TWO members of the Cummins family from Ballon celebrated their golden jubilee recently, albeit for very different reasons.
First up, Bro Gerard - or Tom Cummins, as he was formerly known - celebrated the 50th anniversary of his profession as a Christian Brother. He was professed in April 1960 and is one of only five men still serving in the Irish Province of the Holy Ghost Order.
More recently, his brother Seamus and his wife Jennie of Chapel Gate, Ballon, celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary on Sunday 11 July. The happy couple were married in the Church of Saints Peter and Paul, Ballon on 11 July 1960 by Fr Patrick Breen.
Both occasions were the cause of great celebrations in Ballon, especially for three well-respected members of the Cummins family.