributed.

Just under €7,500 has been raised which is about 25% of the €30,000 target and for this the Forum are most grateful.

This money will go towards the cost of the Christmas lights, the running the tourist office and marketing plans for the future.

If you would like to donate you can do so online at : www.gofundme.com/f/ballybunion-community-forum-funding-appeal or on any of their social media sites - Ballybunion Tourism

SOUTH DOC TO RE-OPEN IN LISTOWEL

It was announced on Monday last that South Doc the out of hours GP service will re-open its Listowel centre from Monday next, January 18th, which is great news indeed for North Kerry following the closure of the centre on March 13th of last year, as part of a consolidation of services in the county due to the Coronavirus pandemic which forced the North Kerry-based doctors who are involved with the service to work from the Tra-lee base.

Welcoming the announcement on Monday last Norma Foley T.D. and Minister for Education said : “The lack of provision of South Doc services in Listowel has been an issue of huge concern for the people of North Kerry. I have consistently raised this matter with the HSE and I am very pleased with HSE confirmation, that services will resume shortly”.

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Out with the Old Mike Flahive Throwing 2020 off the Cliffs at Bromore

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HotelsHotelsHotelsHotels

Kilcooly’s Country House, Main Street

Tel : 068-27112

The Marine, Sandhill Road Tel : 068-27139

McMunn’s, Sandhill Road

Tel : 068-28845

Wilde, Sandhill Road Tel : 068-27942

Music & DiscoMusic & DiscoMusic & DiscoMusic & Disco

Ger Walsh

Tel : 087-6061822

Painting & DecoratingPainting & DecoratingPainting & DecoratingPainting & Decorating

Tommy “Tucker” O’Connor Tel : 087-2924214

PharmacyPharmacyPharmacyPharmacy

Ballybunion Pharmacy

Supervalu Complex, Main Street, Tel : 068– 27437

PhotographersPhotographersPhotographersPhotographers

Francis Bennett, Ahafona

Tel : 087-2460491

John Kelleher Photography Tel : 087-6428411

Marie Rohan, Lisselton Tel : 086-3681022

John Stack, Listowel Tel : 087-6020990

Physical Therapy ClinicPhysical Therapy ClinicPhysical Therapy ClinicPhysical Therapy Clinic

Manual Solutions Sandhill Road

Tel 087-9271996

Sports & RecreationSports & RecreationSports & RecreationSports & Recreation

Ballybunion Health & Leisure, Tel : 068-28111

Taxis/Hackney Taxis/Hackney Taxis/Hackney Taxis/Hackney

Billy Brosnan, East End

Tel : 087-2577737

Liam & Rose Enright, Ballyeigh Tel : 087-2604113

Veterinary SurgeonsVeterinary SurgeonsVeterinary SurgeonsVeterinary Surgeons

Joe O’Connor,

Island Veterinary Clinic, Listowel Tel : 068-22040

Upholstery Services Upholstery Services Upholstery Services Upholstery Services

Peter Sheehan, Lartigue Road

Tel : 086-8240457