A golden year for the members of the Bennekerry And District Active Retirement Bowls teams
The Bennekerry and District Active Retired Indoor Bowling Team. Left to right: Helen Foley, Michael Doyle, Ann Dunne and skipper, George Nolan. Missing from photo is Mary McDonald
THE Bennekerry and District Active Retirement Bowls Gold team, made up of Helen Foley, Ann Dunne, Mary McDonald and team captain George Nolan, won the small bowls plate runners-up prize at the Active Retirement All-Ireland competition in December.
The team was presented with their award by Active Retirement Ireland national president, Mai Quaid and Active Retirement CEO, Fran Brennan.
However, the team’s usual captain, Michael Doyle, was unable to take part in the December competition.
Determined to celebrate him, Ann organised a special dinner in Dinn Ri on 6 January and had five plaques engraved at Douglas Jewellers.
“Only the players got a presentation on the night (of the All-Ireland), but Michael didn’t so I wanted him to get something out of it as well,” she said.
The Bennekerry team has an impressive track record in competitive bowls since its establishment in 2011.
“We’re only a little club, but we won the Active Retirement All-Ireland in Mayo in 2016 and we won it in Killarney in 2019 and our team got to the final in Killarney in 2025,” said Ann, proudly.
The club operates as Bennekerry and district with players drawn from across the locality.
“We set it up as Bennekerry and district because we have players from the town, from Monacurragh, Ballycrogue, Newgarden and all over,” she added, explaining the nice mix from across nearby townlands.
Bowls is becoming increasingly popular in County Carlow, said Ann, noting that it is played in Carlow Tennis club, with clubs also established in Hacketstown, Leighlinbridge, Tullow, Ballon and Baltinglass.
