Abba Gold, school extensions and tragic death notices in Bagenalstown
Abba Gold
The following was recently posted on Bagenalstown Gaels Facebook page: It is with a mixture of shock and disbelief that our club has learned of the tragic passing of Maureen Hopkins (née Darcy), sister of our chairperson George and Ann Eustace (née Darcy) in a traffic accident in Westport, Co Mayo. Maureen had, in recent years, fought and won an heroic battle with cancer. Having successfully emerged from that to be now taken so suddenly from her Mayo and Bagenalstown families in such a way is particularly hard to comprehend. To George and Ann, all their families and to her husband Chris and all his family, we extend our deepest and heartfelt sympathies. There are times and events in life when words are not enough.
Presentation de la Salle Bagenalstown has gotten the go-ahead from the Department of Education to prepare tender documents for the public procurement of a building contractor for a new building to accommodate 750 pupils. The school is one of six large-scale projects being delivered across schools in counties Carlow, Kildare, Meath and Wicklow by the National Development Finance Agency (NDFA) on a devolved basis for the department. These school building projects are flagship projects in their area and will provide new and modernised high-quality, permanent facilities catering for over 5,750 students in total. “I’m delighted to receive confirmation from my party colleague, minister for education Norma Foley that a flagship new school building has been sanctioned for Presentation de la Salle Bagenalstown, which will benefit 750 students,” welcomed Carlow Kilkenny TD Jennifer Murnane O'Connor.
Bagenalstown Rounders club, formed in 1994, is celebrating its 30th anniversary this year. The club has proven itself to be one of the most successful in the sport with an impressive array of silverware won at county, Leinster and national levels. To date, they have contested the All-Ireland minor ladies’ finals, winning five and runners-up in three. The minor mixed team have won the All-Ireland final twice and were runners-up on three occasions. The senior ladies’ team contested 13 All-Ireland finals, winning six and runners-up in seven. As with all long-running clubs it’s difficult to maintain membership numbers. This factor, along with the pandemic, meant the club failed to compete in championship games in 2019 and 2020. In 2021, the club recruited strongly and managed to enter a senior and minor ladies’ teams in the championship. The senior ladies were unlucky not to reach the All-Ireland semi-final.
The minor team played at a high standard throughout their campaign and reached the All-Ireland final, where they took on Athenry. The girls batted and fielded brilliantly throughout the final and player of the day went to Chloe Cody, whose catch in foul ground secured victory for the Bagenalstown team. Bagenalstown had won the cup previously in 2004. In 2022, the club once again entered the senior and minor teams in competitions. Both teams had excellent campaigns and reached their respective finals. Unfortunately, things did not go their way in the finals and both teams lost out.
In 2023, they only managed to field a senior team. They had mixed results in the early rounds but still managed to reach the semi-final, where they were unlucky to lose by three runs. The year finished on a high when two of the club’s players were notified that they would receive their All-Star awards at a special ceremony on 14 October in Athlone. Louise Darcy won her All-Star award for the position of catcher, this being her seventh award. Nicola Clarke won her award for the position of pitcher, this also being her seventh award. The club has exciting plans for the future and is always looking for new members. You can contact the club on social media pages or email bagenalstownrounders1994@gmail.com. The above details are from an article by Alice Clarke which was published in Bagenalstown parish yearbook in 2023.
You are invited to come along and enjoy the ultimate ABBA experience at the ABBA Gold concert in Ballinkillen Lorum community centre on Saturday 27 July. Doors will open at 8pm, the show will start at 9pm and there will be a DJ afterwards. Tickets, costing €25, are available from Eventbrite or phone 087 4373805 or 089 9767800.
Walsh Whiskey has applied for major developments of a new site in Bagenalstown and are hoping to transform Duncleckney Maltings as its new premises. The proposal was submitted by WW Equity House Trading Ltd, t/a Walsh Whiskey, at the aforementioned location, comprising of the establishment of an Irish Whiskey Distillery and associated visitor centre at the premises. Dunleckney Maltings is included in the County Carlow Record of Protected Structures.
The proposal submitted to Carlow Co Council is extensive and some of the works include the conversion of existing buildings for the production of Irish whiskey, including mill room, mash room, pot still house, fermenter, vessel room, cleaning-in-place station, plant rooms, cask filling/disgorging room, workshops, stores, distillery plant and equipment. The development also includes the conversion of existing buildings at the south of the complex to a distillery visitor centre with an off-license, bar and shop facilities.
Also included are the conversion of existing building for offices, meeting rooms, laboratory, staff canteen, staff and visitor sanitary facilities. A number of other works are listed in the public notice. The planning application was received on 18 April with a decision due in the next couple of weeks.
Bagenalstown Gaels ‘buy a brick’ fundraiser is up and running and the brochures have been distributed throughout the locality. If you haven't received one, let the club know and they will get one to you. Those who participate will have their names permanently acknowledged in the new clubhouse. If purchasers wish, it's also an ideal opportunity to have departed loved ones remembered by purchasing a brick in their name. Generations from the local community, far into the future, will benefit from the ongoing development projects.
Bagenalstown parish website is still active and updated on a weekly basis. We are all encouraged to visit the site and to pass on the address to relatives and friends abroad so they can keep up to date with local news. If you have any information that you would like to put on the site, you can drop it into the parish office or email bagenalstownparish@gmail.com.
