Ballycomoyle on the go for 24 hours
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The Seven Wonders Bar took a one-hour slot in the Bal Walkathon, Ita and her regulars managed a healthy pace probably set by global marathon runner Celeste Dermody. From left Christy Farrelly, Celeste Dermody, Piaras Walsh with his daughter Aoibheann, Gerry Coyle, Fidelma Gallagher, Gerry Bardon. James Gilsenan, Majella Walsh, Deirdre Walsh, Paul Bardon, Ita Halpin, Kevin Walsh, Pat Kenny, Paul Gilsenan, Greg Cullen, Ted Fagan, Eugene Gallagher, Seanie Gilsenan.Image 2 of 13
Jessica Nolan, Kiera Coplan, Katie Maxwell and Caireann at the 24 Hour Walkathon for Ballycomoyle.Image 3 of 13
Tommy Fitzpatrick, Sinéad Gallagher, Orla Gallagher, Veronica Kiernan, Ciaran Williams, with U10 footballer in Ballycomoyle starting out on the 24 Hour Walkathon.Image 4 of 13
U12 and U14 girls on the 24 Hour Walkathon.Image 5 of 13
Rian Hannon had a comfortable seat for his work stewarding the 24 hour walkathon in Fore.Image 6 of 13
Dermot McKenna, a long serving stalwart of Ballycomoyle football club and local footballing legend, at the 24 hour Walkathon For Bal in Fore.Image 7 of 13
Cathal Fagan, Cathal Og Fagan, Seamus Farrelly, Paddy Hannon and Steven Maxwell at the 24 Hour Bal Walkathon.Image 8 of 13
Louise Farrelly, Claire Devine, Sarita Nolan, Grace Tyrrell, Sinéad Gallagher, Gerry Farrelly, Anna Gilsenan and Linda Barr. Gerry Farrelly learned on Saturday that his photo is now being used to promote the Hidden Heartlands.Image 9 of 13
Noel Connell and Seanie Grall from the JFK 50 Mile Walk got a 3km loop in, joining the walkers in Fore for the 24 Hour Walkathon. They stopped for a chat with Linda Barr and Gracie Tyrrell.Image 10 of 13
Burke’s Bar in Coole were among local businesses taking one-hour slots in the Bal 24 Hour Walkathon, Aimee Burke, Kaitlyn Burke, Laura Burke, Dawn Reilly, Pat Burke and Pat Cullen with Rossie and Harvey.Image 11 of 13
Cliodhna and her gorgeous English setter Harley with Kate, Annie, Grace and Lily-Anna.Image 12 of 13
Ballycomoyle Scór are a talented and successful grouping and they held a fundraising concert in Coole as part of their contribution to the Walkathon. Piaras Walsh, Seamus McDermott, Seamus Lynch, Liz Fitzpatrick, Grainne Healy, Lorraine Ledwith, Catherine Daly, Zara Geraghty, Naomi Fitzpatrick, Cliodhna and Harley Daly, Orla Gallagher, Holly, Orla Gallagher, Lorna McCormack, Niamh Louise, Clodagh and Andy.Image 13 of 13
Kate Sparham picked the right weekend to visit Fore, and she enjoyed the walkathon on Saturday and the walk and talk organised by the IFA on Sunday. Here she is at the Abbey with Faolan and Conn the Wolfhounds and little Jazz, Mr Heinz.Bag packs, poker nights, tractor runs, hill climbs, table quizzes, pitch and putt and five-a-side, Ballycomoyle had something for everyone over the last four weeks as the club undertook a significant and successful fundraiser called the 24 Hour Walkathon.
Last weekend, every hour slot over 24 hours from Friday to Saturday was assigned to a club section and they undertook to walk the 3.5km looped trail in Fore in that hour and also to raise at least €1,000 to help this thriving club grow, develop and maintain their existing facilities.
“We have so many people to thank,” said club chairman Gerard Halpin, at the wrap up barbecue in Fore on Saturday week last, “but we need to all say a massive thanks to the organising committee Lisa Murtagh, Maria Higgins, Lynda Barr, Louise Farrelly, Sinéad Williams, Grace Tyrrell and Deirdre Devine for their immense hard work over the last few months and the amazing work they have done to pull this weekend together.”
Gerard also announced the decision made between the parish and the club to make the memorial hour an annual event. This weekend is cemetery Sunday in the Parish of Collinstown and Fore.
On Friday at 10pm, the club lined the walkway with lanterns and installed a lightwork that read spelled ‘Remember Me’ at the school. Dozens of families gathered to remember as a club those in the community that had passed.
Club treasurer Stephen Maxwell was on duty from early on Saturday helping to steward the event before swapping his high viz for an apron and getting on the business end of a grill with Aisling Bardy to serve up hundreds of burgers and hot dogs.
He said: “There is no doubt that when we moved to this area, belonging to Ballycomoyle helped us to meet people and settle in here. This club really has a strong community focus and it’s just great to see how much support the walkathon got.”
The first group to get out on the trail and get the walkathon started on Friday evening were the U7s and nursery group led by Sharon Halpin. Joining Ballycomoyle’s different age groups was St Michael’s, the amalgamated squad who include Castletown Finea, Ringtown Hurling Club and the Lough Lene Gaels.
The local public houses also showed their support and the regulars and staff of the Lough Lene Inn, the Seven Wonders Bar, The Abbey House and Burke’s Bar all taking to the trail to complete a circuit. Businesses also sponsored each hourly slot, including club coaches Mary Egan and Beauty Boutique and Darren Tyrrell Carpentry.
The organising committee are also in the Gaelic 4 Mothers and Others squad; they were the early birds, in the 4am slot, giving them time to walk and to organise everything, from setting up the floats for the musicians to taking down all the flags on the Sunday morning.
Ballycomoyle are now working on their next development phase.
“We would just like to thank everyone for all the hard work and committed fundraising that has taken place over the last few months,” said Sinéad Williams, ladies chair.
“It is great to see so many people out to walk the trail as part of this 24-hour walkathon and out this evening with us to celebrate the great club that is Ballycomoyle. We are so grateful and appreciative to everyone for all their hard work.”