Issue 44 Volume 10 : Thursday January 7th 2021

Residents of Ballybunion were shocked to learn of the tragic death of local man John Walsh of Gortnaskeha in the early hours of Wednesday morning following a single car collision in Moyvane. John who was popularly known as “Dada”, was the sole occupant of the car and he was pronounced dead at the scene shortly after the arrival of the Gardaí and Emergency services.

Although from Ballybunion, John had lived for the past number of years in Moyvane with his partner Elizabeth and their two small children Harry & Isabelle, while he caddied during the summer months at Ballybunion Golf Club, where he was described as being an excellent caddie with a great knowledge of the course and the game of golf, as well as being very dependable and obliging.

Predeceased by his mother Nellie (neé McNamara) and his brother Denis-Paul, he is survived by his father Denis, his brother Larry, extended family and a large circle of friends.

A private family funeral mass will take place for John on Friday at 2.30pm in St John’s Church Ballybunion, followed by burial afterwards in Killahenny Graveyard. May He Rest in Peace.

TRAGIC DEATH OF LOCAL MAN

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Hello and welcome to another edition of Ballybunion News, the first of the New Year. There seems to be no let up in the continuing spread of Covid and with even more restrictions added yesterday (Wednesday) , the situation is as serious as it has ever been, since the beginning of the pandemic last March. All we can do for now is to stay at home, obey the regulations and hope that they will bear fruit in a few weeks time and that numbers will begin to drop again. Sadly, a great number of people have not been obeying the 5K rule and the recent fine weather has seen Ballybunion extremely busy of late, with some people from up to 50 miles away, coming here to walk the beaches and around the town. I think perhaps that under the present conditions , its best to stay at home and exercise within your own 5k bubble until things improve. 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

The numbers of new cases in Kerry for the past week has sky-rocketed with 825 cases from Thursday last December 31st up to Wednesday January 6th with new record highs being set every day, while yesterday (Wednesday) was the worst since the pandemic began with 235, which is almost double the number from the previous day, while the increase of 525 on the previous week represents an increase of 175%.

Nationally, in the past week, there were 31,011 new cases up from 8,016 the previous week, an overall increase of 22,995 or 286%.

The total number of deaths recorded nationwide in the past week was 74 compared to 43 the previous week (an increase of 72%), while almost 20% of all people now being tested in the last seven days are positive with 26 positives cases recorded in the Listowel local electoral area.

These figures now bring the total number of positive cases in Ireland since the pandemic began, to 121,154 while there have been 2,299 deaths recorded in that time, but if you look at the bigger picture in a more positive way, less than 3% of the country’s population have tested positive since the beginning and 98.1% of those who have tested positive, have survived.

THANK YOU

Peggy Murphy was in touch and has asked me to convey a sincere Thank You to Eileen Fogarty, Con McCarthy and the members of the Senior Citizens committee for their very kind gesture this Christmas.

The committee usually organise a fabulous Christmas Party for all of our senior citizens with a mass, followed by dinner, dancing and music, but were unable to do so this year because of the Covid restrictions. However, they instead organised a hamper of sweets to be delivered to every senior citizen in the town, which was indeed a very kindly gesture which was much appreciated by all of the recipients.

There are so many things which have been cancelled this past year because of Covid restrictions, but I’m sure we will be able to enjoy and appreciate them all the more, once restrictions are lifted and life returns to normal again.

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

Christmas morning

A VERY SPECIAL BIRTHDAY FOR A VERY

SPECIAL LADY

Happy Birthday and many congratulations to one of our town’s most senior citizens, Mrs Peggy Jones of Doon Road, who celebrates her 97th birthday today.

Peggy still lives in her own home among her life- long neighbours on Marian Crescent is one of the town’s most popular residents.

Hopefully, she will be granted the health to enjoy many more birthdays.

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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.

CONDOLENCES

Sincere condolences on behalf of the community to our local Garda Sergeant Mick McCarthy, his wife Aileen, daughters Grace & Ruth and extended family, on the recent death of his mother Eileen of Cromane Lower, Killorglin, Co Kerry, who passed away on New Year’s day.

BEALE GAA NEWS

Beale GAA wishes everyone a very happy and healthy 2021 and in these trying times, we hope you all stay safe.

Congrats to the winners in our recent Monster Xmas draw which took place at Supervalu just before Christmas and many thanks to our sponsors and to everyone who supported our raffle. A big shout out also to Cormac and Elaine Cahill at Supervalu for facilitating our ticket sales.

The club extends its sympathies to Sgt Mick McCarthy and the extended McCarthy family on the death of Mick’s mother. Go ndearna Dia trócaire ar a h-anam.

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ORGANIGO NOW IN THE SUPERMARKETS

The Organigo range of freshly-prepared and ready-to-eat organic vegetables produced by local woman Máire Griffin (right) are now available in health food shops and supermarkets right across the Munster region including Cahill’s Supervalu here in Ballybunion.

The range which currently includes Courgette, Beetroot and Butternut Squash Noodles as well as Cauliflower Rice, are attractively packaged, reasonably priced and prepared by Máire and her team in a purpose-built food production unit on an industrial estate in Abbeyfeale.

Reared on her family’s dairy farm across from the famous Bromore Cliffs just outside Ballybunion, Máire has always had an interest in organic food and graduated from the University of Limerick with a BSc degree in Food Science & Health as well as a Masters in Food Law.

She spent ten years travelling around the world to such places as Russia, China and Mongolia, as well as working in the food industry both here in Ireland and in the UK, before returning home for good in 2018, working as a relief milker on dairy farms.

Máire decided to set up Organigo after spotting that there were no “easy to go” healthy vegetable snacks available in the market here in Ireland and although the kitting out of her facility in Abbeyfeale was delayed earlier this year because of the first lockdown, she is now up and running, with three part time staff and she hopes to take on a full time delivery driver in the future.

All of her vegetables are supplied by certified organic farms in Kerry and Galway and the vegetables are then washed, spiralised into noodles, rinsed again, and dried, before being packaged in biodegradable packaging and chilled down to 4 degrees before sale.

She is passionate about the reduction of her carbon footprint and hopes to have zero waste to landfill within three years.

The noodles which of course can be eaten on their own as a healthy snack, are really delicious and they are also ideal for salads, stir fry's and curries.

Maire hopes to extend her range of Organigo products in the future and I’m sure all in Ballybunion wish her well with her venture.

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Cahill’s Main Street Ballybunion

Proudly Supporting 48 Local Jobs Home Delivery Service Available Tel : 068-27244

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THEY LEFT US IN 2020

Many famous faces departed this life in 2020 and here is a list of just some that you might be familiar with :

From the World of Sport : Jockey Pat Smullen, former Manchester United footballers Tony Dunne and Harry Gregg (who famously survived the Munich Air Disaster in 1958), former Liverpool and Aston Villa manager Gerard Houllier, footballers agent Eric Hall, legendary Argentinian World Cup winner Diego Maradona, England World Cup winners 1966 Nobby Stiles & Jack Charlton, former Manchester United and Chelsea manager Tommy Docherty, snooker player Willie Thorne, former Liverpool and Spurs goalkeeper Ray Clemence, former Leeds defender Norman Hunter, Boxer Alan Minter, Motor Racing legend Stirling Moss, Basketballer Kobe Bryant and legendary golf commentator Peter Alliss

From the World of Music : Rock'n'roller Little Richard, Forces Sweetheart Dame Vera Lynn, guitarist Eddie Van Halen, Soul singer Bill Withers, guitarist Peter Green of Fleetwood Mac, 60’s Pop Star Spencer Davis, American Singers Johnny Nash & Trini Lopez, former Bay City Roller Ian Mitchell, Australian singer Helen Reddy, Country stars Charley Pride, Kenny Rogers, Charlie Daniels, Hal Ketchum, Joe Diffie and John Prine

From the World of Film & TV : Sean Connery 007, James Drury (The Virginian) Hollywood icons Olivia De Havilland & Kirk Douglas, English actresses Diana Rigg from the “Avengers” and Barbara Windsor from the “Carry On” movies, Bond Girl Honor Blackman, TV personalities Des O’Connor, & Nicholas Parsons, Monty Python founder Terry Jones, former member of the “Goodies” Tim Brooke-Taylor, and comedians Eddie Large & Bobby Ball

From the World of Literature and Politics : Seamus Mallon former deputy first minister of Northern Ireland, Nobel Peace Prize winner John Hume and Master Spy Novelist John Le Carré

From Ireland : Legendary Showband singer Brendan Bowyer, Singer/Songwriter and Bagatelle Front Man Liam Reilly, Singer/Comedian Sonny Knowles, Broadcasters Marian Finnucane & Larry Gogan and Country singers Brian Coll and Chuck Owens.

Its quite a list for just one year !

THE MASS PATH

Ballybunion Tidy Towns are looking for information on a laneway in the town located just off the Cliff Road.

They are acting upon a suggestion from a Mary Barry who contacted them requesting that the laneway be cleaned up and have a sign erected.

Mary claims that the area was known as the “Mass Path” and was used by locals as a shortcut to go to mass as it basically takes out the two bends on the Cliff Road.

However, several elderly residents of the town have been contacted and not one can ever recall it being known as the “Mass Path”.

The laneway located just above “Cheevers Lodge” goes around the back of a number of houses and back onto Cliff Road again at “Raven Cliff” but the locals who were contacted, all said the same thing, it was just a shortcut on the way to school at the convent on Doon Road.

Local man and Peace Commissioner Padraig O’Sullivan told Ballybunion News : “I’ve lived in Ballybunion all of my life and never heard of the “Mass Path”. I do know that it used to be a stop for the Bianconi coaches a few centuries back, but in my lifetime, locals just used it as a short cut to avoid the two bends on Cliff Road”

If the person (Mary Barry) who made the suggestion to Tidy Towns is reading this, could you please get in touch with Chairman Noel Nash (089-41286000) as they don’t have any contact details or address for you and would like to discuss the matter further.

Equally so, if any other locals have any further information about this or have heard about the “Mass Path” they might also get in touch.

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A WORD FROM FR SEÁN

The Wise Men from the East bearing gifts of Gold, Frankincense & Myrrh were placed in all the cribs on Wednesday January 6th.

Like every birth of an infant, it is family only for the first few days, after which siblings, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles are introduced to begin bonding with the new arrival and then the infant is introduced to the wider world.

The birth of Jesus was no different. Initially Joseph and Mary, the neighbouring shepherds got to meet and bond with him and yesterday (Wednesday) was the Feast of Epiphany, the showing of Jesus the new Messiah to the rest of the entire world.

The Magi, or Wise Men, were drawn to this spot by a star and brought gifts fit for a king. Jesus, the Messiah, our Saviour, was not to be only for Mary, Joseph or even for the Jewish people on their own and this visit shows how from the very start, from the infancy of Jesus, he was born for all peoples of the World, North, South East & West.

In the countries East of Rome, where the Eastern Orthodox Christian Churches reside, Romania, Russia, Greece and beyond, yesterday was their most significant Day.

We Thank God with them, with all Christians that Jesus was born for the entire world and we dedicate the gifts of our lives to witnessing for him.

NOTE : St John’s Parish News will be back with us again from next Thursday January 14th onwards.

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A group of locals enjoying a drink at Liston’s Bar in the 1960’sA group of locals enjoying a drink at Liston’s Bar in the 1960’sA group of locals enjoying a drink at Liston’s Bar in the 1960’sA group of locals enjoying a drink at Liston’s Bar in the 1960’s How many can you name ?How many can you name ?How many can you name ?How many can you name ?

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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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Sunset through the car window at the Ladies Beach on Tuesday evening

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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